This do-it-yourself band has been doing it their way for the past ten years and has still managed to stay current and relevant in the Pittsburgh area. Winning numerous accolades and mentions such as playing Vans Warped Tour and the winners of Rolling Rock Hard & Heavy Rock Wars, they’ve not only stayed true at being the best in the local scene but they have blazed a trail for young musicians to follow.
Their style of music is sick and ugly at the same time. The brutal beats that they lay down mixed with the powerful lyrics of a female fronted vocalist; brings the house down at every show. This is a trio from hell and one that will be engraved in your minds forever.
ESE had the opportunity to get an interview with Motorpsychos last week. See what they had to say and then go check em out @ www.motorpsychosrock.com.
Scottydawg: Thanks for taking the time out to interview with East Side Entertainment. You guys just played at the 31st Street Pub in Pittsburgh last month. What was the show like and how was the reaction from the crowd ?
Pam: Great. We played some new stuff. It was a blast.
Amy: The show was fun, they always are! We hosted a band from Buffalo. They were excited to play in Pittsburgh. That was cool. It’s always fun bringin out of state bands in. It’s the backbone of networking. There are always new faces at shows; people who’ve never seen us before and then they’re like HOLY FUCK! Otherwise, we always get kudos from the regulars for tightness.
Dennis: I was a good time. Anytime we get together and make music, you can’t go wrong. I felt the crowd enjoyed the evening. Normally we get a great response from the crowd everywhere we play.
SD: Coincidentally, Motorpsychos is originally from Pittsburgh. Can you tell us a little about the band and how it was formed ?
Pam: We formed in January of 2000. The original singer, Rachel, and I were jamming with our original drummer, Dr. Vent. Amy joined on bass and Vent left six months in. Dennis answered an ad and the rest is history.
SD: Looking back when the band first started in 2000, what kind of setbacks did you experience along the way and how did you overcome them ?
Pam: I’d have to say that our setbacks were people leaving and we always solved them by getting better. When Vent left, we found Dennis and he’s great.
When our singer Rachel left, Abby Krizner joined the band as a second guitar and she, Amy and I split the singing. When Abby left, we stayed a three-piece and we’re heavier and tighter than ever, and writing really
interesting, heavy, imaginative songs. My motto is that when someone leaves, you better come through it being just as good as before, or better, or just pack it in, and each time we’ve come out of it being better.
SD: What motivates you just before you get on stage ? Any traditions, rituals, or human sacrifices ?
Pam: We gave up human sacrifices in 2002. The government was comin’ down hard on us. Actually, sometimes we say, “Time to make the donuts!” If we’re about to play a song we’ve never done, I turn around to face Dennis and make the sign of the cross. That’s about it.
Amy: Constant loud and fast pre-show music with air guitar action (while getting ready), and a shot right before we hit the stage.
Dennis: I guess it really depends on the venue, the show, the bands, and my overall feeling that day. A little pre show metal, a few drinks, and…. let’s do this!
SD: You’re a very competitive band and have won many competitions. What do you think is your greatest achievement so far ?
Pam: Probably that we’ve stayed together over eleven years, still like each other, still have fun and laugh a lot, and most of all, still write really cool music. (But I’ve been known to brag about playing CBGB’s twice to a packed house…)
Amy: Being together so long and not losing creative ideas or the drive to put them into action.
Dennis: I’ll agree. Being together for 11 years is a great achievement. CBGB, Silver Dome, and just hitting the road does it for me.
SD: You have an upcoming month tour that will take you from New Jersey down to North Carolina. What’s the travel arrangements like ? Do you have a bus or a van ?
Pam: We’re taking my husband’s truck.
Amy: We’ll be taking a limo.
Dennis: Not to many arrangements really. Just the usual beer, money, plan, and our good buddy KEVIN!!!
SD: What is your fan base like outside of the Pittsburgh area ?
Pam: Thanks to the internet we do come across a lot of people that know us and are psyched that we’re playing in their town.
SD: This question is for Dennis. What’s it like being the only guy in the band ? lol. I mean that’s gotta be killer touring around with two hot chicks.
Dennis: Well it has been great. I’m not sure I could be in a band with guys for so long. Egos suck, and dudes have them. These chicks are my sisters and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Jealous?
Amy: For the record, there’s a big difference between hot chicks and a belching, hollerin’, staggerin’ tomboy with band-aids on her fingers, but thanks for the compliment, I guess.
Pam: I’ll accept the “hot chicks” reference.
SD: How well do you all get a long when you’re out on the road ? Any disagreements or disputes ?
Pam: When we have disagreements we get the shit out on the table and work through them but I can’t ever remember having trouble on the road.
Amy: Our rule is that ball bustin starts at noon, so if someone in 2nd class (the backseat) wants air conditioner (if we even have it) we’ll turn the heat on or something. The more mad someone gets, the more they’re picked on. We’re usually pretty cool about stuff. I can’t remember a time when there was a real issue on the road….except maybe threats to my life if I don’t start using my “inside voice” at the hotels.
Dennis: We rock on the road. We are out there to have fun and be seen. When people in the truck are unhappy… I eat chili…
Pam: You eating chili is why people in the truck are unhappy
SD: And speaking of touring, what would you say is the craziest shit that ever happened at a show ?
Pam: I don’t have any good stories here. I’m not sure if that’s because nothing crazy ever happened or because I was always too drunk to remember.
Amy: Dennis spontaneously sat in for a no-show drummer in Rhode Island. He played the band’s entire set WELL without knowing any of their shit. What was fucking awesome was that the band’s drummer ended up walking in during the set and sees Dennis up there on HIS kit, killin’ it. Dude just walked to the back room all pissy. We have it on video.
Dennis: Yeah filling in for Red Theory was cool. All in all, we have had good luck. Other than the blown engine and having to remove our trailer’s axle to fit it in a box truck.
SD: A lot of bands are becoming more of a do-it-yourself type of band. How hard is this as opposed to being signed ? And is this eventually a goal for Motorpsychos ?
Pam: We’ve always been DIY. We’re working on our fourth CD and still don’t owe anybody anything. Now with technology opening up previously inaccessible avenues from recording to distribution, you’re seeing less and less record deals. Being “signed” is often mistaken for having “made it” but often being signed means giving away the rights to your music, giving up control of your recording, and owing the record company lots of money and future recording projects.
Amy: We have no idea what it’s like to be signed. The only benefit seems to be distribution and even that is DIY now. We don’t owe money to anyone and that’s sayin something. Our goal is to keep doing this forever.
SD: Your third album, Coming of Rage, was released in 2009. Can we expect a fourth album soon ? And if so, what might be involved with this album ?
Pam: We’re working on it now. It’s our first recording as a three-piece. I’m really excited about it. I love the writing and the way we’re playing this new stuff.
Amy: We’re recording now! We’re doing it ourselves, a very exciting first. Expect more dynamic vox and weird tempo stuff. It’s gonna be heavier than all the rest.
Dennis: The fourth album should have a different feel. A little more heavy, a little different chemistry, and no studio stress. It’s exciting to not feel the pressure of the time clock.
SD: Being from the Burgh, do you record locally; and if so, what studio ?
Pam: We’re recording ourselves this time.
SD: What are your thoughts on file sharing ? With the way technology is nowadays and almost phasing out the music industry, do you think it’s ok for a fan to download your music off the internet for free ?
Pam: It depends who you are. We have always made certain songs available for free, but not everything. In our case, I’d gladly give away a few free downloads in exchange for a few diehard fans.
SD: As I’m reading this and want to know more about Motorpsychos, where can I go ? And hell doesn’t count.
Pam: There’s a bunch of bio material and photos on our site, www.motorpsychosrock.com, but if you really want to see what we’re about, come see us!
SD: Lastly, is there anything you want your fans out there to know about Motorpsychos or anything I might not have touched base on ?
Dennis: I’d like to just say, being with the same group of creative musicians for 11 years is amazing. Along the way we have made many, many friends and formed a close family. I hope in some way we have carved our name in the Pittsburgh music seen and will be remembered for kicking ass with the
rest of them.
SD: Well, I thank you guys for taking the time out for this interview. I know you have a lot of traveling to do in the next couple months so we wish you the best of luck.
Thanks!
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