“This Ordinary Guy is a music/news & interview based podcast recorded in Chicago, IL. Each week we interview an individual, or group of individuals, who have a great story to tell. Sometimes it’s a band talking about life on the road or how it is to deal with record labels, sometimes its a local entrepreneur detailing the hardships in owning a business, and other times its just an ordinary person whose life experiences are just the opposite.”

Listen in as we talk to Last Nights Vice about their new album and some upcoming stuff they’re working on!

Last Nights Vice on The Ordinary Guy Network

Read all of INTERVIEW: Shining Spotlights on Last Night’s Vice by Dave Hopkins

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How can you classify LNV music? Or is there a category?
I think a simple answer is Dance Rock. What we really want to do is be able to span the spectrum of Funk and Hard Rock. We want our dance parts to have a lot of groove and our harder parts to be real intense.

What bands or artist inspire y’all?
I think collectively we are inspired by a lot of different genres. Mostly, pop, punk, metal and R&B. We listen to bands like Motley Crue, Slayer, The Temptations, Blink-182, The Used, Isley Brothers, etc…

Favorite venues to play at in St. Louis?
We play a lot of different places, Pageant, Cicero’s, Old Rock House. Our favorite place is probably Pop’s. We have developed a close relationship with them and usually count on playing our biggest shows there. They are very supportive of our band and always go the extra mile to help us out.

Describe how “Perfect Little Noise” came to be?
This CD is basically a culmination of all the songs we have recorded over the last four years. We made a list of all of them and decided to pick the best ten. At the last second we wrote a new song called ‘Gin and Tonic’ and rushed into the studio to record it and added it to the CD. We also have three exclusive digital downloads that fans can get from iTunes. We wanted to use these as ‘B-Sides’ for fans that want more of our music.

What are some of the topics covered in the album?
A lot of our songs cover issues with alcohol. A lot of them have to do with love, whether it is a true love song, relationship issues or just about sex. We also have a nerd element that has a lot of sci-fi and comic book references. The Power Cosmic for instance spans all 3. The Power Cosmic is a reference to Silver Surfer and it’s a love song about getting messed up on the beach.

What were some of your favorite concert moments?
We had an awesome experience touring to LA to play at The Viper Room. We were super nervous and were the last band to play that night. We got to the end of our set and people were actually cheering. We did an encore song, and a bunch of people talked to us after the show saying we did a good job. It was a surreal experience to be that far away from home and still draw an audience, especially at a place like the Viper Room.

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Read all of INTERVIEW: Shining Spotlights on Last Night’s Vice by Dave Hopkins

LNV is releasing their first full-length album entitled Perfect Little Noise which is a compellation of songs from their previous three EP’s plus five or six new songs. I spoke with guitarist Jordan Phoenix about the album and their CD release party at Pop’s Friday, August 27. With the release of Perfect Little Noise the boys have every intention of taking the best of their music to the top.

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If you could book the ultimate show, who would play with you?
There are so many. Option//Control is on our CD release show because we have been trying to set up a show with them for a while but we wanted it to be the right show. We like what Building Rome is doing, Me Verse You and our buddies OutRAGEus!

Do you have any vices?
I am sure we do. Everyone’s would be different. We have completely different characteristics. We would make great comic book characters. We all have things we gravitate towards and probably shouldn’t.

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Rapid fire round
Best venue in St. Louis?
For a small show it is Cicero’s because they have the best sound. For a large show, I would say Pop’s which is why we decided to have our CD release show there.

What are your favorite bars?
Flamingo Bowl always has a good crowd and really good industry specials. Halo Bar is a cool hangout if you are catching a show at The Pageant.

What was your craziest show?
Old Rock House for what I think was an EP release. A large piece of tile fell on three members of the first band. We rented a fake snow machine and the crowd got crazy.

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Read all of Meaghan Anselm’s Quickie Q&A: Last Nights Vice

Stitched Sound is an online type organization that brings you news with your favorite artists, as well as keeping you updated with what’s going on in the music business. They interview bands, do reviews, and photography.

They strive to keep you updated with the fast and growing music industry.

Be sure to check out more of their interviews with Rapetazer and Cady Groves. As well as their Cover Issues with The Rocket Summer and Sing it Loud.

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5. If you were a furry, what animal would you be? Why that animal?
Brandon: I would be a fox. Why? A wise old Indian shaman sat down with me, helped me find my power animal. I thought he was full of shit, but it worked. It’s still probably bullshit, but I swear I saw a fox.
Andrew G.: If I were furry, I would be a skunk because nobody harasses a skunk and I don’t like being harassed.
Joe: A Panda. They always stumble around and look like they’re having fun.

6. Why should people listen to your band?
Brandon: People should listen to our music because…we made it for you. Seriously.
Andrew G.: People should listen to my band because it’s fun music with an edge. It will motivate you to get up and have fun. Try listening to it while driving; it will make you speed!
Chris: You won’t find another band like LNV, which is usually a goal of any artist. Our songs are pretty organic. We are a brand of pop rock that you don’t have to be embarrassed to listen to, similar to a lot of pop in the 80′s.

7. If you were chosen to be in Guitar Hero/Rock Band, what song would you want in the game? How hard do you think it would be to five-star on expert?
Brandon: POWER COSMIC. The solo is insane. It’s not even a real solo, its two solos. I doubt we could even play it on expert.
Andrew G.: If I were chosen to be in Guitar Hero/Rock Band, I would want RAGS TO RUINS in the game. Personally these are the most technical drums I’ve ever written for a song. If you listen closely, there are a lot of little things that I do to make the drums interesting. It would be pretty difficult for a 5-star expert but not impossible!
Chris: “Power Cosmic.” Interesting lead with creative harmonies to it. Sick guitar solo.
Joe: I think Gin and Tonic. I wrote a lot of the guitar lines last minute. I’m not even sure if I could play it.

8. If you won a Grammy, who would you thank?
Brandon: I would thank the trophy makers, the engravers and the raw material suppliers that provide all the material to make a Grammy. They never get a thank you. Ever.
Andrew G.: If I won a Grammy, I would thank my band, my mom, and the fans!
Chris: My dad, rock influences, and the kids that come out to the show.
Joe: Mom, Dad, Kim.

9. If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
Brandon: I would make it a tad easier to get your foot in the door, that’s for sure. I just wish people had more faith in their fellow man.
Andrew G.: If I could change something about the music industry, I would change the way that record labels sign bands. Most labels decide solely on the band’s ability to bring fans to a show and not how much talent they have. This industry is based exclusively on what sells.
Chris: No more American Idol. It is the single worst thing that has happened to music, especially pop music.
Joe: I would make it so music was cheaper and more accessible. I feel like artists have gotten that we aren’t going to grow up to be millionaires, now labels should figure that out too.

10. Memorable tour experience?
Brandon: Warped Tour 2002, I was sitting out back in Houston. I think and I was having a hot dog, talking to some girls…bit into the hot dog and found part of what I understand to be a human tooth. Strike one. Then the guys in NOFX walk by and stole my girls. Strike two. And the hot dog guy wouldn’t give me my money back. Strike three.
Andrew G.: My most memorable tour experience would have to have been our van breaking down in gang territory. Please see me in person to elaborate, it was some scary stuff!!!!
Chris:”The bowl of life.” Passing out in someone’s backyard in Kearney, Nebraska.
Joe: I remember playing in Kearney, Nebraska, and a bunch of people showed up singing our songs. I still don’t know how they had heard of us.

11. What does AP.net mean to you?
Brandon: I think it’s amazing in a world where music seems to be taking a back seat. It’s nice to have a place to go.
Andrew G.: AP.NET=AWESOME…Here’s why: It’s a free spirited movement that enables you to deliver your music and character to people who you couldn’t reach on your own. They will give the little guys like us the opportunity to do this amazing interview!
Chris: AP is one of, if not the best mediums for bands and punk rock.

12. What is your favorite song to play?
Chris: Right now it is “Gin and Tonic” because it is our newest.
Andrew G.: My favorite song to play is “All I.” I especially like the bridge of this song when the music cuts out and leaves the vocals to carry the energy. The crowd loves this too.
Brandon: I can’t tell you. It would lose its meaning.
Joe: I put on my dancing shoes for “The Power Cosmic.”

13. What is your vacation spot of choice?
Brandon: Free and fun. Wherever that is.
Andrew G.: My favorite vacation spot is any place that I can rip my shirt off and get sun. I love it when the heat causes my chest to sweat into my chest hairs!
Chris: I enjoy Panama City Beach. I love the insane amount of energy it has as it is a hot spot for youth. I think “The Power Cosmic” pretty much explains PCB Florida in the spring.
Joe: Northwest Michigan.

14. What music reminds you of your childhood?
Brandon: NO JOKE Michael Bolton.
Andrew G.: Old 90’s pop music reminds me of my childhood.
Joe: Blues and folk.
Chris: Glam Rock reminds me of my childhood.

15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? Why?
Brandon: Super strength. -
Andrew G.: If I could have any superpower, it would be the ability to fly. I’ve always loved things that can take flight.
Chris: To never have to pee when I’m drinking.
Joe: I’d like to throw exploding cards like Gambit.

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Here is the interview in it’s entirety.

Description: During this episode Classic will interview Jeanette, Suzanne & Alison Kimszal bloggers/founders of Eatsleepbreathemusic.com The 3 sisters, who founded this on-line music community & Classic will talk about their outstanding web site and how the new music biz is evolving. They will delve into how their concept came to be, how it has grown & where they envision it heading. This show, as usual will feature great indie music as well.

What kind of music did you grow up listening to?
Blues, Punk, Metal, Pop, Funk, Glam Rock, Michael Bolton, M.C. Hammer. Over the years I’m sure we’ve been obsessed with every genre.

How long has the band been together? How did you get together to form the band?
Last Nights Vice has been a band for almost 4 years. A lot of us have been playing together in previous bands for a long time though, close to 8 years.

How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard it yet?
Dance Pop Rock with a lot of energy and emphasis on the “Rock”. We like to get loud.

According to your tweets, you’re “working hard on the record,” How’s that going? When can we expect it to be finished/released?
It’s basically complete . At the last second we wrote a new song and rushed into the studio to record it. We just finished it last week and it’s sounding good. We are looking to book its release 3-4 months from now. We want to promote it and get some press around its release. Right now we have 15 songs recorded. We are thinking about putting 10 or 11 on the CD and use the other tracks as exclusive downloads. The artwork for the album is near complete and the tentative title for the album is “Perfect Little Noise” which is also a track on the CD.

Out of all the songs you’ve written, which are you most proud of & why?
Brandon – I love them all like my little children. But if I had to pick one and kill the rest, I still love “The Power Cosmic”
Jordan – Rags to ruins. My girlfriend drives around town with the sunroof open blasting it. Andrew – All I, because it sounds really pretty

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment so far as a band?
We think recording this CD will be big for us. We’ve spent a lot of time on it and feel as if every song could be a single.

Do you have any shows coming up?
We have a big show on April 27, 2010 with Foxy Shazam at Off Broadway in St. Louis. We will be spending most of our time promoting this show. We will also have a big release show at Pop’s in Sauget, IL sometime this summer.

Do you have any specific pre-show rituals?
Andrew likes to do push-ups. Joe has to stretch out before each show. We like to get active on stage. I usually tweak my knee and neck each show. Brandon always sings “Shout” by The Eisley Brothers before each show. Jordan drinks gasoline level booze.

Interviews FTW: Last Nights Vice

1. What or who inspires you?
We really enjoy Blues and Motown and still warm up every show by singing “Shout” by the Isley Brothers. I think if you combine that with some Funk, Metal, Punk and New Wave then you would get all of our influences.

2. What would be the three main rules if you ran your own country?
Free education. Free healthcare and Free drinks.

3. If you could swap places with anyone for one day, whom would you choose and why?
Trent Reznor. It would be cool to be able to single-handedly influence music and technology at the same time.

4. Tell us one thing that your fans would be surprised to know about you.
We are all really obsessed with space and science but are all too immature to really understand it.

5. If you could name a planet, what would you name it and why?
This goes good with question #4. “Alpha Kenny 1″, because it sounds like a planet, but if you say it real slow it sounds dirty. I told you we were immature.

6. What is one of your favorite books?
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Are you starting to see a theme here?

7. Pretend you’re 15. Name three songs you’d put on a mix tape for your girlfriend/boyfriend.
Razor Love by Neil Young. The Going Price for Home by The Prize Fighter Inferno. My Girl by The Temptations.

8. Are you a myspacer, facebooker, or twitterer?
I’d say we are twitterers. We are actually all three and more, but twitter is the big thing right now. We spend too much time inside of the internets.

9. What was your favorite cartoon as a child?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

10. What is the theme song for the movie that is being made about your life?
“Where is My Mind?” By The Pixies because we’re all insane and it worked for Fight Club.

Last Nights Vice Lead Vocalist Brandon House described the band’s music to George Clooney as “a mix between Motley Crue and Frank Sinatra meets Daft Punk.” Clooney responded, “So, you’re telling me that you wear tight leather and croon like Frank Sinatra, and you have a drinking problem?”

House, Chris Blake (Bass Guitar), Andrew Ghiassi (Drums), Joe Fitzsimmons (Lead Guitar) and Jordan Phoenix (Guitar) formed Last Nights Vice three years ago when Ghiassi and Blake’s former band, Blame Gary, lost two of its singers, and House served as their replacement. As the new group came together, the name for their band came up in a brainstorming session.

“I heard ‘Last Night’s Fight’ in my head for some reason, and I kept seeing the color purple,” Blake said.
“Violet,” Ghiassi corrected him.

“[I thought…] violet sounds like vice, and I was like, “What is a vice, guys?” and they told me, and I said, ‘Last Nights Vice.’”

According to House, their namesake also derives from the type of music they play.

“We wanted to be a party band…we basically figured, if we’re going to be playing for crowds that are going to be…smoking, drinking, partying [and] having fun, we want to be the soundtrack to that.”

Each of LNV’s members helps to personify the distinctive atmosphere they create.

“We’re all like cartoon characters. You could definitely make a comic book out of us.”

Since its formation, LNV has played in local venues such as The Pageant, Pops, Ciceros, and Old Rock House, which the band considers their home base. At least four of their shows have contributed to charities. One function, the Washington University Carnival, had House and Phoenix judge and announce a Guitar Hero contest.
Contrary to a typical scenario where a singer/song writer brings a song to a band, LNV works collectively to put lyrics to a melody.

“It starts with a small idea, and we keep playing it over and over…until new parts evolve from that idea, and then we make a song out of it,” Ghiassi said.

“It’s like a big jam thing,” Blake added.

“I just make jibberish up. Really, I literally sing about nothing. You’ll hear me talking about how a baby needs to go get gas before Sunday because the malls are closed…just to get the vocal melody down. Then I go into the studio and write the lyrics,” House said.