A Rooster for the Masses
A Rooster for the Masses rocks. They are a six piece experimental rock band based in Raleigh, NC. I checked out their set at Raleigh the Pour House and was impressed with how six dudes can have such a oneness within their music. And even with three guitar players, the guitars don't bump into each other. They meld like twisting vines cascading down a tree. And these guys actually have something to say. Their songs are political and question the present powers that be. That's fine by me!! I got the lowdown on AR4TM about all things AR4TM.What is the state of the American Music scene?
It's interesting for sure. I am pretty impressed with what NC has going on. All of these "local" bands that are blowing up like Valient Thorr, The Annuals and the Birds of Avalon. There are so many more that are getting as much attention but are very worthy and that is just in the triangle. I strongly encourage people to get up off there couches and check out what is going on.
How did ar4tm come about?
Alex and Wes had a project called Radical9 which was sort of an electronic music collective. Everyone would just come in and play a part and see what came of it. Well people were diggin on the Radical9 stuff and wanted to see it live. They pulled in a few folks and sparks started to fly. New things formed musically and it took the shape of Rooster.
The name?
Our first drummer Greg Joyner came up with it. It was originally inspired by David Sedaris's brothers character in his books. He calls himself the rooster. He just doesn't give a fuck. Sort of a redneck punk. Here is the paragraph that inspired the name.
"The Rooster" is what Paul calls himself when he's feeling threatened. Asked how he came up with that name, he says only, "Certain motherfuckers think they can fuck with my shit, but you can't kill the Rooster. You might can fuck him up sometimes, but, bitch, nobody kills the motherfucking Rooster. You know what I'm saying?"
As the lyrical theme started to developed it started to mean something else..."A wake up call to the people"
Is there a record in the works?
There are demos and new songs in the works that will hopefully lead to at least another EP.
Musical influences.
Alex-PIL
Dave T.-ELO
Rob-Greg Dulli & Tool
Dave P.-Sly and the Family Stone
Adam-The Police and Fugazi
Wes-The 5 other members of this band
How did you all meet?
I would have to say one way or another it had something to with the Not-so-Dandelions. That is how I met how I met Alex and Greg (first drummer) and later met Wes. Dave P. was Wes's ex-girlfriends brother. We met Dave T. thru TV Knife which Alex played in. We met Rob at one of our shows and then he later joined the band when Greg left.
What is problem with music today???
Corporate radio!!! There is a real lack of support for real local and new music on corporate radio. Corporate stations might and I stress MIGHT have a local show and it might be 2 hours at the most and on a Sunday at 11pm. But you won't hear real current local music on a corporate station. At least until you sign a 7 album deal with Sony. Then they throw you on their shoulders and parade you around like they are doing you a favor and have known of you since day one. Long live independent and college radio. And pod casts that is where the shit is real, for the love of sharing music.
http://www.myspace.com/aroosterforthemasses
http://www.aroosterforthemasses.com
