M E E T T H E
F L A S H I N G L I G H T S
Here is an interview conducted
by various fans of The Flashing
Lights. People sent in their questions, the band answered them
and the results are below! Enjoy!
Q:
I know that it is very cliche, but what is the oddest thing that has happened
to you while on tour?
GAVEN:
I think gaurding the cashbox vigilantly one night from the wanton and wicked
serving wenches of saskatoon! try as they might, their wiles were for nought!
touring with The
Rabbits was odd enough..such hi-jinks ~oh my.
(submitted
by BRAD WHITEHORN)
Q:
For each of you who was the biggest influence on you growing up and who
do you feel had the best/biggest influence in the 90's?
GAVEN:
Growing up, my parents records had a lot of influence..stuff like Donovan
and The Beatles/Stones and folk music was always playing....which led me
of course to punk rock 60's and 70's style but i guess The Seeds, The Chocolate
Watchband, The Ramones, The Prisoners, The Milkshakes, The Incredible String
Band, The Chesterfield Kings and Syd Barret's Pink Floyd were all early
influences...got me on the right track i suppose early on.......although
i went through a serious rocksteady and trojan reggae phaze in school....
(submitted
by ANNONYMOUS)
Q:
We all know it is rock star must to have beautiful well moisturized hands
and manicured fingernails. Who do you think has the most superb well-kept
hands in the band?
GAVEN:
I like to maintain a policy of fastidious personal hygene and grooming....as
a result i am always 5 minutes late for everything. mind you, this regimen
does not include moisturizing creme horrible greasy stuff...yech. But yes,
in order to play the organ or any instrument for that matter, one must
maintain the suppleness of the fingers and the length of the fingernail
should not exceed over the quick. I would think that all of us here in
Flashing Lights camp maintain our fingers with the care and attention befitting
musicians of our rank and stature in society.
(submitted
by ALYSSA NIDER)
Q: HENRI, I heard that
you have an interest in scooters and bikes? What's your favourite
model?
HENRI: I am into Vespas
and Lambrettas,and have been riding them since I was 16. I currently
have one running P-series Vespa and an old TV175 Lambretta,plus a
couple project vespas I
am trying to restore eventually.If you are interested in these things check
out the various websites(search for keyword Vespa, Lambretta, scooterworks,
etc). I just am obsessed with them cos they are fun and look cool,are
a blast to ride,fix up whatever... Started with a mod thing when I was
younger and I guess I never grew out if it.(as well I am too poor to afford
a car).
(submitted
by MELARDO RICHMOND)
Q: HENRI, how do YOU eat
a Reese's peanut butter cup?
HENRI: Why is it so important
how I eat a Reeses peanut butter cup? I eat it with my mouth. Sometimes
I like to put them in the fridge before consuming them. Feel free
to send me some. Hungrily, Henri.
(submitted
by JIM O'SHANTRY)
Q: GAVEN, How do you think
this new fad of velvet pants will contribute to rock and roll? What
kind of fabrics make for the best rock show outfits?
GAVEN: Fad? velvet pants?..well,
as long as it's "real" velvett not some hoakey velvetteen "costume" velvett,....velvett
is very hard and doesn't breath very well, making it a bit hot, Corduroy
is nice, being absorbant and soft to touch. I prefer the feel of starched
white linen on stage tho'~for that regal feel. ermine's pretty nice too
tho'...anything that makes you feel like a paladin. Balancing practicality
with flash without looking like an extra in "Xanadu".
(submitted
by JANINE)
Q: GAVEN, Is it true that
you run a small boutique in little India in Toronto where you also offer
classes in power yoga and pre-christian astronomy? and aren't the Tea Party
clients?
GAVEN: well, actually
i'm a shop-keepers' assistant...yoga?~never touch the stuff. astronomy?~well
something's got to validate my spending months building a platercine replica
of stonehenge on my roof! the tea party are often seen peering in
the shop windows and leaving greasy fingerprints on the glass...then i
have to go out with the windex and everything and shoo them away!...the
store owner becomes frightened, he thinks they're PIRATES!
(submitted
by CHAS CHANDLER)
Q: FLASHING LIGHTS, how
do you think technical proficiency and great songwriting will stand up
against kiddie pop and angry rap metal? Which breed is marked for
extinction?
GAVEN: well, technical proficiency
has always gotten in the way of great songwriting and style/spirit, but
the two combined in the right hands (provided they're not used for evil
purposes) can beat out rap metal and musical faddism any day of the week,
people will always and have always subconciously understood this. kiddie-pop?
as long as it's "yummy yummy yummy i've got love in my tummy" it's allright
by me.
Although sadly, it's down
to "survival of the lowest common marketable denominator" So in these "dark
ages" of rock, we are "the flashing lights" burning
brightly scortching all
within our blazing path.....um yeah.
(submitted
by BRIAN F)
BUT
WAIT... THERE'S MORE! >>
|
photo by nettie
+ jennie
The
Flashing Lights Brigade
MATT MURPHY - Vocals + Guitar
HENRI SANGALANG - Bass
GAVEN DIANDA - Organ
STEVE PITKIN - Drums
FOR THE PRESS BIO, CLICK
HERE. |