Dead Boy Productions

 

01/19/07
Hell Cesar

Dead Boy Productions with Calabrese

 

Talk about your latest album “The Traveling Vampire Show”. How much hard work goes into it?

Jimmy - "The Traveling Vampire Show" is the culmination of two years of hard work. We actually started writing the songs for this new CD two years ago. We pride ourselves on writing great songs, and we hope we accomplished that on this new CD.

Bobby - We've definitely spent a good time writing and performing and getting artwork together for the new album, and we think the wait was worth it. But I guess we'll let you be the judge!

You guys have some amazing artwork. Who does it?

Jimmy - We explore the far reaches of the world to discover amazing artistic minds. The artwork for "The Traveling Vampire Show" was a combination of Tom Bagley (cover and back art) and Andrew Barr (insert and CD art). Both of these guys are from Canada.

Bobby - It seems that rock and roll artwork has kind of died down a bit. With the Internet and iTunes running rampant, you barely even need a CD cover! But we wanna keep the tradition alive, with killer artwork to help stimulate the eyes along with the ears. Bands like White Zombie and Electric Frankenstein have taught us well!

How have your fans been involved with the album title?

Jimmy- We try and involve our fans every step of the way on "The Traveling Vampire Show." We held a contest to name the CD (congrats to Regina Gottlieb for winning the contest!), we've tested all these songs before a live audience to help us judge the quality of the songs and all these songs were written with our fans in mind.

How fucking crazy are your fans?

Jimmy - I wouldn't say our fans are "crazy," but our fans are just dedicated to a lifestyle and a state of mind. The average Calabrese fan is a free thinker, artistic and strong willed. We are proud of the type of people our music attracts.

What are your all time favorite horror films?

Jimmy - My all time favorite horror film is "Dead Alive."

Bobby - "Dead Alive" is definitely good, it's got all the right elements -- comedy and horror! But I'm all about the Italian horror like Fulci and Argento. "Suspiria" is one of my super favorites.

What are your band influences?

Jimmy - It's all about the Holy Trinity of Danzig - The Misfits, Samhain and Danzig. Also, White Zombie/Rob Zombie, Type-O-Negative, Black Flag, Johnny Cash, The Ramones.

Bobby - Notable bands would be Man Or Astroman?, Guitar Wolf, Elvis and AFI. Comic books, video games, movies, television and much more inspire what we love to do. Without Danzig, Tales From the Crypt comic books and the first Resident Evil, we wouldn't be here!

How is it in Phoenix? Did you guys all grow up there?

Jimmy - I grew up in Illinois (on the boarder of Wisconsin) and we used to live in a small town in between Chicago and Milwaukee. I experienced so many great live shows in both of those cities.

Bobby - Davey and I mainly grew up in Phoenix, so we've been stuck with the desert all our lives! It's a good place to be, though. The music out here is really thriving.

What about the horror scene attracts you guys?

Jimmy - What attracts me to the "horror scene" is the people. It's where I feel that I fit in. We all like the same movies and music and culture.

Bobby - Anyone into zombies, death and comic books are our kind of people. We welcome you!

How is it for you guys on tour?

Bobby - It's always fun. The traveling to and from is kind of monotonous (thank Satan for books and Gameboy!) but the shows are always exciting and intense, which makes up for the long driving hours. We live for the rock and roll intensity!

Jimmy - We love meeting the people who believe in the music and the scene. We've met some amazing people while on the road.

What has been your favorite band to tour with?

Jimmy- So far it's been our pals Zombeast.

Do you guys drink if so what is your favorite alcohol?

Jimmy - No, we don't drink when we play. We don't think it's fair to the audience if we play a sloppy show.

Are you in it until the end?

Bobby - As long as it takes to achieve global domination!

Jimmy - In the End, you might be "left behind," but we plan on getting taken in the Rapture! (Laughs)

With that said I will appropriately end at 13 questions but any final words?

Bobby - Check us out on myspace (myspace.com/calabrese) for updates on the new CD and all shows in the new year! We're traveling and playing us much as we can to spread the evil of the new album, so check us out when we're near you. We'd love to have ya.