Below is a copy of The Letter to the editor that appeared in the June 20, 2003 issue of POP magazine in regards to a review of Mockingbird Lane that appeared in the May 30th, 2003 issue.
Attack on local musician Christophe in recent review outrages, disgusts Shawnee reader
Dear Editor,
I am writing to voice my outrage and disgust at the review written on Mockingbird Lane in your May 30 issue of pop. I was sitting with Christophe (Mockingbird Lane lead singer) and Doug (Hill, pop writer) while the interview was being done. I know for a fact that most of what was printed in that article was either misquoted or written completely out of context.
For example, the comment about the Chainsaw Kittens was taken directly out of a side conversation Christophe and I were having. Christophe told Doug very clearly that he wished to show no disrespect toward any local Oklahoma-based bands.
As for "misogynistic songs and lyrics that are degrading towards women," Mockingbird Lane plays only two songs which could be considered questionable. The first being a cover of the song "Dead Girls Don't Say No" written by William "B.J." Sands and originally performed by Shawnee-based band The Rejected, which although twisted tells the story of a man obsessed with a love he can never obtain to the point of taking it the only way he can. The second being "From Hell," a song based on the historical figure Jack the Ripper, which neither advocates nor condones the serial kiler's actions. The song is in no way graphic. It merely tells of a piece of history. I see no reason for Doug's personal attack on Christophe in saying he is distasteful and lacking gentility. Anyone who knows Christophe, and I have for 10 years, knows that is a blatant misrepresentation of the man.
FAITH MALDONADO,
SHAWNEE
Saturday, June 21, 2003
Thursday, June 19, 2003
Interview in LOUD Magazine
LOUD (June 18, 2003)- Mockingbird Lane is the cover story this issue in an article titled "Mockingbird Lane: An Entirely Different Animal". It is an interview with Christophe and Blizzard done by Loud's Patrick Crain.
A TRIP DOWN MOCKINGBIRD LANE
On any given Friday or Saturday, anyone can go out to a local venue and catch one of their favorite local acts. The common nomenclature calls this the “local music scene.” But underneath the local music scene is the local punk music scene which is generally an entirely different animal. While some members of the local punk scene chum around and speak well of those involved with more conventional acts, others shrug off the conventional music scene and march to the beat of their own drummer, their horizon pitched somewhere between self destruction, getting their music heard and making a little money.
Emerging from the punk music scene is the shambling death rock/horror punk outfit Mockingbird Lane. Fronted by the imposing yet abrasively affable Chirstophe and backed up by percussionist Blizzard, Mockingbird Lane is something of a punk Steely Dan. A concept band that has only
two members and a Rolodex of supporting players who join them on any given night, they have made great strides despite having only one recorded single and no drum kit (they borrow from other acts they share the bill with).
Loud recently sat down (actually leaned against Christophe’s car)
and discussed the band, its history, their sound, their connection to
Stephen King, recent charges of misogyny and why 99.9 percent of the
local music scene can kiss Christophe’s ass.
LOUD: So, how long has Mockingbird Lane been around?
CHRISTOPHE: Technically, Mockingbird Lane has been around since I was
15 years old. As soon as I was given a bass guitar, I was like, “Damn,
I’m gonna do this band.” It’s been around, in one
incarnation or another since then, but it has only been playing shows
for a year.
LOUD: Who’s who in the band?
CHRISTOPHE: I write everything except for the drums. He does all the
percussion.
LOUD: So you play drums?
BLIZZARD: I play drums.
CHRISTOPHE: He does some bass in the studio, as well.
BLIZZARD: Live, it’s just drums.
CHRISTOPHE: I’m the lead singer and everything else.
LOUD: So, on any give night, how many people do you have?
CHRISTOPHE: It could be up to…hasn’t been yet, but could
be up to six.
BLIZZARD: It could be more, though.
CHRISTOPHE: It could be.
BLIZZARD: With the horn section.
CHRISTOPHE: That’s more of one of the side projects. The horns
will be with Brother Voodoo.
LOUD: So are there spin-off groups from Mockingbird Lane?
CHRISTOPHE: Yes. There’s Christophe Solo Acoustic, there’s
XTOPH Electronic, Christophe and the Ghoul Fuckers, Brother Voodoo,
the Devil Dolls, Miles Quaid All-Stars. But Mockingbird Lane is the
main project.
LOUD: Describe your sound.
CHRISTOPHE: Death rock/horror punk. I’ve got a good mix of 80’s
death rock and a lot of horror punk, too. Check out the website (www.mockingbirdlane.bravepages.com).
That explains it. While you’re there, get on our forum. Nobody
gets on our forum. We need some people to get on there and talk some
trash. I’ve read your stuff and know you’re good at talking
trash.
LOUD: I try to steer away from that as much as possible.
CHRISTOPHE: It’s not what it looks like. By the way, I like the
horror film thing you did.
LOUD: Speaking of, how influenced are you by horror films?
CHRISTOPHE: Basically since I was born, I’ve been into nothing
except horror, comic books and, I guess when I was six or seven, I discovered
punk rock. My sister had tapes of me pretending I was a rock star, running
around, screaming at the top of my lungs, slamming into shit. I used
to want to be a Ramone.
LOUD: So how long have YOU been on the music scene?
CHRISTOPHE: Since I was 15 I’ve been in the Oklahoma music scene.
LOUD: What do you think about the Oklahoma music scene?
BLIZZARD: You want me to answer that?
CHRISTOPHE: We’ll both…
BLIZZARD: I wasn’t impressed when I lived here before.
CHRISTOPHE: I’ll let you go first.
BLIZZARD: I haven’t really heard a lot of bands in Oklahoma, to
be honest. The last time I heard any real local bands was when…
I don’t think the Flaming Lips had an album out on Warner’s.
Which is the one with “Jesus Shootin’ Heroin?”
LOUD: “Hear It Is.”
BLIZZARD: Back then. And then there was Conniption Fit, Social Vomit,
they were good.
LOUD: (Social Vomit) was your band?
BLIZZARD: Yeah! Umm, Billy Joe Winghead, they’re cool. I groove
on them. But I haven’t been listening to a lot of local acts lately.
The last time I listened to anything was…God…I haven’t
really. I mean, I know about all this music and I’m like “Ok,
cool. Sounds like the old shit that was here before. Now they have the
technology.”
LOUD: So you were gone once and now you’re back?
BLIZZARD: Yeah, I have some friends that are still here and they were
just like…
CHRISTOPHE: Don’t let him try and lie to you. He was on an absinthe
binge for five years and he was coming down around the time I picked
him out around Halloween.
BLIZZARD: I got a friend of mine out of Seattle who said “Hey,
you’re not working right now. They’re hiring where I got
to school.” So, I apparently hopped on a bus…
CHRISTOPHE: He doesn’t remember.
BLIZZARD: Well, I remember when I got off the bus because I got off
the bus and the frickin’ heat hit me. “God where the hell…?!?”
LOUD: So, how long have you been back?
BLIZZARD: Roughly, a little under three years, I think.
LOUD: But you were here before that?
BLIZZARD: Yeah, I went to high school here.
LOUD: Where?
BLIZZARD: Norman High.
CHRISTOPHE: You know, he’ll talk forever and not let you get back
to me. I mean, I don’t have an ego or anything but I’m important,
not him.
LOUD: Ok, then. Let’s get your take on the local music scene.
CHRISTOPHE: Well, I wouldn’t know the local music scene if it
wasn’t for her (points to friend Faithless). So blame everything
I say on her. She found me some party and drug me to it when I was 15.
Umm, let me see. I’m going to be nice tonight because I’m
in a good mood. So let’s just say, fuck 99.9 percent of this scene
because, one-half of them aren’t that good. I know that we haven’t
been good a lot of shows so that’s forgivable. But, you know,
the other thing is, I busted my ass since I was 15 to help out everybody
on the local scene is any way, shape or form that I can and I’ve
been dicked over constantly. And I’m fed up. I mean, the only
time I throw fuckin’ shows anymore like whenever I go pay out
my money for the (American) Legion Hall or something is because I’ve
got friends from out of state coming through. I used to do a lot of
bookings, it’s not worth it. Local scene-wise I do like Klipspringer.
They’re one of my favorite bands. John Thomas, I really like his
solo stuff. He’s not here anymore, he lives in L.A.
LOUD: He played here about a month ago.
CHRISTOPHE: He’s got some amazing stuff when he does his solo
acoustic. I love Billy Joe Winghead. Everyone else has either moved
away, broken up or pissed me off.
LOUD: What do they do?
CHRISTOPHE: We’re not going to say their names but people have
trashed or stolen equipment, trashed clubs. They threw my microphone
down on the ground.
LOUD: Why?
CHRISTOPHE: Because they’re dumb asses.
LOUD: Recently, a local publication labeled your lyrics as misogynistic.
CHRISTOPHE: What I found amusing about them saying that I was a misogynist
was the songs we played. “Taken Under,” that’s about
a girl I was in love with who apparently wasn’t as in love with
me as she once said. So, you know, there’s nothing misogynist
about that. Then we did “Sea of Heartbreak,” that old Don
Gibson country song. We did the Cure’s “Love Song.”
Then, the only other one that could have been misconstrued as misogynistic
is a song called “Dead Girls Don’t Say No.” It’s
a twisted love song if you listened to the lyrics.
LOUD: What horror films are you into?
CHRISTOPHE: It changes every day. Whatever I’m into for that day.
It depends on my mood. But a majority of George Romero and anything
Sam Rami. And before I forget, we need to talk about the movies.
BLIZZARD: And the vinyl.
CHRISTOPHE: We’re going to call it “Six Hits From Hell.”
We’re going to record it live and do our harder, faster ones we
play live. Make it on vinyl and put out so many, maybe do some limited
ones on different colored vinyl. Hopefully, we’ll be able to start
that soon. Depends on the funds. Movie-wise, a local movie director,
Shawn Lealos, signed a contract with Stephen King, who’s doing
a short called “I Know What You Need,” which is based on
a short story by the same name out of the “Night Shift”
collection. We recorded “Taken Under” to go onto that film.
And he also has another one called “The Devil’s Playground”
and I played the demon in that. The website is www.starvingdogs.net.
LOUD: So what do you do for a day gig?
CHRISTOPHE: I sleep and I watch horror movies.
BLIZZARD: I work for a Christian company. I don’t even know what
the company’s name is. I just go through folders and files for
them and tell them what’s in it.
CHRISTOPHE: I should probably get a job.
LOUD: You mentioned earlier that you do bookings?
CHRISTOPHE: Yeah. I had this thing called Zombierot Entertainment. It
was your local basic punk rock label type thing. Sometimes I release
some stuff, sometimes I do bookings. I do all the Oklahoma booking for
the Banned from New York City. They’re awesome guys.
LOUD: So what’s up for the future?
CHRISTOPHE: First, we’re gonna get this one part recorded and
then we’re probably going to re-record “Taken Under”
for the movie. We’re also going to record our cover of Joy Division’s
“Transmissions.” And then we’re going to save up money
and get out of Oklahoma. Not that we have anything against Oklahoma
but our kind of music isn’t going to go anywhere in this state.
BLIZZARD: We’re going to pull a Flaming Lips. We’re going
to leave the state, everyone is going to love us, and we’re going
to come back.
CHRISTOPHE: Personally, I love Oklahoma and want to stay here but the
people are fucks.
LOUD: Last question, where did you get your name?
CHRISTOPHE: My mother.
LOUD: No, the band’s name.
CHRISTOPHE: Where do you think?
LOUD: I don’t know
CHRISTOPHE: The Munsters.
On any given Friday or Saturday, anyone can go out to a local venue and catch one of their favorite local acts. The common nomenclature calls this the “local music scene.” But underneath the local music scene is the local punk music scene which is generally an entirely different animal. While some members of the local punk scene chum around and speak well of those involved with more conventional acts, others shrug off the conventional music scene and march to the beat of their own drummer, their horizon pitched somewhere between self destruction, getting their music heard and making a little money.
Emerging from the punk music scene is the shambling death rock/horror punk outfit Mockingbird Lane. Fronted by the imposing yet abrasively affable Chirstophe and backed up by percussionist Blizzard, Mockingbird Lane is something of a punk Steely Dan. A concept band that has only
two members and a Rolodex of supporting players who join them on any given night, they have made great strides despite having only one recorded single and no drum kit (they borrow from other acts they share the bill with).
Loud recently sat down (actually leaned against Christophe’s car)
and discussed the band, its history, their sound, their connection to
Stephen King, recent charges of misogyny and why 99.9 percent of the
local music scene can kiss Christophe’s ass.
LOUD: So, how long has Mockingbird Lane been around?
CHRISTOPHE: Technically, Mockingbird Lane has been around since I was
15 years old. As soon as I was given a bass guitar, I was like, “Damn,
I’m gonna do this band.” It’s been around, in one
incarnation or another since then, but it has only been playing shows
for a year.
LOUD: Who’s who in the band?
CHRISTOPHE: I write everything except for the drums. He does all the
percussion.
LOUD: So you play drums?
BLIZZARD: I play drums.
CHRISTOPHE: He does some bass in the studio, as well.
BLIZZARD: Live, it’s just drums.
CHRISTOPHE: I’m the lead singer and everything else.
LOUD: So, on any give night, how many people do you have?
CHRISTOPHE: It could be up to…hasn’t been yet, but could
be up to six.
BLIZZARD: It could be more, though.
CHRISTOPHE: It could be.
BLIZZARD: With the horn section.
CHRISTOPHE: That’s more of one of the side projects. The horns
will be with Brother Voodoo.
LOUD: So are there spin-off groups from Mockingbird Lane?
CHRISTOPHE: Yes. There’s Christophe Solo Acoustic, there’s
XTOPH Electronic, Christophe and the Ghoul Fuckers, Brother Voodoo,
the Devil Dolls, Miles Quaid All-Stars. But Mockingbird Lane is the
main project.
LOUD: Describe your sound.
CHRISTOPHE: Death rock/horror punk. I’ve got a good mix of 80’s
death rock and a lot of horror punk, too. Check out the website (www.mockingbirdlane.bravepages.com).
That explains it. While you’re there, get on our forum. Nobody
gets on our forum. We need some people to get on there and talk some
trash. I’ve read your stuff and know you’re good at talking
trash.
LOUD: I try to steer away from that as much as possible.
CHRISTOPHE: It’s not what it looks like. By the way, I like the
horror film thing you did.
LOUD: Speaking of, how influenced are you by horror films?
CHRISTOPHE: Basically since I was born, I’ve been into nothing
except horror, comic books and, I guess when I was six or seven, I discovered
punk rock. My sister had tapes of me pretending I was a rock star, running
around, screaming at the top of my lungs, slamming into shit. I used
to want to be a Ramone.
LOUD: So how long have YOU been on the music scene?
CHRISTOPHE: Since I was 15 I’ve been in the Oklahoma music scene.
LOUD: What do you think about the Oklahoma music scene?
BLIZZARD: You want me to answer that?
CHRISTOPHE: We’ll both…
BLIZZARD: I wasn’t impressed when I lived here before.
CHRISTOPHE: I’ll let you go first.
BLIZZARD: I haven’t really heard a lot of bands in Oklahoma, to
be honest. The last time I heard any real local bands was when…
I don’t think the Flaming Lips had an album out on Warner’s.
Which is the one with “Jesus Shootin’ Heroin?”
LOUD: “Hear It Is.”
BLIZZARD: Back then. And then there was Conniption Fit, Social Vomit,
they were good.
LOUD: (Social Vomit) was your band?
BLIZZARD: Yeah! Umm, Billy Joe Winghead, they’re cool. I groove
on them. But I haven’t been listening to a lot of local acts lately.
The last time I listened to anything was…God…I haven’t
really. I mean, I know about all this music and I’m like “Ok,
cool. Sounds like the old shit that was here before. Now they have the
technology.”
LOUD: So you were gone once and now you’re back?
BLIZZARD: Yeah, I have some friends that are still here and they were
just like…
CHRISTOPHE: Don’t let him try and lie to you. He was on an absinthe
binge for five years and he was coming down around the time I picked
him out around Halloween.
you’re not working right now. They’re hiring where I got
to school.” So, I apparently hopped on a bus…
CHRISTOPHE: He doesn’t remember.
BLIZZARD: Well, I remember when I got off the bus because I got off
the bus and the frickin’ heat hit me. “God where the hell…?!?”
LOUD: So, how long have you been back?
BLIZZARD: Roughly, a little under three years, I think.
LOUD: But you were here before that?
BLIZZARD: Yeah, I went to high school here.
LOUD: Where?
BLIZZARD: Norman High.
CHRISTOPHE: You know, he’ll talk forever and not let you get back
to me. I mean, I don’t have an ego or anything but I’m important,
not him.
LOUD: Ok, then. Let’s get your take on the local music scene.
CHRISTOPHE: Well, I wouldn’t know the local music scene if it
wasn’t for her (points to friend Faithless). So blame everything
I say on her. She found me some party and drug me to it when I was 15.
Umm, let me see. I’m going to be nice tonight because I’m
in a good mood. So let’s just say, fuck 99.9 percent of this scene
because, one-half of them aren’t that good. I know that we haven’t
been good a lot of shows so that’s forgivable. But, you know,
the other thing is, I busted my ass since I was 15 to help out everybody
on the local scene is any way, shape or form that I can and I’ve
been dicked over constantly. And I’m fed up. I mean, the only
time I throw fuckin’ shows anymore like whenever I go pay out
my money for the (American) Legion Hall or something is because I’ve
got friends from out of state coming through. I used to do a lot of
bookings, it’s not worth it. Local scene-wise I do like Klipspringer.
They’re one of my favorite bands. John Thomas, I really like his
solo stuff. He’s not here anymore, he lives in L.A.
LOUD: He played here about a month ago.
CHRISTOPHE: He’s got some amazing stuff when he does his solo
acoustic. I love Billy Joe Winghead. Everyone else has either moved
away, broken up or pissed me off.
LOUD: What do they do?
CHRISTOPHE: We’re not going to say their names but people have
trashed or stolen equipment, trashed clubs. They threw my microphone
down on the ground.
LOUD: Why?
CHRISTOPHE: Because they’re dumb asses.
LOUD: Recently, a local publication labeled your lyrics as misogynistic.
CHRISTOPHE: What I found amusing about them saying that I was a misogynist
was the songs we played. “Taken Under,” that’s about
a girl I was in love with who apparently wasn’t as in love with
me as she once said. So, you know, there’s nothing misogynist
about that. Then we did “Sea of Heartbreak,” that old Don
Gibson country song. We did the Cure’s “Love Song.”
Then, the only other one that could have been misconstrued as misogynistic
is a song called “Dead Girls Don’t Say No.” It’s
a twisted love song if you listened to the lyrics.
LOUD: What horror films are you into?
CHRISTOPHE: It changes every day. Whatever I’m into for that day.
It depends on my mood. But a majority of George Romero and anything
Sam Rami. And before I forget, we need to talk about the movies.
BLIZZARD: And the vinyl.
CHRISTOPHE: We’re going to call it “Six Hits From Hell.”
We’re going to record it live and do our harder, faster ones we
play live. Make it on vinyl and put out so many, maybe do some limited
ones on different colored vinyl. Hopefully, we’ll be able to start
that soon. Depends on the funds. Movie-wise, a local movie director,
Shawn Lealos, signed a contract with Stephen King, who’s doing
a short called “I Know What You Need,” which is based on
a short story by the same name out of the “Night Shift”
collection. We recorded “Taken Under” to go onto that film.
And he also has another one called “The Devil’s Playground”
and I played the demon in that. The website is www.starvingdogs.net.
LOUD: So what do you do for a day gig?
CHRISTOPHE: I sleep and I watch horror movies.
BLIZZARD: I work for a Christian company. I don’t even know what
the company’s name is. I just go through folders and files for
them and tell them what’s in it.
CHRISTOPHE: I should probably get a job.
LOUD: You mentioned earlier that you do bookings?
CHRISTOPHE: Yeah. I had this thing called Zombierot Entertainment. It
was your local basic punk rock label type thing. Sometimes I release
some stuff, sometimes I do bookings. I do all the Oklahoma booking for
the Banned from New York City. They’re awesome guys.
LOUD: So what’s up for the future?
CHRISTOPHE: First, we’re gonna get this one part recorded and
then we’re probably going to re-record “Taken Under”
for the movie. We’re also going to record our cover of Joy Division’s
“Transmissions.” And then we’re going to save up money
and get out of Oklahoma. Not that we have anything against Oklahoma
but our kind of music isn’t going to go anywhere in this state.
to leave the state, everyone is going to love us, and we’re going
to come back.
CHRISTOPHE: Personally, I love Oklahoma and want to stay here but the
people are fucks.
LOUD: Last question, where did you get your name?
CHRISTOPHE: My mother.
LOUD: No, the band’s name.
CHRISTOPHE: Where do you think?
LOUD: I don’t know
CHRISTOPHE: The Munsters.
Thursday, June 12, 2003
Patrick's Pick of the Week in LOUD Magazine
LOUD (June 11, 2003)- The June 13th 2003 show of Mockingbird Lane is included in "Patrick's Picks Of the Week!". It say's: "Friday, June 13th: It seems that the only joint taking advantage of the Friday the 13th date is Buzz's Subs with their Ghoul Night Out. Mockingbird Lane, Day of the Sick and the Donny Vomit Broken Glass Revue will be there to creep and gross you out."
Wednesday, June 11, 2003
Mentioned in the Oklahoma Rock news
OKLAHOMAROCK.COM (June 9th, 2003)- A Website dedicated to Oklahoma Music. Visit it at http://www.oklahomarock.com/ . The "News" section for June 9th, 2003 has an update about Mockingbird Lane. It mentions the Stephen King film, Taken Under, and the Lilja's Library website.
Mockingbird Lane mentioned in Lilja's Library
LILJA'S LIBRARY: THE WORLD OF STEPHEN KING (June 9, 2003)- Lilja's Library is one of the biggest on-line Stephen King News sites in the nation. Mockingbird Lane was mentioned on the June 9th, 2003 update. You can find it by searching for either the date or Mockingbird Lane here: http://www.liljas-library.com/
Sunday, June 1, 2003
Article in POP Magazine
Below is a copy of the article appearing in POP from May 30th 2003. There were quite a few things taken out of context or misquoted in the interview.
If you read this article make sure to read the follow-up: http://hardcoreokieboy.blogspot.com/2003/06/article-in-pop-magazine_21.html
MOCKINGBIRD LANE, SOCIAL PARASITE POISON THE WELL
By Doug Hill
The Well is a non-denominational Christian house of worship at 219 W. Main St. It's an uncommonly clean and well-decorated brick room that's long and narrow. Friendly Jay and Jessica said they enjoy volunteering there. The Well introduces new people to the flock by frequently hosting a wide variety of music in their attractive sanctuary.
On May 9, they charitably brought a concert by two bands who could have been featured in Metal Hell magazine. Mockingbird Lane's Christophe (vocals/guitar) sat in church and confessed his guilty musical pleasure. "Pink, But the reason she's so good is because the chick from Four Non Blondes is the one who wrote all the music. But I'm proud, not guilty about them," he said.
Christophe admitted to other sins. "I've actually booked shows when I didn't have a band together yet," he said. "Many of my songs were written when I had to have some for a show. Like 'From Hell' that we're playing tonight."
Christophe predicted the future. "In 100 years, there will still be punk rock. That's for f------ sure. There will always be a pissed-off kid in a garage somewhere."
Worst concert: "When all Lynyrd Skynyrd's brother's opened for Hank (Williams) Jr. They did 'Free Bird' for at least an hour. I thought it would never end."
Christophe cited Billy Joe Winghead and John Thomas as best of the local scene. But he also populated a personal wall of shame. "I don't like the Chainsaw Kittens. I saw them, and they were just bad."
Not known for good taste or gentility, Christophe's misogynist songs are at best crude satire. His description of their content was too rude and gratuitously violent to quote. The songs include stalking with criminal intent and other distasteful themes targeting women.
Music that Christophe and his mother can dig together: "Hank (Williams) Jr., Waylon (Jennings), Willie (Nelson), Johnny (Cash), Kris Kristofferson, and Roger Miller."
"I'm an Okie. Hillbilly is in my blood," he explained.
Christophe revealed the genre with the worst snobs. "Straight-up goths. They're all f------ pretentious and poseurs. I'm Death Rock. So, I can talk smack about them all I want."
Christophe commented on religious music. "I'm into Christian Death Metal like Mortification and the Deadlines. I do not like these little, crappy Christian bands that they have in every church. They're all like, 'Hey, you should check us out.' But all the Christian jam bands sound alike," he judged.
MOCKINGBIRD LANE
Nick (bass) and Riley (drums) ganged up with Christophe for a fuzzy, mega volume assault. Aural felony by guitar band, ML should be named Thunderbird Row. The vocals were drowned, which may have been just as well.
Christophe's guitar rumbled like the storm clouds outside. Last chord, he dropped his ax and bolted from the room. Ever the drama queen, Christophe fell to the sidewalk and doused himself with bottled water until out.
SOCIAL PARASITE
Based in Norman, Social Parasite are Joe Degraffenried (vocals/guitar), Micah (drums) and Tyson (vocals/bass). "We are a true metal band who blend stoner metal with trash metal," Joe D. said.
Reading their "... sarcastic, twisted sense of humor..." is key.
"Some people might think 'Beat My Bitch' is brutal, but it's about a drug habit," he explained.
Joe D. is articulate. He's the editor of Metal Hell magazine (503 Willis, Noble, OK 73068, annual subscription $20). The update column is titled "Sick Sick Six!!" The articles are well-written and witty.
SP's credo is simple. "Take chances. Do not care. Don't do anything trendy. Don't do rap metal and don't back down from a crowd," he said.
Worst concerts attended: "U2 at Lloyd Noble Center in 1983. The Alarm opened up," (Joe D.), and "Moody Blues at the Civic Center in the late 80's when my mom made me go," (Micah).
SP's concert was ominous and threatening as only death metal and certain opera can be.
Random Lyric: "God hates you/and so do I ... ." Degraffenreid's vocals were spat out like acrid flaming pellets of damnation.
Tyson had replicas of shrunken headds adorning his mic stand. Social Parasite roared like a wood chipper happily munching cute little bunnies.
If you read this article make sure to read the follow-up: http://hardcoreokieboy.blogspot.com/2003/06/article-in-pop-magazine_21.html
MOCKINGBIRD LANE, SOCIAL PARASITE POISON THE WELL
By Doug Hill
The Well is a non-denominational Christian house of worship at 219 W. Main St. It's an uncommonly clean and well-decorated brick room that's long and narrow. Friendly Jay and Jessica said they enjoy volunteering there. The Well introduces new people to the flock by frequently hosting a wide variety of music in their attractive sanctuary.
On May 9, they charitably brought a concert by two bands who could have been featured in Metal Hell magazine. Mockingbird Lane's Christophe (vocals/guitar) sat in church and confessed his guilty musical pleasure. "Pink, But the reason she's so good is because the chick from Four Non Blondes is the one who wrote all the music. But I'm proud, not guilty about them," he said.
Christophe admitted to other sins. "I've actually booked shows when I didn't have a band together yet," he said. "Many of my songs were written when I had to have some for a show. Like 'From Hell' that we're playing tonight."
Christophe predicted the future. "In 100 years, there will still be punk rock. That's for f------ sure. There will always be a pissed-off kid in a garage somewhere."
Worst concert: "When all Lynyrd Skynyrd's brother's opened for Hank (Williams) Jr. They did 'Free Bird' for at least an hour. I thought it would never end."
Christophe cited Billy Joe Winghead and John Thomas as best of the local scene. But he also populated a personal wall of shame. "I don't like the Chainsaw Kittens. I saw them, and they were just bad."
Not known for good taste or gentility, Christophe's misogynist songs are at best crude satire. His description of their content was too rude and gratuitously violent to quote. The songs include stalking with criminal intent and other distasteful themes targeting women.
Music that Christophe and his mother can dig together: "Hank (Williams) Jr., Waylon (Jennings), Willie (Nelson), Johnny (Cash), Kris Kristofferson, and Roger Miller."
"I'm an Okie. Hillbilly is in my blood," he explained.
Christophe revealed the genre with the worst snobs. "Straight-up goths. They're all f------ pretentious and poseurs. I'm Death Rock. So, I can talk smack about them all I want."
Christophe commented on religious music. "I'm into Christian Death Metal like Mortification and the Deadlines. I do not like these little, crappy Christian bands that they have in every church. They're all like, 'Hey, you should check us out.' But all the Christian jam bands sound alike," he judged.
MOCKINGBIRD LANE
Nick (bass) and Riley (drums) ganged up with Christophe for a fuzzy, mega volume assault. Aural felony by guitar band, ML should be named Thunderbird Row. The vocals were drowned, which may have been just as well.
Christophe's guitar rumbled like the storm clouds outside. Last chord, he dropped his ax and bolted from the room. Ever the drama queen, Christophe fell to the sidewalk and doused himself with bottled water until out.
SOCIAL PARASITE
Based in Norman, Social Parasite are Joe Degraffenried (vocals/guitar), Micah (drums) and Tyson (vocals/bass). "We are a true metal band who blend stoner metal with trash metal," Joe D. said.
Reading their "... sarcastic, twisted sense of humor..." is key.
"Some people might think 'Beat My Bitch' is brutal, but it's about a drug habit," he explained.
Joe D. is articulate. He's the editor of Metal Hell magazine (503 Willis, Noble, OK 73068, annual subscription $20). The update column is titled "Sick Sick Six!!" The articles are well-written and witty.
SP's credo is simple. "Take chances. Do not care. Don't do anything trendy. Don't do rap metal and don't back down from a crowd," he said.
Worst concerts attended: "U2 at Lloyd Noble Center in 1983. The Alarm opened up," (Joe D.), and "Moody Blues at the Civic Center in the late 80's when my mom made me go," (Micah).
SP's concert was ominous and threatening as only death metal and certain opera can be.
Random Lyric: "God hates you/and so do I ... ." Degraffenreid's vocals were spat out like acrid flaming pellets of damnation.
Tyson had replicas of shrunken headds adorning his mic stand. Social Parasite roared like a wood chipper happily munching cute little bunnies.
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