Unfiltered

Interview with Unfiltered

March 10, 2016

Describe your band, telling a little about it.

We are just a group of middle aged guys with a passion for playing music.  For the most part, we all have jobs, families and the obvious grown up responsibilities,  so the music for us is an outlet away from the daily grind.  It keeps it fresh and exciting, as we strive to just have fun and play the best hard rock/metal we can.

What are your names? / Who plays what?

Mikey Riot -  Vocals

Donnie Powell -  Lead guitar/ backing vocals

Brian Martinowsky - Rhythm guitar/ backing vocals

Terry Blair - Bass

Chris Walters -  Drums/backing vocals

Have members played with any other bands?

Mikey Riot - Best known for founding/singing/ writing with FROZEN ROSE, 1989-1995.  Doing "Cold Hearted Woman" briefly hit Billboard.  Spent last 8 years with premier Pittsburgh band Code Whiskey.

Donnie Powell-  I've been playing guitar for about 40-45 years off an on but taking a break for military service 83 to 05, so I was not that active but from the years 79 to 83, I played in numerous bands from country rock to top 40 rock and started playing again about 2000. 

Brian Martinowsky- This is the first real band I’ve ever played in.  I've participated in “Rock School” band programs and performed on stage in front of large groups of audiences for such. I've only been playing guitar for a little over 2 and half years so my experiences are very small at the moment.

Terry Blair- I have bounced around from a few projects trying to find my fit in the music world, in the process i have had the pleasure of either playing with or in the following bands, even if briefly.  Certified Madness, Lestats Illusion, Master You Demons, Code Whiskey. 

Chris Walters-  Lickety Split and Ninth Haven   

Do you write your own music or perform covers?  Has it always been this way?  Up until recently we have been primarily a cover band, however with the addition of Mikey and Brian, and a resurgence of Don's song writing we have found ourselves working on some original material as well as keeping a fresh rotation of covers.  Our first original is on track to be released in April.

What year did the band form?  March 2015

Where is bands home?  Slippery Rock, Pa

What's your style or genre?  We like to think of ourselves as Hard rock/Heavy Metal... leaning more towards the metal side of the spectrum.

What inspires your music?

My own ambition is very simple, enjoy the music I make, play out a little but I would like to record a simple album of 4 - 6 songs just for posterity sake for my grand kids.  Now my age has become a factor as I worry about the burnout factor but if Tony Iommi can still do,  I think I can to. 

How often do you rehearse?  We get together Sunday mornings at around 11, and usually go till 3.

What gear do you guys use?

Mikey Riot- Shure Mics, DigiTech and TC Helicon effects

Donnie Powell-  My rig is very simple, a stack of Peavey MS412 cabs with a Marshall JCM 2000 head, chorus, echo, an wah pedal with a Les Paul for standard tuning an a Jay Turser "V" for drop tunings.  Not a lot of bells an whistles but think "kiss" ( keep it simple stupid)

Brian Martinowsky- My gear is really simple, any one of my beloved guitars straight thru with no effects to one of my two amps, EVH 5150 iii 50 watt head modded by Kruse Amplification in CA, and a Peavey 6505+. I own several guitars and use which ever is best suited for the type of song is being played.

Terry Blair - I run a Ampeg B1re head through a crate 4x10 and a ampeg svt 1510, electroharmonics metaphors pedal and 3 primary basses. a epiphone thunderbird, Hamer slammer and dean. i also have an Ibanez 5 sring but dont use it much at this time

Chris Walters- Pearl exports, evans heads and zildjian cymbals.

Do you utilize a booking agency, and what are your thoughts around that?  Always interested in booking agents and label interest.

Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that?  Always interested in booking agents and label interest.

Who does the composing and writes the lyrics?

Mikey does most of the lyric work, and then Mikey, Don and Brian all work on song ideas and composition.

What are the least and most people to attend one of your gigs?  As individuals , it varies from 3 to 25000, but as group we range from 75-250.

What ages are most of your concert attendants?  Mostly 21+ but leaning heavier to the 30+ side of things.

Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary?  We are working to maintain a shuffling list currently to keep sets fresh and to start incorporating originals in to the mix

Do you have a regular place you play live often?

Not really to this point, but we would not be opposed to anchoring ourselves into a great local venue,like the Sidebar for instance.

What was your first gig like?  Once the nerves went away, it was just rock n roll. And it doesn't get much funner than rock n roll.

What was your latest gig?  Our last one was the Western Pa Families of Fallen Heroes benefit ( we also act as host band and equipment support)

Have you had to cancel a gig?  Not yet

Where have you played live this year?

Not yet, we have taken the winter to revamp our lineup, retool our set and work on some writing.

Where do you plan to gig the coming year?

We have several gigs on the books so far, to include a couple at the Sidebar, Peter B's and then a road trip to Akron at the Empire Club.

When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale?  We are in the process of designing and ordering shirts and stickers as we speak.

Where can people buy your merchandise?  As soon as we get it, contact us, and we will get it to you.

What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records now a days?

The digital age has presented some challenges to bands, Newer bands can get there music out easier an not rely on record companies to promote  BUT  established bands now have a loss of income due to illegal downloads so what is the happy medium?  Lets not forget how easy home recording has become with just a simple laptop. These are questions that have no simple answer, but I'm sure some little genius sitting in there bedroom will find a solution...an become a billionaire. 

How do you think the music industry have changed because of this?  Downloading, coupled with lack of label support and increasing payola issues has turned the industry upside down... Used to be you'd get huge advance on album then pay label back from tour proceeds... Now, labels only really distribute and artists only tally make money 

from tours and merch.

Do you have any role models or idols?

Mikey Riot - Dave Groehl..Just read some of what he's published about advising bands on the changing times, even since Nirvana's heyday, the opportunity's there for indie artists who have a strong work ethic.

Donnie Powell - My early influences are Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple that come from the mid 70,s era.  I love the newer bands like Seether, Godsmack an Disturbed but also enjoy a lot of the lesser known bands like Avatar, Coal Chamber, Lacuna Coil ect.  I am astonished at how heavy metal has evolved into what it is now.

Brian Martinowsky -  Idols for the rhythm guitarist in me has been Slash, Randy Rhoads, and Eddie Van Halen.

Terry Blair- While I see alot of bass player try to follow, emulate or draw inspiration from guys like Flea, Claypool,Wooten, Lee and the sort, I have always been drawn to the rock steady, in the pocket bass players. The ones who queitly hold it all together.  Cliff Williams, Francis Bucholz, Ian Hill and Mark Mendoza are guys i draw my inspiration from. But I also draw inspiration from guys in the local scene that i try to model myself after , Dan Climo, Heath Cleek, Steve Craven and such.

Chris Walters - Lars Ulrich

Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today?

I think you can find inspiration in all kinds of places...  funny thing about it, you cant go out looking to get inspired.. true inspiration reveals itself to you , at its leisure.

What have been your biggest obstacles?

The changing scene and venues that don't earn a name for quality bookings so they never cultivate a loyal following... so they expect the bands to always be the ones to bring in patrons.  Venues with good rep attract their own regulars, or at least used to.  Now the bands have to do everything in addition to performing, and there's less money being paid out, for the added work they do.  

What advice would you give other bands or artists?

Mikey Riot - Don't do pay to play, take time to write originals and don't overestimate your value. Promote like there's no tomorrow and don't rely on digital media to do the work for you... Put Fliers in hands...

Terry Blair- Never lose sight of enjoying the process...if it gets to the point that it is not fun, it is time to retool, rethink, regroup or take up knitting

Do you have any new material?  We just finished our first original song, and have another half dozen in the works ready to go.

What are your web sites?

www.facebook.com/UnfilteredRocks

we are currently working to setup twitter, instagram, soundcloud and a band website.. more on the to follow

How can people reach you?  Easiest way is through social media at this point, either through band page or one of us personally.

Social media addresses?

www.facebook.com/UnfilteredRocks/

What are your plans for the future?  

Our current goal is to have an EP 4 -6 songs out before next spring.

What do you think of my work?

I think it is great, the local scene needs all the help it can get promoting bands and some of the great music we have in this area.

What is one thing even your biggest fans don't know about the band?  We have been pretty transparent, we dont keep a lot of secrets from ourselves or our fans.

Do you have anything to add?

Just thank you for your time and support...  its guys like you who are helping keep the scene alive.