by Kenneth Morton

The Messenger from Long Beach, CA has a dynamic new CD out entitled Let’s Get Dangerous on Mediaskare Records. Since the release, the band has been on the road incessantly, sharing the stage with the likes of Destroy The Runner, Showbread, and Catherine. In addition to their own original compositions, the band has been making waves with their killer rendition of the Chris Brown song Kiss Kiss, which you can currently hear on their Myspace page (www.myspacecom/themessenger). Here is a recent interview we did with these fun and dangerous guys…

What are your impressions of the local Los Angeles music scene and how does The Messenger fit in?
It’s hard to get your name out in L.A. because there are so many bands competing with one another; it’s hard for kids to focus in on one band. We feel like we've done a good job overcoming L.A.'s hardcore/metal scene. Our diversity in our music allows us to fit in with many different scenes across the city.

How did you wind up behind signed to Mediaskare? You’re a lot different than most of the other bands on that label...
After listening to our demos on MySpace, Baron Bodnar (owner of Mediaskare Records) immediately saw potential in us. With all the tricks that are performed in studios these days, He wanted to know if what we had was real. After a private showcase for the label we decided that we wanted to become apart of the Mediaskare family. Although Mediaskare is typically a metal label, He saw past the genre lines and saw something unique in our music that he couldn't pass up.

Where did you get the ideas for some of the other lyrics on the CD? Cite a few song examples and what they are about.
Honestly, the lyrics I wrote weren't written for anybody but myself. It was a way for me to verbally express how I was dealing with the situation at hand. My intentions were never to convey a general message to anyone. It was simply a way to have closure in a certain chapter of my life
The last song on the record is about a specific time me and a loved one went to Brazil and spent New Years together. It was the happiest I had been in a long time. It is now just a distant memory but I will always remember that trip for the rest of my life. A lot of writers that I enjoy are sometimes vague about what they are trying to say in their lyrics but for me, in that particular song, I felt I should just be honest and obvious. I hope I got the point across. hahaha.

What can one expect from a live The Messenger show?
When we perform live, we don't just match our record. We exceed it by incorporating different ideas, parts, and relentless energy. People can expect a genuine performance at our shows. We truly enjoy what we do, and we feel it comes across in our live music.

So far, what has been the best and worst part about touring and being on the road?
The best part of touring is visiting cities and people that we wouldn't be able to normally see. Touring obviously takes a toll on our pocketbooks and relationships at home, but we wouldn't do it if we didn't truly love playing music.

Any unusual road stories you could share?
Haha... well there was one time we went skinny dipping in the Gulf of Mexico with another band we won't mention. Nude men hugging in the ocean is pretty unusual I suppose... LoLz!

Who’s idea was it to do the Chris Brown cover Kiss Kiss and are you surprised by all the plays the song has received on Myspace?
We all share a passion for Pop and R&B music. Choosing the cover was difficult because there are so many awesome artists out there, but we felt like Kim would do a great job singing a song by Chris Brown. We are pleasantly surprised that Kiss Kiss has done so well. Our only hope is that people listen to our record and hear our original music. On a side note, we do NOT under any circumstances condone assault and or battery.

While on tour, some drunk guy offers you $100 to cover a Britney Spears song? What song would you do and why?
Tough question. We're going to have to go with Circus though. That song is the Jam!

What’s the most embarrassing band or song someone would find on your IPOD right now?
Miley Cyrus. We're not really embarrassed, but I bet people would bag on us if they knew how much we like her.

How is your tour with Tonight Is Glory going and what have been some of the highlights?
The tour is going really well! We're having a blast out on the east coast! In Pensacola, FL we got to play with A Day To Remember on their CD Release show and it was absolutely mental! The dudes in TIG are really cool, and we're glad to have made more friends.

What advice would you give to a young band about to go on tour for the very first time?
If you can get through your first national tour, the hardest part is over. It's a big awakening when your band first goes on the road. You find out who your band mates really are for the good or the bad... mostly the bad. Also... Ramen. Pepto Bismol.

Any final words of wisdom?
In the words of Gary Busey, "Utah! Gimme' two!"

The Messenger links

The Messenger on Myspace: The Official Myspace Page for The Messenger!
The Highwire Daze Home Page: Return to the Main Page!

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