interview with Angel Of The Odd

What´s the name of your band? Angel Of The Odd
How was the band formed?
The guitar player and the drummer were in a band called "Flaming Creatures" and decided to start their own style of music.
Can you tell about your band? The band was formed in the early 1980's as a post punk, ethereal styled group. 
Where are all band members from?/Who does what in the band?
There were always 4 performers in the group. Guitar, Bass, Vocalist and Drums. The original players were Gratz Arias (Guitar) and Wesley Earl- me (Drums).  We had a Bass plater named Rudy J in the beginning and he was replaced by Jeffrey Kline. The original Vocalist was Michael Satori and he was replaced with Cecilia+-
What was the ambitions of the band when you started? To tour the world and share our music with others.
Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? Much of the music is performed in the minor key, giving it a sense of non-conformance. It is dark and full of emotion.
Where was your first gig? At a very small venue called Roxanne's in Arcadia, Calif. USA
Where was the latest gig? The latest gig was our last, in 1989 I believe. It was the last show as the breakup occurred on stage during a performance.
Who writes your songs?/Who writes the music who writes lyrics? The music was written mostly by the Guitar player, Gratz with influence by the Bassplayer(s) and the Drummer, Wes.
Who has the best since of humor in the band? Sense of humor? That would be Gratz, the guitar player.
What's good/bad with the band?/What genre do you feel you are? The band started out playing songs that were too long with no format. We changed that after the first Singer, Michael, left.    No Genre...
Why did you pick that particular style?/What are your songs about? We love playing what we played. It was very personal and it was creativity at its best for us.
Do you write your own material or mainly covers? We played our own music. Sometimes we'd throw a version of a cover in our set, but not very often.
Have you made any albums?/If yes what are they?
We produced an "EP" in 1985 called the "Man of Perception". It had 2 songs, 1 each side.  In 1989 we produced an Album called "Hiding From Fears". I was an 8-10 song LP.  Looking back, we should have made CD's as they were just coming in.
Do you have any clips on YouTube? Yes, we have quite a few.  "Angel of The Odd" There are two with the male singer Michael Satori and about 8 with Cecilia+- 
How old are you?/What got you started in music? I'm 54 and I've always loved mysic.
At what age did you start playing? Around 11 years old with the drums.
How old were you guys when you first stood on stage? I was probably 22 or 23.
What year was the band started? 1982-1983
Best/worst gig you've played? The best gig we played at was at a place called the "Scream" in downtown Los Angeles where we played with Specimen, Faith No More and Janes Addiction.
What places will you be playing in in the imidate future? We have no plans on performing 
Where have you played from then till now? No where really
Witch band is the best you´ve seen? Which band?  That would be Frank Zappa
Is it always the same songs live? Usually  - we added new ones as they developed. 
What has been the best/most promising gig so far? Our record release party in 1989.  Many industry types were there, plus many other performers.
How big crowds do you usually play for? Between 15 and 500 people depending on the venue.
What are the plans for the rest of the year? Cut wood for the winter and have a few beers.
Where do you usually play? We don't anymore. But it was all in Hollywood and Los Angeles
How do you get psyched up for a gig? We would practice and mentally just get ready for it.
When did you decide to go all in for the music? 1982
Is it easier to get your inspiration from older bands or from bands more modern? Back then it was older bands. Music has changed so much over the years and the musicianship in some cases is phenomenal.  
What are your sources of inspiration? Life, Love, Death, Remorse, Dreams, Fears.......
What's the first step when making a new song? Get an  idea in your head and then find a melody. Take the melody and put a sequence together and then write words that make the music feel real. 
How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums? I'm okay with it, but the bands that need money should be compensated. 
What would be your dreams for the band? To perform on Saturday Night Live in New York with Kate Bush 
Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? Primus, Todd Rundgren, others.
What would be your greatest fears for the future? Dying before someone copied our music....
When you are on stage, what do you fear most then? I feared missing my part or having the drums break.
Have you been in any other bands? Yes, but other than "Flaming Creatures" none of them really counted.
What do you work with outside of the band and the music? I sell drugs to compounding pharmacies. 
What would you do if there was no music? I'd fucking kill myself...
How important are your fans? They are the most important thing to a band besides the music. 
What's the funniest/most memorable thing a fan has done for you? Jumped on stage and started kissing me.  I took her home to have sex and she was so drunk I slept on the couch. In the morning when she got up, she asked if we, you know....and I told her she was fine. I made her breakfast....never saw her again.
Name 2 of your own songs you like at the moment? Twisted Lady and To the Fire
What do you feel is the best live band you've seen? Franlk Zappa
What drives a band that isn't all that famous and renowned to try to make a living on their music and to keep playing? Sacrifice.  Do not "Pay to Play".  Imagine to yourself "what radio station" would your music best suit.   Hang in there and don't quit your day job. 
Any pearls of wisdom for all other bands out there? Stick with it.......have fun, live vicariously through others that are successful. 
Describe your show, visually and musically 4 people on stage.  The singer would slither through the crowd making an interesting appearance here and there.  Cecilia+- was an interesting woman.
How do you view the musicindurty of today? Some of the music is really good. Some of it is over produced and it sounds like shit.
What advice would you like to give other bands? Love what you do..
What are the biggest obstacles for a band? Keeping the music true to yourselves. Don't get greedy and remember your fans as they are the ones who will be paying the bills some day.
What is best/worst with playing the clubs? Not getting paid, playing shitty nights, having the others bands suck the life out of your fans.
Tell us about upcomming gigs and why we should be at them? Nothing is planned...you'll be fine
How would you describe your sound in one sentence A wall of ethereal sound, beating the rhythms into your brains as the singer seduces you. 
What is your favorite crappy instrument? Saxaphone - I suck at it.
What was one of the most quarrelsome times for you in the band? During the end when the Singer and guitar player ended up throwing blows on stage. They had a "thing" going on and it ended badly.  The crowd thought it was great, part of the act - but it was just a fight. 
Do you have anything to add? Thank you for this opportunity to share information about the band 

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