Robex Lundgren virkblogg.

Have any of you played in other bands? Yes, we all spawn from different bands. Our bassist, Napaulm, was in several Punk groups before joining the band in 2011, one of which was called Alien. Bran and I had a Punk band called Freedom Club before we formed Electric Vengeance, in which Bran played bass and I was the guitarist and lead singer. We all have pretty strong Punk roots.

How is it that you started playing music? Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to play music. When my brothers and I were too young for real guitars, (remember, this was the early 90’s, way before First Act and Hot Topic) we had to use our imaginations. So we settled for tennis racket guitars and emulated our heroes, wrote our favorite band logos with sharpies on white T-shirts, and pretended we were Bill and Ted. I began playing guitar in my first Punk band, Aggression Colony, when I was 18 in 2002. I felt so liberated learning how to play a power chord; oh, how creative you can be with knowing so little! That band got my feet wet so to speak, along with my brother Chris who was also in the band and just learning drums at the time. Aggression Colony paved the way to us forming a number of other short-lived bands, each one getting a little better than the last. Finally, we formed Electric Vengeance in 2007 and the rest is history. I’ve been hooked ever since.

What are your names? / Who plays what? / How old are you? My name is Trey Lunabomber, the drummer of the band. I am 31 ¾ years old. Bran Damage is also my brother and is the guitarist/lead vocalist. He’s 28. Napaulm is the bassist and just turned 31 last month.

Where are you from? We’re based out of Grand Prairie, Texas, a nice little barrio nestled between Dallas and Fort Worth. “The Armpit of DFW” is the new slogan on the water tower I believe.

What year did the band form?  We formed in June/2007, about a week after we disbanded Freedom Club.

What's your style of genre?  Our style is basically rooted in Punk Rock, 80’s-era Thrash Metal similar to The Big Four, and New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands like Satan, Iron Maiden, Diamond Head, and Angel Witch. Due to our basic Street Punk and Metal influences, it became obvious right away that we’d call our style, “Street Metal”. But we are completely open to all sorts of styles and genres. Bran is inspired by Bone Thugs–N-Harmony as much as he is by Pachelbel and Frédéric Chopin . He keeps BTNH’s rhyming schemes in mind when writing his lyrics. I love Cannibal Corpse and Enya. Napaulm loves Hip Hop and Pop Punk as much as he does Thrash Metal. I think that’s the secret to growing and continuously developing your sound – absorbing every cue you can, putting it all in a blender, and seeing where you can go with it. That, or you could just take Music Appreciation and Theory 101 at a community college.

What inspires you? Our fans, family, and friends first and foremost. True Crime cases, history from around the world, frustration, teen angst even though we’re not teens, adult angst, things we observe in society as redundant or unjust, B-Horror films, The Three Stooges, Mad Magazine, satire, the Appalachian mountains, incense, a hot bubble bath…

How have you developed since you started with the music? I thinkwe’ve developed quite progressively since we started the band. I look back on some of our earliest songs and demos and see that we’ve become more focused, tighter, and better song writers than ever. When Bran and I started Electric Vengeance, we wanted to be just like Iron Maiden, and wrote songs exclusively in the style of New Wave of British Heavy Metal. But the Punk Rock in us couldn’t take it for long, and inevitably crept back in. At that point, we decided on one rule – that there are no rules. Being open to all the styles of music we love, from Slayer to Tears For Fears, was the way to go if we wanted to progress musically, and quite frankly, so we wouldn’t get bored.

Do you have other interests of work outside the band? I love to read, write farce and satire, collect coins, lift weights, jog, spend time with my wife, and watch unpopular movies. Bran likes to lift weights and jog too, play bass (he’s a bassist by trade) check out local shows, and meet babes. Napaulm is an avid Softball and Frisbee Golf player and has an impressive arsenal of Frisbee discs. He’s made some amazing scores lately. 

Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that? We were signed to a small independent label based out of Denton, Texas called Death Lab Records in 2012 and cut a 4-song EP called, “Street Metal Attack”. Unfortunately, the label shut down before our contract could be renewed to release a full-length album, so instead, we self-financed our first LP titled, “Manic Possession” which we released last April. We’d love to have a good label distribute it for us. We’re always on the lookout.  

What are your songs about? Oh boy, we’ve written on various subjects... Some of our earliest songs were about the crimes of serial killers such as Wayne Williams, Richard Kuklinski, Jack the Ripper, and H.H. Holmes. We’ve also written about creating unity in the Thrash/Punk scene, the phenomenon of demonic possession which, possibly subconsciously, appears to be a reoccurring theme in many of our songs, insanity, moshing with zombies, someone being stomped into hamburger meat in a mosh pit, B-Horror films such as the Puppet Master series by Full Moon Entertainment, historic events, the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral… the list goes on!

Who does the composing and writes the lyrics? Bran and I write the majority of the lyrics. Occasionally, we’ll all three collaborate and throw in ideas, help change a word or two, or come up with a better line for a verse. Napaulm wrote the lyrics entirely to “Frustrated!” and sings it live and on the album.

Do you start with the music or the lyrics? It depends. Sometimes, we’ll write lyrics first and then play around with some riffs at practice. Other times, we might have a tune in our heads that we try to translate on guitar, and then write lyrics to accommodate it.

Do you compose in a certain environment? Yes. In a cramped, 10 x 15 room jam-packed with boxes, gear we don’t even use, and Gatorade bottles filled with fermented piss. What can I say? We’re a Rock N’ Roll band.

Have you done any covers live? We’ve covered “Transylvania” by Iron Maiden, “Skulls” and “Halloween” by Misfits, (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!) by Beastie Boys, “Blitzkrieg Bop” “The KKK Took My Baby Away” and “Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue” by The Ramones. We’re currently working on “City Baby Attacked By Rats” by GBH. 

What are the least and most people to attend one of your gigs? We’ve played to audiences ranging from 1 person to 400 people, depending on the gig. But it makes no difference to us; if you‘ve paid good money to see us play, and we can hold your attention for 30 minutes, to us, that’s success and we love you. We’re gonna give you the show you deserve and Thrash you hard. We love anyone and everyone who makes the effort to come out and see us live, regardless if the turnout is big or small.  

What ages are most of your concert attendants? The young, the old, and the restless. We’ve seen all ages and walks of life come out to our shows. I think I even saw a German Shepherd in the pit one time. If you like hard-rocking music with attitude, you’ll probably dig our sound. Our style is quite timeless. 

Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary? Every set we play is tailor-made to the type of show it is and the audience we expect to be there. If it’s a Punk show, we play more of our Punk Rock stuff. If it’s a Metal show, we play our heaviest stuff. Right down to the song order, we have a strategy. That’s the beauty of mixing genres; you can appeal to a wider audience and vastly expand the types of gigs you perform at.

What was your first gig like? Bad. Our first show was at a friend’s birthday party in a big shed next to his house in the country. Mind you, he and his friends were all huge fans of our previous band, Freedom Club, so they had high expectations. We played and we got lost in mid-song most of the time because there was no PA system and we could barely hear each other. Plus, we were just getting acquainted with our songs, Bran had just started playing guitar, and I was a novice on drums. It had a lot to do with our general inexperience at the time. They never talked to us again after that, lol!  

What was your latest gig? Our latest gigs were opening for Pissing Razors and playing the Second Annual Deep Ellum Metal Fest in Dallas, Texas. They were both a blast! 

Where have you played live this year? Three Links, Reno’s Chop Shop, The Rail Club, and Wits End have been our usual haunts lately; all great DFW venues. Our favorite place to play in Dallas is Gas Money Bar N’ Grill. They hold awesome shows there and treat the bands well. Amazing venue and staff!

When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale? We came out with our first T-shirt design in 2008 which was plain and simple: our logo on black T-shirts. They looked liked T-shirts Beavis and Butthead would wear. In 2009, we released the Street Metal Attack design which revealed our mascot for the first time, Electric Harry, tearing through the center of the shirt and gripping the severed head of an emo kid while flipping the bird. We launched our Ouija at Witching Hour design in 2012 which turned out to be our most popular T-shirt and ran for a couple of years. Currently, we have a few shirts left in the Ouija design, a re-issue of the Street Metal Attack shirts, and a brand new T-Shirt design of the “Manic Possession” album artwork, painted by local artist and friend of the band, Andrea Salas. We also have buttons, stickers, and our new album, Manic Possession available for purchase.

Where can people buy your merchandise? Directly through the band. Send us a message on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/electricvengeance to place an order, or better yet, come out to a show and grab some. Manic Possession is also available by digital download for less than $10 on Amazon.com. iTunes, and Google Play Store. Hit us up!

What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records now a days? It takes the magic out of it a bit, but as long as people are buying the music and supporting their favorite artists, I’m game. One of these days, buying physical copies of albums will be obsolete. The next generation may never experience the thrill of finding a dusty, old, obscure album they’ve been searching everywhere for at a record store or yard sale.

Do you have any role models or idols? Dennis the Menace from the Chicago Murder Metal band, Macabre, is my favorite drummer of all time. William Manspeaker from Green Jello is such a passionate, creative guy; full of energy and an amazing front man. He’s reinvented the traditional Rock show into an improvisational, interactive comedy act with his fans. Not one Green Jello show is the same and they’re full of spontaneity. His band is being considered for a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for having 637 members in his band – more than any musical act in history. He truly thinks outside of the box and I respect that. He’s a Punk Rock genius.

Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today? For me, it’s mostly older bands. Come to think of it, I don’t keep up with many bands beyond 1990 it seems, unless they’re local or underground. Thrash Metal, to me, is the greatest form of extreme metal – not over the top like Death Metal, not too conventional like traditional Heavy Metal, but just over that edge; tough, speed-driven, and heavy with plenty of attitude. It’s a great balance.

What advice would you give other bands or artists? Stay hungry. Take risks in the business and don’t be afraid to ask for what you want- if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Appreciate all music, even if you don’t prefer particular genres; respect its contribution to music and art. Stay goal-oriented. Laugh at yourself. Communicate well with your band mates. PROMOTE your band and your shows! Don’t expect others to do it for you. Stay healthy and exercise. Don’t smoke, especially if you’re a drummer. Lay off of drugs and alcohol. Remember what brought you to the gig in the first place - to play music, not to fuck your head. Write music you’d like to hear, not what you think people expect – you’ll always find your audience and feel true to yourself at the end of the day. Practice and stay focused on improving your craft. Support your fellow local artists – there is no hierarchy, we’re all in the same boat. Be respectful of the venues you play and work professionally with the staff. Appreciate and love your fans! Don’t worry if your demo production sounds like crap, share it with your fans anyway. The trues will dig it! This is sounding more like one of those “Life’s Little Instructions” posters you can find at Hobby Lobby, but for bands, lol!

How do you get psyched for a gig? I think of things that piss me off, and then I beat the shit out of my drums. That’s how I get psyched. I think I perform better that way.

Do you have any new material?

 Yes! We just released our debut, full-length album, “MANIC POSSESSION”, 10 songs of solid Street Metal! Available by digital download on Amazon.com. iTunes, and Google Play Store for $10. For physical copies of the album, send us a message on our Facebook page to place an order.

What are your web sites? Our official Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/electricvengeance

How can people reach you? Through our Facebook page, telegram, or 1-900-LICK.

What are your plans for the future? To keep playing shows anywhere and everywhere we can, to record our second LP hopefully by next summer, and continue writing new material! We have some killer new songs that we’re currently working on!

Do you have something to add? Greatest thanks to our awesome families, friends, and fans around the world for your ongoing support! We’re forever grateful. Be sure and grab a copy of Manic Possession if you haven’t already and prepare to have your skull exploded. “Like” us on Facebook to stay in the loop of all our upcoming shows, new merch, and everything-EV! Take care and stay Thrash-thirsty, my friends! See you in a pit near you!