Robex Lundgren virkblogg.

What´s the name of your band?  My band is called MaXine. I am also in Madam X.

How was the band formed? I started writing  and recording my own material around 2004. Then hired a band to go perform it live

Can you tell about your band? My band Maxine consists of Pat DeLeon on drums, Rachel May on guitar and vocals, and Bryan Paxton on bass

Where are all band members from?/Who does what in the band? We are all from Detroit  rock city! Rachel does vocals  and rythem  guitars, Bryan Paxton  on bass, Pat DeLeon on drums and me on vocals and lead guitars.

What was the ambitions of the band when you started? I wanted  to play and record  whatever I felt at the time and not  be told what to play and write.  I found other members  who felt and loved the way I thought and wanted to approach music. So here we.

Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? I would say its evolved, heavy, sometimes progressive yet digestible. It definitely  doesn't  sound like anything out there. Sometimes sounds bizarre and ahead of its time.

Where was your first gig? With my all girl band Pantagruel back in 77 at Notre Dame High school  in East Detroit, Mi.

Where was the latest gig? Playing The Sirens of Metal Show at The Detroit Pub. Also Sweden Rock Fest 2014 with Madam X.

Who writes your songs?/ who writes the music who writes lyrics? I write it all for Maxine band, we will start recording  after the new year and would welcome more from my band members for this album since we really know each other now. Going to have Rachel May do most lead vocals since she is incredible  and ballsier vocally  then me. She deserves to be in the same arena as Dio, Accept,  and all those guys.

Who has the best since of humor in the band? Definitely  Pat  DeLeon. He is a blast! 

What's good/bad with the band?/What genre do you feel you are? I have a great band  with a great attitude. They are a dream, they believe in me as an artist, no jealousy,  they appreciate  my creating and don't  hold me back. No competing just moving forward cuz they really love the music and their lives don't  depend on being desperate  so they don't  push me to write fake shit so they can "make it". Down side would be that we are not 20 years old.

Why did you pick that particular style?/What are your songs about? 

I have 3 different  albums and I wrote them accordingly  to the way I felt at the time. Too much to describe  in this interview,  would rather the listener  experience  them and figure it out on there own.

Do you write your own material or mainly covers? 

I write my own. Though I have covered some Sabbath, Pantera  and Iggy Pop.

Have you made any albums?/If yes what are they? 

#1 Titania, #2 Don't  Hate  Me, #3 Back to the Garden

Do you have any clips on YouTube? 

I have a video done by Blindspot Productions from my Back to the Garden album titled Assassinate and another song called Lost Girls written about the First all girl rockers from Detroit The Quattro Sisters. And soon releasing a video of Madam X " Another 80's Rock Song.

How old are you?/What got you started in music? I got started in elementary  school playing flute in the school band then my father bought me a classical  guitar for my 12th birthday and lessons to learn guitar. Roxy started with clarinet  then I asked her if she wanted to learn drums or bass to play in my future all girl rock band.

At what age did you start playing? 10 flute, 12 guitar

How old were you guys when you first stood on stage? Teenagers though we did play in my brothers wedding band when we were in junior high school.

What year was the band started? 77  our all girl rock band Pantagruel was formed with sisters Denise and Laura LaTourelle and Roxy and myself.

Best/worst gig you've played? Toooo many both ways. We experienced  and did it all. No American Idol. We played in some army base in Texas where the floor was wet with piss and beer. That was disturbing. That was with Madam X.

What places will you be playing in in the imidate future? 

MaXine band playing with Sebastian Bach at The Machine Shop in Flint ,Mi. Dec . 20th.  More dates to follow and more  dates with Madam X. Will be busy.

Busy recording new Madam X album at Metro 37 Recording Studios  in Rochester Mi. Then after that will start recording  4th new MaXine album.

Witch band is the best you´ve seen? Loved seeing Black Sabbath  at Sweden Rock Festival. Judas Priest was great too. Would love to catch Miles Kennedy  sometime. Think he's great next to Bret Kaiser.

Is it always the same songs live? We play a variety  of material from my solo albums to some cool cover songs.

What has been the best/most promising gig so far? Any gig is great if there are true rockers out there, which I keep hearing from others that think its a dying art. If the music is great there are no worries. Can't bullshit people anymore with hype and crap. There is soooo much out there to pick from

Have you had any bigger tours from start to now? Not as of yet. Would be nice but utmost  importance  is to record some great music then push it through touring etc. Sounds easy but it isn't. 

How big crowds do you usually play for? I've  done it all, at all levels, had tomatoes thrown at us and had the love too. Can't  even answer that its beyond words.

What are the plans for the rest of the year? Recording and more recording 

Where do you usually play? Mostly Detroit Metro area. It rocks, its convenient,  and low costs. Ya do what you can do

How do you get psyched up for a gig? Always psyched  and nervous. That comes with the territory  when you really care

What are your goals with your music? To keep putting out music to the best of my ability. Its like writing  books. Whether I sell a few or many. Its an art. Its what I do and I enjoy it.

When did you decide to go all in for the music? I always did and never stopped. Just because  one hadn't  heard didn't  mean  I ever stopped

Is it easier to get your inspiration from older bands or from bands more modern? More old, but there are new ones that are different but good.

What are your sources of inspiration? From the Start it was all girl bands such as Fanny and The Quatro Sisters, then Sabbath, Zeppelin, Hendrix, Humble Pie, Van Halen 

What's the first step when making a new song? Inspiration  and an event of something that happens that really moves you where it doesnt leave your mind. Its like a release. Have to really believe and feel it to get it across

How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums? Same thing as back when people would tape albums and share them. Not fond of it  and can be a bummer, but this is the new world. I still believe if the album is great and I mean great, people will want to own it

What would be your dreams for the band? I had all the great and bad. The experience  is beyond any quick 15 minute thing with artists of today. I'm  lucky to have been part of the original rock legend era. I would like to continue to keep creating new music and playing live with both my bands. I consider myself  lucky at this age to do all this and still make people happy with our music.

Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? Love all the old musical movies. Love big bands. Even Pavoratti. Love Metal more than anything. Can listen to some prog,  even Slipnot. Just love great  music. Even some bluegrass

What do you hold most dear? My family and pets. Music is my other love

What would be your greatest fears for the future? Getting truelly old and incapable.  Music is alot of mind work memorization.  Dont want to lose that. Have to be healthy to do this all. Thank god I never did drugs.

When you are on stage, what do you fear most then? That I play great and not make too many mistakes and that someone doesnt take an ugly double chin painful picture and posts it like they think its great cuz they took it. Ewe!

Have you been part of any other projects? Did a tour with Vixen as their bass player back in 98

Have you been in any other bands? Pantagruel, Black Lace, Madam X, Hells Belles, Dr Bone, Maxine  band.

What would you do if there was no music? That would have been a different  world for me now if there was no music cuz I dont know what I would have taken in school etc. I couldn't  tell you cuz my whole life was just music

How important are your fans? They are the motivation , the love, the energy, and inspiration  in keeping us grounded and going.

What's the funniest/most memorable thing a fan has done for you? Leaving cash tips under my guitar pedals and other gifts showing their appreciation  of making them feel happier. One guys left cash and a note under my wah wah pedal thanking me for saving his life from suicide.  

How often do you rehearse? I practice  just about everyday. Band rehearsals  about  once a week.

Where do you rehearse? MaXine band at Rachel Mays house. Madam X at Metro 37 recording studios.

Name 2 of your own songs you like at the moment? WTF and Assassinate

What do you feel is the best live band you've seen? Gentle Giant back in 81  and Iron Maiden with Paul DiAnnio back in early 80's, The Who, Judas Priest, Sabbath, Dream Theater. 

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? The love of music and the energy that one gets from the high of it. 

Do you have any webpages? Maxinepetrucci.net facebook google+ Linkedin

Any pearls of wisdom for all other bands out there? Stay true to the music you love making don't  change to fit in with whats in for the moment. Just work hard and practice. Be great

Describe your show, visually and musically. High  energy, heavy, melodic, aggressive  and in tune

How do you view the musicindurty of today? I don't  think about it, just do what I want to do. Cant wait for a dream deal. Dont think that really exsists anymore, especially if your not a youngster. I make it happen. I do not wait for anybody.

What advice would you like to give other bands? If you really love music and I mean the music, work hard and go for it, if you just want to get laid or be a rock star then watch the Kardasians and do what they do.

What are the biggest obstacles for a band? Can't  think about that.  Again just create and do what you do and work, work ,work, till it hurts.

What is best/worst with playing the clubs? Its great doing clubs. I think the waiting to play and set up and tear down is no fun.

Tell us about upcomming gigs and why we should be at them? We play real rock like its suppose to be. There is no wimpy ness. Great music, great songs, great talent from each member. 

How would you describe your sound in one sentence? Aggressive,evolved,  guitar riffing, drum pounding, with melody.

What is your favorite crappy instrument? Accordian. Its actually  a beautiful  and difficult instrument  to learn.

What was one of the most quarrelsome times for you in the band? Many times with Madam X cuz we lived on the road and that brings tension no matter. We had fist fights, verbal quarrels  like any other married types of bands.

Whats your Pre-show ritual?  No alcohol  drinks till after show. Normal warm ups

Do you have anything to add?Check out my Maxine Assassinate video on YouTube  and Maxine Lost girls video on YouTube.  My Don't  hate me cd and Back to the Garden cd is available  on Cd Baby and Amazon. On Rhapsody  and Spottify and Pandora too. Madam X single 'Another 80's  Rock Song available on those too. Watch for new video and album to come out  for Madam X too. Then new Maxine album to follow.