Interviews

A.K.A.s

Interview with Mike Ski on Sep 25, 2003 by Archive Bot

By Eva Lee

With the unique incorporation of a farfisa, the AKA's are, I think, without a doubt a change from what's been plaguing music. Yes, this probably sounds quite extreme, but the AKA's are extreme! With boyish good charms, singer Mike Ski explains his vast participation in the band's aesthetics and the importance of areas such as the art composition of a band's record. Sit back and turn it up kids; it's the AKA's and they're here to rock.

PB: What does the band represent?

Mike: As far as a "message"?

PB: The band representation can be yes, a message or whatever else applies.

Mike: There are tons of intricacies in the layout and aesthetic of our band that represent ideas that the music and lyrics project. We're careful no to be a band with a "message," like I said before, we're more of an artistic reaction. It's been said amongst ourselves that sometimes the only things we can agree is that we hate the same things...some of the things that we are reacting against and this record is a middle finger to are: 1) Trying to survive day to day and busting your ass to pay rent in a fucking shithole while working seemingly bullshit jobs that don't fulfill or inspire in any way. 2) Emo boy bands and generation pop punk bullshit, too cool for school hipster NY fantasy rock. 3) The theft of punk rock culture and aesthetic for use in the corprorate world and phenomenon of "Radical Chic" i. advertising and marketing. 4) Boredom. 5) Work.

PB: You sound jaded. Perhaps, bitter is a better word.

Mike: I would say I'm inspired by it rather than jaded. I'm bitter in a good way. Being pissed is much better than being content with a situation that is fucked. I guess it's at least letting me know I'm alive.

PB: is it possible to be content with a fucked up situation though?

Mike: What do you think?

PB: No.

Mike: I emphatically disagree. It might seem that way for you because you are aware of certain elements on our culture.. but most people go on their merry way, in search of happiness in the form of sports cars, new shoes, full time employment, or in relationships. People just stop trying to be "happy" and start settling for "convenient."

PB: If something is fucked up, for the most part you're not pleased with the situation because it isn't what you'd like it to be. I still don't understand how you can be content with a situation that isn't in your favour. I understand people defer things by purchasing expensive items, but this doesn't make the situation any more content or better than it was before.

Mike: I agree with you, but I don't think most people make that connection. I guess the problem is the definition of "fucked up." Whether or not someone beleives a situation to be fucked up I suppose is a matter of opinion in some cases.

PB: Ok back to the record. how will kid's be convinced in buying the new album?

Mike: Convinced to what? Or do you mean how will they be convinced to buy it?

PB: How will you convince kid's to buy the album?

Mike: [Laughs] We will threaten them.

PB: Right on. Practice on me.

Mike: Umm, well, we're hoping that the good word will spread from the first people that hear it, but more importantly we're going on tour for a long time to try to win people over with our "energetic live show". [Laughs] "Buy this record or I'll bust your fuckin head". Basically, we're doing it grass roots style... bust our ass and hope people will take notice.

PB: What if people don't notice your grass roots methods and all your efforts go
unappreciated?

Mike: Well, then I guess we're fucked.

PB: And you won't be content?

Mike: We've given up everything to do this and we're going to do the best we can.
Well, I would have to be creative and find other ways to fulfill that aspect of my life. Jeez, you've got me half in the grave... old and unsuccessful. Unhappy and discontent.

PB: [Laughs] I totally do. I'm sorry!

Mike: Do you have a crystal ball that has low record sales in my future?

PB: High record sales buddy!

Mike: Fuck yeah, that's what I'm talkin bout.

PB: Who do you think busts their asses more than your average joe and goes completely unappreciated/unrecognized?

Mike: Is this a riddle? Or just my personal observations?

PB: It's a regular question like all the others have been

Mike: Band wise?

PB: People, roles. Do you want an example?

Mike: Oh fun, I see you have some feelings on the matter. Let me ask you then. go ahead!

PB: Single parents. I think they go totally unappreciated or they don't get as much recognition as they deserve

Mike: Yes, I agree. That is a really hard situation.

PB: That's kind of what I'm looking at as an answer.

Mike: Umm, see the problem is... there's pressure to say something really silly here... I gotta make it good, it's kid of freaking me out. There's a million things I'm thinking of... teachers, musicians, artists, garbagemen...I think it's sad that often times the roles of most creative people are the least likely to make them a decent living, which is sad because these are the people who most often inspire people or society to make forward bounds in the way we all think.

PB: I agree. How would you show your appreciation for someone who you thought deserved it?

Mike: Bake them a cake? Give them smooches? I guess it is at least something to acknowledge people or someone's good efforts if nothing else. That is obviously the bottom of the barrel, but I'm thinking on a wide scale.

PB: What is a farfisa? Because I actually tried looking in a dictionary and it wasn't in it.

Mike: A farfisa is an organ from the 60's... it's liek a keyboard before they had keyboards. It sounds like a weird creepy organ halloween sounding thing. I guess it's the brand name rather than what it actually is. I don't know, I'm just the singer.

PB: You know how some people have been said that they were 'born to lead' or 'born to play whatever instrument'? Do you think someone can not be 'born to play' for instance but still learn and train to a level of skill as say someone who was 'born to play'?

Mike: Yeah, I think they can definitely do that, but it is just way more difficult and takes way longer than someone who is naturally gifted at something. Certain things just come more naturally for some people, but it also depends on what it is.

PB: You think the natural and unnatural would ever be at equal levels of skill though? And yes, you probably are wiser, i will not deny that

Mike: It depends on what type of task you are referring to I suppose. I definitely think there are people who will never be able to draw or paint, no matter how hard they try... but there are people who aren't necessarily born to this type of thing that could gain a certain level of skill if they really tried. It doesn't seem like it would be as enjoyable to them though if it wasn't natural. I think that is the key to finding that one special talent you have... you can end up doing something that you love and enjoy.

PB: But, say they became really successful at what they did through learning their errors etc. wouldn't somone who was skilled at that particular area and knew they were good enjoy it then?

Mike: What do you have in mind?

PB: Oh nothing in particular. If anything, like a sport

Mike: Well, I suppose then. I'm just talking from own perspective of what I'm good at. There are some things that people are just not going to be as good at depending on physical stuff too. Like I wouldn't be a good football player.

PB: This is asking say someone became very skilled and successful in a certain area and they weren't exactly a 'natural born blah blah', wouldn't they be happy if they knew they were mother fucking good?

Mike: Yes. I guess. There would be satisfaction in knowing that they were good.