Interviews

Kicked In The Head

Interview with Gary on Nov 30, 1999 by Archive Bot

This interview was done via email with Gary of Kicked In The Head. Kicked In The Head is one of the hardest working unsigned bands currently out there. You can check out their tour dates and latest news by go to www.kickedinthehead.com. 

PB: I've gotten kicked in the head at numerous shows but............. how'd you come up with the name?
KITH: Our guitar player got it from an old Slapshot song, "Punks Dead You're Next". We just thought it was cool so we used it!

PB: Since you guys are from Boston............ I was wondering if you had a favorite place to hit up when not on tour?
KITH: There's tons, let's see....... Anna's Taquaria, Burrito Max, Big Burrito, Bukowski's, Pat Flanagan's on Wednesday night for some karaoke, the movies, our big ass house in Quincy........ basically, anywhere we can cause trouble. We definately have fun! About a month ago we were blowing fire from our mouths in the backyard of our house........ that was pretty interesting. (kids..... don't try this at home).

PB: What can you be found doing on a Friday night when not having a show?
KITH: Practicing and writing, hanging out with our girlfriends, sometimes we'll go to some shows, check out DJs, or hit up a party........ it's weird because when we don't play, we run out of things to do. We rock, that's what we do. I mean we all have a million things we do outside of the band, but we just do the same old stuff everyone else does.

PB: Your last album "Thick as Thieves" was self-released............ how challenging was it do so that?
KITH: It was a challenge, but I think it was a really good experience for all of us. We had a blast! It's the first time we have ever recorded anything and felt totally confident in the final product. We've all been really psyched about it. We put way more time and effort into this album then we have anything else recorded, and soent a lot more cash, but it was worth it. I think the toughest thing may have been our budget. None of us have a lot of momey, but for a while we were just dumping our paychecks into the band fund and we came out with an album. It was definately worth it! Plus, we worked with Jim Siegel at the Outpost. He's incedible. He recorded the Dropkick Murphy's and a bunch of other bands for the northeast. He really blew our minds and we learned so much just from a studio perspective with him. We're a live band and he made us sound the way we've always wanted to be heard on tape. He's really unbelievable!

PB: What genre would you place Kicked In The Head in?
KITH: Hmmmm......... I'd personally say we're a straight up rock band. Even hard rock at that! It's weird.because we had a ton of influences as a band, but I think a lot of that comes from the fact that we all listen to so many different kinds of music. I really think we're mostly influenced by early alternative/punk-hardcore. Bands like Fishbone, Faith No More, Bad Brains, Fugazi, and Jane's Addiction. What we've always liked is how all those bands took the values of punk-hardcore and created something new and interesting with it. That's what we try and do........

PB: What other Boston bands do you relate to, or are friends with?
KITH: Reach The Sky, Big D and The Kids Table, Drexel, The Bosstones, The Goonies, Sinners and Saints, and Darkbuster. I could go on and on. Boston's music community is pretty tight. For the most part, we're all friends. 

PB: What's behind the name of your newest album......... "Thick as Thieves"? Does it have anything to do with the band's presonality?
KITH: The phrase "Thick as Thieves" means camaraderie, friendship, etc....... Most of the guys in the band grew up together and it was just an idea that seemed to fit because of that. We'ew all best friends who like to have a good time and along with that can come a lot of trouble. Plus, the fact that we all spend every waking moment with each other.

PB: Who's cuter Barbara Streisand or Barbara Bush?
KITH: Ohhhhhh..... Barbara Streisand, the Bush's freak me out!

PB: Is there a musical goal the band is looking to accomplish? If so, what is it?
KITH: I think as a band we are all just working on writing more and better songs together. We constantly think about how we all can work together as a until and focus on creating a better musical chemistry. The chemistry we have now is great, but it can always get better. We want to think like our five minds are one. That's our main goal. Plus, we are all constantly learning. We all pass around cd's of musical directions we'd like to head towards and listen to song arrangements that we'd like to explore. No matter what it is! As individuals we all take lessons so that our roles in the band are the best we can possibly make them. That way, creatively we can all find out peace in the band. We really push ourselves hard.

PB: Do any of you fart in public.............. and if you don't why are you opposed to it?
KITH: We fart..... a lot............ why? Because poop is always funny.............. no matter what............

PB: As I'm sure you are aware, Napster is being limited in it's material. Are you opponents/supporters of Napster and why?
KITH: I think the whole band has mixed opinions, so I can't speak for everyone. Personally, I love Napster........... I'm all about the live and rare stuff of my favorite bands. I'm a bootlegger to the bone!

PB: Who did you guys look up to growing up?
KITH: I think we all have different people we looked up to. Mostly bands probably. As a collective I'd say Fishbone, Fugazi, Faith No More, Bad Brains, Jane's Addiction, Rancid, Aerosmith, Pantera, Metallica, Alice in Chains...... there are soooo many. I myself have looked up to a lot of front men for bands. It doesn't get any better than Angelo Moore, Mike Patton, Ian Mackaye, Steven Tyler............. that's what I'm working towards. Hpefully I'll get there some day! For now, I'll just keep dreaming and signing into the mirror in my bedroom while using my bed for a stage and a hairbrush for a mic...... hehehheheh......

PB: Who's better Blink 182 or the Backstreet Boys and why?
KITH: I think we hate them both equally......................

PB: Who has the biggest poop?
KITH: Anthony or Rositano............ they old had one poop fight and I think Anthony won because his was bigger!

PB: Lastly, please list all the bands members and what they play?
KITH: Gary Hedrick - Vocals , Matt Sanocki - Guitar , Rositano - Guitar , Ryan Dowd - Bass , Josh Smith - Drums