8/10/2005

MP3 Download: Play Your Guitar


Samuel Aaron: Thank you so much for taking the time out to talk with me.

Mick Rowe: No problems....

SA: You have been in a handful of bands since the late 80s, do you have a favorite?

MR: Nineteen88 is hands down my favorite band I have ever been in. I am free to be myself and I am very happy in my skin.

SA: Your music has changed in extreme ways between each project - why?

MR: Back to that skin thing. I have always tried to fit in other places. So I would write stuff that I thought would help me in those areas. Like CCM, Power Pop, Worship, Goth. I am none of those. I am a "Long Haired Country Boy" that likes Hard rock and country music. Tattoos, and good times. I am where I should have been a long time ago.

SA: What happened to Goliath?

MR: Once again, It is a place where I did not belong or fit in. After the cd came out and we had a tour and some great reviews in Hit Parader and Guitar World. I just lost the ball. I had to force myself to be someone I was not.

SA: What happened to your solo album that came out?

MR: Same answer as above. Just without the reviwes in those magazines. It was HM and CCM that covered that cd.

SA: Do you plan on releasing any more solo work?

MR: Not really. I am at home with Nineteen88. Plan to do many cds under that moniker.

SA: Shortly after you released your solo album you also came out with a heavy rock band in the form of Nineteen88 - why the sudden turn around?

MR: The solo stuff was actually Mindset7. I just took off the Girl lyrics and changed them to God lyrics. it is so easy to make money in the ccm market. Any band will tell you that. Thats why they do it. I am guilty of that same decision. Nineteen88 is what I had in me from the beginning. i finally had to let it out.

SA: How has the response been to Nineteen88?

MR: Amaizing! It is just a breath of fresh air that has been needed to a person ears from all the whiney emo crap that someone said was music. Wal Mart even picked us up. They never take indie no name bands like Nineteen88. The stock they sell is high promo paid product. So I know I did something right. I take all the credit!

SA: What label is going to be re-releasing “The Great American Rock’n’Roll Spectacle” this spring? And can you tell me a little bit about it?

MR: I actually am putting it out on my own label "Handsome Mick Records" I have signed distribution with Capitol records indie division in the US.

SA: You live in Nashville, the hotbed of both Christian pop and country music, do you feel like you have any connection with either of them?

MR: I just attented a little bit of GMA (to see some friends) and noticed that it was the first time I have seen arrogant attitudes in the last 8 months that I have lived here. I do have a connection with Copuntry music and have made a lot of friends in that industy via network parties, clubs we play and the mighty Muzik Mafia. I was at the CMT music awards and met some "big starts" and they were so nice and polite. Thankful for the attention. Then, I seen the guitar player for Pillar walking around like he was a God. I wanted to let him know that only a few people in the CCM bubble knew him and he could let the air out for a while. There is a reason that they did not "make it" past an EP in the General Market and had to go back to CCM.

SA: Do you have plans to tour this upcoming year?

MR: I plan on playing in Nashville as we have been. We are building quite a name as a great live act. and that is what we want. we may do some short tours. But I have no interest at this point of doing any long term touring.

SA: Do you consider music to be an art form, more like a job, or something in the middle?

MR: It is my expression, Job (its all I do), love, art, and life. I know nothing else.

SA: What were your favorite releases of 2004?

MR: Big and Rich, Montgomery Gentry, Shooter Jennings, Chris Freeman Sitar project, Loretta Lynn (with Jack White)

SA: Greatest influences on you personally?

MR: AC/DC, Johnny Cash, Ozzy Osbourne, Charlie Daniels, Hank Hill

SA: What are your aspirations as a musician?

MR: I live my aspirations daily.

SA: Where do you see Nineteen88 in ten years?

MR: Releasing our 5th CD and doing just what we do now. having a blast!

SA: Do you prefer touring or performing?

MR: Its all good. I like to perform. Hate the road.

SA: What is your opinion on the current state of 'alternative' music?

MR: I stopped listening. Its all crap and will explode soon. You can only reinvent the same song so many times.

SA: What kind of music did you listen to growing up?

MR: 80's metal.. ALL 80's Metal: Motley Crue, Early Kiss, Black Sabbath, Dio, Dokken, Savatage, Slayer,Black and Blue, Accept. Just about everything and mostly stuff no one else has heard. (MadamX, The Rods, Raven, Hexx, Trash, Teeze)

SA: Worst musician/band from the 90s?

MR: Nirvana

SA: Best musician/band of the 90s?

MR: Type O Negative

SA: If you could put together a dream tour - who would be on it?

MR: Big and Rich, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams (all Three of them) and Nineteen88.

SA: Thank you for your time, it has been a pleasure.

MR: Same here! Take care and enjoy the rest of your day!


Rock with Mick Rowe and Nineteen88 at their official website - nineteen88.com