Interview with Marky Midnite from Vanity XO by Ove

Hello Marky Midnite, thank you so much for giving Blizz Of Rock this interview. 

Marky: My pleasure

First of all Marky, I’m honored to talk to the drummer behind the great rock band Vanity XO.

Marky: Why thank you, its an honor to be honored  

When was the band Vanity XO formed?  What is the story behind the name?

Marky: Me and brock formed the band in May of 2007. We've gone through a few members since the beginning but we we've always been the main songwriters together so our sound never really changed. The name well its a really long story but it involved a hotel mirror and a realllyyy long night. I'll just leave it at that, *haha*

If I’ve done my homework you released your debut album earlier this year. How did that come about?

Marky: Yah we wrote like 40 or 50 songs in the first year or so of being together, we didnt even play our first show til October 2008 , we just really wanted to take our time recording and doing pre production and put together something we all felt was amazing.

Where can we find the album, where could we buy the music from Vanity XO?

Marky: Those songs are all available on I tunes or basically any online music place... The new one we're working on now will be available on I tunes as well, but also directly from our website and myspace.

Do you feel the album has what it takes?

Marky: In my personal opinion yes and no.. I look at it now and have all these things i think we coulda done differently. I definetely think theres some songs on it that will last and theres obviously a few that made an impact because it got us on the radio, got us some major label interest and got us on some pretty big festivals this summer.

Is the album selling ok?

Marky: Actually yah, we havent pushed it very hard, on tour we just handed them out... But when we saw the stats on i tunes we were fairly high so i was pretty stoked *haha*

There is absolutely no doubt that “So what, I lied” is my favorite track. Who wrote the song?

Marky: That was one of our first few songs we wrote.. It was written by Brock, myself and our old singer. It came pretty easy cause we based it pretty much on a typical night out for us

Do you have a favorite track on this album?

Marky: Hmmm ive heard and played them all so many times its hard to say haha.. i do remember when we first finished recording i was the most stoked on "so what i lied" and "Natalie".

Does Vanity XO have more material for another album in the future?

Marky: YES Like i said earlier were actually writing for it now and are almost ready to hit the studio.. We DEFINETELY will have some new material out by December 2009

When did you start drumming, Marky?

Marky: I was actually about 20 when i started so i guess that woulda been 2004. I was kind of a late bloomer but i picked it up really fast and it just consumed me

Who would you describe as the best drummer through the years?

Marky: damn.... hmmmmmmm........ I've always loved Tommy Lee's beats.. I remember when I was first learning my favorite drummer was the guy from Thrice, But over the years I'd have to say Rob Affuso from Skid row or Tommy Lee are my fav's.

Tommy Lee Rob Affuso

Is it possible to see Vanity XO live on tour?

Marky: Hell yeah, you can see our tourdates at our Myspacesite

Any bands or artists you would love to have with you on your tour?

Marky: Honestly anyone thats not a little bitch, and is down to party and have a good time We're pretty easy to get along with, unless you dont like to have fun and party, then we'd probably just be annoying Obviously someone who has great music as well and fukin rocks
Our boys Dirty Penny and Wildstreet were a blast to tour with this past summer

Do you know a band called Vanity Ink? We had interview with them a few months back

Marky: hmm i think I've heard of a tattoo magazine called that around here.. but not a band

Vanity Ink

If there was one place in the wide world that you could play Marky where would that be?

Marky: hmm maybe Brazil? I hear the girls are pretty hot down there .. or PANAMA *haha*

Vanity XO is a rock band? Where do you get your influence? Do you feel that Vanity XO has their own style?

Marky: Yah were a rock/glam band. Our influence is sooo wide, obviously 80s rock is a big one, but we also like to modernise it ya know. We honestly listen to EVERYTHING and draw influence from so many different bands its hard to only name a few.

Vince Karlos

What sort of age group are you attracting with your music?

Marky: Well were pretty popular with the cougars haha they were the influence behind our song cougar eyes, but when we were on tour we had everyone from little kids to guys in their 50's rockin out. I think the way we make music is pretty versatile and we don't try to approach a certain age group more than another... We just want to show people theres still fun in life and its okie to take a break from all the stresses and bullshit that life brings on. So anyone who can appreciate that will enjoy us

With friends

If you got the chance to have a concert in Norway, what could we expect from Vanity XO?

Marky: Alot of hot Norwegian chicks, umm alot of drunk people and pretty much the most kick ass fun time out of a rock show that modern day can provide

Do you know any Norwegian bands?

Marky: umm lets see.. i think alot of like black metal bands right ? 

Dimmu Borgir

Any instruments you would love to learn how to play, that you don’t?
 
Marky: I'd love to play a banjo cuz then i could sit on my porch and play that ba na ning ning ning ning ning ning ningg song.. that'd be sweet Maybe some day

Would you like Blizz of Rock Radio to play your music?

Does nickelback suck dick ? hah the answer is hell YES ;)

Is there a funny story you could share with us?

Marky: hmmmm our keyboardist got struck by lightning on tour That was pretty funny.. I usually don't remember much from nights before the current one.

Say what? He got struck by lightning, what happend?

Marky: haha yah, we were playin a show in kansas and it was hailing and tornados and fuking tidal waves and shit..
it was crazyy weather but anyways we sent him out to get something out of our trailer and just saw a huge flash and looked back and he was about 5 feet away on the ground haha then he ran back in shaking and convulsing haha.. then the rest of the night he was getting shocked by all the electrical shit on stage while we were playing

OUCH!

If you could turn back the time and choose a new date to start a band, when would that be? And why this year/decade?

Marky: Hmm i dunno.. i guess the 80s.. people were alot more fun back then

What does Myspace mean for the band?
 
Marky: Well its just the easiest way to keep up with the bands tour dates, news, and music Its also an awsome way to keep in touch with our fans and friends all over the country. When it first came out it was a pretty good way to hook up with girls too

What is the highlight of your career as a rock musician?
 
Marky: Well so far, probably playing Rocklahoma this past summer and sharing the stage with all the bands we grew up listening to and idolising.. that was pretty rad

Pink is Macho right?

Anyone you would love to meet, that you have not met yet?

Marky: I'd like to meet all the shitty bands that are popular right now and kick their ass for sucking so much. Maybe Michael Jackson back in the day and id love to meet Glen Danzig too

If the band received $100,000, and had to give it to a good cause, what or who would that be?

Marky: Id give it to myself to pay all my court fees.. haha
That's a good cause, no I'd prolly donate it to the women and childrens shelter or childrens hospital or something like that, or better yet, use it to throw a huge "Rock show" and just give the proceeds to those charities. That way we ALL win

What is your opinion about Blizz Of Rock? (www.blizzofrock.com)

Marky: Blizz Of Rock kick ass Definetely, have sense of good music from all the work i've seen done with you guys

Who would you like Blizz Of Rock to do an interview with?

Marky: The original Guns 'N' Roses, Misfits, or maybe Bob Saget haha 

Thank you so much Marky and Vanity XO for using time to answer these questions.

Marky: No problem see you soon

Blizz of rock wishes Vanity XO all the best, take care Marky

Marky: Thank you