One glance at any photos from a 9ELECTRIC show will redefine what “crazy live performance” means to you. From insane on stage antics accompanied by rave-like lighting, to even more manic off stage moves, such as hanging off of the ceiling, a 9ELECTRIC show is not to be underestimated. On top of that, what else could they possibly bring to the upcoming Sick Talk Tour, which kicks off at The Marquis Theatre in Denver on March 25th? The Answer: Soul.
In addition to putting on a show that you aren’t likely to forget, the Hollywood quartet also wants their fans (and new listeners) to be able to take something away from their performance. The Prelude Press had the chance to chat with the band about what to expect on their upcoming tour with Orgy and Death Valley High. Check out the full tour routing and what 9ELECTRIC had to say below.
Interview by Dom Vigil
For our readers who might be checking you out for the first time on your upcoming tour with Orgy, can you tell us a little bit about 9ELECTRIC?
Putting us on the spot right out of the gate, nice! 9E is an electronic hard rock band from Hollywood, CA. We got started in 2011. All four of us were in different bands in the past and our mutual entertainment lawyer, and dear friend Eric German, helped team us up as we were all starting to create new projects. He knew all four of us and suggested that Ron Thunderwood be the man to handle vocals as Mikey and Micah put together this new project. CaseyDc came along shortly after by answering an ad for the bass position. Casey and Ron knew one other from previous touring so it was as if it was meant to be for the four of us to be together in this band. Orgy fans should enjoy what we do. We are a very high energy hard rock band that blends in the electronic world so this tour is going to be really exciting for everyone involved!
What are you most excited about for the upcoming tour?
The same thing we get excited about for every tour, making new fans across the US and giving every single person in the room their money’s worth… and more! We love to perform and we enjoy spending time with the fans. The combo of 9E and Orgy is very exciting as well… expect a lot of sexiness on stage and in the crowd on this tour.
You guys are known for your crazy live sets – was that something you set out to accomplish when you first started out?
Absolutely! A great live show is one of the key components to being a great rock band. Many of our heroes and peers are amazing live (as well as amazing recording artists) and we strive to be just as good, if not better! If giving your all is 150 percent we challenge ourselves to give 200 percent. Every single night.
What do you think you’ll be able to bring to the upcoming shows with your live performances?
A lot of joy and excitement. It’s our job to make the audience feel what we’re feeling. If we don’t accomplish that then we failed. For the 40 minutes we’re on stage we want the room to feel alive and for the audience to feel like anything is possible in this life because it is. Music is often the key that unlocks doors that society has taught us cannot, or should not, be opened. We want to show people you can walk through. Or kick it down if need be!
Now that your EP, Control has been out for about six months, how do you think the reception has been?
The reception has been great! But we do get asked quite often when we’re releasing a full length album. The answer to that is later this year as per our record label!
You also produced the album yourselves, correct? What was that experience like?
It’s great. We work on our own time table and we don’t have to leave our own studio! We have the songs mixed at another studio but that’s fun as well. It looks like we’ll be working with a co-producer on the full length, which is well underway at this point so that will be an exciting new experience as well.
Do you feel that it’s more rewarding to have more of a hand in the production side of your music?
Sure. As long as you know what you’re doing and are doing what is absolutely right for your music. If you produce yourself because you’re a control freak then no it might not be. But if you do so because you have the best understanding of how to get the best results, and other producers don’t, then it’s absolutely important. The bottom line goal should always be to create the best, and most honest art possible.
On top of Control, do you have any new songs lined up to play on the road?
We’ve been playing one of our newer songs entitled, ‘The Damaged Ones’ since August of last year. We have a bunch of other new songs but they aren’t quite ready to be played live. So much goes into not only writing/recording our songs but also to get them ready for live performances. We have a lot of electronics etc. and the whole process takes a bit of time to get down perfectly and we don’t add anything to our sets until it’s ready to completely slay!
Do you have any other plans for 2015?
I have it away earlier saying that we’re working on our full length that will be out later this year. We’ll also be on the road all this year in between the recording process so it’s safe to say that we are crazy busy right about now. And to add to the madness we just got ourselves an RV for touring and we are modifying that baby with just a handful of days before we “set sail” for the ‘SICK TALK TOUR’ with Orgy and Death Valley High!
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I would just like to add that, “one and one and one is three” to quote John Lennon and I’d also like to thank you guys and your audience for taking the time to check us out. We really appreciate it and we look forward to seeing you all out there on the road!!
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SICK TALK TOUR
Orgy, 9ELECTRIC & Death Valley High:
3/25 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
3/27 Minneapolis, MN @ POV’s
3/28 Waterloo, IA @ Spicoli’s
3/29 Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom
3/31 Joliet, IL @ Mojoes
4/1 Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre
4/3 Amityville, NI @ Revolution Bar
4/4 Winchester, VA @ Blue Fox Billiards
4/5 Beckley, WV @ Muncheez
4/7 Louisville, KY @ Expo Five
4/8 St. Louis, MO @ Firebird
4/9 Clarksville, TN @ The Warehouse
4/11 St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theatre
4/12 Sandford, FL @ West End Trading Co.
4/16 San Antonio, TX @ Fitzgeralds
4/17 Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
4/18 Austin, TX @ Dirty Dog Bar
4/19 Dallas, TX @ Trees
4/22 Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
4/25 Spokane, WA @ Palamino
4/26 Lewiston, WA @ 3rd Wheel
4/28 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
4/30 Portland, OR @ Bossonova
5/30 Guadalajara, Mexico @ Revolution Fest