Cheap Sex Interview

Interview by: Stephanie M.
Big Wheel Senior Staff Reporter

After 2 years Cheap Sex will be playing a reunion show this Summer. They are playing this show to promote a DVD covering the history of the band titled DEAD TODAY: 5 YEARS OF CHEAP SEX. The reunion show will be held at Knitting Factory in Hollywood, CA. on August 9 and the show will sell out. The band recently spent some time with us to get us up to date.

 

It's been almost two years since the last Cheap Sex show. What caused the break up of the band?

Gabe: I wanted to move the band in a heavier direction, like electronic dance-metal, but with operatic themes, really tragic and dramatic overtones. But they all have no taste, so they missed out.
Brock: Gabe was getting all kinds of weird ideas on the direction he wanted to take the band.
Mike: After the death of our former guitarist Chris we decided to call it a day. It was a very rough time for us after Chris died, and we just thought it would be best for all parties involved.

How did the band end up playing together again?

Brock: With the DVD coming out we talked about getting together for one release show... had a practice that went really well and that's pretty much that.
Phil: We've all remained extremely good friends throughout this entire time the band has been apart, and we would always jokingly talk about a reunion, but somehow it became a reality.  I believe Mike was the initial pusher of bringing it to fruition, and I was a bit resistant at first.  I was afraid of looking like KISS or the Stones and doing this pretend, "last show ever."  The announcement of the reunion show was well received and I saw none of the backlash that I was afraid of.

Whose idea was it to make a live DVD of the reunion?

Mike: The DVD is actually a history of the band plus the final 2 shows and tons of behind the scenes footage, interviews and more. It also contains a bonus CD with unreleased tracks. The DVD will be first made available at the reunion show.

Did any of you guys ever receive weird/crazy/hate mail for the hiatus on the band?

Brock: Some kids were pissed... but for the most part people were very understanding / supportive.
Gabe: I sent some to Mike, I threatened to kill his cat.
Mike: We did receive a lot of mail from people disappointed by the breakup, however most of the fans were very supportive because they knew why we were breaking up. Cheap Sex has a very dedicated and supportive fan-base, and that is why I am looking forward to playing this show so much.
Phil: I wish.  Nothing is more fun to read than hate mail.  Luckily for us, we seemed to keep receiving the usual hate mail about the way we look or about vital issues like that, though it became less frequent.

Besides Cheap Sex, are there other projects each one of you guys are working on?

Gabe: Northern Towns.
Brock: Im in a band called Ghosts On The Radio.  All the other guys have bands as well.
Phil: I recently joined up with a Los Angeles based band called, "The Lieutenants."  It's very much in the vein of The Clash, The Jam, and a lot of late 70's punk and post punk.  You can find us on Myspace, of course.
Mike: I am the vocalist for the band Evacuate.

Not surprisingly, the fans missed Cheap Sex. Did you guys miss Cheap Sex?

Gabe: I missed Brock only, I hate the other guys.
Brock: Everyone but Gabe.  Fuck that guy.
Phil: I did. I missed playing with these guys and getting to hang out all the time at our shows and practices, but I'm also grateful for the time away because it has allowed me to explore a bit musically in a way that I really couldn't with Cheap Sex.
Mike: I miss it all the time.

What are you most looking forward to about the reunion show?

Gabe: The 90 minute drum solo that will take place between our fifth and sixth encore.
Brock: Hard to say... All of it should be a lot of fun.
Phil: I'm honestly really happy to get on a stage and play in front of a lot of people.  I've admittedly lacked that these past 2 years.
Mike: Having fun with my friends on and off the stage and singing songs that mean so much to me.

What are you least looking forward to about playing a show together again?

Brock: Gabe's 90 minute drum solo between the 5th and 6th encore.  Totally unnecessary.
Phil: There's always going to be those few kids that I'll never understand.  I'm talking about the ones that buy a ticket to your show to heckle you.  Then there's the other kid that asks for everything for free.  He thinks you're in a band, so therefore you must have tons of money and you must get everything for free, therefore, you should give him your guitar, 3 of your picks, give him your amp, and load it into his car for him.
Mike: The show ending

Is it safe to say that the reunion may foreshadow something more for the band?

Gabe: Yes, more hiatus
Phil: My initial reaction to that is, "no", but that would be coming from the same guy that was opposed to this reunion show in the first place.  Now, I'm all for it.
Mike: If it feels right to us there is no reason not to do it - we are all still friends. Time will tell. Never say never.

Many people seem to be REALLY concerned about this next question, and are begging for it to be asked. Boxers or briefs?

Gabe: Bloomers.
Brock: Neither
Phil: I like to wear women's panties, something lacey.
Mike: spandex cat-suits.

Stay in touch with all the latest at the band's MySpace: www.myspace.com/therealcheapsex