Interview with Pride of Pride and the Vanities

Interview by: Bob M
Big Wheel Music Scene Reporter


Exclusive Interview With Pride of "Pride and the Vanities" Formerly of Deadly 7. Hear it here for the first time the real story from D7 Inception to Their fall from grace, to the new "Pride and The Vanities".
 
Before forming Deadly 7 what inspired you to get into the music business? And where you in any bands before D7?
 
Pride: Ello...luvie...;) KISS !...Thanx for having me !!!!!!!!!!!! OK, finally... for the record...'Music'...MUSIC has always been around me and in my life...it's innate. Even though I didn't grow up with my father he was a great pianist..my brother plays professional clarinet, my mom was a dancer and played violin, piano and the cymbals in high school..my sister played clarinet for awhile, but didn't pursue it (dont know wtf is up with the clarinet and my familia. LOL ! I played Violin in elementary, piano, "Xylophone"...hahahaha...seriously... and I was in Choir. I love music, but I truly fell in love with dance and gymnastics. I was shy, but very physical and in dance and gymnastics I didn't have to talk, just express myself through movement from sound . At 7 yrs. old that was safe for me and it came very natural more than anything else...

Performing all my life in shows, theatre, and dance was my stepping-stone to where I am now. It was and all it is and ever will be, is an education, a preparation for 'this' and whatever else I attempt to create. I experienced some interesting things waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay before DEADLY SEVEN`. A lot of what I'm saying now I was told NOT to talk about when I was in D7. So, here it is (my silly life)...

At 16 yrs. old, myself and 3 other girls, we called ourselves,"The High-Crew", formed a band, but we really didn't know what the hell we we're doing. We played in our friends garage where they played in their band (they were older than us). We came up with a name, "The Virgin sLUTZ", I was recently reminded of this from one of the girls in the group, Kathy my best friend at the time, she was 15. She told me (which I do not recall) I would always say, "One day I'm gonna have a real band !"  I guess I was foreshadowing...or using, "The Secret" without knowing...Hmmmmmmmmmm...Well,'The Virgin sLUTz' never became a real band...everyone found boyfriends, one girl passed away(Francis) and I went my way. SO YES EVERYONE..."THE VIRGIN SLUTZ" was my very 1st band..NOT Deadly Seven ! lol !

Before joining the show, Splash" (Where I met the future members of D7), I was convinced to do a Pop/R&B group with 2 other girls ( which isn't my personal style of music ). We flew to NYC where I hosted a music festival and we had one performance at another music festival at The Palms. Seriously I can't even remember the name of that group which only lasted 4 months. lol !

Two years later I formed,"Deadly Seven" one of my infamous creations. Unfortunately D7 only really lasted about 4 years then it was abandoned. It was a misfortune, but through misfortunes comes great awakenings and new beginnings...

Who were/are some of your favorite musicians or bands? And what part did they play in your becoming a musician?
 
This question sux ! lol...I mean, seriously there's soooooooooo many artist that are brilliant and some we've probably never even heard and possibly never will hear. Like my cousin David Williams with AR3A Productions. He was the very 1st producer that listened to D7 when I asked him to produce my new band. I sent him a recording of our voices and he was the 1st person/producer to hear D7 and open the door to our journey. He also informed us that we needed to change our name, "The Bloody Klitz" and come up with another name. He proposed 'Deadly' and our manager added the 'Seven' ,which stuck and we became 'Deadly Seven'. David never got credit for any of that, so now I'm gonna honor that since I don't have any condescending manager criticizing and monitoring everything I say in interviews or band mate objections to my expressions. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...that feels soooooooooooooooo fuckin good!

Back to music inspirations...

I love Punk, but I really love new-wave, electro...electronica and experimental. I've been inspired by many musicians and bands, not only as a dancer/performer, but now a singer/song-writer. Kraftwerk, The Damned, PIL, Missing Persons, The Beatles, The 3 Kings, Bowie, Sex Pistols, UK Vision, The Residents, A Flock of Seagulls, Butthole Surfers, Interpol...I could go on 4ever...and of course `ThrilL kILL Kult...I'm opening for them Memorial Day, Monday, May 31st..Forbes Lounge, Las Vegas. Everyone come and hang..it's gonna be one hell of a show !

You know it really depends what mood I'm in when it comes to music. I like Ravels, Bolero...Swan Lake is inspirational as a dancer/performer and musician !  Yes I listen to classical...what artist doesn't ? Vocally it's a honor to be singing lead in a talented band considering vocal music is probably the oldest form of music, since it does not require any instrument besides the human voice.

What was the inspiration into forming Deadly 7?

It was the perfect timing. I guess my thoughts at 16 manifested and was ready to take action...all the cards were lined up.

Did you accomplish what you set out to do?

With D7 ?? YES and NO. I accomplished a lot with D7 and gave my life to that group, but we could have went further, I wasn't finished. But, like some people in the group told me, 'This is your dream Pride, NOT MINE !' So be it.

It was rumored that Deadly 7 shows were very wild, and equipment and clubs got destroyed? Is that the reason why it was hard to for you to get gigs? And Would you consider D7 a female version of L.A. Punk Icons "The Germs?" It got to a point where they couldn't play anywhere because of the chaos they would cause. Is this true of D7? Are there any memorable or xtra chaotic shows you would like to share with us?
 
Is this a D7 interview or"PRIDE & THE VANITIES" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jeeee.ez..lol...there is no more 'Deadly Seven'. BUT...YES...When there was a Deadly Seven it was a chaotic show...it turned more into a production in the end, but yes we trashed everyone's venue and they HATED us for it... even though they knew about our show and wanted it. As for 'The Germs', the only similarity was... like them we were considered a total joke band in the beginning, but I never believed that. I never once doubted we were a real band even when we were, 'The Bloody Klitz'...NEVER !
 
Eventually D7 broke up, can you tell us the reason behind the breakup?

WOW ! Where do I start !?  Other than pregnancies, jealousy, laziness, being broke, and NOT getting along creatively ? The truth is No one really wanted it anymore in those last moments...I did, but it died. The manager played his 'Divide and Conquer' game and that just added full to the fire and it burned us all.
 
People still consider D7 to be a group, what would you like to say to them to dis-spell the rumors.

If D7 were still together we would still be performing, obviously we're not. I am still a legal owner of that company name and entity, so no D7 is not together. I'll leave it at that.  BUT... Do not despair children, behold... you get to witness an evolution ! From the sinful pits of hell and rising from the underground of despair, there is Sanctuary...a future for all with 'Pride & the Vanities".

You now have a new band called "Pride and the Vanities" Their musical sound is a far cry from D7. What gave you the Idea for the "Space-Wave" Style of music you now perform?  And can you give a description of Space-wave for those out there who are wondering what type of music it is?

'SPACE-WAVE'...The term I created for my music. Electro-Rock with a Sci-fi  movie sound. It's  a sound, a feel that takes you on a exhilarating journey musically and visually. This is the sound I was longing to play and perform. I'm a lover of Space, Sci-fi and a future filled with euphoria. Playing the the keytar in D7 was a clue to this evolution and yet again another foreshadowing to this Space-wave  endeavor I suppose.

Who are the other members of your new band?
 
Dan Synthwalker - Keys
Shon Machine - Cyber-drummer
Wombot Zai - Bk Vocals
Anthology - Bass3000
Sparkz - Guitar
Tsholo -  Space Model # 7
Andromeda - Galaxy Dancer
'KOOLY BOP' - RADIO ACTIVE RAPPER

What do you want to accomplish with Pride and the Vanities?

I want to continue my musical journey and continue to create, learn, explore and uncover the mysteries that lie deep in our inner selves. Discover our own hidden treasures that make us all unique no matter where and what we come from. This is my mission...Mission of Discovery.

What type of fan base are you hoping to get?

Thankfully I have a widely, diverse fan base thus far. From 14 yr olds to 45 yr old R&B women...so I would assume we are Universal ?

You have played a couple of gigs so far, how were you received? Was your audience expecting Pride of D7?, and were they surprised with your new sound?

We were received as a 21st century band. A new light. Shocking, NOT in a chaotic primitive way, but in a futuristic unexpected way. No one was expecting Pride of D7, but they were anticipating Pride 3000.

"Although one might have gone into the show expecting a bloody, shock-filled performance from Vegas’ own Punk-rock princess, an entirely different sort of show was presented, that greatly eclipsed all of Pride’s work with her other group." As commented by:  Jordan Healy - UNLV Rebel Yell - Las Vegas, NV US - Arts & Entertainment Writer

What can fans expect when they come to see a Pride and the Vanities show?

Sounds of a Rockin, sexy, space adventure and a ride they'll never wanna return from!

You have a new C.D. coming out, can you tell us a little bit about it? And where/when it will be available for purchase.

Album : To Much Pride -The Galaxy Girl`
I have a signing & CD listening at Hot Topic (Vegas), May 27th at Meadows Mall 5PM . COME ON DOWN !
Album will be on i-Tunes soon.
Double Down Radio plays my tunes every friday 8pm
My music is also being used for a movie score. Diego Nunez - Black Crow Productions independent movies in L.A.

Do you have any shows coming up anytime soon? If so where can people come see you play?

Yes indeed...Monday, Memorial Day, May 31st 'Pride & the Vanities' will open for 'Thrill Kill Kult'. Im honored and 'Thrilled', no pun intended...lol !  8:30pm Forbes Lounge near China Town, Vegas !  The line-up : Pride & the Vanities, Psychotica, and Thrill Kill Kult !

Do you have any plans for a "Universe Conquering" tour?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm..I like that... Woooohoooo...heehahahahaha !
I'm working with a friend that owns a agency, Spectrum, she has people over seas that tour bands, so yes that is being considered and I will be touring finally. Also I'm continuing to work with Alien Vampires that produced D7 and will be traveling to London do shows with them this summer. They are signed with a  major label in London and have some exciting things lined up when I get there ! It's a dream come true!

If anyone would like to book you who should they contact?  And if any fans would like to contact you do you have a web page or any contact info. for them?

Pride at www.myspace.com/pridevanityllc  &  HM at www.myspace.com/randombeastentertainment

In closing do you have anything you would like to say to your fans, that wasn't touched on in this interview?

Thank you for believing in me and my art and I hope I create something enlightening for everyone ! The adventure has just begun...Welcome aboard !
'SEE YOU ON THE SHIP`


Photos by Shannon Warf, Carlos Larios, Rin Zia,Brian Hainer and Cartoon drawing by Davey Suicide.