mcnastee

I'm going to use this space to I guess "hype" myself, even though I don't think I'm the greatest there ever was, or even totally skilled about what I'm attempting to accomplish musically.

I think the first time I ever felt like I wanted to be a performer was in the eighth grade when I first heard Dr. Dre's "The Chronic." I can honestly say that album made me want to be a performer, musician, whatever before anything else. I stayed up at night dreaming about what it would be like to have that kind of mastery of music and lyrics. I cannot neglect Ice Cube's "the Predator" either as an influence as well, 92 was a great year.

Now I'd listened to rap since I was about 5, I remember that cardboard and breakdance music like Africa Bambaata was really big in the Department of Defense(DOD)school I went to. I don't know how long that was after it was big in the U.S., I just knew that kids were popping, locking and doing the robot, and I loved it. I've still got my vinyl from the movie Breakin' , even though Ice-T's "the Glove" is totally fucked on it. But anyway, I've liked rap and hip hop culture just so you know. Not that it means anything, I'm just trying to seperate mysef from the people who have only been into it...fuck it, whatever it doesn't matter.

I think from the time I heard "the Chronic" in 8th grade for two years I listened to nothing but gangsta rap. Until I heard "Sober" by Tool. Undertow was another album that totally changed my perspectives. Granted, I didn't know a whole hell of a lot what he was talking about or referencing(I don't think I cared at first), I just knew the raw emotion and beauty of Maynard's voice pulled me into their world. Tool has just gotten better over the years, it is a small comfort in this world of fly-by-night bands.

Other influences from this period of my life include Nine Inch Nails, Einstürzende Neubaten, and Stabbing Westward. I think some of this music led to my severe mental instability, my lawyers say I don't have a strong case against the RIAA. I'd like to use this space right here to go off subject and say "Fuck Metallica."

Around the same time I was introduced by a friend to NoFX, in particular their song "the Brews." I was fascinated by punk because it seemed so simple, but it was so catchy. The songs are short, sweet and to the point. I love punk music, I feel it in my blood, but I have lots of issues with some of the politics of the scene. But that's another story, and really has nothing to do with the music.

There are too many punk bands that have influenced me so I'll just minimize this list to the Bruisers, the Authority, and the Dropkick Murphys. There were plenty of bands that have had a hand in the way I sang, but these three bands were the most influential in the latter part of my days in the Doozers.

I enjoy Ska music and Reggae as well, I'll admit that I was introduced to ska just before the "Summer of Ska" and I enjoyed, it was a real departure from the down-tuned melancholic music I listened to. Not many of these artists influence my music, but I'd love to get something together to explore Ska, Rocksteady, or Reggae. Here's a link to a song I wrote for Sarah, the love of my life.

I'm lost...Oh yeah, around 1997, my friend Darrel and I found a flyer at a local CD store which read, "soon to be washed up guitarist and bassist seek singer and drummer for a punk band." I was like, "Darrell you can play drums, we should call." (The thing was I didn't know if I could sing or not, I mean, I'd been in children's choir at church and shit, but nothing serious). So Ryan and Brandon came over to my house and we kicked out the jams, motherfucker. And with that a legend was born.

The Doozers were the shit and they were my favorite band, not just because I was in it, but it was really cool to play shows, and even cooler to see people wearing our t-shirts. We kind of grew apart, I guess, and I think it was best for Brandon who is finishing up college this year. I know Ryan is practicing with a new band(York Street Ruffians), and I'd like to get something started here again, maybe a little bit more of a genre bender. But I'm not looking to start a rap metal band and call it punk.

Before the demise of the greatest band in the history of Lawton, Oklahoma, I entered a rap contest, just on a whim, from Mikeclark.com (Mike E. Clark is the producer for Insane Clown Posse, and an incredible musician to boot.) I ended up placing third, I believe, thanks in part to the support of my friends who supported the Doozers, and my family who support all my musical endeavors, even if the language becomes a little colorful. I think my grandmother is my biggest fan right now, unless someone else can prove her wrong.

Recently I've been collaborating with a local Industrial breaks/ Drum and Bass DJ named 14:9:3:11, or Nick as I know him. We've been putting together a mix of industrial and electronica, and he's been working on beats for a new CD I plan on releasing soon. The early stages of the recording process have begun for that, and believe me, it will blow your mind.

Currently I'm an artist on Rydas Records and I am making plans to release my next album Triskaidekaphobia.