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13 Questions for Official

1- A lot of people talk shit about the DC scene. What do you guys think of it?

matt: Most of the people who talk shit aren't in bands. Or they were in a band, but there band sucked so they blamed the scene.

msr: A scene is a scene ya know? Everyone has been very cool to us. As long as there is a place to plug in and rip, we like it.

andy: I just wish there were more all ages punk venues.

2- How is band life different for a punk/hardcore band in the DC scene?

matt: I don't really know how it's different. We all have day jobs. We work for a living. But we try to put our free time into Official.

msr: the only difference would be original bands vs. cover bands. Cover bands make bank, original bands don't.

andy ?

3- Describe the perfect venue for playing a rock show.

matt: Lots of energy, movement, people who know the words and will sing along. Intense, but friendly vibe. Oh, and lots of free beer for the band.

msr: large stage, working monitors, free sauce and a crowd would be nice

andy: good sound, all ages, pretty girls.

4- What is your main motivation for being in a Rock band?

matt: World domination.

msr: play as many wide open shows as humanly possible, put out a full length effort (out this summer!) and smash a bass to bits.

andy: money and sex

5- Does being in a punk/hardcore band prevent you from writing certain types of songs? (i.e. Tender Love Ballads)

matt: I wouldn't really call us a punk/hardcore band. We have some of those influences all right but we're more of a straight up "rock" band. I don't think we are afraid to write different types of songs. A lot of our songs sound different. We do have a country song you know.

msr: yeah, what cha cha said. We have so many influences - we don't go out to try to sound a specific way. If we did, andy would have us playing e-concrete covers. Heh heh. .

andy: no, not at all.

6- Is being in a punk rock/hardcore band creatively limiting musically at all? For example, how would your fans react if you took the stage with rappers or a yodeler?

matt: No rappers, that's already been done and overdone. Maybe a yodeler though. I'll search the Swiss Alps for one.

msr: a hotty yodeler completely bombed yipping though a highly distorted big muff pedal would be cool.

andy: Depends on how much our fans have had to drink that night. No limits here.

7- Is there a story behind your name?

matt: yes, but I forget

msr: We had about 50 names we wanted to use, but they were all taken. Official was a word we used if we encountered something cool. Example: "Did you see the hot talent going off at the show. Answer: "Yes, she was fully official."

andy: what Mike said

8- What would you say to a parent who thinks Rock n Roll is destructive and over emphasizes sex, violence, and drug use?

matt: I would laugh and flash the devil horns. I would like to keep Rock 'N Roll as dangerous and destructive as possible.

msr: uhh.. How bout the society in general? Get yer kids off the xbox will ya?

andy: They're absolutely right. Rock n Roll emphasizes all of these wonderful things.

9- How much sex, drugs, and violence are there in the DC music scene?

matt: Not nearly enough.

msr: ha.. andy?

andy: the D.C. music scene? I get mine in Baltimore.

10- What's the best thing Official has done as a band?

matt: The best is yet to come. You'll see.

msr: stayed together this long without killing each other.

andy: writing new shit.

11- What's the dumbest, most embarrassing thing you've done as a band?

matt: We're not easily embarrassed.

msr: agreed. Pass me a sud.

andy: When Matt and MSR hired me as their drummer.

12- What's the first thing you would change about the DC scene if you could?

matt: A better all-ages venue that will stay open. I really miss the U-Turn.

msr: venues and some of the promo dudes in this area are shady as hell.

andy: more all-ages shows.

13- Do you dance to remember, or do you dance to forget?

matt: I'm usually completely wasted when I dance so I probably don't dance to remember.

msr: I will not answer a question numbered 13. Thanks for the opportunity. Come see use May 1st @ the state theatre 8:30PM sharp.

andy: poop.