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Interview Details
Interview with Mickey Martin of Shiny Toy Guns
Interview with Mickey Martin, drummer for L.A.'s Shiny Toy Guns
by: Vivien Weimar
Shiny Toy Guns had been toiling around the L.A. scene for years with their debut album, We Are Pilots, which they put out independently before being picked up by Universal. Recently Grammy-nominated, The Shiny Toy Guns are winding down their European tour and heading back into the studio.
Back in November of last year, I had the opportunity to do an interview with Shiny Toy Guns, but due to their hectic tour schedule as well as trying to find studio time for their new album, the band’s been busy. Finally, SubCulture Magazine got to sit down with drummer Mickey Martin as he got us up-to-speed with what the band has been up to, his musical guilty pleasures and spending Thanksgiving in McDonalds in Spain. You know what they call a Big Mac in Spain? We bet Mikey now does.
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We Are Pilots (Universal)
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How did you all select "Stripped" as your contribution to the covers of Depeche Mode compellation, Goth Electro Tribute to Depeche Mode?
Mickey Martin: It is one of our favorite songs and it's a song that is not one of the more well-known Depeche Mode songs.
- Who were your musical idols growing up?
MM: Lars Ulrich, Keith Moon, and Dave Grohl were some of my favorite drummers growing up.
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What is the scene like in L.A. these days? Are you all supportive of one another?’
MM: Even though we are not around LA as much as we used to be, LA is a great place for music. There are a lot of great acts who come out of LA. The scene is all over the place, there is a lot of new bands and different bands and yes, everyone supports each other.
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There is a big DIY spirit in putting out you album independently and having it picked up by a major. In the age of myspace, do you find that the outlets for new artists are easier or harder to navigate?
MM: Its easier, myspace is one of the greatest tools ever invented, you can list shows, interviews, blogs, and news to your fans at a click of a button. Myspace makes getting music out there very simple. Anyone can do it.
- When do you head back into the studio for a follow-up to We Are Pilots?
MM: We are now in the studio writing/recording.
- Last book read.
MM: Fight Club. - Last movie seen.
MM: Cloverfield, I didn't want to see it but my girlfriend saw it four times and made me see it. - What did you all do for Thanksgiving?
MM: We were in Spain for a few shows over the holiday and I think we went to McDonalds for Thanksgiving dinner, at least i did. - Favorite new band.
MM: Probably would be a band from Toronto, Canada, called The Midway State.
- Guilty pleasure song from your childhood.
MM: "Nothin but a G Thang" by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog. - Describe one of the weirdest experiences you've had on tour.
MM: One of the weirdest experiences on tour has to be when one of our vehicles and trailer almost flipped over, our driver had a blow out, slammed straight into the center divider, which popped two other tires on the same side and caused it to tip on both sides, back and forth, throwing us all out of bed and everything flying in the air and slamming down on top of us.
For more information on Shiny Toy Guns see Shiny Toy Guns Web site