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The Flaming Lips
Frontman Wayne Coyne, and bandmates are
charging into unchartered musical territories.
With tightly honed pop-rock songs. After the
critical acclaim from "The Soft Bulletin" that
brought them attention. The Flaming Lips seem
to be slipping back into a rock type genre. Due
to most likely new percussionist, Kliph Scurlock.
Over the top productions for live performances are
probably not going to leave anytime soon.
Article courtesy
Jonathon Rock
Drawpointe
Hailing from St. Louis, and the land of the
Anheuser-Busch brewery. Drawpointe's heavy guitars,
coupled with dynamic vocals is attracting a huge fan-
base. The music soars from loud, and furious while
other times quite melodic. Pushing forward with a full
force, and unique sound is a formula that they are not
going to set aside in the near future.
 
This month we caught up with Dennis Nenninger
from Drawpointe. Read what the lead guitarist
had to say right here about one of the Midwest's
coolest indie artists, Drawpointe.
RV: First off, give our readers a rundown on Drawpointe's current line-up.
DP: Dennis Nenninger-lead guitar/vocals, Jim Steiniger-drums/backing vocals, Andy "Dubs" Walters-bass, and Dave Dohle-rhythm guitar. I have been doing all the vox in the studio, but we want everything to come across strong in the live show. So we've been working on incorporating the harmonies, and I feel we are starting to get a unique sound in that respect.
RV: How would you describe Drawpointe's music?
DP: Simply put, a rock band that combines heavy guitars, and cool vocal hooks with soaring harmonies. Our influences range from Alice in Chains, Deftones, Pantera, Soundgarden...the list gets fairly long. If you were to hear us on the radio, we wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb or anything. But you would do a doubletake, and go "Hey, that sounds a little different...who is that?" Drawpointe in a nutshell, killer guitar riffs, memorable vocal hooks, great harmonies, and some serious attitude.
Article courtesy
Jonathon Rock
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New single from The Flaming Lips on Warner.
Yoshimi Batlles The Pink Robots Pt.1
RV: What went into the writing process of the new release "Hold Me Down"?
DP: I had written most of the material from "Reliving the Past" before Andy, and Dave had got into the band. The last album was mostly written and recorded already, and as we played shows to promote it, we went through our typical growing pains. Learning that just because we're friends, we still need to work at the whole musician camaraderie. We tried to do a little more group writing this time around, and a little bit of attitude started to show through in the music. Whether it was due to a tug-of-war thing or what, I don't know. Whatever it was it worked. I'm just so hyped about the new stuff we've been writing, we need some label support bad! I've got 40 or more songs just waiting for the world. Combine that with the other guys...
RV: What can you expect out of a live performance from Drawpointe?
DP: We don't just stand there! I'm usually glued to the mic stand, but Dave runs around like an idiot. Andy just bangs away like a demon. Jim is very much the showman behind the drums. Anytime he gets the chance to stand up and yell at the crowd to make some freakin' noise, or "Lets hear it for alcohol", he does it. We like to entertain people, and anytime Dave senses the drama-meter rising, he'll shove his guitar's headstock up my backside while I'm singingto make us all lose it. I've actually puked on stage from getting so hyped up, jumping around. Right next to the drum riser, turned right back around and kept on rocking!
RV: Better Days, and Hollywood are exceptional tracks off "Hold Me Down", are they receiving any airtime on any radio stations?
DP: "Better Days" is the single we've really been pushing. Ken Williams, a local D.J., and a major supporter of the St. Louis music scene, runs the River Homegrown show on 101.1 The River. That track was #3 of 30 on the top requested songs for the RHG show for all of 2002. Other college stations have been jamming it out as well.
RV: Are you planning on touring the states, or beyond to promote the new release "Hold me Down?"
DP: We're going to try and hit some dates this summer. If we had the financial backing from a label, it would be a lot easier for the band to quit the day jobs. You know, bills, college loans, and house payments add up real quick. If we don't hit your city, we're going to put some cool shtuff on our website for downloads, live shows, songs, pics, streaming vids. Go there regularly, sign up for the mailing list. Download our songs, and swap 'em with your friends.
RV: What's next for Drawpointe?
DP: Headlining the world famous Mississippi Nights on February 15th, then opening for Elektra recording artists AM RADIO on March 11th. We're writing tons of new material for a new recording, either on our own, or with label support. Drawpointe is also working with Talent 2K who's shopping our music, so with any luck we'll be in a town near you sooner than you think.
RV: And finally, what is in your cd player now?
DP: Audioslave. Freakin' amazing CD. I could go on about Cornell, Soundgarden, R.A.T.M., but that's a whole other interview.
For Drawpointe information.
Visit Drawpointe.com
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