Going Haywire with Kraised
by Freddy Metal
How long has Haywire Logic been available & who came up with the killer cover art ?
Kris: Haywire Logic has always been heard through the dreams and screams of our fellow patients... and those within the confines of our limited weekend releases... for a mere $10 of course!... Oh yea, and about the cover art...It's our Doctors hospital I.D. Badge!
Tones: Haywire was smuggled out of the mental ward and slipped onto the shelves in October 2003. We have done well on sales and plan to use ourearnings to try TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!! I designed the killer I.D. badges, then used the same art on the "Haywire Logic" CD cover, my grandmothers shawl and my underwear.
Introduce the members & give us a brief background on each?
Tones: The Tones/Singer - Born and raised in Az. Played since age 9 and has been addicted ever since.
Kelly Knight/Drums - From Wisconsin and moved to Az. and I can't tell you why! Kix ass on the skins and is better live.
Dave Marshell/Bass - Dave plays many instruments well and pays attention to every detail when it comes to music.
Kris Pierce/Guitar - Started playing on a shoe box with rubber bands and is very low on his weekly medications!
Kris: Brief... OK... We all started out as a white wiggly thing that met up with an egg. 9 months later we're screaming and crying. Some years passed, we begin to take up singing, guitars and basses. Through life we find personal things both good and bad to write about through music.
When did the band come together?
Kris: From what I remember... It all started with "The Tones" and Kelly Knight. They were patients on the end of the "Long Term" West Side of the hospital ward. One night the doctors and patients heard Kelly Knight pounding extra heavily on his padded walls. As the doctors were about to enter Kelly's room, they heard "The Tones" singing to Kelly's melodic beats. After a few moments the doctors realized they had the beginnings of something great. Later that evening, with the doctor's permission, "The Tones" placed an ad for a guitarist, by screaming out "Does anyone here play the guitar?". Through all the different voices yelling "Yes", "Pick Me" and "I DO" in the halls, a disturbing voice was clearly heard from the "Hopeless" South Side of the hospital ward moaning, "Drop D, Drop D". "The Tones" said "that's our man". Krazy Kris was soon brought to the west ward to join this melodic group. A short term patient named Dave Marshell, was known to play the bass. He was drugged by the doctors and forced to play with them under conditions surrounding his release. A short time later, the Kraised band escaped and was last seen "making an impact" on the west coast.
Tones: That whole process started in 1999. We went through many nutballs to get the mix we have had now for about three years.
In your own words describe Kraised sound & influences?
Kris: You start with an 80's Heavy Metal foundation, mix in some 90's Grunge Attitude, throw in a dash of today's Alternative Sound... mix well..........and serve LOUD!
Tones: The Kraised sound tries to reach ages that range from young kids learning their first cuss words to the old age of Kris' greasy granny! I personally like everything from Slayer, Metallica (Old), Judas Priest, Skid Row, to NIN, Nirvana, Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park. Heavy shit is just cool. I also have a soft spot in my heart for acoustic ballads which is displayed in "Close My Eyes" on the CD.
Where & what studio did the production of Haywire Logic take place?
Tones: It was recorded in a studio in Scottsdale called Frankie's Palace. It is owned by my good friend Jack "Jaxxon" Schwarz who also produced the CD with me. We spent many hours putzin' with the sounds and mixes. He was real particular or "anal" :o) on the performances and pushed us all pretty hard to do our best. He truly brought out the best in us. He also doubled as my shrink on the weekend at let me talk about my troubled childhood...what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
Kris: Uhhh....Huh Huh.... Uhhh I don't know.... I think it was like....some guy's house or something.... Ask Beavis. What do you feel are the 5 strongest tracks on Haywire Logic & why ? Kris: Impact - Hits you Head on! It's ALL Attitude! Close My Eyes - Classic Ballad with great Emotion! Sucks To Be You - All Out FUCK YOU, You're An ASSHOLE Song! Headache - Song that describes that feeling of... you're a pain in the ASS! Microburst - Just a plain old, Havin' a good time bouncin' song!
What's Kraised long & short term goals as far as touring, recording, writing ect?
Tones: Short term, spreading the "Haywire Logic" to as many CD players as we can, doing some shopping, west coast tour, and working on new material for the next production. Long term...TRY TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!
Kris: I don't have a good answer for this one! Probably the same as most bands. Big contract, big money, big crowds. Wait... Two words...MAJOR SUCCESS!!!
What would you say is your biggest gripe about the music industry?
KP: Too close minded! Most music labels look for the current sound. They typically run a sound into the ground. No wonder people don't buy music like they use to. Everything is the same!
Tones: Lots of doors slammed before you can get your foot in. So many bands and so little time. I believe we'll have one of those "no one would listen or give us a chance" and "we were turned down by all the labels and finally..." stories.
Has there been any label interest?
Tones: Not yet. Like I said in the question before we have to get turned down by all of them first! So far the plan is working like a charm! Actually we have gotten some good feedback but that's not exactly what we're looking for.
Do all members contribute to the writing & arrangements of your original tunes?
Kris: Yes, everyone has a contribution to the music in one form or another. As far as arrangement goes, "The Tones" makes the final call!
Kelly: I like to come up with beats "Strippers" can dance to, then we take it from there!
Are you happy with where the band stands today in the Int'l underground Hard music scene?
Tones: What keeps Kraised driving forward is never being completely satisfied. I am happy about the achievements we have made. We have gotten good and bad reviews but the majority has been good. I'll keep pushin' on till I'm cold. Either that or till that lobotomy takes complete effect!
Kris: Honestly, It sucks playing for smaller venues. It's great seeing those people that really get into the music, but what I want to see is 50,000+ people having a great time singing and rocking out with us!
What do you feel sets Kraised apart from other Metal Acts?
Tones: I feel the music is unique yet familiar. We get younger people digging the shit out of it while the older folks would like it played at their funerals! I am surprised at the wide age range the Kraised tunes affect. But.....the live show is where it is at! We put alot of work into the show and if the people aren't getting Kraised I make it a point they have a good time. Even if I have to jump down there and wake em up!
Kelly: The members of Kraised really took the time to learn how to play their instruments well. We also work on entertaining the crowds! Most bands today just stand there with their guitars hanging down at their knees, staring at the floor. While the drummer sits back there with a big question mark on his head afraid to move.
So what do you guys do when you're not making music?
Kris: Trying to do the best we can to balance our families, jobs and music career. It' ain't easy!
Kelly: Eat lots of fish... Must keep the flaps clean!
Tones: I spend my time trying to break back into the mental ward. Let me in you peckers!
As far as fans go, how would you describe them?
Tones: Fukin love them. Loyal to the bone and I have yet to find a crowd that will not yell back at me! Kraised makes music for people to hear, without them we just pull our stingers and drool on ourselves.
Kris: Honestly, they run the gamete. From younger kids to older people. Kinda weird!
What is the most outrageous thing that ever happened to you on stage during a performance or rehersel?
Kris: Were Kraised! It's ALL OUTRAGEOUS!!!
Kelly: I had a girl come up on stage dancin' behind me and the drums. The next thing I know, she had her shirt and bra off and she wrapped her bra around my head while I kept playing.
Tones: Kris is right! The shows are nuts! We've had everything from me running around in my underwear to a 10 girl titty shot in the front row! It's a tough biz but someone's got to do it.
Who would you like to tour with and why?
Kris: Disturbed, Godsmack,... Great music that's why!
Tones: Linkin Park...just love their shit.
Kelly: Metallica, Chili Peppers.
When can we expect to see you on the road?
Kris: During our next weekend release! You'll have to ask our doctor!
Tones: Plan is towards the end of this year if all goes well! We're working out the details.
Last words?
Tones: A big thx to the Kraizies (the fans) and all who support the band. Thank you BallBuster for allowing us spew our craziness in writing and doing so much for the metal underground. Hit up Sinbad Productions for the "Haywire" CD and buy KraiseD! You will not be disappointed! See you on the road soon...
Kris: Kraised...THE END
