SHOOTING BLANKS

1. Can you describe your music for someone that has never heard it?

DrunkPunk madness. High-energy SlutRock.

2. You have been floating around the Chicago scene for a while now. What has made Shooting Blanks stand out amongst all of the other bands out there?

Mostly Deech's good looks. Other than that, we're fun guys. When we have a show we don't show up 10-minutes before it's time to play, play music, and then pack up and leave (like many primadonna local bands do). We hang out, drink, socialize, and try to befriend as many other bands and audience members as possible. We totally appreciate anyone that comes out to see us, and I think that shows - we're extremely grateful. Also, we have an assload of energy on stage, whether we're playing to one person or one hundred people.... ....I think another thing that makes us stand out is all that we've accomplished with literally NO help at all. I mean, how many local bands (running completely self-sufficiently) can say that they have 3 studio-recorded albums, a DVD, 7 music videos, 5 video games, have been on a few local TV shows, had music on a national television show, toured the US a few times, and opened for a number of national acts? That's a nice resume for being totally D.I.Y.

3. You have recently released a DVD titled "Exposed." Can you tell people about the DVD and why do you think they should add it to their collection?

Okay, as much as I'd like to whore out all of our merchandise with exaggerated claims of its awesomeness, in this case I truly mean it - this DVD is badass. It's DEFINITELY worth the cost. I think the most common misconception of our band is that we're just a bunch of jackasses that don't take anything seriously. This DVD shows that we put a lot into what we do, and exhibits a great deal of professionalism as a band. We're more than just four super-hot guys that get drunk and joke about masturbating on each others' faces on stage....

4. Your latest album "The Sticky Album" came out in 2004 and features some of your best work to date. Do you feel that it is your best album so far and why?

I dunno - it's a weird situation. It's totally different than our past works, and I guess it depends what mood you're in. Like, The Sticky Album is clearly better from a "songwriting" standpoint, but Wasted Time is a much more "fun" album. If you like good music, listen to The Sticky Album; if you wanna get drunk and need background music for your party, throw on Wasted Time. (oh, and if you want to torture someone, put on Nuclear Family)....

5. How can people check out some of the music from this album or others in the past?

You can listen to both albums online in the "media" section of our website (http://www.shootingblanks.net/media.html).

6. Of all the songs in your entire catalog which one do you feel best describes Shooting Blanks?

Best "describes" us would be any booze-related song (Knock Me Dead, Simple Song, Another Chance, etc). But I think if you had to listen to one Shooting Blanks song to "get us", One Last Thing pretty much encompasses the lighthearted, snotty, cynical, fun nature of the band's music....

7. Do you have any label interest at this time?

Nothing. We'd definitely be interested though, since we're totally fucking broke, and have a lot of stuff we'd like to do (but are not financially able to)....

8. What is the most important thing that a label could offer you to make you sign with them?

Promotion would be number one. I'd want a label that really works their ass off to get us out to the largest audience possible. I feel it's the band's job to make the product, and it's the label's job to get that product out to the masses....

9. You have done some touring in the past. Do you have any tours planned for the near future and if so where are you heading?

I'm pretty sure we're heading out East (the New England states) this Spring. We've had some requests from fans out in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC to come out there, so we may do that....

10. In your past tours what was the best parts and how beneficial do you feel that touring is for a band?

I think our most recent tour down South this past year was the best. I'd highly recommend reading about all of our drunken antics on the TOUR DIARIES linked off the homepage of our website... ...As far as being beneficial, not only do I think that touring is beneficial, but I think it is ESSENTIAL. Go talk to ANY halfway-legitimate record label, and they'll tell you that they won't even talk to a band that hasn't gone out on the road. But it's not like touring is a chore - it's definitely hard work (from a planning standpoint), but it's one of the best parts about being in a band.

11. What do you hope a kid gets out of seeing you live?

Gonorrhea....

12. Which show stands out as the most beneficial for Shooting Blanks so far?

That's hard to answer. It's not like any major opportunity has come from someone noticing us at just one single show. I think the most "fun" shows are the outdoor festivals, though. I always like playing The Abbey and The Double Door too - those are probably my favorite Chicago stages (next to The Mutiny, of course!)....

13. If you could open up for any band alive or dead who would it be?

Me personally? - Nirvana. The rest of the guys are big George Michael fans, though, I know...

14. Having seen other areas on tour, what makes Chicago better then those scenes?

I think that the opportunity for musicians is what sets Chicago apart from the rest. No matter what genre you're playing, you can find a million clubs in Chicago to showcase your original music at. You can't say that about most other US cities.... ...even big places like LA have a ton of venues, but they're so inundated with punk-type bands that if you were, say, a solo piano artist or a jazz band, you'd be shit out of luck. Chicago is a great place for ANY musician.

15. Other then yourselves, what band do you feel is the next to break out of Chicago?

The music industry makes no fucking sense. You get a band like Fallout Boy who (in my own personal opinion) is fucking obnoxious. They sound like every other goddamned band in their field, but with a more annoying voice. Why are they so big? - cuz some execs with HUGE wallets are dumping millions into them.... ...now, take a band like Split Habit. Great guys. GREAT musicians. Their pop-sensibility is fucking UNCANNY. Why are THEY not monsterously huge? Who the fuck knows. It's all so random that it pisses me off to even think about it, so I don't. That's why I don't think I'd ever be like "wow, I REAAAAALY hope I Shooting Blanks gets big someday", because it's a total crapshoot. If you're in the right place at the right time, it'll happen. If not - you're fucked (regardless of your talent). So, my advice to all up-and-coming local artists.... ....shove a horseshoe up your ass, carry a rabbit's foot in your pocket, and go out there & have fun. Don't stress over "getting signed" - it's a waste of time. Just keep drinking and loving what you're doing.