Lady Eclipsed

Here is my interview with the band Tattooed Millionaires. It was done February 11, 2008.  I did this interview for Official Metal Castle and Castle's Jewel. Check out the bands Official Myspace Page 

Eclipsed: How are you all doing?

TM: Exhausted! We just got back from a crazy and amazing 3 week tour if the Southwestern USA. We are gearing up for a busy rest of the year, which includes a trip to Vegas next week to play the grand opening of Mario Barth's Starlight Tattoo shop at the House Of Blues at the Mandalay Bay Casino, and other performances by Tommy Lee, Dave Navarro, Cypress Hill, etc,etc, It's going to be a huge event and were very excited to be a part of it! And then right after that we get ready for the next leg of the tour, which will take us through the southwest USA again. All in all were busy and excited!!

Eclipsed: Where are you at on your tour now?

TM: Well, we just finished this past leg of the southwest tour, where we covered, LA, Vegas, New Mexico, AZ, every major city in TX, it was a lot of fun, and it was great seeing a lot of friends we made on the summer tour where we covered the entire US coast to coast, as well as meeting some wonderful new faces!

Eclipsed: How has the tour been thus far?

TM: The tour has been really great, its seems like were always on tour, so we've gotten used to the hustle and flow of the day to day road activites. I think being on tour gives us a sense of why we do what we do. Its pretty amazing to see people come out tour after tour to see the band, as well as seeing people drive up to 10 hours to see us, either because they loved the show so much the night before, or because we didnt happen to have a date in their area. It really makes us feel like were doing the right thing.

Eclipsed: How did Tattooed Millionaires come to be?

TM: A warm summer night in 1969, one man, one woman, entered a bathroom, five minutes later, he was sleeping, she was smoking, and nine months later the Tattooed Millionaires were born.

Eclipsed: And I see that your band is influenced by other bands such as Hanoi Rocks?

TM: Yeah, were all Hanoi fans, they were really one of the last few true "glam" bands, before things got to be taken way too out of hand. But we draw from a lot of influences, from that era of glitter, to soul, funk, Motown, old blues, classic rock. You've got to be well rounded in what you draw from!

Eclipsed: What was it about these bands that has helped mold Tattooed Millionaires?

TM: Well, like I said, we draw from everything, all of us come from different schools of "rock" so to say. But at the end of the day we all find a common place when it comes down to what we play. I think as far as influences go, it helps to draw from ideas here and there, but your style and your sound should always be your own, not only as an individual musician, but as a whole band. Theres nothing worse than listening to a band and hearing them try so hard to sound like another band.. You always have to be YOU!

Eclipsed: And are there any plans to colberate with others?

TM: Not at this time. Its not something we would totally rule out if the right person came around and it would be something fresh, fun, and exciting. If that were the case then I'm sure we would do an interesting collaboration.

Eclipsed: If you could pick three bands to do so with, who would they be and why?

TM: Off the top of our heads? Jimmi Hendrix. We'd do a whole album of blues rock songs that everyone would either love or hate.

Eclipsed: What has been the best thing about becoming a more well known band?

TM: Well, were always the same band, some bigger things might come up, but the band's message and ideas will always stay the same!

Eclipsed: Now I have a few questions for Johnny Jetson.

Eclipsed: How did you become such a huge supporter of Ron Paul for President?

Johnny: Ron Paul stands for personal freedom, and thats something were all really into.

Eclipsed: What values does he posses that you support?

Johnny: FREEDOM!

Eclipsed: What are your views on freedom in America and abroad?

Johnny: We found little bits of freedom here and there on the highway on tour. Freedom is yours if you want it, but what are you going to do to make sure you GET IT? That is why we support Ron Paul.

Eclipsed: And since I am a rather curious person and I mean no disrespect nor insult in asking this, but is your last name really Jetson or is a stage name influenced by the cartoon, "The Jetsons"?

Johnny: Yes! Johnny Jetson is my real name, and my stage persona is influenced by many little space critters.

Eclipsed: Thank you for taking the time to answer those questions, Johnny.

Eclipsed: Now back to the remaining questions.

Eclipsed: You've all been touring for a while now, are you guys looking forward to some down time or are you diving right back into another album?

TM: There is never down time in our world, right now its time to work on the new record while touring, and touring, and touring... There is no rest for the wicked in this game of Rock N' Roll.

Eclipsed: What do you all enjoy doing during those down time moments?

TM: We have spare time?!?!

Eclipsed: If you could pick one word to describe Tattooed Millionaires, what would it be?

TM: TRUE

Eclipsed: And last, do you have a message to your fans?

TM: Our message to fans is always the same, we are YOUR band, always have been and always will be..

Eclipsed: I would once again like to thank all of you for taking the time out of your schedule to do this interview for Official Metal Castle. It has been a pleasure.