Panic Movement

Posted Sep 10, 2007, by Meesh!.

Interview done with Benjamin.

How did you get the idea for your band name?

One night, I saw a movie from Alejandro Jodorowsky called “The Holy Mountain.” I saw that movie and I was immediately intrigued with Jodorowsky, so I decided to see all of his movies and learn more about him. His movies blow my mind. Jodorowsky blows my mind. While reading about Jodorowsky and his work, I learned that he was a co-founder of an art collective called Panic Movement. I was fascinated with the Panic Movement and its emphasis on surrealist performance art.

What’s your myspace link or any other link you want to give us?

Yes, most definitely. Please visit our myspace page where you could learn more about PANIC MOVEMENT, hear some songs by PANIC MOVEMENT, and if you would like, drop us a line. The website address is www.myspace.com/panicmovement

Who are you and where are you all from?

Wow, Meesh. That’s a pretty heavy question. Who am I? Well, there’s a lot of different ways a person could answer that question. I will keep it simple. I am Benjamin, member of the band PANIC MOVEMENT. I am a practicing guitar player/song writer. I am also currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Above all, I am a human being, experiencing life as it happens. Now, with regard to our band PANIC MOVEMENT, it is based in Los Angeles. The members of PANIC MOVEMENT are all from various areas of Los Angeles.

How was your band formed?

The band was formed in the spring of 2006. I was looking for people to start a band with. I called Danny Karpio, who I had played with before in a band called The Healing Thieves. In The Healing Thieves, Danny played bass. Now, in PANIC MOVMEMENT, Danny is playing guitar. Danny and I met with drummer Richard Bermudez, discussed our putting a band together, went into the rehearsal studio, and it was instant chemistry. We simply clicked. In our first rehearsal session, we knocked out about three songs. It was amazing. Then, after a few months after Danny, Richard, and I had our first rehearsal, we put up an ad to find a bass player. That is how we found bass player Tony Tony Siqueido. Tony is a perfect fit.

What band has influenced you the most?

Of course there are many bands that have influenced me and the members of PANIC MOVEMENT. A few of the bands that have influenced me are The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Sonic Youth, Rush, and Love & Rockets.

What do you try to have people get out of your music?

Our music is about being alive and about experiencing life as life happens. Our music is about coming to an understanding about what it is to be alive and to live life. Our music is about coming to understand self, being, consciousness, spirituality, and about finding our personal way through the labyrinth of perception and being.

What inspries your lyrics? What are they all about?

Being human is what inspires our lyrics. Living life inspire our lyrics. The personal human experience inspires our lyrics. Love, fear, God, being, emotion, and hope inspire our lyrics. Being alive and existing is magic. I believe that magic is a part of who we all are, whether we realize it or not. Being connected to that magic is inspiring. Breath inspires me. Thought inspires me. Being inspires me. Perspective and sight inspire me. In each and every moment there is magic and inspiration right before our very eyes. And I am fascinated by it all. I am a vessel and a filter of experience. I sing about being alive and being human.

What makes you different from other bands out there?

We are different because, individually, we are not like the members of any other band out there. We each contribute something unique to PANIC MOVEMENT. Our influences are diverse. Our personal experiences are unique. The personal dynamics in PANIC MOVEMENT are extraordinary. Our sound is our very own. Although our sound is our own, and our personal experiences may be subjective, we realize that we as human beings relate to one another and understand the realm of being and emotion. Ultimately, PANIC MOVEMENT is here, creating, and performing, and saying that you are not alone. We are human, living life as it happens, just like you are.

Have a CD out?

We are currently working on our first CD. We recently finished mixing and mastering it at the Laundry Room Studios. We are working on the design and packaging. Please check our myspace page in the near future for information on how to get a copy of the CD. In the meantime, we will be giving out sample demo CDs at our shows.

If you could give advice to a starting band or musician, what would you say?

Have a voice. Be authentic. Know the craft of music and songwriting and continue learning about it. Learn about the business of music and songwriting. Learn about music law. When it appears as though there aren’t any opportunities, create them for yourself. Communicate with other bands and artists, support each other, and create opportunities together. I would also suggest becoming involved with a performing rights organization like BMI or ASCAP. I’ve read a few books on the music business and I would like to recommend one. It is called “Music Law,” and it is by attorney Richard Stim. That would be a good book to start with. It has a wealth of information for bands, artists, and musicians.

Do you have any upcoming shows?

Yes, we will be playing at La Casa Blue in Highland Park on Saturday, September 29th. Also joining us on that day will be Family Tree BACK ENDog, Easy Image, and Art Damaged, who are all awesome and talented artists. It’s going to be a truly cool night of local indie music. Check out our myspace page for more information on the show. I hope you could be there. We will be giving out sample demo CDs at the show, so come on down and get one.

What do you think about UFOs?

I know UFOs are real. I also know that they use my sister’s braces to communicate with lemurs on our planet.

What were some of your favorite bands growing up?

Wow, that’s a big list. I will list a handful: Massive Attack, Cornershop, The Legendary Pink Dots, Sex Pistols, Moby, The Cure, Air, Skinny Puppy, Space Time Continuum, The Beatles, AC/DC, Fuzzbox, Curve, The BuzzSTICKs, Daft Punk, Radiohead, The Sisters of Mercy, Sonic Youth, The Pixies, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Joy Division, The Ramones, Bauhaus (and off shoots: Love & Rockets, Tones On Tail), The Chemical Brothers, The Thievery Corporation, Death In Vegas, Ministry, Primal Scream, New Order, Rush, Fad Gadget, Bjork, Cornelius, The Flaming Lips, The Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Garbage, Specimen, Depeche Mode, KMFDM, Lush, Ethyl Meatplow, Big Black, The Dead Kennedys, The Psychedelic Furs, Mercury Rev, Prince, The Cult, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Pavement, Aphex Twin, and the list goes on and on.

Anything else you want to say to fans or anyone reading this interview?

You’re awesome. PANIC MOVEMENT appreciates your support and your interest in our project. We love to create and we love to perform. Thank you very much. I also want to say thank you to you, Meesh, and to Big Smile Magazine. Thanks!!