Shmoe

Posted Sep 21, 2007, by Meesh!.


How did you get the idea for your band name?
It was pretty much a nickname given to me in Middle School, It stuck and I decided to use it as my name

Whats your myspace link or any other link you want to give us?
I do have a myspace page, and its www.myspace.com/shmoe

Who are you and where are you from?
My name is Mike "Shmoe" Mason and I come from the magical land known as the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles California.

How was your band formed?
Basically I was in a couple of other bands and nothing was getting done, so i said screw it and started writing it all myself. I have some of my ridiculously talented friends play on a couple tracks. The main contributor is Rob "Santo" Santogrossi. He played drums for Code Orange/A Taste For Blood. He plays drums on the majority of my tracks, although I do have others playing on them as well.

What band has influenced you the most?
Tough question. I'd probably have to go with Queens Of The Stone Age. They really are such an amazing band. They always do things their way, and you can tell within 5 seconds of hearing any of their songs that it's them. They don't really care what others think, they just go do the things they want to hear. I try and do things the same way. Be as original as I can, and write the music I want to hear.

What do you try to have people get out of your music?
People can get whatever they want out of my music. If they just want to dance and have a good time that's fine by me, if they also find something deeper then that's cool too.

What inspires your lyrics? What are they all about? Well, each song is different, but lots of things inspire me. Experiences in Life, Other art, all of it. Enter The Funhouse for example is kind of a B-Horror movie. The lyrics are about a crazy Funhouse where people get killed. Other songs like Musicbox, Grace, A Custom Made Hand Grenade, or 180 have a different message. I like to leave it up to the listener, whatever they want to think about the song is fine by me.

What makes you different from other bands out there?
I would like to think I have a pretty original sound. I try not to sound like many others, and I like it that way.

Have a CD out? How can we get it?
Yes I do. It's called One Million Demons Can't Be Wrong. It's named after a great song by a great band not many people have heard called Evil Superstars. Check them out. Anyway you can get my album for free on my myspace page. There is a link right there and its yours to download and share. Also if you see me in person, or come to any of my shows I"ll have plenty of CD's there.

If you could play with an popular band out there, who?
Another tough one. I'd have to go again with QOTSA, but I'd love to play with NIN, Goon Moon, Masters Of Reality, cKy, Mike Patton, Millionaire, Mauro Pawlowski, Eagles Of Death Metal, and Mastodon

If you could give advice to a starting band or musician, what would you say?
Well It's not like I've hit the big time yet, but I guess I'd say make the music you love, not what's popular. That and work your butt of to get where you want to be.

Do you have any upcoming shows?
Yea I do, Being booked as we speak. Just make sure to check up on my myspace page. That will have all the info you need.

What do you think about UFOs?
I'm sure they are out there somewhere. I haven't had any experiences, although I have seen the movie Evil Aliens. Definitely a shocking look into what could happen if Aliens happen to land on the planet and impregnate one or more human women.

What's your views on the current war going on today?
I'd like to steal a quote from Josh Homme for this one "Our message, of no message is a good message to have for people who want a message"

What were some of your favorite bands growing up?
Well i guess I'd have to go with QOTSA, NIN, The Who, ZZ Top, Jimi Hendrix, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Roy Orbison, Rob Zombie, Iggy Pop, Mike Patton, Herbie HanSTICK, David Bowie, The Cars, The Misfits, and seriously countless others.

What do you think of Big Smile Magazine?
I just found out about you guys a couple of weeks ago, but I've been reading up and I like what i read. Pretty cool stuff. I am always a fan of those who want to expose music to people.

Anything else you want to say to fans or anyone reading this interview?
Yea, thanks for taking the time to read the interview and hopefully listen to my music. I appreciate it, and you are truly awesome.