Dimitris Antonopoulos: First of all its a privilege! You're a really great band with mainy 'air plays' @ my radioshow (channel one/rockzone) by the way! So, tell me your story so far.
Alex Szegedy: Hey thanks and we began in 08 and started playing locally with a few gigs in Chicago. Sent some demos to Hozac records and a few other places and put out a handful of 7' and then SOS and now More For The Masses.
D.A.: Can you tell me about the making of 'MORE FOR THE MASSES'? An amazing new step for the band. Is there a new direction really? Sounds very mature.
A.S.: Well I had been listing to a lot of the Stones and early Joe Walsh like James Gang era and even some Echo and the Bunnymen. Well when we went into the studio with the second album in mind we wanted to create our songs with a bit more of a production style than SOS, as well as more variety. The Direction is mainly the same just with a better production value. There are even two cuts that didn’t make it on SOS that are on More For The Masses.
D.A.: What about 'Nevermore'? Here’s a very catchy (if I may say so) song. Really cool one.
A.S.: Ya thanks William busted that song out a long time ago and I actually stopped and was like "That sounds sweet what was that?" and he showed it to us and soon after we wrote the song.
D.A.: I really like that you're having a very Rock & Roll sound as a band, but on the other hand your songs full of melody. Rare thing to be honest. Do you think so?
A.S.: Yes many bands in the 60's had a real rock and roll sound yet the songs were full of melody, that’s how we try to write and play.
D.A.: And your name? THE PEOPLE'S TEMPLE? Is there an inside story about?
A.S.: Not really a inside story we just liked Brian Jonestown growing up cause we thought they were the closest thing to the stones, so we named ourselves after them.
D.A.: Can you tell me 5 of your fav albums ever?
A.S.: Rolling Stones-Decembers Children// The Stones Roses-first album// Echo and the Bunnymen-Ocean rain// James Gang-James Gang Rides Again// The Replacements-Tim
D.A.: Your influences really..?
A.S.: A bunch of 60's Psych stuff (Electric Prunes, 13th floor elevator, Love) and of course The Stones
D.A.: Here’s my classic question. So, let’s say that we can be on a time machine (!) for the next 24 hours, where and why would you wanna go for a whole day really?
A.S.: I'd go back to LA during the late 60's and watch the Doors or Love play.
D.A.: Any new project on the way for 2013? New songs/ album? What’s on your mind for the new year?
A.S.: We have a bunch of new tracks done, a Third Man single coming out in February and who knows hopefully a new album during the summer? lol
D.A.: I was talking to James Williamson (STOOGES) the other day, so he was very 'down to earth' really as a person.. you know what I mean (....) What do you think about the Stooges really..?
A.S.: I love the Stooges! I liked their first album a lot but when I heard Fun House that was what really grabbed me !
D.A.: Any chance for an ATHENS gig?
A.S.: Maybe sometime soon in the future? I hope so I'd love to come to Europe.
D.A.: Can you tell me a good Rock & Roll story? Something from a gig or something...?!
A.S.: Our drummer usually smashes up his drum kit at gigs, he’s a regular Keith Moon.
D.A.: Your fav artist/band for 2012?
A.S.: Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti
Thank you very much, Dimitris Antonopoulos
My bad on taking so long thanks for the interview!!!!!! -alex
Alex Szegedy: Hey thanks and we began in 08 and started playing locally with a few gigs in Chicago. Sent some demos to Hozac records and a few other places and put out a handful of 7' and then SOS and now More For The Masses.
D.A.: Can you tell me about the making of 'MORE FOR THE MASSES'? An amazing new step for the band. Is there a new direction really? Sounds very mature.
A.S.: Well I had been listing to a lot of the Stones and early Joe Walsh like James Gang era and even some Echo and the Bunnymen. Well when we went into the studio with the second album in mind we wanted to create our songs with a bit more of a production style than SOS, as well as more variety. The Direction is mainly the same just with a better production value. There are even two cuts that didn’t make it on SOS that are on More For The Masses.
D.A.: What about 'Nevermore'? Here’s a very catchy (if I may say so) song. Really cool one.
A.S.: Ya thanks William busted that song out a long time ago and I actually stopped and was like "That sounds sweet what was that?" and he showed it to us and soon after we wrote the song.
D.A.: I really like that you're having a very Rock & Roll sound as a band, but on the other hand your songs full of melody. Rare thing to be honest. Do you think so?
A.S.: Yes many bands in the 60's had a real rock and roll sound yet the songs were full of melody, that’s how we try to write and play.
D.A.: And your name? THE PEOPLE'S TEMPLE? Is there an inside story about?
A.S.: Not really a inside story we just liked Brian Jonestown growing up cause we thought they were the closest thing to the stones, so we named ourselves after them.
D.A.: Can you tell me 5 of your fav albums ever?
A.S.: Rolling Stones-Decembers Children// The Stones Roses-first album// Echo and the Bunnymen-Ocean rain// James Gang-James Gang Rides Again// The Replacements-Tim
D.A.: Your influences really..?
A.S.: A bunch of 60's Psych stuff (Electric Prunes, 13th floor elevator, Love) and of course The Stones
D.A.: Here’s my classic question. So, let’s say that we can be on a time machine (!) for the next 24 hours, where and why would you wanna go for a whole day really?
A.S.: I'd go back to LA during the late 60's and watch the Doors or Love play.
D.A.: Any new project on the way for 2013? New songs/ album? What’s on your mind for the new year?
A.S.: We have a bunch of new tracks done, a Third Man single coming out in February and who knows hopefully a new album during the summer? lol
D.A.: I was talking to James Williamson (STOOGES) the other day, so he was very 'down to earth' really as a person.. you know what I mean (....) What do you think about the Stooges really..?
A.S.: I love the Stooges! I liked their first album a lot but when I heard Fun House that was what really grabbed me !
D.A.: Any chance for an ATHENS gig?
A.S.: Maybe sometime soon in the future? I hope so I'd love to come to Europe.
D.A.: Can you tell me a good Rock & Roll story? Something from a gig or something...?!
A.S.: Our drummer usually smashes up his drum kit at gigs, he’s a regular Keith Moon.
D.A.: Your fav artist/band for 2012?
A.S.: Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti
Thank you very much, Dimitris Antonopoulos
My bad on taking so long thanks for the interview!!!!!! -alex