The Mic: What got this band together and started in
this business?
I had an old friend get me untreated in playing out again after years of performing at home for my dog. I tod him that if I did start playing venues again, it would have to be a major-league fun project. Soon after, I had another friend tell me how much I sounded like Billy Gibbons, both playing and singing. It occurred to me that I might out a ZZ Top tribute together, ran some local ads, and that's how it started.
The Mic:Who writes and produces all the material for
the band?
Being a tribute, we don't write.
But that's not to say we aren't creative. We enjoy adding litle subtle things in our shows that make it really enjoyable for the crowds.
The Mic:The band played in front of or with any acts
our readers would
know from the Mainstream?
Opened for Bad Company, Pat Travers band, and ZZ Top (just kidding, but we did play at a State Fair bar prior to a ZZ Top show at the Grandstands, and we even remained dressed for the show).
The Mic:Where can people access your music on the web?
www.sharpdessedman.biz or www.myspace.com/zzsharpdressedmanzz
The Mic:Any embarrassing moments on stage?
Yes, the beards are theatrical, and at a large show in Florida, my bass player whipped around and caught my beard in his tuning keys. It ripped the beard halfway off my face. Kind of spoiled the whole "are the beards real" question.
The Mic:Any good stories you want to tell us?
We do a lot of bike rallies, some XXX rated. That was something new for me. During the performance of Legs at one in Southern IL, I asked the promoter to gather up some gals for us. All of a sudden, 14 or 15 completely naked hotties were dancing all around me. Not a problem for me, except my wife was there, which felt a little uncomfortable. I was just hoping that she didn't get any pictures in case we ever would get divorced!
The Mic:Who is the bands musical influence?
Who else? ZZ Top. Of course we all grew up playing classic rock, Skynard, Molly Hatchet, etc. I always liked playing along to some Ted Nugent as well.
The Mic:How did the band get together?
The first guy who answered a posting online for bass player who could do Dusty Hill said, "I think i'm your guy". He was. I had to go through a couple drummers to find the right fit.
The Mic:What is your musical background like?
Again, classic rock, southern rock, but I like a lot of hard rock as well.
The Mic:Any other members in your family that are
musicians?
Nope, but I have a 3 year old daughter that I think will be.
The Mic:What is the TOP reason why you want to play
music?
To have fun primarily, but I found I could have a nice business on the weekends by doing the tribute.
what's your stance on file swapping?
what is the process of making a cd?
All we have done are a couple studio tracks for a demo, which was no big deal. I recently put together a decent video.
how do you get the word out about your music?
Mostly on MySpace, but we are enjoying making friends as we tour on the weekends. We travel all across the country currently.
how is your local response to your music?
Really good. It's not often we play here, so all of our friends and their friends come out to have a big ZZ Top party. Pretty fun.
what is the farthers you have traveled for a gig? I'm not sure which is farther, Fayetteville NC, El Paso, or a place called Plentywood MT. I can tell you that Plentywood is about a 3 wood from the Canadian border.
What tune on the cd are you most proud of?
LaGrange. I have the low range for that.
Now let's break away from the traditional band questions you get asked all the time...Let's have some fun...
1. Why do HOT chicks date ugly dudes? Probably because they are easier to break up with, and the tend to have more money. With what we do, I find it really intreating that so many hotties act interested in us with the beards and all. It's good to be a rock star!
2. Why are all guys in porn movies Douche bags? Why else would they be in them? These guys have absolutely no talent other than getting a woody. Hell, almost any hit can do that, especial with Viagra. Sounds like fun though.
3. When Rappers do interviews on TV, why do they always have a wall of Kung Fu movies behind them? They have their heritage confused.
4. If a billionaire would come to your band and say you could play with any band..living, dead,broke up,etc.
*Who do you play with 3 bands one has to be your band...
and I think it would be fun to play with Ozzy, and then I'd have to go with someone like Clapton. Told you my taste varies.
*Who opens and who closes?
Who opens for Ozzy and me? Maybe Dio. Open for Clapton and me, probably Dave Matthews.
Thanks for being with us today and you can catch these guys on {www.myspace.com/zzsharpdressedmanzz OR www.sharpdressedman.biz <
http://www.sharpdressedman.biz>; }
