Backstage Pass - Mistress - Interview

ATP

For the record, who's answering the interview?

MISTRESS

Hey, this is Mita from the band Mistress, from Philadelphia.

ATP

What is your band's name? How did you come up with that name?

MISTRESS

Mistress. We were struggling with a name for the band, and decided to make up a fake back-story for our singer at the time. We said she was a Russian prostitute that came to the States by way of her profession. There was more to it than that, but that's where "Mistress" eventually came from.

ATP

So who's in the band and what instruments do you each play?

MISTRESS

Right now it is myself on guitars, Deanna Gardas on vocals, Tom Gilbert on some more guitars, and Dave Walker on bass. We have a talented session drummer playing with us as well, but are looking for someone permanent.

ATP

How would you describe your sound. What makes you unique?

MISTRESS

The goal of this band is to combine two distinct elements. The instrumentals of a good metal band and the vocals of a good radio band. Oh, and we have a chic singer!

ATP

What bands have influenced each of you?

MISTRESS

Deanna: David Bowie is my lord and savior. As far as heavy metal vocals I will always live for Rob Halford, Klaus Meine, Leather Leone of Chastain, and Bruce Dickinson. 70's rock is also a huge favorite, especially Thin Lizzy and Deep Purple.
Mita: I always give a long pain in the ass answer to this question, so I will list some music I like instead. In metal, I like old Metallica, Ozzy, and lot's of random songs from many different bands. I also really like 90's alternative bands like Nirvana, STP, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, and a couple of others. Chopin is my favorite composer, and recently I "discovered" Yundi Li who is now my favorite performer of said composer.

ATP

How experienced are you on the stage, a virgin or whore?

MISTRESS

With a name like Mistress, you decide... Sometimes we get pretty interesting on stage. There was the infamous valentines' day speedo show. I went from wearing a dress to an American flag speedo. It was a bit awkward stripping down in front of a bunch of fat biker dudes. I also like to run around through the audience. Another memorable moment was when I jumped up on the bar, and a couple sitting at that bar was chatting and not paying attention. I started grinding in the woman's face while playing. She screamed in horror when she finally noticed, and they both ran out. Sometimes we also have strippers on stage, not often enough though.

ATP

How would you describe your shows?

MISTRESS

It is like having 1000 orgasms in the span of one second, over and over for the duration of our set.

ATP

Tell us about your favorite show and why?

MISTRESS

The strip club shows are always good, and that grinding face one wasn't too bad either, but my favorite is any show with a great sound man. There have been a couple, and every time it is such a blast. Nothing is better than sounding great. Each and every time we had a talented sound man it has been my favorite show, no exceptions. When the soundman sucks however, no amount of strippers will save the day.

ATP

Tell us about your worst show and why?

MISTRESS

There are a couple of candidates. One in particular really pissed me off. We got a decent amount of people into this real shithole of a place. Right before we are about to go on, the door guy, who was also running the show and missing a couple of brain cells, comes up to me and demands that I give him 5 dollars. His reasoning was that some guy came in through the door, did not pay, and he assumed it was a friend of mine. When I laughed at his request, he went on to lecture me how I do not understand the importance to take care of touring bands, and how I am personally destroying the music community by not giving him his 5 bucks. That was the closest I came to punching someone. That urge went away once I realized he had the IQ of a door knob.

ATP

Tell Us About Your Dream Show, who you'd like to play with and where?

MISTRESS

I would like to play with Yundi Li at any respectable classical music venue. The only problem is I am nowhere near good enough, so the second part of that dream is that I magically acquire super human powers, and then we have a duet on piano.

ATP

Do you have a street team and how can you join?

MISTRESS

Contact us through our website facebook immediately! www.facebook.com/mistressrocks

ATP

Do you have a record label and if not are you looking for one?

MISTRESS

We do not. We get asked every once in a while to join a label, but so far no offer has made sense.

ATP

What are your plans for the future, in a year, 5 years?

MISTRESS

Find a drummer, finish the third album, and find a GOOD manager that will take care of the rest (preferably one with at least a high school diploma).

ATP

Finally, do have any words on what Arm The Pit means to you?

MISTRESS

I believe it is a play on words, plus I am also a big fan of Brad Pitt. He has an extra "t", but he also has great arms, so it makes sense. Thanks for the interview and good night!