Up Close and Personal with The Misses
So many bands these days have agendas, are desperately trying to convince you that they're either the Next Big Thing, or an ultra-hip alternative to that band. The Misses, on the other hand, stumbled into their musical career and the only thing they're trying to persuade you of is the urgent need to have a good time. Their self-deprecation is endearing, but what makes this message carry a punch is the fact that the band really rocks. Subtlety is not their forte - lyrical themes tend to revolve around booze, fast cars, loose women and cheatin' men, but that's no drawback for a rock & roll band. The Misses have no grand plan to knock anyone out of the Billboard charts - they're just here to have some fun, and they're inviting us to come along for the ride.
Written by Mike R
TCZ: When did you first become interested in music?
Sikki Nixx: We've been interested in music most of our lives. Most of us grew up in households where music was always being played. All the Misses were in bands during high school and beyond. I know for myself and Misses Lay Low, our big sisters had a huge impact us. We grew up with them listening to Kiss, Led Zeppelin, and the Ramones. As a pre-teen Misses Robinskin got even more interested in music as the hormones kicked in, and Olota Luv (as all of us) had music as a way to escape and bond with others that liked the same style of music (punk, rock, pop, new wave, etc.) that she did.
TCZ: Was there a significant event that pushed you toward pursuing a career in music?
Sikki Nixx: For myself and Misses Robinskin it was just the chance to get together with your friends, play music, and meet boys. We always dated guys in bands, sold merch for bands, saw some pretty bad bands, and thought-hey we can do this!. For Olota and Laylow, a chance to finally get their talents onto the stage and overcome any fears of stage fright. For all of us, music is a great release. Each of us writes songs and they won't be heard until you put it out there.
TCZ: Now much like the Go-Go's back in the early 80's, you really learned how to play your instruments after forming your band correct? What was that experience like?
Sikki Nixx: The original line-up of the band had never played their instruments before. We were just horrid, yet were having the time of our lives .The first Misses, Sikki Nixx-vocals, Misses Robinskin-drums, Misses T-guitar, and Misses Rex in Effects-bass (who was replaced by Misses Mmm.) Misses Mmm already knew how to play bass and guitar, she helped us understand timing and all of the other fundamental aspects of playing music. After that it was just a few months before we were playing our first gig and putting out our e.p. 4 Play.
A short time afterward our guitar player and bass player left to pursue other interests, we got gals that already were seasoned musicians, enter Misses Lay Low and Misses Olota Luv.
TCZ: There is a pretty interesting story behind the formation of your band, The Misses. Can you tell us about that?
Sikki Nixx: Misses Robinskin and Misses Rex in Effects worked at a record store together. They would crack up at some of the silly band names and song titles they would file away. This gave them plenty of fuel to think of sillier band names and/or song ideas. Then, they started to actually write lyrics to these songs (mostly about GG Allin) and roped me into their band. We then recruited a friend who owned drums, but she didn't know how to play them. Misses Rex borrowed her boyfriends bass, and Misses Robinskin had a cool, vintage Silvertone that was for show-so she figured she learn how to play it. Our "drummer" was always traveling on business (mainly to Japan) so the 3 of us would still get together every Friday for "practice" and would just end up ordering a pizza, drinking, and talking..hahaha. We still do this, but also make sure we take the time to actually practice. Most of this story is in "Girls Gotta Rock".
TCZ: Tell us about your band mates and the unique pseudonyms you prefer to use.
Sikki Nixx: In the beginning we were all single gals living alone and thought using stage names would be a smart move. Since we're all the Misses we thought it'd be fun to be Misses...fill in the blank (like the Ramones). I *heart* Nikki Sixx and our pal Tim came up with the idea of me being named Misses Sikki Nixx. I later learned this is also a male porn star's name who tries to look like Edward Scissorhands. Misses Robinskin was originally Misses Robinson in honor of the movie "the Graduate" (loves those young boys), Misses Lay Low's real name is Layla and we also often say "lay low" when we're trying keep something low key so to speak, and Misses Olota Luv-she loves herself some Led Zeppelin as well as Lez Zeppelin.
TCZ: Now when you formed in 2002, did you ever expect to have two CD's release just four years later?
Sikki Nixx: Actually, we formed in 2001.
We expected even more !! A Grammy, MTV awards, our own private plane...hahaha. No it's pretty wild. I can't believe the band is still going strong let alone have 2 c.d.'s, merch, and more.
TCZ: The current release is a full length titled " The More You Drink." Tell us alittle bit about the conception of this album.
Sikki Nixx: The full name of the c.d. is "the more you drink...the better we sound..". We had our 4 song E.P. titled, "4 Play" then just kept cranking out new songs and wanted them to be heard. Recording a full length was a great experience and a chance for our songs to be played on local radio stations. . We kind of stole the title from a liquor store chain here in St. Louis thats motto is The more she drinks..the better youll look. We were just goofing around at practice and decided The more you drink..the better we sound would be a great slogan for the Misses.
TCZ: If you could pick one song off " The More You Drink" that represents the sound the band strives to deliver the best, which one would it be?
Sikki Nixx: Hmm..that's tough. I'd have to say "GTO" (with "Dogfight" being very close behind) maybe 18 W/A Mullet (because its so darn funny) .Our sound has always been just Rock N Roll. I think weve stayed consistent with our music; we have just musically matured over the years.
TCZ: Tell me about the track " GTO." What does it mean to you and why do you think its become such a fan favorite?
Sikki Nixx: "GTO" was a song that Misses Lay Low came up with these great guitar riffs. She had the music down and even had some lyrics in mind that were about a relationship. The more I heard the gals playing this song, I just thought it was too bad ass to be about anything other then a muscle car. The GTO is one of the Misses fave classic cars. We have a bit of a redneck side. We like fast cars, car shows and going to the demo derby.
TCZ: Recently you had the opportunity to appear with, "Theo and The skyscrapers." Can you share that experience with us?
Sikki Nixx: Well, I love Theo and Misses Robinskin and I have always been huge Lunachicks fans and fans of the Toilet Boys (Sean's former band). This show was actually on my birthday so being able to play with them was a great b-day gift. We've been fortunate to have played with some great touring bands and you always hope they'll be cool when you meet them. Theo and the Skyscrapers were awesome. Not only did they help the gals decorate the bar with balloons and streamers before I got there, they ate cake with us, were very friendly, and the boys had too much fun with our merch girl. Oh, you don't know about our "merch girl"? Her name is Misses Love You Long Time. She's a blow up doll that sports a Misses tank dress and we're all very jealous of her because she's everyone favorite Misses.
TCZ: What's you favorite venue to perform at and why?
Sikki Nixx: We have fun at all of the venues we play. The Hi-Pointe was where we played our first show and theyve always been very cool to us. We also, dig The Pageant . It's one of the newer venues, it actually has a dressing room for each band, the sound guy is great, and you're on a stage where the GoGo's, Velvet Revolver, Iggy Pop, Slayer, and more have played.
TCZ: Do any of the band members have any "habits" or "rituals" they perform before a show?
Sikki Nixx: Just drinking and a pre-show poop! I do vocal warm up's in the bathroom before a show, Misses Robinskin does some stretching. Maybe we should gather in a circle, hold hands and say a prayer or perhaps slap each other on the butt.
TCZ: As a band that formed strictly to have fun and ended up stumbling on success, whats been the most difficult transition for the band in that sense?
Sikki Nixx: You've got some great questions! Honestly, the fact that when we need to record, buy merch, etc. we need to have money, the root of all-evil. While we're all about having fun, and try not to worry about money, there are times where it's important to have a good paying gig. That can be stressful when trying to play the right show, yet keep the fun in it.
TCZ: In what direction do you see The Misses heading in the future? Will there be any tours or videos on the horizon?
Sikki Nixx:Well, an idea that our pal Deb had was to make a musical based on our songs "Jimmy" and "Dogfight". Kind of like Tommy. These are true stories (as most of our songs are true actually) about my meth lab neighbor who inbreeds dogs. She suggested we call it " Misses, The Methical"! At the very least, some new band photos and recording another e.p. are in the future. Anything is possible though. We're big with military bases so a USO tour would be awesome!
TCZ: What can fans do to help spread the word about your music?
Sikki Nixx: Join the Misses Army (via our website), add us to your top faves on MySpace, buy our merch, and just keep on spreading the love. We appreciate everything.
TCZ: Is there anything we haven't covered that you would like to share?
Sikki Nixx: To anyone out there, especially the gals, if you have music and want to be heard, you can do it! A band and the bond you have with your band mates is a great experience. When you can start playing out and get radio play, it's a great feeling of accomplishment. Keep it fun, don't take yourself to seriously and always stay humble.
Big thanks to all of the people who have been there to help and support us for the past 5 years. Without them we would never have gotten out of the basement.