Today
is the start of a new series of interviews of bands and artists who
will be performing at 2016 Borderland Fuzz Fiesta in 2016. The
festival will be in it's 2nd year in 2016 and it has a
killer line-up a you can see from the poster below.
Wayne
and Joey Ruddell are the main organizers behind this festival. Wayne
and Joey are part of awesome bands Powered Wig Machine and Fuzz Evil.
They're highly respected in the world of Fuzz/Stoner Rock music for
their tireless work and dedication in getting the loud FUZZ based
riffs to the masses.
However,
this interview today is with Mike aka Big Mean Maheen from Desert
Rock/Stoner Rockers – BIG MEAN. Mike is highly thought of in his
home town of Tuscon, Arizona and he used to be part of a great band
called Love Mound. Check them out if you haven't already did so.
BIG
MEAN will be performing on the bill at Borderland Fuzz Fiesta and I
was given the chance to speak to Mike recently.
How
did the band get together. And why did you choose the name BIG MEAN.
Big
Mean is a sort of side project I started a while ago. I had some
buddies from Tucson and other places/states that I wanted to
collaborate with. So my plan is to record three or four songs a
couple times a year with a different rhythm section. I chose the name
Big Mean because that's what it sounds like :)
How
would you describe your music.
Big
and Mean.
Your
scheduled to play Borderland Fuzz Fiesta in February 2016. How did
you get involved in that as it looks like a fucking killer lineup.
The
line-up looks so great! Wayne was gracious enough to invite us. We
are honored to share the stage with such Fuzzy might.
What
can people expect from your set at Borderland Fuzz Fiesta.
Thunder.
Lightning. Volume. Fuzz. And a lot sweat.
Which
bands are you looking forward in seeing at the festival.
I'm
excited to see all of them! Some I don't know and that will be great
to see new stuff like Dead Canyon, Elder. Bands I've seen/played with
and am excited to see are Dead Meadow, Fuzz Evil, Blackwulf.
Will
you be performing any warm-up gigs before the festival.
Nothing
on the books. We're gathering all of our sorcerous powers to unleash
on the festival.
Have
you played in festivals before or is Borderland Fuzz Fiesta your
first one with BIG MEAN.
The
Fuzz Fiesta will be Big Means first.
How
hard is it being a band in today's world. What are the most difficult
aspects in being in a band.
It
seems difficult if you're trying to make something of yourself in a
sense that with all of the choices it's hard to be noticed. Making
time to do the thing you love while having a busy life.
What
inspired you to become a musician. Any particular album, band or
life-changing event that told you – Yeah, that's what I want to
do....
No
specific event just a lifetime listening to and loving music. I would
say my brother Sparky (bass) and all of my early friends inspired and
continue to inspire me to rock.
What
is the song-writing dynamic in the band. Is it a group collective or
down to one individual.
For
Big Mean I am the principal song writer. Every rhythm section I'll be
recording with will add their own flavor and styles to make the songs
we record the best they can be.
You
released a fantastic EP earlier this year. Do you have plans to
release a debut album in the future. Will you be playing any new
tracks at Fuzz Fiesta.
I
am booked at Wavelab studio in Tucson Feburary to start recording the
next four tunes with Fernando Rivas. Kwall and Elvis from Hogjaw in
Phoenix will be laying down the drums and bass with me this time :)
Words
by Steve Howe and BIG MEAN MAHEEN
Thanks
to Wayne Ruddell for arranging this interview.
BIG
MEAN Links
Love
Mound Links
Borderland
Fuzz Festival Links
Tickets
Early Bird Two Day Pass: BFFEarlybird.brownpapertickets.com
Dead Meadow Single Day: BFFDeadmeadow.brownpapertickets.com
Elder Single Day: BFFElder.brownpapertickets.com
Early Bird Two Day Pass: BFFEarlybird.brownpapertickets.com
Dead Meadow Single Day: BFFDeadmeadow.brownpapertickets.com
Elder Single Day: BFFElder.brownpapertickets.com
