Wednesday 25 November 2015

Borderland Fuzz Fiesta Spotlight: An Interview with Mike from BIG MEAN



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