Strangleweed


This "5 and Dime" interview was conducted via e-mail with Strangleweed's rockin' drummer Kenn Youngar on April 6, 2005.

Tell me about your band, your sound, and your bandmates.

STRANGLEWEED is a way of life. A Strangleweed takes over a host plant and sucks the minerals and life flowing juices. It doesn't take the host over to kill it, but to absorb it unto its own. With that mentality, Strangleweed's arms reach as far as its music. In good time hopefully our music will reach far and wide spreading the seed of Strangleweed. Our sound is a variation of Canada meets Alternative Southern Rock. By that, it's a vast range of influences from Zakk Wylde, The Black Crowes, Motley Crue and The Cult. Hopefully not being able to describe it will raise interest. Definitely not Creed!

My bandmates are my best friends, my family and my business partners. I couldn't ask for better people to surround myself with. They would go to the mat for me and I'd give 'em my liver if it wasn't bashed. Luckily, we all fill a certain part of a whole. Having 4 leaders is tough because heads will butt. Having someone breaking the water in front so the rest can push the whole is a tactic that most bands choose not to follow. We're not saying it's the right way, just that it's the way that has worked for us for almost 6 years, knock on wood.

Tell me about your soon-to-be released CD "From Present to Pastime," its musical direction and where we can buy it.

Right now we are currently recording at Palmyra studios (http://www.palmyrastudios.com) with Paul "Pappy" Middleton in Palmer, Texas. He's worked with some of the best artists in the world. Besides having the best studio I've ever been in, he's truly one of the most golden people I've ever met. Attitude is alot and he wouldn't have done what he's done if he wasn't who he is. It should be released hopefully by summer. The direction we are taking is a debut greatest hits album. It's pretty funny because the only thing that we could do any crazier is make it a double live, greatest hits debut in Swahili. Rock out with your C#%k out with a few slower tempo tracks that not only are some of the most meaningful tracks, but will get your girlfriend wet. You'll be able to buy it definitely at http://www.strangleweed.com but keep on the lookout for a distribution. We've already been told we are on the Sony/BMG radar. We'll see. Everything is bullshit till it happens.

Tell me about your band's touring plans.

Right now we have a main goal and focus on biker rallys and festivals. Texas is crazy for motorcycles, and we seem to really hit it off with that type of crowd. Rowdy, drinkin' mofo's with hot half-naked biker chicks. Gotta love Texas. I say hit up the site for the most up-to-date shows. As of today, 93.3 The Bone has us opening for STYX in front of a good 20,000 people this April 30 in Addison Circle Park. Then we have the North Texas Rock Rally, Texas Twister Rock Rally and the Midsummer Thunder in Oklahoma getting hammered out. Should be a great summer for a tan. Strangleweed's performance at the Bone Jam is also being filmed by Big Headz Productions for a new ultimate fighting reality show called "American Badass" and by Thunderbird Productions for a documentary on local music and art called "Deep Ellum, Texas."

What does Strangleweed have in store for its fans in the next 12 months?

Nothing but great music, great times and a few tricks up our sleeve to get the buzz going. A hint is that we may go public. That means that you can actually own a piece of us in the stock arena of investment. Sting did it a while back, and no one on our level has had the balls to do it. But that's what we're known for. Love us or hate us, we get in your face and pierce your frontal lobe. The album is really what the last five years have been coming down to. It's about time. The people are ready. Hell, even the bands that hate us can't wait just so they can have something to talk shit about. Fuck 'em. Be careful what you wish for, eh?

Feel free to promote anything else you'd like that applies to your band.

Buy stock when it comes out. Ya never know what happens when you invest in rock. Satellite radio is gearing up to bring music back uncensored. You can throw that whole three-minute thirty-second radio edit out the window. Ever hear of anyone requesting the radio edit of "Free Bird." We are a firm believer that commercial radio sucks, and it's time to fly the flag of great rock music high and proud. It's been bubbling under the surface and everyone in the industry is watching the market to see what's going to happen next. You can't go wrong investing in good music.

Please share your thoughts on Dimebag Darrell.

What can I say about Dime that hasn't been said better by someone of more importance? Let me see.... As a Canadian in the big city of Dallas, it wasn't hard to find out who ran this town as far as music went. It was like living in the general population of a great rock scene and you knew who the Big Boys were even if you didn't like their music. Dime and Vinnie weren't too big to stomp in their back yard for a few beers and I saw them out a lot. When I was invited to Dime's house, I felt like I was at home. I think that the amount of people he has touched speaks for itself. Far and wide was his rule, and respect was had for him by all. I will miss him and will never let his memory fade. Walk on brother. We have your back down here.