Oh Yeahhh! Andy Pierce, a singer with attributes is back! And obviously The Rock Explosion reached him to know by his own words his plans, his story told step by step, many anecdotes and, little crazy things, strange games and a new reality… With no doubt a great musician under every aspect, Andy has been able to realize a great funny interview, answering with a remarkable sense of humour and a bit of malice to every single question destroying them one by one! Explosive for my ears!!!!

Hi Andy! Well, let's speak about your United Enemies: would you like to introduce the band to the ones who still don't know them? How and when did you decide to create a new group?
United Enemies is a new four piece batch of rock from Malmoe, Sweden including me, Andy Pierce - Vocals (ex. Nasty Idols, Machinegun Kelly), Mats Jeppsson - Guitar, Christian Fridlund - Bass (ex. 69 Hard) and Richard Dahl - drums. I got the idea for a new band already a couple of years ago. I wrote a bunch of songs and started looking for some people to play with. It actually took a while until I bumped into the guitar player and the bassist. They came from the hardcore band 69 Hard. Their band was about to split up and they thought it would be great to be in my new pack of gang. In September 2004 we started to rehearse and record songs. The goal was early set, to be a band that brings out the nerve and the raw power in the music, straight up and fast forward.

Me and others remember you with the Nasty Idols and then with the Machinegun Kelly. Would you tell us which have been the best and the worst moments with them?
The best moments are countless with Nasty idols. We formed that band around 1987 and it took off pretty fast. I use to say it was like seven years in both heaven and hell. The best moments with Nasty Idols were the touring, with no doubt. The worst moments were probably the fact when we knew that it all had come to an end. It was a different experience with Machinegun Kelly. Different people and different life styles. Really not much fun to be in that band. A lot of drugs and stuff. But it was pretty fun to write the songs and recording the album. It was a short lived band. We went separate ways only two weeks after the album release. Mainly because of our record label were wimps and didn't wanna spend money on us. Actually the same record label that released Backyard Babies first album. But I guess they fucked up there too. If I remember correctly Backyard Babies also dropped out and went to another label. Perris Records is actually re-releasing the Machinegun Kelly album next month.

For a period there've been rumours of a probable Nasty Idols reunion. How is the situation at the moment? Do you think there's the possibility to see you together once again?
Not really. There's been a lot of talk. When we re-issued our old albums on Perris Records 2002 - we considered on doing a few gigs. But in the end we didn't want to meet with each other. People change, some to the better, some to the worse. So I think Nasty Idols is better of dead and buried forever.

There's a Nasty Idols album you feel particularly close to or that you consider better than the others? If there is, can you explain us the reason?
The second album "Cruel Intention". We were right on target with that one. When I think of that time around when we recorded and released that album I just think of parties, good looking girls and stuff. It was a perfect party album and sometimes it still is. The songs are straight forward and people like them right away.

Why "Heroes For Sale" saw the light only in 2002, by the Perris Records, when, if I'm not wrong, it was recorded in 1995? What could you tell us to explain this?
We had come to end as a band 1994 when we started to record the album. We had lost our guitar player Peter Espinoza and our record label didn't feel that we had a fair chance in the business at the time. There was the grunge thing and our type of music was out of date, as they told us. We said "fuck you!" and recorded it anyway. By the time it was ready for release, we were out of a contract. A few months later we decided to split the band. When we were approached by Perris Records 2002 for the re-release of our albums, they wanted of course to release the unreleased album from 1995.

During your long career what has changed in your personality as an artist and as a person? Which differences are there between the Andy Pierce of "Gigolos On Parole" and the one of this new album?
Many things about me are the same, actually. But on all levels I need more of everything to get high and exited. I mean when we released our debut album "Gigolos On Parols" I was just happy to get a album out there. I thought I was gonna be satisfied just because of that. But more wants more. And after a while I wanted to improve on every level be better. I have become more picky. Instead of 12 tracks, I write 20 for an album and on the personal level, instead of 12 drinks, I drink 20.

I've been very deep impressed by the new Ep, in which I found references to The Stooges and also to The New York Dolls without forgetting to add something more contemporary and original to the sound. What do you think about it? Is that your aim? How would you describe with your own words the United Enemies sound?
We try to keep it as simple as possible. We don't add anything to our music such as keyboards and stuff. We want the guitar and vocals to speak. And in the end we want the song to be the main attraction. No good song, nothing else matters. Many of those new bands got cool attitude and often great sound, but they miss out on delivering good tracks. We at least but a effort in doing that.

Would you like to make a brief excursion track by track of your last Ep?
Love Kills: Love Kills is a straight punksong actually. Just chords together with a lyric melody. This one is great live. People get it right away. On the second chorus they know how to sing along. I love those kind of songs. The lyrics is about love. It can be good but when love is bad it could kill you.
The Misfits: My favourite track. I wanted to do a modern "Youth Gone Wild". A statement. It took a while to get the pieces together. People tell me that they really like this one.
Dead Boy: In some way I think of Iggy Pop here. The intro is close to how Guns' n' Roses started of songs. I think this one is a blast live.
Down: This one is a oldie. It appeared on Nasty Idols final album "Heroes For Sale". I always thought it was a really good track. But I was actually a bit sceptic to record it again. I don't believe in second recordings of songs. But I'm happy I did it. I was proved wrong.

How can the Italian fans buy your Ep?
Our management didn't feel there was any demand to release a Ep with a new and unknown band. We have used the Ep mainly for promotion. People have to wait for the debut album. But if you totally wanna have it- I think that you can get it on our website.

How do you write your songs, there's a particular composition mode you generally use, or a moment of the day in which you feel more inspired?
I just play around alone on a guitar. Trying out different chords or riffs. When I come up with something I record it on small tape recorder. A few days later I play it for the band. We jam on it. I record it again, with the band. Take it home and listen to it. If it rocks, I'll do the lyrics. I can come up with ideas on any hour. Day and night.

What are the future plans of the United Enemies? When will you be ready for a debut album?
Right now we're doing a lot of things at the same time, actually. We're doing gigs, mainly to get known as the new band around. We're writing new songs and recording in between. We got a debut album ready for release after the summer 2004. At this point we don't know how the album is gonna reach the world. But we got people working on that.

In your career you've been so many times on tour: what do you think about the life "on the road"? Which are the positive aspects and which are those you could easily do without?
I think touring is a great thing. You play, eat, fuck and drink. Then you just leave the bones and trash and hit a new town and do the same thing over again. Just wimps thinks negative about touring.

Would you say something to the new and young bands that are going to face the world of rock n' roll? So which are your secrets that allow you to remain on the scene for a long time despite of all the difficulties?
I'm not good on advice I think. I mean I've been in and out in this fucking business all the time. But I guess as long as you believe in your music and in your band, it's just straight a head. Don't take no for an answer. If they don't like you, fuck 'em! Keep going, never stop.

Is there any band on nowadays rock scene you particularly like and what do you usually listen to in this period?
I listen to all the new stuff that comes out, that rocks that is. I like Span, Monster Magnet, Donnas, Turbonegro and of course golden oldies like Ramones. Right now I'm listening to a Swedish band called Ceasars Palace. I missed out on them a couple of years ago.

What's about the world of Internet, webzines, exchanging of mp3 files and other aspects of the net?
Mainly good. You just surf on and can get what ever you like - new music , movies and stuff. But there's maybe a little negative aspect of it too. It's maybe too fucking easy. I remembered the days when I was totally exited when a new album was released. That feeling is not that strong today when you have full access on the net.

Favourite pornstars, favourite drink and your top 5 albums of all the times...
Pornostar: Anything goes, with a pretty face and big tits. Favourite drinks: Baileys and Vodka, Beer, Screwdriver, Jack D. 5 top albums: Sex Pistols "Never Mind The Bollocks", Guns N' Roses "Appetite For Destruction", Sweet "Fanny Adams", Kiss "Destroyer", Motley Crue "Dr. Feelgood".

Andy, this is a game we usually propose during our interviews. Associate what you think to the following words:
Groupies: Good when you need them.
Love: Like an addiction.
Drugs: Good when you want them - bad when you need them.
Raw Power: United Enemies.
Fools: People.
Decadence: Can never have too much.
Money: I want it.

Ok, Andy, the interview is over. Thanks for your kind and funny cooperation. Now, would you like to greet the Italian fans and readers?
I just wanna say that Italy is one of those countries that really understands the way of rock n' roll. I never had the opportunity to play in Italy, but I'll sure want to. So I'll hope I'll do some day soon. In the mean time - keep up the fuckin' bad attitude and rock hard mothers!

Intervista realizzata da Bruno Rossi.
Traduzione di Margherita Realmonte e Francesco Montalto.