This time it's up to the Detroit glam metal band Fillmore Slim, to be tortured by "The Rock Explosion" questions! Their demo has been released recently, so let's check out what Vic Wayne and Jerri Allen have to say about past, present and future of their band!

Hi guys! How are you today? I hope you're fine. Let's introduce the band to our Exploders! When and how Fillmore Slim were born?
Vic: We got together in the beginning of 2002. I put an add out and got together with Jerry. We had a few line-up changes. 157 gigs and 5 flakes latter here we are!
Allen: Vic Wayne at vocals and some rhythm guitar, Dave Blitz at the lead guitar, me, Jerri Allen at the bass, and Dave Smith at the drums.

Why did you choose "Fillmore Slim" as name of the band?
Vic: Because I set out to create the sleaziest band on the planet. Fillmore Slim is the name of an old pimp from the west coast. What's sleazier than a pimp?!
Allen: We watched the documentary "American Pimp" and saw Fillmore Slim, this pimp in San Fracisco. We thought that would be a cool name.

What's about the revival of the 80's in your music and in your style? How would you describe your sound?
Vic: I grew up listening to 80's music so I'm obviously very influenced by that stuff, but I'm not trying to make a nostalgia act. I like bands from the 70's and the 90's to, I try to be eclectic… I like to think we're a mix of all the best.
Allen: We're kind of an updated version of the 80's music.

How is the scene in your city and Country? You're from Detroit, a famous rock'n'roll city. Let's talk about local rock scene. And what do you think about the scene all over the world? Do you listen to any new bands, if you do who are they and what do you think about them?
Vic: The Detroit scene is great. Detroit has a rich history of live music; from the Stooges to the White Stripes, there's a lot of talent here. We're about to go on tour this summer, so I guess we will find out more about the scenes in other cities. I've been listening to the Darkness and Jet a lot. I'm happy to see bands with musical instruments making a comeback.
Allen: Detroit still has several clubs that will feature original live bands. As far as newer bands we like...The Darkness, Jet, Brides Of Destruction, etc..

Tell me about your songs, how they're born? What's the songwriting process that you use the most? Who is the main songwriter inside the band?
Vic: Being the main songwriter, usually the chorus just kinda comes to me. I'll come up with a riff and just build on it from there. I usually have the whole song recorded on four track and then the rest of the band tweaks it up.
Allen: A lot of the time Vic will make a 4 track demo at home then we'll work it out at rehearsal. Also, we just start jamming and end up with a song!!!

And what's about your life on stage? You had some gigs with great bands as Pretty Boy Floyd, Candy Ass and many others. Tell us about these
experiences. Which is the funniest band that you met on the road? Which has been your best gig in your opinion?
Vic: Pretty Boy Floyd, those guys are a fucking blast. They are for sure the funniest too (or should I say their tour van).
Allen: They've all been great...Dave enjoyed exchanging hair and makeup tips with the girls in Candy Ass... (laughs).

Have you ever been in Italy? if you have, what do you think about this Country?
Vic: Nope… but we would love to. It seems that there are lots of glam fans there. I think we would have a great time. Black Hill might come over here in January to do a national tour with us, nothings for sure yet, but we're talking about it (money's a bitch). So hopefully that will happen and we can get over there soon. The crowds look great there!
Allen: No... Not yet.

I think some past bands like Faster Pussycat, Pretty Boy Floyd or New York Dolls have got a lot of influence on your music, so which are your favourite bands, the ones that contributed to form you as the artists you're right now?
Vic: My biggest influence as a kid was Faster Pussycat. But I really like blues to. I'm influenced by so many things; and not just music, I have been influenced a lot by 80's attitude. I think the sound of my music reflects that by default. I like a huge variety of music from Elvis and the Stones to the Darkness and Jet. As far as the image goes I was always into glam. I dig the look and the attitude, snotty real rock'n'roll.
Allen: Too many to list, but safe to say all bands that rock!!!

Which is the most important thing for you, music or look? Or maybe, sex or money? Sickness or insanity? Masters or slaves? Just kiddin'...
Vic: Ummm music then look. How about sex for money. I think I may be sick and insane. Neither...
Allen: Ultimately the music is the MOST important, but presentation is very important too. It's not just music it's entertainment!

Now I say some words and you have to tell me what's your first thought about them!
Vic:
Guitar: loud.
Coke: caine.
Drugs: ummm...
Dog: Dogs D'Amour!
Hair: grow it!
Europe: rocks!
Allen:
Guitar: Blitz.
Coke: Diet.
Drugs: Rock IS our drug!!!
Dog: Dirty.
Hair: Big.
Europe: Wish we were there!!!

The craziest thing you've done together, we aren't asking about your sexual antics... (laughs).
Vic: Well, one time we had a gig in New York but our tour van was broke down fortunately we were playing on the headlining bands gear so we bought
greyhound bus tickets to get to the show. It was two days of hell no sleep and we got there 3 hours before we had to go on stage. But it was worth it
we had a blast.
Allen: Our last photo session, listening to Dave (Blitz) struggling with his new leather pants was an absolute scream!!! (laughs)

What's in the future of Fillmore Slim? Have you got projects or anything else, talk about them...
Vic: Our full length CD should be out sometime this year. We'll be on tour here in the states and Canada all summer. After the CD comes out hopefully a
tour in Europe. We have got a lot of good reviews in print and on the web rite now, just from sending our demo out.

Choose between sex, drugs and rock n' roll and explain your choice!
Vic: Man I hate to choose one. But if I have to I will go with rock' n' roll: it's the only one that can't kill you or give you nasty warts or take your money and it's always there the next morning.
Allen: Rock is the only one you can do and still respect yourself in the morning. But sex is a close second!

So what do you usually drink when you're on stage? What do you usually do before going on stage? Do you have any particular usage or kind of spell
against bad luck?
Vic: Beer or water. And we have a group prayer like Creed...just kidding!
Allen: Gatorade and water usually. We're not really all that ritualistic, other than primping... (laughs).

Let's talk about the world of internet, mp3, etc. Are you pro or against?
Vic: I'm not for or against it. For an unsigned band like us it's a good thing. Its one of the only ways for people to hear us without seeing us live. I think the only people that are really against it are greedy bastards that need something else to blame besides themselves for their declining record sales.
Allen: We all have various opinions...but we won't sue anyone for downloading our songs.

Fav pornstar, fav book, fav fast or slow car:
Vic: As far as porn star, I prefer the real thing to TV or books; and I don't wanna live this life (about Sid Vicious). Car… anyone that works.
Allen: Well we have a song about porn star Raylene. We like any book with pictures. And as far as vehicles, anything that can hold our equipment, and
get us from gig to gig without breaking down is fine with us!!!

The world is ending, the ground is breaking by tremendous earthquake: the last thing you think you'd do?
Vic: Get fucking drunk!
Allen: Not quite sure... guess we'll know when it happens.

Thanks for having answered to my questions, the interview is ended, would you like to greet, insult or tell anything particular to our readers?
Vic: Thanks.
Allen: Thanks for reading this... keep checking our website for updates. We'd love to come over there and play for all of you!!!

Intervista realizzata da Kendy K.
Traduzione realizzata da Margherita Realmonte