MEMBERS: Stef Magro (vocals, guitars), Gene Diotalevi (guitars), Jay Hardin (keyboards), Sean “bunny” Saley (drums, percussion), Mike Wolpe (bass, drum loop, sample programming).
HOMETOWN: Washington, D.C.
ALBUM: “Hung Up On Breathing” (Fowl; release date: Jan. 29).
THE SOUND: Garbage meets Portishead.
PRODUCER: moodroom.
FIRST SINGLE: “Connection.”
OTHER TRACKS: “Loving,” “Open Minded,” “Safe in the Sound,” “Declined,” “Morning Alarm,” “Vibes,” “e-song,” “Vivid Blurry,” “Conversation,” “Gone,” “Clear,” “Soft Distortion,” “Searching,” “Blue Skies and All That.”
WEB SITE: www.moodroom.net.
SOMETHING TO KNOW: The April 13 premiere episode of The WB’s “Project X” featured a live moodroom performance.
SOMEBODY’S STANDING IN A CD STORE AND COMES ACROSS YOUR ALBUM. THEY’RE CURIOUS ABOUT BUYING IT; WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO CONVINCE THEM?:
Diotalevi – “Fiften songs, 64 minutes of great music on one CD! For $14.99, even if you’re high on just five songs, it’s a bargain – not to mention you’ll not find a single nu-metal grunt, turntable scratch or some fluffy chick voice trying to seduce you into buying her favorite sponsor’s jeans. It’s 64 minutes of good old fashion rock you wish would come back – and if you’re 20 or 40, you would never be embarassed about your friends finding it in your CD collection.”
WHAT SONG DEFINES YOU?:
Diotalevi – ” ‘Loving’ defines the bipolar aspect of the band. It’s emotional, sarcastic, melodic and bombastic. And, of course, it was written, performed and produced by all the members of moodroom.”
WHAT WAS YOUR MANIFESTO FOR THIS ALBUM?:
Diotalevi – “Our goal was, and always will, be to maintain control of our craziness. Not creativeness, but craziness. We’re already creative, and no one will ever control that. The insanity that is moodroom is the key element to our success or failure. The people who make up moodroom would have a difficult time being derivative and directed. The manifesto was simple – build a record you like, surround yourself with great people, and people will it. If not, fuck ’em. Creating music is an outlet to rebel. It’s not about getting in front of Lou Pearlman, and waiting for the dump truck full of money to show up at your door.”
WHAT’S YOUR GUT FEELING ON HOW YOUR ALBUM’S GOING TO DO?:
Diotalevi – “Well, we love it. You can take that to the bank moodroom and cash it, baby!”
YOUR PERSONAL MUSICAL HERO?:
Diotalevi – “That’s actually easy: Bob Mould. Although, what the hell is he doing in professional wrestling? Mould eptiomized the anger and freedom of rock ‘n’ roll. He represented rock in its true ugly, gritty form – both sonically and personally. Mould was able to take those elements and build a landscape that was so intense, you could feel exactly what he was thinking and feeling when he put pick to strings.”
WHAT’S THE STATE OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?:
Diotalevi – “Well, I liken it to a Big Mac – a processed product that’s wrapped in a recyclable container, and marketed to millions. It’s disposable consumption, for a disposable society. Is that too harsh? Wait, I just found new inspiration from Scott Stapp’s new video. I feel so much better.”