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I NEVER listen to this type of sound but when a friend of mine exposed me to their web site I had to check them out! After listening to their catchy tunes I was really impressed! VMU catches up with L.A based "THE RANDIES."

VMU: Hey how's it going?
TR: Good thanks. We are super busy right now, but all is well.

VMU: Could you tell us where your from and who is the current line up?
TR: We currently all live in the Los Angeles area, but are from all over. The current line up is Sienna, bass and vocals, Laura, guitar and vocals, Megan, guitar and vocals, and Kelly, drums.

VMU: When a friend of mine told me about your web site I figured "OK all female group, let's give a listen!" When I heard your songs online I was really blown away! (I really love female fronted bands but I never listen to this type of sound) I didn't hear pop/punk, but more of an 80's style vibe! (which I really love) what are your influences?
TR: Are influences are all pretty different. We agree on The Beatles, Pavement, The Ramones, The Pixies, The Beach Boys, but we individually like a variety of music, if I told you all the list would go on and on and on and on...........

VMU: VMU only ask questions about gear, live shows and CD production! (I'm only going to bend the rule this time!) As being a all girl band is there alot of compitition in the mainstreem music scene? And how do you feel about it? (Feel free to let it loose! This is your spot!)
TR: I don't think there is a lot of competition in that there are not a lot of bands with the same line up that we have, but everytime we meet another "girl band" we are pretty excited about it and try to book shows together. Having as many girls in the band was not something we did on purpose. We just happened to all be friends and all enjoyed writing music and something just worked.

VMU: How many releases have you put out?
TR: This upcoming record "Friendship Motor Inn" is going to be our first national release, but we have put out a few thing locally on our own.

VMU: Who produced and where do you record?
TR: Rob Hoffman and Heather Holley of Elicit Music produced us. When we started recording we were at The Village over in West LA but finished the record at Elicit Music Studios in Beverly Hills.

VMU: Were the releases done analog or digital? (If computer what programs)
TR: We did everything on Pro Tools. Rob is a master of Pro Tools.

VMU: Could you tell us what gear you use live or recording? (in detail)
TR: Live, we stick to our basic set up. Sienna has a Music Man bass and head, Laura plays a Fender Strat with a Univox and Red Bear cabinet, Kelly's drums are custom. Megan plays a Gibson Les Paul studio and a Fender Hot Rod DeVille with 4 10's. In the studio we used every guitar and amp, pedal that we could find. The amp we dug the most was an Orange, and of course we like the sound of our own guitars, thats why we play them.

VMU: I heard a rumor about a film featuring your music?
TR: A few of our songs actually are in two independent films. One, "Burning Annie" has been doing very well at a lot of festivals, but has not been released yet, and the other is still being finished, but it is about fast food which is right up our alley.

VMU: What is the music scene like in your home town?
TR: The music scene here is good, we were fortunate to meet a lot of bands that are like us and we found a couple of really good scenes at Zen Sushi on a night called Kiss or Kill and also, Mr. T's Bowl.

VMU: What are in the works for "The Randies"? Any more CD releases or tours to look out for?
TR: Well, right now the record is being finished. The release date is set for October 21, and we are going on a national tour opening for The Muffs starting September 9. We have like 4 LA area shows lined up. The 9th is in Costa Mesa, 10 in Los Angeles, and the 11th in San Diego.

VMU: What kind of advise would you give to the struggling musicians out there in the indie music scene?
TR: Just to bust your ass. This band is like a full time job, and you can never do too much. Play as many shows as you can, and get your cd to anyone who will take it.

VMU: Do you preffer live or studio recording?
TR: I think in general we enjoy studio recording. Just because we always hear new stuff while we are recording that we want to try out. It is so hard to say that a song is finished.

VMU: Thanks very much for your time! Any last words?
TR: Thanks for the opportunity to talk with you, and come see the randies!!!!

VM UNDERGROUND
THE RANDIES
www.therandies.com
AUG 5 2004