INTERVIEW WITH SiX FRONTMAN LAUREN

We were contacted by SIX a while ago about doing an interview with frontman Lauren, and we're FINALLY getting around to posting it (we're SO behind with this shit it's not even funny; thank God for long holiday weekends). Hailing from California, this (dare I say) nu-metal outfit is promoting their latest disc The Price Of Faith, and has toured extensively with CLUTCH, GWAR, and DOPE...three bands that definitely don't suck. Frontman Lauren was nice enough to answer some stupid for us via Email, and the questions looked a little like this...

Steve C: SIX is making a play for success in a business that has definitely seen brighter days; rock radio is ignoring a lot of new acts, record companies are drying up, and people are buying less music now than ever. What made you want to pursue music as a career and risk eating Cheerios for the rest of your life (given the shitty state of the business, that is)?

Lauren: Well first off it's a good thing we all love Cheerios because you're exactly right.

This business is a major gamble but we love music and nothing else really seems as interesting or fun to do with our lives. This is the path that we chose and I guess until we sell millions of albums, it's Cheerios for breakfast and Del Taco for dinner.

Steve C: SIX has toured with a bevvy of established acts over the years. Considering all of the trappings a band could succumb to in the pursuit of fame and fortune, what are some of the most notable things you've learned from these bands (ie; what's the BEST advice anyone ever gave you, and what have you learned to NEVER do?)

Lauren: Well I guess the first thing to remember is that this IS a business. It's a lot of fun, but like any other job, if you're lazy or you're not prepared. You're out.

That's what a lot of bands never figure out. They think just because you can write some songs that, that entitles you to piles of cash..it's really not true.

And as for nevers... NEVER trust your future in someone else's hands. Pay attention to all of the details of your career. People are VERY shady in this business always keep an eye on your future.And never, ever shit on the bus! (Goddamn, that no-shitting-on-the-bus rule must be written somewhere in a handbook, because EVERY single guy in a band says the same thing about it)

Steve C: Describe, if you would, the garden variety SIX groupie. Hell, do rock bands even have groupies anymore?

Lauren: Hell yes they do! They just keep it undercover these days. With the internet and technology being what it is, you can get with some chick and if you're stupid, have the whole world know the dirty details, with pictures, within minutes. You gotta be smarter than the bitches!

Around our bus, we like to keep it real, the old school way. Beautiful girls yes, fat slobs no

Steve C: Hypothetical situation: It's Chili night on the SIX tour bus/van. You've got a good six hours to go until you hit the next stop on your tour, and while normally that would be a breeze, tonight's cuisine may prove to be a challenge. Which member of SIX will be the first to cave in, hang his ass out of the window and blow trouser chili into oncoming traffic?

Lauren: Our drummer Rob - NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! (note to groupies: stay away from this guy on chili night:)


He's the same guy who will puke out the window after any given night of drinkin' hard whisky, then will sleep in his clothes and do it all over again the next day. That's why we love him.

Steve C: A lot of guys doing the rock band thing (even guys with major label deals) have to hold down day jobs to supplement the rock band income. Have you accepted the possibility that you may have to keep that job cleaning pools/waiting tables/shucking corn/digging ditches

Lauren: Well we run a huge Ecstasy business so money isn't a problemwait did I say that out loud? We're big time dope dealers and one thing great about our business is that we can sell it all. Crack, Heroin, Weed,..whatever the kids want. We'll slang it.

Steve C: I'm going to rummage through your porno collection for a few minutes. Which VHS/DVD in your collection are you MOST proud of (meaning you've specifically whacked off to it more than once)

Lauren: I have a video Hustler put out titled Beach Babes that's a jacker's paradise!

Steve C: OK, now which one are you hoping I glance over and not pay attention to?

Lauren: Judge Johnny a fine film by Johnny Toxic. The only embarrassing part is that I'm in it! It's a great film though. Johnny Toxic makes some of the best porn your mom wants to watch. Midgets, dirtbags, punk rockers, gothic sluts, the whole 9 ...

Steve C: Where do guys in bands get all of the skull-and-crossbonesm, sleeveless, studded, tribal, and/or silver apparel that you wear on stage? My contention is that you all go on shopping sprees when you hit truck stops. Am I right?

Lauren: WOW, thanks for the plug!

I myself only wear Dickies and t-shirts but we do also own a large sweatshop in Thailand that keeps the truck stops stocked!! Keep on shoppin' guys! You're all looking bad ass!

Steve C: Dude, that's some mighty impressive ink on your left forearm. How long did all that black take to fill in, and what happens (God Forbid) if you bail out of the Rock & Roll thing, and get a job in... oh...say... nursing? Worried about any potential stigma from all that tattoos?

Lauren: Well like I said we run a huge drug business so money isn't a problem, but as for the tattoos, that's all just photoshop! It's nothing. Real tattoos are for losers! (I'm starting to think he might not be kidding about the drug thing)

But soon we will be stocking those truck stops with all the fakies to look like your favorite stars .All you little girls can have all the tribal you want on your ass and clean it off just before you get home from school

Keep rockin kids!

Steve C: Tell us about the perfect sandwich. A sandwich you, Lauren, would be most proud of.

Lauren: I'd say the Aria Giovanni / Sky Lopez sandwich. That would be a good one! (Damn. Walked right into that one again. I really need to re-phrase that sucker. That would be a tasty sandwich though)

Steve C: Hypothetical Situation #2: You're chilling out at home on a very rare day off, when all of a sudden you hear a knock on the door. You open up, only to see a very drunk, very incoherent Pepper Keenan (CORROSION OF CONFORMITY frontman) who is accusing you of imitating his sound. Now, chances are you could close the door and ignore him and he wouldn't remember it in the morning. However, you could just as easily grab a snowshovel from the back porch and unload on his jaw...and he probably wouldn't remember in the morning. What is Lauren going to do when faced with such a challenge?

Lauren: Well I couldn't do that to my friend. I've been a drunken and incoherent fool with Pepper many times. He actually stayed at my house in Hollywood during the recording of the Deliverance album. But the real secret is I fed him a bottle of Jagermeister and stole his voice. Sorry you noticed.

Oh by the way, please tell James Heitfield that Pepper called wants his voice back too. (ooh...Someone's calling out Hetfield. I smell a frontman standoff)

Steve C: From YOUR standpoint, does downloading help sell records?

Lauren: I think it's become a new way for people to share and discover new music. Like back in the day when you would hear a song on the radio and record it and play it for friends. Same shit. If people want the full experience (lyrics, artwork etc) they will buy the album. And if they can't afford the 20 bucks, that labels charge, too bad for the business. I say lower the fukin prices and eliminate the need to steal.

Lauren: I WAS a broke kid. It sucks

Steve C: So, what do you think about Bush winning the presidential election?

Lauren: FUCK EM

I think he handled that barrage of stupid pretty well, didn't he? Lauren's cool. Lauren can hang.

Check out the band's official site at SIXMUSIC.com.

While you're at it, pick up a copy of their latest disc, The Price Of Faith.