Milquelizard

10.08 V1.3

RBN: Were going to be talking about Milquelizard but first fill us in, if you could, on the details surrounding the line-up changes and the name change from Crank Sanatra.

Rock Hartigan: I started that band around 2001, and after various incarnations and member changes (4 different band names, 7 drummers, 9 singers, 3 guitarists, etc.) it had reached a point to where we had become the exact opposite of what I was originally setting out do. I had let other people influence our decisions just to keep from having to start over again. We signed a management deal with someone who totally didn't understand us. I hated where we were going. I wanted to play original music that didn't sound like 5000 other bands and the other half wanted to play arena rock that was geared toward 12 year olds. I became an alcoholic and asshole, to deal with problems that could easily be fixed with hitting the reset button and starting over. So I just cut the cord.

We were introduced to Johnathon through our friends in DDS, Bryan played a few months with Crank near the end and Kyle used to play with Paralytic.

"We chose Milquelizard because it kinda reminded me of something along the lines of Leadbelly or even some early 90's noise band like Helmet or Tad, not to mention the Jesus Lizard reference. And then there's the fact that half the people I know can't pronounce it. I think I underestimated the illiteracy rate."

RBN: This seems to be a new direction for you as a band. What brought about that change and how would describe the direction your moving towards?

Rock: I always wrote all of the Crank stuff and had loads of songs that didn't really fit into what we were doing. We also had a few new songs that never got recorded and ones that weren't being played the way I wanted them to. That being said, the new line-up is awesome. Everyone does what they are there to do, no one has delusions of grandeur. No one is soloing during verses. I haven't had to choke anyone out at practice. We're an actual band now, we're actually friends.

RBN: When can we get our hands on your first recording and what can you tell us about it?

Rock: We should have some new material recorded by Nov/Dec, hopefully earlier. Probably just a 4 song demo but who knows what will happen. The first song we're recording is called "The New, Improved Idiot". It has more of a Ministry, Unsane, and Black Sabbath feel with a Chris Issak hawaiian guitar solo. It's sick. We also have a new one called "Parasite City" that sounds like The Refused and Motley Crue (who I hate) with some Munsters and King Crimson thrown in. The other stuff is more chaotic. Theres a lot of 50's rock, swing, rockabilly, and surf influence but there's also a lot of Botch and Dillinger Escape Plan too. It's all over the place and brutal but it has these huge catchy sing along choruses, which by the way are totally self mocking. Most people that know us probably realize that.

RBN: What is your general impression of the people who come to your shows?

Rock: I used to just get drunk and try to avoid everyone. Now it seems, with the change, the people who come out are slightly more open minded. We can cover a Melvins song or a Bad Brains song and they recognize it.

"Before, in the bigger venues, we became background music. Something that people could get drunk to and hit on chicks. Now it's more about the show."

I'm finally starting to see a lot of the people who stopped coming to see us when Justin left the first time.

RBN: Where can we learn more about the band?

Rock: Our site is milquelizard.com.

RBN: Anything you'd like to add?

Rock: If you hated Crank come out to a Milquelizard show. Chances are, you might not hate us as much this time around. If you liked Crank, come out anyway, we don't fight onstage anymore, but chances are you'll probably hate us now.

Milquelizard.com

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