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Interview with Charm City Devils vocalist John Allen

The Charm City Devils are preparing to release their debut record on the Nikki Sixx-led Eleven Seven Music label this spring and let me tell you, this is one hell of a rock and roll record. These guys embody what rock and roll should be about. No pretenses, no bullshit, just straightforward, fun-to-listen-to rock and roll! I had the pleasure…

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The Charm City Devils are preparing to release their debut record on the Nikki Sixx-led Eleven Seven Music label this spring and let me tell you, this is one hell of a rock and roll record. These guys embody what rock and roll should be about. No pretenses, no bullshit, just straightforward, fun-to-listen-to rock and roll! I had the pleasure of seeing these guys live last summer and damn did they put on a great set. Vocalist John Allen spoke to me recently about the CD and what we can expect from the Charm City Devils in the near future.

Charm City Devils was selected as the first band signed to the newly Nikki Sixx-headed, Eleven Seven Music. How did that come about?
John It’s the craziest thing! We were getting airplay on what will be our first single, “Let’s Rock N Roll” and I just emailed the label to the general Info@ email address explaining who we were and what we had going on and they actually called me the next day!

By gaining a high profile label deal at such an early point in your career, it is clear that record execs see a lot of potential in your abilities. How do you not let that sort of pressure get to you when on the road or writing new material?
John I guess pressure is just part of the equation. You have to be able to deal with it before you step onstage for the first time etc… It comes with the territory.

What was the writing process like for this CD? Did you guys all write together? How long did it take?
John This record was mostly written by me because this line-up wasn’t really solidified until after most of the songs had been written. Everybody played on the record so their contributions really make the sound of the band.

When playing together and ultimately recording this CD did, you find that you could express yourself creatively enough?
John Oh yeah, since I wrote and produced almost 100% of it yeah – hell yeah!

What is the toughest lesson you ever learned in the studio and on the stage?
John Experience is everything. The more ya do it the better ya get!

What song from that album is the most exciting for you to sing?
John “Best Of The Worst.”

What is the hardest part about being in a touring rock band and what is the biggest obstacle your band faces?
John I do not know man, being in a touring band is easy. I worked one day doing welding and it was the worst day of my life! I also, drove a truck delivering musical instruments to snotty music store clerks and teachers! That stuff is hard. Ask a guy digging a ditch! Shit, traveling the world playing music is gravy baby!

What can fans expect when they pick up a copy of your debut CD?
John A High Energy, DIRTY, RAW, ROCK IN YO FACE experience!

When you are on the road for a while I am sure you see and experience many different things you might not even have known existed. Are there any stories that stand out in your mind as being exceptionally strange or odd?
John I don’t know – we live in the capital of odd – Baltimore, MD so it is hard to be taken aback… There was this time in the last band I was playing drums for, where I got on the bus and there was a naked young lady running back and forth and she was about to go outside like it was the most normal thing to do before I convinced her otherwise. What I didn’t know was earlier our guitar player had announced that any female willing to get naked would get access to our bus. So this girl stripped down in the parking in front of several hundred people and thus was on the bus when I arrived later. So, that’s the reason she had no problem walking back out in public in the buff… silly me. A little odd, maybe even little strange but definitely ROCK N ROLL.

How do you maintain that level of energy and exuberance while playing so many shows on the road?
John Coffee!

What is next for Charm City Devils?
John Release this record and get out to YOUR town! Please check us out and give us a holler!  [ END ]

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