Interview with Dr. Acula guitarist Ricky Ostolaza

Check out the song: “Fire Crotch (The Venereal Van Ride)”

Guitarist Ricky Ostolaza of the party metal band Dr. Acula took a moment out of his touring schedule to speak with me about the band and the current tour. Dr. Acula are out on the road headlining the “Fuck Your Friends Tour.” Here’s how the conversation went.

You guys are currently out on the road on the “Fuck Your Friends Tour.” How is that going? What are the crowds like?
Ricky: It’s been amazing. Stoked to be out on our first big headliner in years. Crowds have been amazing. Kids have been chanting the lyrics every day!

Many of your songs are so hard and intense that I am sure they translate well into a live setting taking on a whole new life in front of a live audience. How does it make you feel when the emotion and power that you envisioned in the recording studio, comes to life while playing in front of a crowd?
Ricky: It’s the reason we play in bands! Live show is everything especially in a band like ours. We have an intense live show. Chaotic stage activity, lights, minor theatrics, etc. Every tour we are constantly expanding our live show production.

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?
Ricky: Well on the road we see a lot of messed up car accidents. On the way to Vegas on this past tour we literally saw a semi-truck completely crunched like an accordion. Was crazy. Also in Montreal we’ve had bums straight up walk into our trailer while we’re loading in and try to walk off with our luggage as if they’re not doing anything wrong! Crazy.

When you are out on the road anything can happen and often does. Can you think of any disastrous events that happened while out on tour? How did you solve the problem?
Ricky: Oh we have a million! We’ve had engines explode, axles bent, trailer totaled, things caught on fire, band members quit and just disappear without any notice! We’re stronger than ever before and got a lot of great people behind us. We always quickly react and continue on. Nothing can stop us! #DAnation.

Do you have any special rules or rituals that you follow before a show?
Ricky: Don’t get too wasted! We usually just stretch out, drink some Monster Rehabs, and take a good old shot of Jäeger!

What is the one thing you travel with that you just can’t live without?
Ricky: iPhone 4s! Straight up live in our phones. Finding hotels, places to eat, documenting tour, etc. I handle the business side of things so it’s crucial for me to have Internet access for emails.

All of that passion that you play with must be tough on you physically. How do you prepare for the physical demands of a tour?
Ricky: Jump right in? Honestly it’s one of those things that you can’t really prep yourself for. Sometimes a smaller tour can prep you for a bigger one. Usually first week or two of every tour are rough, but then you get back into the groove.

Check out the song: “Who You Gonna Call?”

You guys have done a bunch of touring, do you have a favorite city to play?
Ricky: Hands down… San Antonio, TX at The White Rabbit. I don’t think we’ve ever played to less than 300 screaming fans there throughout all our years of touring. Kids there rep DA hard!

What do you do to stay busy on those long drives between gigs?
Ricky: On this current tour we’ve been writing and tracking stuff on the road. Just picked up an iRig for my iPhone so I’ve been recording tracks on Garage Band. Besides that it’s fun to go explore the towns we’re in and hang with the other bands.

What is next for Dr. Acula?
Ricky: Taking over the World! We’re headed home to recording our second Victory release. Projecting to release in mid-summer. A lot of big things and touring to come! Going international soon too! Europe kids have been killing to see us for years. I think it’s time to get out there. #Danation.