The Depot
Baltimore Maryland
August 2nd 2017

BE PREPARED TO WITNESS THE CHAOTIC WORLD OF RAVEN BLACK

Raven Black the theatrical metal circus like phenom rolled into town tonight. Having seen some of the buzz floating around the dark alleys of the inter web, I was curious to witness this orchestrated madness in person. But before I got to witness, what ultimately would be such a perfectly executed presentation into the madness that is Raven Black, I got to meet up with the members and pick at there brains before releasing them into the crowd.

Empire: How’s the tour going so far?
Raven: We’ve got tour aids (laughs) we have done 17 shows
Doctor: I know we got 8 more to go.

Empire: Who came up with the Storyline?
Raven: I started with my storyline as Raven(half human/half doll) and each member has added there sorry to it, each piece of it.
Muppet: We each added our two cents to it, and it’s been developing since raven started it.
Empire: So you go to create your own character?
Muppet: Absolutely, everything we wear on our face is each a part of who we are personally. We are talking about doing a comic book and we can dive into the story even further. Get to the back story of each character.

Empire: How was it making the” Twinkle,Twinkle, Little Scar” Video?
Stitch: Maybe it was fun for the other guys but not for me(everyone laughs) well it was to a certain point because I had to use special effects makeup, and these guys got to eat and we had people cool for us, and I had to wear all this crazy makeup which required me not being able to eat. I went prob went 11 hours without anything.
Doctor: That was the first time
Raven: stitches mouth was actually stitched up so he couldn’t eat.
Stitches: It was pretty fun tho, we shot overnight which was my first time doing that.
Doctor: The cool part for me is we shot it in MushroomHeads studio. So we got to see all the props that they have built throughout the years, if you watch the video the backdrop is this black wall with a moon print on it and that was the backdrop that MushroomHead use for the Halloween show at the Agora.

Empire: How was it working with Ulrich Wild?
Muppet: He was amazing, and it was cool going Into the whole thing we thought we might change some of the writing and process of it and he kept it authentic. We sent him like over 200 songs and we narrowed it down to the 7 that are on the EP. He was all about us finding out sound and staying true to it.
Stitch: It’s one thing when you get to meet your Heroes, but then to work with them. Personally it was a life experience and a great one.
Raven: We walk in a see all the Platinum and Gold records and we’re like we want one of those, and he says that’s the plan.

Empire: Any crazy tour stories?
Stitches: The one that comes to mind for me is, we were on the MushroomHead tour and driving and it was a long drive from Salt Lake City to Billings Montana. I had to drive at night and middle of the mountains with deer, I had to drive like 30 mph, it was scary.
Doctor: That’s not a rock and roll story (laughs)
Raven: On this tour there’s a highlight I can remember, we were in Illinois and it just lured down rain, thunderstorms and flood warnings, and all of a sudden I hear a scream out the backdoor where you load in and out of , and it’s raining and these people are under a gutter, and water is flowing everywhere and they are showering in it. We were all drunk and it was really fun.
Muppet: We got to have a natural shower.

Empire: If you can bring back any dead musician who would you bring back?
Muppet: For me it would be the Rev from Avenged Sevenfold. That be my choice.
Stitches: For me it would be Chris Cornell, I feel heartbroken about it, he is one of the major guys to make me want to come and play in the states.
Doctor: I would say Chris also, I grew up listening to him. Any musician that has committed suicide like to bring back like Chester from Linkin Park.
Raven: I have one, but it’s off the wall. Prince. ( everyone says that’s not off the wall and laughs) He’s a legend and amazing and I got the privilege to work with him. Such a professional and super nice guy.

Empire: What’s your favorite Horror movie?
Raven: I would say still the Exorcist, Linda Blair.
Muppet: Lately been getting into the Korean Horror, Hellraisers and Saw films.
Stitches:The Shining, those two little girls.
Doctor: it’s not really classified as a horror, but I love The Devils Rejects all of Rob Zombie’s movies and his soundtracks are killer.

Empire: Since you guys are very circus like, what’s your favorite movie with a circus in it?
Raven: ( she gets super excited when I ask this) The Devils Carnival. I love the movie, love the soundtrack.
Empire: I love those movies too, met a few of the actors from those.
Stitches: not really circus but I love IT. Pennywise the clown
Doctor: that’s what came to mind for me too.
Empire: No dumbo love? ( all laugh)

Empire: What movie do you love but hate to admit it?
Raven: FlashDance(old school) because she’s just bad ass. And she proves herself.
Empire: She also dances on the floor like a maniac
Muppet: For me it’s almost famous, I love that movie but most people always hate on it.
Stitches:Ghost (doctor says he’s big fan of the Notebook but won’t admit it)
Doctor: I really like Titanic. It’s great movie but this sounds fucked up (all laugh)

When the lights went down, and the fog started to roll in like a eerie mist, emerged this petite, yet deadly figure carrying an umbrella and a evil yet strangely beautiful smile to the center of the stage. Lead singer Raven Black commanded the stage and the audience with her baby like vocals that violently turned into a menacing growl, to the eye catching ensemble that she wears that perfectly go together with various props and gadgets that she brings with her on stage, along with her doll like twitches. Equally just as chaotic and visually stunning and musically talented are the other players in this deadly game. Guitarist and voodoo extraordinaire commonly known as “The Doctor”, destroys the guitar like one of his possessed pupils. Bass player and grotesquely put together “Stitches” is just as possessed running around the stage like a mad man, and just lurking and creeping around all while delivering heart pounding bass lines. You can’t forget the insane and deranged drummer known as “Muppet” who’s just beats the living shit out of his drums all while providing menacing background vocals accompanied by death stares. This ensemble of beautiful and insanely characters are such a sight to witness. If this band comes anywhere near your town I recommend going or running to the venue to check out this band, who I believe in due time will be on the lips and minds of world. Raven Black is the real deal if you’re into bands who can entertain you and deliver a kick ass show. The band hangs out with the crowd after the set, which proves that they are in for all the right reasons, and are a pleasure to hang out with, such great and amazing people that I’m glad I have the opportunity to meet.

Check out Raven Black online: http://www.ravenblackband.com

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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