You just got done playing Wacken Open Air, How was that and how was the fan reactions to seeing the band?

Hello Empire Extreme, Big Daddy Ray (bass) and Herma (vocals) of Sick N’ Beautiful here for your questions! Thank you for having us!

Wacken was a surreal experience, on certain levels I would say mystical, even religious! They don’t call it the “Holy Ground” of metal for nothing! As a performer, it was beyond amazing… As a metalhead, it’s everything you can dream of!

We hit the Wasteland Stage at 8:00 pm, and the sun was still pretty high in the sky – iI don’t think we ever played in the sunlight before. We assaulted the stage in typical SNB fashion – guns blazing, literally – and the crowd gave it all back to us in sheer energy and affection. They were there to have fun and we delivered – in spades!

The new album just came out in July, how’s the response been and how was making this album different from previous albums?

This album was written in dark times for the band. Two members had left, we came out from a horrible and costly legal battle, we had to relocate our studio twice… and then the pandemic hit! So all of this put a darker, heavier, really pissed-off spin on the whole writing process. Also, we definitely wanted to surprise the listener not just from song to song, as we always do, but even “inside” of every song. Not a very “commercial” approach I guess, but somehow, it works for us, at least for now…

The response it’s been great, I must say – even though at the first listen some may go “wtf did they just do?”. Well, that’s the reaction we were aiming for!!!!

What musical influences inspired the music in the band. (I myself get a little bit of Gwar meets GeniTorturers)

We listen to a lot of music – lots of different stuff!!! Of course the usual suspects – KISS, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper – The gamut runs from Green Day to Dream Theatre! but also lots of poppier artists like Garbage, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga. Even more eclectic pearls like Kate Bush, Devin Townsend, Nina Hagen, Lene Lovich, The Plasmatics… really too many to mention! BTW – The Genitorturers: definitely a favorite!

Speaking of Gwar, did your paths ever collide while in the realms of outer space?

Not yet, but the collision almost happened at Wacken! Actually, we’re afraid that if it did happen, the universe as we know it would simply cease to exist. Too much alien energy in one place! One day it’s bound to happen, though- so beware Terrans!

Where did the name SickNBeautfiul come from?

HERMA, she’s the one who’s definitely SICK in the head…The rest of the band, well, look at us… we’re just gorgeous! hahahahhaha

If you could tour with 2 bands which 2 band would you like to tour with?

This is a tough one! We’re still on a Wacken high, so today we would say Slipknot, because what they do is just unbelievable and because someone in SNB is such a Corey Taylor megafan. Then we’d say Lacuna Coil, because they were such sweethearts and invited us to watch their set from the side of the stage… Supernice of them, so I guess a tour together could be lots of fun!

Any plans on coming over to the US for a tour?

That is definitely one of the ultimate goals for SNB. Our amazing management (The Oracle Management) is working hard towards making that happen ASAP.

How close are you from fixing up your ships to go back to intergalactic traveling, and if you had to pick a place to crash other than around Rome, where would you have wanted to  crash?

Our ship is still in a constant state of disrepair, so we might be stuck here on Earth for a while. Let me tell you – avoid the usual tourist traps like Roswell, NM or Area 51 – crash landing sites for suckers! hahhahaa… What do we like? Places with pretty lights, sushi and cats! So Tokyo would be a good bet… hahahahahahah

Movie questions:  your favorite Alien inspired movie , Favorite Apocalyptic Movie, Favorite Horror movie.

We are such a “visual” band, and we are also videomakers in a parallel life, so  movies affect EVERYTHING we create. I’d like to give you some exotic titles and sound cool, but the classics are classics for a reason! So the original ALIEN/ALIENS remain unbeatable! The MAD MAX universe is the end of the world we all dream of… and THE EXORCiST and THE SHINING remain scary to this day! Special mention for THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT for it lo-fi DIY approach… very SICK N’ BEAUTIFUL!

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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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