UNSIGNED SPOTLIGHT                              

New Maximum Donkey

Four guys, eight eyes... and songs you will not forget until tomorrow when you're sober again. This high-energetic four-piece from Los Angeles breeds their own brand of power pop. Toyota took notice, Tony Hawk's Underground video game took notice......you should too.

By: Gian Erguiza



Gian: Who is New Maximum Donkey?

NMD: Do you really want to know? Haven't you heard enough already? Alright...New Maximumdonkey is a power-pop quartet, consisting of five guys (of course) who've kept their sense of humor out of the equation, but more importantly, their sense of melody, harmony and humility. Benjamin David Chadwick, who typically writes the songs has an affinity for '60's pop and maybe, sometimes hints at some Glam of the '80's. He's so good at what he does that many times he's been asked (in vain) to play the Carnegie Hall.

It's safe to say that all four guys are like-minded when it comes to musical taste and arrogance. Dylan Jay-Hay Chapman, who brings a unique layer of rhythm to the sound, asked if it would be okay that I wrote that. Onstage, he's a hurricane of rock poses...always ready for the camera, chock full of stylish gestures including sucked in cheeks. And Timothy Andrew McNair, the drummer...of sorts, demanded that all of our names be used ESPECIALLY our middle ones. He's the guy that, when we play, has the most eyes on him. (I was paid to say that) His hypnotic rhythms [ha, how many reviews have used that lame phrase] bring back a time when...well, better yet...let me put it into words: Doom Cha Chicka-Chicka Cha! See what I mean...oh man, it just tickles a lot of fancies! If you've ever had your fancy tickled, you'll know what I mean! Now Jeremy, on the other hand...oh...I'm sorry...Jeremy James Keeler...that dude is BAD, B-A-D, BAD!! He will lay down a syncopated bass-line reminiscent of classic groups like Limp Bizkit and N'Sinc. He would be pretty angry if he read this...so don't let him see it. He's Benny's Co-Writer and he's responsible for the smash hit, "Cherry" (that's true). He has nice outfits for the stage and he's VERY photogenic. As for the fifth guy, he died. Oh well.

Gian: What best describes the sound of your music?

NMD: Well, if someone asks, we usually respond by beating whoever asked, up. Because, to us, we sort of have THAT sound. On the other hand if someone DEMANDS an answer with a gun to our heads...we cry and plead for our lives. There's something AWESOME about trying to describe what we sound like in an interview. Putting into words something that touches one's soul so deeply, is an extremely difficult task. But I'll try anyway. Here goes: Dun-nunt! Dun dun dun dun dun! waaaaarrrrrre wowowowowowowwwaaaaah! poo-keh poo-poo keh! AAAAAAAAAAA!!! (And then it goes:) hdfjhfjhbnktjiowatunwjanj row row row WHOOAAH!!!

Gian: What is the message that your band/group is trying to convey?

NMD: New Maximumdonkey stands for freedom. All we're trying to say is that we've had enough of this society trying to bring down the little people. I think it's unfair to midgets everywhere! Most of our songs preach of love for midgets...but we don't want to stop there we want to branch out...I mean...what about dwarves? People forget that those guys are little too. In all seriousness, we want to stop people from taking themselves so seriously...mostly by mocking their seriousness.

Gian: If given the chance to share the stage with anyone, who would it be?

NMD: Hands down...The Presidents of the United States Of America. Those guys know what music is all about. They're not trying to pretend that they're creating magic...which, in turn means that THEY ARE creating magic. If you see them live...it will change your life forever. The melodies and the reality of their human-ness, are so infectious, that you will be inspired to be REAL and do what's REAL! They are some of the BEST entertainers I've ever seen and I've seen Paul McCartney TWICE! And Paul McCartney is a superhero of music.

Gian: Any additional comments?

NMD: Thanks for reading this interview...if you even did. I would've stopped reading it seconds ago. I know that it all sounds silly in this interview...but my point is, if I have a point, that reading about us won't cut it...you have to see us. Hearing our albums is okay as well...but it's not the same as what we can do live. We're interactive...people shout at us and we shout back...and it's all a matter of being part of the show. We deliver the sing-alongs and you make us feel proud by singing and dancing and laughing and throwing panties...ethpethally the boyths!

Thank you! Jeremy Keeler New MaximumDonkey

Gian: Thanks NMD!

For more info about New MaximumDonkey, please log onto: http://www.newmaximumdonkey.com or http://www.myspace.com/newmaximumdonkey