Music Interview with Wet Coma

By Isaac Davis Jr., BGS, MBA

Inspired by the rock sounds of the 1970s Wet Coma is taking their love for that era and creating their own version of good old hardcore Rock Music. When one listens to the band’s music, the energy, rage, and power of Wet Coma’s sound comes out sounding top notch. In this recent interview with our Webzine, we speak to the members of Wet Coma about the band and their music. Here is what developed. Enjoy!

Isaac: What’s the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name? Have you changed the band’s name before?

Wet Coma: WET COMA: medical definition is an extended orgasm while in a coma. To us it is an ecstatic state of bliss, the name remains the same.

Isaac: What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?

Wet Coma: Our music is modeled after 1970's riff based rock ala Black Sabbath AC/DC Aerosmith Led Zeppelin.

Isaac: How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?

Wet Coma: Lefty Ali and I met via craigslist New York and have been playing together since late 2006.

Isaac: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?

Wet Coma: December 2006 was the start with our first gig at Trash Bar in Brooklyn, NY in March 2007. We had a common goal and interest in music to emulate our favorite decade of music when it was still about the music and not so much image.

Isaac: Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any music organizations?

Wet Coma: We are submitting our stuff to TV/Film opportunities with one selection in an independent Film called "Shower Frown" by Mountjoy Productions and Panorama Ent. We also were selected to be in a compilation CD to accompany the Nikki Sixx book An Education in Rebellion: The Biography of Nikki Sixx. We are completing our first album which is also being submitted to some sources and record label kingmakers with an inevitable PR campaign with Rainmaker PR.

Isaac: What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever’s available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference?

Wet Coma: On drums, Sean Pokress uses DW....guitar, Lefty Ali likes a Les Paul custom and Marshall Stack. Bass player Dustin Smith likes Fender but also has a Rickenbacker......for vocals, I, Andy Smith enjoy a good Shure SM57 or SM58.We are not endorsed currently, but would be open to eventual product sponsorship opportunities. Our choices were a combination of style, strength and tone.

Isaac: Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

Wet Coma: We play all over the Northeast. Our favorite place is Arlene's Grocery in NYC as well Bitter End and the New York City Marathon. Places we do not like we will keep to ourselves. If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. However, we have played most of NYC so if you are playing here, contact us privately and we will offer our insights. Check our MySpace for gig dates.

Isaac: Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?

Wet Coma: Our set is all original and our websites have eights songs to choose. We are starting to incorporate some covers to break the set up with Bob Dylan, Zep and Cream. We love that 1970's sound.

Isaac: Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?

Wet Coma: The entire band writes together. Our process is very democratic and the end result has been good. The song writing process seems to be getting better as we gel together as a team. Themes for our songs are love, politics and kicking butt. Being the lyricist of the act and recovering from drug and alcohol abuse, some songs are about my former drug use and empowering myself in recovery. I like to mix it up and be as inclusive as possible so I am sure the topics will roll with times in our lives and this wonderful country.

Isaac: Could you briefly describe the music-making process?

Wet Coma: Usually starts with a riff or bass line followed by the beat and then chorus and bridges with eventual dynamics. We want our songs to be eclectic yet catchy while staying within the sound we want to cast. From there, I begin to sing and get the vocal line which sometimes has a "catch phrase" that will magically come to me and become the theme.

Isaac: What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?

Wet Coma: We try to keep a set time and schedule, but with four people's lives in the mix, we roll with it. Our rehearsals start by going over known material and then we try to write something new at the end.

Isaac: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?

Wet Coma: Our music at first was quite heavy but we are incorporating more dynamicism via ballads and genre crossing in styles like funk and rockabilly.

Isaac: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

Wet Coma: Drums! We have been through three drummers in three years, but we are so happy with Sean Pokress. He has a degree in music and is serious yet open and can play multiple styles so it has opened up our style plus he saves us money by being a pro at recording with two degrees in drums and music recording.

Isaac: What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?

Wet Coma: We believe that music has lost its way because music labels and the whole industry are in total flux with the internet. Music seems to be based on a quick buck as they send out the flavor of the month, make their money and then discard them. So many bands do not even make it to a sophomore record. We are trying to roll with the punches as technology has changed everything. Instead of buying whole albums you can buy one song and see bands without even leaving the comfort of your home.

The good news is you can get many people to find your music without loading in a van and traveling across country. The bad news is the industry seems to be more concerned with dollars and not the art. Labels are dissolving and corporations are picking up the slack as major backers to music. Music and art are about self expression of the world around us. With corporations in control, we fear that things like protest and politics will be lost and mainstream music will become a vehicle to corporate agenda and control. We just want to make good music that hopefully resonates for generations to come. Fame and fortune are fleeting.

Isaac: What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?

Wet Coma: Be friends and have a common goal. If you are hoping for fame and fortune become a celebrity doctor. 99.9% of people never get to the level of MTV fame. Be realistic and make music that makes you happy. If it is not fun, it is not worth it. This is a labor of love so have a back-up plan to your life.

Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?

Wet Coma: http://www.wetcomarocks.com
http://www.myspace.com/wetcomarocks


Isaac: Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?

Wet Coma: We would like to acknowledge our girlfriends for support and John Machado for his production and recording of our music as well as Mountoy Productions and Rainmaker PR.

Isaac: Any last words?

Wet Coma: We appreciate your interest in Wet Coma and all that you do for independent music.