Hidden Agenda interview with Mike

Interview with Mike Bambace (Drums) of Sweet Cyanide July 2009

Please tell us who you are, and what you do in Sweet Cyanide. My insane asylum wristband reads: Mike Bambace and I play drums in Sweet Cyanide.

Where are you guys from originally? The four of us live near or around the NYC area.

When and what was the first instrument you picked up? What attracted you? I played drums since I was a young lad. I always like the power behind a heavy Bonham beat. He could make your heart bounce out of your chest with a simple 4/4. There is something to be said about that.

I understand Sweet Cyanide is a combination of Crashbox and Moment Theory, how difficult is it for a band coming from the New York scene? There is no scene in New York for rock music. Finding a good band on a random night is like finding a $100 bill on the sidewalks of NYC. We’ve played shows wedged between your pretenses singer/song writers and your typical advent guard new wave band trying to be the next White Stripes. NYC is time slot driven. A place can be packed from 10:00 to 10:30 and then be empty ay 10:31. It’s a rat race.

What has personally been the biggest sacrifice you have made? It’s all relative. One man’s sacrifice is another’s phobia.

What is one word to describe Sweet Cyanide? Fuego

Through most descriptions of Sweet Cyanide, “a blend of different styles” is mentioned. If you had to put a label on your band what style best encompasses? A gram of your finest 70’s guitar rock, chased with a shot of 80’s style. Eat the worm Fuckers!!

Your self-titled album (Sweet Cyanide) was released fall of 2008, what is personally your favorite song on the album? Why? Although a parent should never pick favorites, Under the sun is a personal over-achiever. It takes you on that rollercoaster ride of schizophrenia-laced ups and downs that mix like a couple of vicodin, a tab of mescaline.

Sweet Cyanide is not even a year old from what I have read how did the writing process go so quickly for your first album? We’ve all spent years in the NYC scene playing with various, incestuous combinations of musicians and attitudes. It’s like years of pulling the old slot machine lever. This time, all the cherries happened to line up.

Are you guys strictly sticking to Sweet Cyanide or will you guys still performing with Moment Theory and Crashbox? Why drink a wine cooler when you can have Champagne?

What do you feel is missing from today’s perceptions of Rock music; and what type of difference do you hope Sweet Cyanide will make? We are missing the Rock Star. That term is used so routinely today that people’s perceptions are twisted. Music should touch a nerve in you. SC is just doing it’s part to grab your nerves by the root and rip them out.

What would you say is your biggest fear? (Personally and regarding Sweet Cyanide) I don’t know if there is a fear but there is a feeling of recklessness that’s pretty scary. Putting four dementedly, intelligent people in a room and it’s always the 4th of July!

With the landslide the music industry seems to be in what changes do you feel need to be made? Give the people what they want.

What kind of touring schedule or plans does Sweet Cyanide have for 2009? Things are happening fast. There are people working on deals for us while we fuel our fire. Stay tuned.

Do you have any final messages or anything you’d like to everyone out there? The message is the Sweet Cyanide LP. Either you get it or you don’t. If you do, give us a call. We’ll party with you!

Hidden Agenda