This is the kind of music you should be rocking in these tough times, as it comes from a real place and yet also offers escapist fantasy at the same time. This recession is the pits and we need to stay inspired (although admittedly Obama is getting way too much crap in the polls from unrealistic, impatient types for the mess George Bush and cronies left behind). Anyway, turn up the jams!

Not to dis Axl Rose, (’cuz opinions are like assholes and he gets more than enough shit, plus he tried to pull of something very epic with Chinese Democracy whether you like it or not), but with their Breakdown Lane Music debut (yes, you just read that!) Sweet Cyanide have nailed the elusive, fine line between grand-scale arena worthy melodrama and gutter glam! The band are admitted huge fans of KISS and G’N’R and while not stealing from their heroes, they have managed to really hit the nail on the head with a much smaller budget. There is a killer balance to this material, especially “Black and White”, that is respectful to the best aspects of every genre that rears its head on the disc. From not getting too sickening with the pop side and still making it catchy as fuck to knowing when to get down in the mud and guts and play ’til your fingers bleed, Sweet Cyanide are on to something. They also have a live show that is gaining them a loyal following, and I’d love to see them share a stage with Fixer, The Dirty Pearls or Acey Slade’s new outfit.

Sweet Cyanide recorded their album in a former halfway house for convicts that was allegedly haunted, and the tunes themselves have a certain unearthly power to get stuck in your head. This record feels like an “event” more than a collection of songs, and not just because of the way it is being marketed.

If you’re in the Big Apple, you can catch them on stage at upcoming late summer gigs at Southpaw and Arlene’s Grocery, with more shows on the horizon. Into the great wide open, these rebels have a clue.

MORGAN Y. EVANS: I guess the first question is, is there any style of music you guy’s aren’t comfortable playing? [laughing] The album has such a blend of sounds. I mean, it is all generally in the glam/hard rock vein, but you can pick up traces of all kinds of stuff! “Certain Shadows” in particular, with the piano and moody but sort of whimsical, dark yet soulful balladry, stood out for me, as does “When We Were Young.” “Certain Shadows” almost reminds me of some of the quieter stuff on Life Of Agony’s Broken Valley but there’s this great glam and ‘80s meld going on with your band also.

SAL SCOCA: We’ll take a stab at just about anything! We’re actually experimenting with middle-eastern dance music and gospel-metal for our next album, no joke!

MYE: A lot of the rowdy tracks sound fun but also have a lot of substance. You’ve got the admitted huge KISS influence sitting comfortable with the sleazy punk and hard rock. The record sounds minimal and in your face but with a big rock sort of meld going on. Was it hard writing like this or did you just concentrate on cutting out all the bullshit and keeping your eyes on the prize?

SS: We wrote most of the songs with the intent to blow peoples minds when they listened to the whole record. Modern rock records are so cookie-cutter and in the box, we just wanted to make a record we’d want to hear. I’d say ,”mission- accomplished!”

MYE: Can you give us some more background for people new to the band on how the group combined from previous bands Crashbox and Moment Theory? You’ve even got a sort of anthem celebrating this on the first track “Crash Theory”.

SS: We were all friends, hanging around the same dirty bars, and both bands had toured together. Once the scene started to get stale, we joked about starting a band together and the rest became rock n’ roll history!

MYE: Who had the idea for a kazoo solo? It surprisingly rocks. Some of this record, it really impresses me, that is, the amount of swagger and catchy songwriting. It almost reminds me of a much less transgender cousin of Hedwig And The Angry Inch.

SS: I am a brilliant Kazoo player and arranger…and will gladly do work for hire!

MYE: Ok, so…I opened the promo CD very early in the morning and was still half asleep. Boy, did I get an eyeful! GOOD MORNING! Who came up with the idea of the artistic collage on the inside sleeve? Rather…the pictures of all the naked ladies?!! I emailed your press rep and was like, “Whoa!” And she said, “Yeah, it’s for the guys.” [laughing] Sex is a big part of rock’n’roll, but do you guy’s think your band is setting back the strides of feminism a hundred years? [joking]

SS: A few personal Polaroids of ex-girlfriends/friends surfaced and the idea incubated to the final product. It’s art. If someone gets offended, then mission accomplished. We like to stir people’s emotion, good or bad. Everyone can admire the female body, including females. I think it’s an homage to their beauty.

MYE: “American Me” starts out almost like Tesla meets ZZ Top and then gets all pushy/glam/Manson on us. This one seems like a fun song to play live. Have you heard the new Marilyn song “We’re From America”? He talks a lot about feeling fucked up in the wake of a lot that has happened in this country and I was wondering about “American Me” and what it means to you to be a citizen and a rocker these days.

SS: We haven’t heard the new Manson yet but it sounds like we may all share a common feeling in regards to America…but with “American Me” the main point we’re making is “Be proud to be American! It’s still the best country in the world!”

MYE: It seems like they always say rock’n’roll is dead and rap or whatever is the new king. Maybe in CD sales and in the mainstream, but the funny thing is it seems like there are more bands than ever before in history? Any comment on this? Do you think there are too many bands nowadays or does it just reflect enthusiasm?

SS: I think it’s different nowadays. It’s all about motives. A lot of people seem to be making music for the fame and fortune that they see on TV. Also anyone with a computer can call themselves a musician. The real players have it in their blood.

MYE: I agree 100%, brother! It seems a lot of them are on your album! A lot of people were involved on this CD as guest or additional players, though the band has a core of four. Can you describe how the process went?

SS: We would have musician friends hanging around the studio while we were recording, so we thought it would be very “Stones” to have our “Friends” play on some of the tracks.

MYE: Yeah, where’s Gram Parsons? How did Lindsay Benjamin get brought into the fold to add the female vocals that really add extra dimension to some of the music?

SS: We’re big fans of the “Female Backing Vocal” ala “Exile on Mainstreet”. Lindsay had the goods to deliver what we were looking for in some of the tunes. There’s a fine line between cool and cheesy…thankfully we did NOT cross that line. We also had the lovely Annie Lincoln lend her sexy voice on a lot of the tracks. Lindsay and Annie made an amazing team!

MYE: Hmmm…are they in the artwork somewhere? Just kidding. It was the “team” thing, sorry. Not to diminish female contributions, I just have a dirty mind sometimes, too! Anyhow, I love the lyric “fighting the world with our CDs”. It reminds me of taking refuge in albums or this old Sub Pop band the Fastbacks’ song “Old Address Of The Unknown” where the lyric said, “I’ll stay away from work again today and think of all the records that I want to play”. The idea of sub-culture as refuge is still relevant, although it is funny to see alot of bands we maybe grew up thinking so obscure years later have their music in Guitar Hero. Still, you gotta get your music out there somehow these days.

SS: The music business is a war and the songs are our weapons! And we’re firm believers that there is a revolt on the horizon… and Sweet Cyanide will be leading it!! From the start we felt like we had to control our own future. There were people against the formation of this band from the very start. Our attitude from day one was, “It’s us against the world.” No one was around on those twelve-hour days holed up in the studio channeling our creativity with us but that’s just how we wanted it. There was no compromising this time around. This is us in a nutshell. Either you get it or you don’t and either way… we don’t care.

Crusher Magazine

Sal Scoca is a man on a mission. After forming his new band Sweet Cyanide, with fellow Crashbox bassist Angelo Fariello and guitarist Joe Salvatore and drummer Mike Bambace of Moment Theory, Scoca is looking to bring back hard rock to the East Coast scene, something that many fans of the genre will welcome with open arms. With a new album (Sweet Cyanide) out and a fall tour planned, Sweet Cyanide is hitting the airwaves and concert scene in full force. With their unique meld of classic and modern rock styles, featuring high flying guitar solos and an array of vocal harmonies, Scoca and company are looking to bring hard rock back to a scene that has seemingly been overwhelmed with singer-songwriter duos and American Idol impersonators since the turn of the new millennium.

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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

With songs titled “Suicide Love Machine,” “Certain Shadows on the Wall,” “Crash Theory,” and “Heartbreaker” these four New York rockers put a new spin on sex, drugs, and rock n roll. Sweet Cyanide is an electric collision of two respected New York bands, Crashbox and Moment Theory. The band consists of Sal Scoca and Angelo Fariello from Crashbox and Mike Bambrace and Joe Salvatore from Moment Theory. When the two bands were active Crashbox sold over 5,000 copies, and Moment Theory was recognized by Billboard’s independent songwriter’s contest.

Sweet Cyanide’s self-titled album drops July 7. Immediately following the release of their album they will be doing some regional touring through August. The first song on the album, “Crash Theory,” will also be the first single. Be listening for “Crash Theory” on the radio in early Sept. Currently, Sweet Cyanide is working out the kinks for opening slots in the fall with some big named bands.

So, what sets Sweet Cyanide a part from every other modern rock band? It’s their edgy 70’s arena-rock vibe with a dark glam twist. Scoca explains their music as, “poisonous and irresistibly tasty.” Their unique sound is a mix of Queen meets David Bowie meets Black Sabbath.

“We’re more than just a modern rock group, we wanted to make a record that we personally would also love to hear, like they used to do in the 70’s,” Scoca said. “We try to write songs that you can love 20 years from now.”

Sweet Cyanide may only be one-year old, but they are on fire, ready to blow-up from coast to coast. “You will definitely be seeing and hearing us all over the country,” said Scoca.

After you find your nearest music store and buy the album, check out Sweet Cyanide at www.sweetcyanide.com and also at www.myspace.com/sweetcyanidenyc.

MAXIMUM INK: Sweet Cyanide is such a unique name, how did you guys come up with it?

SAL SCOCA: Sweet Cyanide was actually the name of my very first rock group in high school. I always swore I would resurrect the name Sweet Cyanide . . . the time has come!”

MAX INK: You guys are a new band releasing your first CD, what was it like to record an album?

SCOCA: A lot of work . . . the job never ends, writing it, recording it, mixing it, but it is still a job that I wouldn’t mind doing every day.

MAX INK: How do you want your fans to perceive Sweet Cyanide?

SCOCA: As a breath of fresh air in a stagnant music scene. The saviors of Rock n Roll maybe?
That would be awesome.

MAX INK: I hear that you guys are a bunch of crazy, wild animals out to just have fun, is that true?

SCOCA: No, it’s all lies. There’s a time and place for everything, but we’re never really sure when or where, so just to play it safe, we’re just insane all the time. Overall, we’re pretty well-balanced guys, we spend equal amounts of time working on the band, going out partying, and hanging with strippers.

MAX INK: Who did you idolize growing up?

SCOCA: The Beatles. I love John Lennon, I have a Lennon tattoo on my arm. That’s probably the one tattoo I would not mind having for the rest of my life. I also idolized my dopey older brother, he actually got me into playing guitar. He was like the neighborhood Elvis when we were growing up, minus the singing ability and the dancing skills.

MAX INK: What is on the recent played list on your IPod?

SCOCA: The Wild Hearts, new Marilyn Manson, Guns n Roses, Imani Coppla- the black and white album . . . and best of all, the new Sweet Cyanide demo stuff that we started recording this past Spring.

MAX INK: How did you personally get into music?

SCOCA: It’s the only thing I was really good at. I stunk in school and I have no real skills. I can’t make a paper airplane and nevermind building something like a car or a house. But I do play a mean guitar and write a decent tune.

MAX INK: Give me four words that best describes Sweet Cyanide.

SCOCA: crazysexycool, is that one word or three? I need one more word . . . rock or how about the time has come or New York rock n roll.

Alexandra’s trademark question:

ALEXANDRA: If you could be a crayon, what color would you be and why?

SCOCA: Pink, pink is the first crayon that most girls go for.

ALEXANDRA: Oh, you’re a ladies’ man!

SCOCA: Not really, but I would love to be!

Maximum Ink

-rockhardplace.com

Cum listen to the fun!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWaWAlXGZhQ

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Mike- We have been running around the same local circuit for years, did some regional touring together, and always wanted to work together. I got a call from Sal to come in and help out on some drum tracks and the second I heard “Black & White” I knew something was happening and I needed to be a part of it.

Your lyrics are infused with heavy detail and raw emotion. What is it that normally gives you inspiration when writing lyrics and is there a concept behind the writing of your s/t?

Sal- Lyric writing is a strange thing for me; alot of my song ideas came from watching people around me going through crazy stuff in their lives, So it’s a careful mix of detail and symbolism or vagueness. I don’t want to piss off my friends by singing about their problems and personal business and at the same time, i don’t want to bury the initial ideas and feelings under so much lyrical camouflage that it loses it’s meaning or emotion. The main idea of the record was a loosely connected concept of different lives falling to pieces , etc. like a “people-watchers” delight!!! It’s kinda creepy in a way…

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