Interview — Molly Mae Black

Skratch Magazine

Molly Mae Black has one thing going for them that most bands don’t.
Deidre (Dee) Jurado (vocals), Andy Solis (guitar), Rey Molinar (bass) and Victor Carrillo (drums) are happy. This pop punk band from El Paso, Texas has been making positive power punk music for four years. “Regardless of the situation, we make the best of it.” Their attitude is evident in their music, which sounds like the Horror Pops on Prozac.

Skratch: What spurs your songwriting?

Deidre: My everyday life, from my friends to my cats. I can find a song in almost anything
Andy: I guess whatever I’m feeling at the time. My emotions are what drive me.
Rey: My Life experiences drive me. I try to take everything I’ve learned in my life and reflect on it when I write.
Victor: I pretty much just go with the flow

Skratch: Many artists get emotional or passionate about certain topics? What gets you guys going?

Deidre: My dad. He passed away when I was very young. I sometimes get emotional on the subject.
Andy: I’m very passionate about ours fans. I love that there are people out there who are willing to listen to us.
Rey: I think I am very passionate when I hear stories of anyone being treated unfairly in any situation. I’m all about the underdog.
Victor: I guess equality in general.

Skratch: What in your music differentiates yourselves from other bands?

Deidre: The fact that no matter what, we are friends first and a band second. That’s really important.
Andy: We are a happy band ha ha. Regardless of the situation we may be in, we make the best of it. We turn a rough night into a damn good one. (Especially with alcohol)
Rey: I think what makes us different is that we will always know where we come from. We have seen countless bands, even big ones, who forgot their roots. We don’t wanna be like that.
Victor: That We all come from different backgrounds. That really adds to who we are.

Skratch: What genre do you describe your band as? What is the funniest description you've heard to date?

Deidre: (sigh) I don’t think we really fall under any genre. We just have a fun loving, danceable sound.
Andy: I think we are extreme pop. I once heard our music described as orgasmic. That was awesome.
Rey: I would describe us as Pop Punk. We have punk influences but we aren’t exactly punk. We are a bit more up beat. The only funny description I can think of that made me smile was orgamsic. Haha. WTF is that about. Oh, oh and one guy once told me that he thought being in a band was immature... whatever that means.
Victor: Pop Punk. I really haven’t heard any other descriptions.

Skratch: What ice cream flavor best represents the band's overall personality and why? Come on, give us the scoop here!

Deidre: Banana Split (from Dippin Dots) because everything about us is so different, but when we all come together, we are hella good. (Even though I’m allergic to bananas)
Andy: Cherry Garcia, Because We are The Shit.
Rey: Margarita Ice because for the most part, we're alcoholics.
Victor: Neapolitan. We all have different styles and flavors to add.

Skratch: Does anyone have kids in the band? Who is the mom or dad in the band and why? Do tell!

Deidre: Fortunately no kids, not yet. Umm I’d say Andy is the father. He is always the first one to get after all of us when we get off track.
Andy: Don’t have ‘em, don’t want ‘em. Adopt later maybe. As for father... I think Victor is like the stepfather. Being our new addition, he is just learning how to deal with us.
Rey: No kids. I would love to in the future though. And I would like to think that Andy and I share the parental roles. Andy is good at getting after everyone when they get out of line, and I’m good at trying to keep things running smoothly and according to plan. I also tend to be the mediator sometimes.
Victor: Andy! Ha.

Skratch: Lyrically, what are your goals and where is your mind currently?

Deidre: MY goals are to tell good stories and to inspire with a different kind of writing. As for where my mind is, I feel as though I have reached a point where I want to start a new chapter in my life.
Andy: Well I don’t write lyrics, and my mind is currently where it is constantly. I want to take this band to its limits.
Rey: I don’t write lyrics for this band, I would like to start though. Lyrically, I'm honestly not sure. My mind is in a place that even I’m not too familiar with.
Victor: Well, for me it’s to let people know that they are not alone. Its all for the people to teach.

Skratch: Do you have a need or desire to be signed in the future? Any candidates or wishlist?

Deidre: I've always had a desire to be signed. No specific candidates, any label will do. But I would like to be on Epitaph, MCA, or La Salle Records.
Andy: Yes I hope we will be signed.
Rey: I would love to be signed. I want to be paid to do what I love and I want to tour the world. That is the life. I would like to be on Drive-Thru Records but any label would be nice.
Victor: I do. No label in particular.

Skratch: Where are your favorite cities or states to play music in and just to play in?

Deidre: Considering we have only played in three cities (El Paso, Tx, Anthony, NM and Las Cruces, NM) El Paso would have to be my favorite, only because we have had our biggest shows here. I would like to play in Aberquerque, NM though. I just like the area.
Andy: El Paso because this is where people were willing to help us out when there was no help to be had.
Rey: I liked playing El Paso but I really liked Las Cruces. I would love to play in Austin, Tx though. I mean c'mon, LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!
Victor: Well I haven’t toured yet. I would like to play San Antonio though.

Skratch: What would one expect when seeing your live show?

Deidre: You can expect me to sing to you individually if you are lucky. And who knows, I might "accidentally" fall out of my dress.
Andy: FUN! We try to have lots of fun on stage and with the crowd.
Rey: Random Acts Of Stupidity. We aim to please. I don’t really know why we do what we do.
Victor: Us. Haha (Victor is a man of few words.)

Skratch: Any magical rituals or beverages before your live show you care to share with us?

Deidre: Red Bull, Hands Down!
Andy: Guiness and a shot of C4. That is my ritual.
Rey: Vegas Bomb! And as for rituals, I try to listen to some of my favorite bands to pump me up.
Victor: Tea. Lots and lots of tea.

Skratch: Would you ever sell the rights to your music for a commercial or TV show? What's your favorite TV show now?

Deidre: Mmm maybe for a condom commercial... or a lube commercial... no! A tampon commercial.. Yeah a tampon commercial, and I could be like "the pearl girl." Yeah. Oh and I do really like myth busters and I very much enjoy the Disney channel.
Andy: Yeah I would, and I love ED, EDD, and EDDY.
Rey- Umm I don’t think I'd sell the rights to songs we have already written but I guess it would depend on the circumstances. I wouldn't mind writing something for a show or commercial though. I like all kinds of shows but I’m a bit of an American idol kind of guy... man that show gets everybody. There is no escaping it. Oh, and I think RICK and STEVE is hilarious! Victor: Depends on the product I guess. That would be funny. And I LOVE Spongebob.

Skratch: Any special love interests?

Deidre: Three guys : Mark Hoppus, Justin Pierre, and T.I. GET SOME!
Andy: I love pizza? no, I love shrimp! Mm I want shrimp... with butter.
Rey: Hmm... Jessica Alba. I WILL marry her one day... I hope.
Victor: ... what you mean like loving lamp? "I love lamp."

Skratch: Last words/final thoughts/Anything you would like readers to know about you?:

Deidre: I just want to thank anyone who has helped and listened to us so far. And we hope to see new fans soon.
Andy: Thank you to everyone who brought us this far. I hope to meet more fans. Love You All.
Rey: I would just like to thank Skratch Mag for this opportunity. We are very grateful. Guys and gals, we hope to see you at a show soon. Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker. And don’t forget to be awesome.
Victor: Deidre Sucks!

For more on Molly Mae Black check out their myspace profile at www.myspace.com/mollymaeblack.

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