Interviews: Misery Lane

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal band Misery Lane from the USA. Check out this band and follow them on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

This is Ken Keller, vocalist, lead guitarist, and main songwriter, speaking. I came up with the band name one day driving around the backroads of northern Michigan. There was an overgrown dirt road to my right with a sign that just said Misery and the name hit me. I remember thinking whoever lives down Misery Lane, there must have it rough.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I try not to be genre-specific when it comes to writing music. I don’t want our music to just get lumped into some box with a title forgotten amongst all the other bands struggling to get known as well. Our albums have something for everyone and with me on vocals for the second album, it really opened the avenues for genre crossover and expectation. If someone asks me, I say our music skirts the razor’s edge of where hard rock meets metal. No two songs sound alike, and I want something for everyone on the album.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

The drummer, rhythm guitarist, and I were in a previous band together. Our bassist we found online but he slid right into the job and has been grooving since he got here.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

That might be hard LOL. How about we do the favorite genre of each member. Myself, I prefer what used to be called metalcore but is now nu-metal. The drummer is an old-school punk/hair metal guy. The rhythm guitarist is more of a pop/punk kind of guy and the bass player loves anything with a groove.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Life inspires me to write. I believe that music is the voice of emotion and it’s up to the musician to translate that to their instrument. I play what I feel on any given day or have experienced previously. If the emotion is speaking in the notes, then the lyrics should come naturally. There have only ever been two songs which I wrote the lyrics before the music.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was in New Baltimore, Michigan supporting Drowning Pool on their recent tour. Great venue with a great turnout.

7. Where would you like to perform?

I’d love to perform at the Machine Shop right here in Michigan. It’s a great venue for good music and a lot of touring artists play there but they usually don’t have local bands supporting them because they have their own supporting bands. I’d love to see the crowd from the stage instead of the stage from the crowd.

8. Whom would you like to perform with?

Corey Taylor. I love the versatility of his music and what he’s been able to do with the musicians he’s had around him whether it be rap, rock, or metal. He seems like a real down-to-earth artist who appreciates the struggles of the up-and-comers.

9. Whom not?

I don’t think there Is a band I wouldn’t play with. I don’t judge and I love to play and anyone willing to share the stage with us is right in my book. There are too many egos in music already. We should be doing more to help each other rather than holding people back and pointing fingers.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

I can’t say that any of us ever have but I have one new guy who wanted to freeze before we started playing. He had never played in front of people before, and he was the drummer. He signaled me before I started playing and told me he felt like he was going to throw up. I told him you can’t throw up. He asked why and I started playing the riff that he had to come right in on. He never missed a beat and yelled he hated me, but he played great and after the show, we had a good laugh about it. The best advice I can give is that 90% of the people in the crowd can’t do what you are about to do so own that. If they could then they would be on stage instead of you. You didn’t start playing music for anybody else but yourself so doing it onstage is no different. Randy Rhoades said to play for the love of the instrument and not to be a rockstar and I truly believe that.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

The bands/musicians that inspire me the most are all the ones that said our music sucks or that we suck as musicians individually. Most people like that really are envious of what we have been able to accomplish because everything they are doing or have tried hasn’t reached the same level of success as Misery Lane. Haters ‘gonna hate but they feed the fire of ambition. I learned in the Marines the word “can’t” does not exist. Tell me/us that I/we can’t do something and watch us knock it out of the park. All those guys are out in the crowd, and we are still on stage getting it done.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

At one of my very first shows ever a girl said she wanted to have my baby LOL. I told her she could buy me a beer and we would call it even.

13. What do you think of your fans?

The fans are the best. We love all the support we get from people and the feedback we get on the music is both good and constructive. There’s nothing like getting done with a set and people coming up to you and saying how great the show was. It validates all the years of blood, sweat, and practice.

14. What do you think of our site?

I checked it out when I first heard about the interview, and I love the setup and the respect and exposure you give to bands all over the world. Supporting each other is what it’s all about and we need more of that. There are so many musicians and bands out there all trying to do the same thing, just imagine how much easier it would be if we all held each other up instead of keeping each other down. We really appreciate all the time and effort you put into helping bands reach more people.

15. Something to add?

Lastly, I’d like to finish with a quote by Nietzsche. He said, “Life without music would be a mistake,” and I couldn’t agree more. Please support the local musicians near you and don’t be afraid to listen to someone you never heard of because all the bands you love now were once up-and-coming bands looking for people like you to give them a listen. You can check us out at miserylane.com, facebook.com/miserylanemusic, or give us a listen wherever you stream music. We have two full albums available right now and are currently working on our third.