Ultra Violent Lights went into the studio with longtime friend, manager Aaron Rubin, intent on making a record. What would result from the unconfined, no filter atmosphere created in the studio, is Here In Filth, an ambitious record full of sing-along melodies over distorted guitars and the raw, kinetic feel of their rock n roll predecessors. Lyrically written from experience, be it their own or those closest to them, their confessional style of writing tells the tales of where they've been, and what they've seen. It echoes their own unraveling and triumphs, as well as those who came before them. With a debut full-length album in their pocket, Ultra Violent Lights relocated to New York City where they immediately began playing countless shows.
Ultra Violent Lights is:
Nick Faiella - Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Adam Lewis - Bass, Guitar, Backup Vocals
Robi Gonzalez - Drums
Give the readers an overview of how you 3 got together to create UVL:
Nick: You have readers Jeff? Wow, congrats man I guess a lot has changed since we last did this. As for us. ol' friends with with big goals so it just made sense.
Adam: I've been friends with Nick for a long time. He called me one day and asked if I would come play in his band. I listened to their cd and I hated it ..really hated it, but I thought Nick could sing well so I said i would play with them if we could change the sound. Long story short people quit we moved to new york and once we met Robi everything just fell into place.
Robi: We met through Aaron and Ilan Rubin. we also kind of knew each other through hacking the Gibson file.
Your previous bands have led you all together to today, what experiences from your previous bands have you brought to UVL ?
Nick: Do it yourself and engage as many people as possible. It's not rocket science but you have to get out and not stay fixed in one spot.
Adam: late check outs?
Robi: It's just obvious everyone has experience playing and touring. We are all comfortable on stage and comfortable with each other.in the van.
If you got to recreate your band in a movie style format, and you could have anyone play your part.. who would it be and uh, why ?
Nick: A film noir directed by Tim Burton played by Tom Waits circa Down By Law. Watch that movie and you'll get it.
Adam: Something Something Dark Side. I'd be Carlos Spicy Wiener. Why not?
Robi: Hackers. Crash & Burn baby.
Playing on the west coast to playing on the East coast, what’s the biggest difference ? Grinding it out in NY, what have you guys learned in the marketing of the band to get people to come see UVL in the big apple.
Nick: New York is literally crawling with people. Getting people to drive to a show and pay for parking is like pulling teeth, and New York isn't like that. People are out and out for the night. They both have their ups and downs but no matter where you go, stickering and being yr own street team is where it's at. I like wheat pasting our posters everywhere. It's awesome to see how much you can get away with.
Adam: The weather and the weed. What's marketing?
Robi: It's the same shit everywhere.practice,play shows,and promote. The difference between east and west is having to walk up many flights of stairs.
The album is finished, Here In The Filth; greatest accomplishment for each of you ? What is your most adored track on the album and why ?
Nick: It's definitely something I'm proud of, but I know we have more to get out as musicians and as people. It's a chapter in our lives, but that book is still being written ya know? As for my most adored. Here In Filth is like the kid you didn't plan on having. It was something that we had basically all there and decided last minute to track, and then it really came together in the studio. It pretty much sums up our state of being at that time.
Adam: The fact that I can listen to my own record over and over again and still enjoy it. All of side A
Robi: My greatest accomplishment was having Hayden Scott do all the drumming for me.
Tour in the making, how long are you guys planning on staying out there ? Where are you looking forward to playing the most ?
Nick: There's not a whole lot waiting for me in any one place, so the idea of perpetually touring is really the plan at this point. I'm looking forward to playing other countries, word has it they really lose their minds at shows.
Adam: Forever Japan
Robi: Staying out as long as we can.like Rosie O'Donnel at a Kiss concert.
Coming back to vegas for your residency at the Beauty Bar in February, do you think your fans and friends will be surprised by the sound of UVL versus your previous efforts ?
Nick: It's strange for me to think there's enough people who would be opinionated enough on this one, but I definitely think people will know that we're not messing around, this is how we live.
Adam: Surprised? We're going to destroy them.
Robi: Surprised? Naw.
If someone were selling some fine folks on your music, encouraging them to come experience UVL, how would you describe your sound, your live performance and what they would be able to experience from an evening with you guys ?
Nick: Three guys making a lot of noise. You can stream our entire record on our website but I usually tell people it's post-punk psych rock and roll. Call it what you will.
Adam: I don't know I'm in a different place when I'm on stage.
Robi: Loud.and sweaty
In the Perfect World keep it indie ? major deal ? would you guys just be happy with making a living touring the world or does fame and fortune come hand in hand ?
Nick: Fame scares the shit out of me. I feel like you can be as massive as you want to be without becoming some parody of yrself. You think Indiana Jones' students knew what kind of shit he was really gettin' into?
Adam: We just want to play our music and see the world. So whatever we gotta do to make that happen. Yeah let's make that happen.
Robi: I think we can all agree that we would be happy touring all over the world. Whether it's with a major or not. As long as I don't have to work a McJob I'm happy as a clam.
Juliette Lewis, Lady GaGa or Pink; who’s the hottest, most musically inclined and uh, which one would you want to co-headline a tour with ?
Nick: Pink actually has a cool rasp to her voice and can sing. I guess I'd have to say Lady Gaga for the other two, I like em' out there, nuttier than a squirrel turd.
Adam: One in the pink and 2 in the stink? Sorry I had to. But for sure I choose Lady GaGa.
Robi: Pink
Any final words to say to the 4 people including us that might be reading this ?
Nick: Every band who's any band was nobody to start with. Don't be so apathetic and mindless to wait to be told what's good, if you find something you like then back it and let others know. Cooler to be a tastemaker then the person buying buying the millionth record ya dig?
Adam: Josh Homme likes to rip dicks off at gay bars. Fact.
Robi: GIBSON GIBSON GIBSON
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