Kings of A&R

The Black Maria is now signed to Victory Records with their debut album slated for release in January 2005.

KOAR: Tell us how the band formed.
Well basically, we have all known one another for many years, whether it was
through the scene or being in other bands together. When this band formed I
was playing in Chris’ solo band. At the time a local band called GRADE was
playing it’s last local show (Kyle was the singer of this band) I knew Kyle
over the years from going to local shows, and I approached him about
starting a band, or just getting together and jamming. We exchanged phone
numbers, and about a month later he called me and said let’s get together.
We talked about other people who we could possibly recruit for this project.
Kyle wanted to play guitar in this band, stepping away from the mic. So I
asked Chris if he would be interested in singing. Chris was now on board. I
then approached my friend Derek who played drums in a band with Chris and I
called Zyon. He was into the idea. We all got together and started writing
songs (without a bass player) We went through numerous bass players trying
out for the spot. Thats when Mike came along. Chris previously played with
Mike years ago in a band called Montgomery 21. He was a perfect fit. The
Black Maria was then born.

KOAR: How did you come up with name “The Black Maria”

The name “The Black Maria” comes from the slang term given to a police
patrol vehicle. It was used to transport criminals in the 1800’s, and was
known as the “deliverer of death”. Read

KOAR: What bands or musical artists has inspired you the most?

I listen to all types of music, and it all inspires me in one way or
another. Everything from Zeppelin to the Deftones to The Beatles to
Slayer…the list can go on.

KOAR: How would you personally describe the music of The Black Maria?

The Black Maria is a rock band. It can be dark and melodic, and can be
upright energetic in your face rock with big hooky chrous’.

KOAR: Tell us about the songwriting process, who comes up with the ideas?

Usually, Kyle or I will come up with a riff or song, bring it to practice,
then show the rest of the band. It then it takes on a whole new life once
the rest of the band get involved. We work on it as a unit until we are all
satisfied with the end result.
KOAR: What are you thoughts on the Canadian Rock Scene.

Right now the Candian scene is blowing up. I think it has come a long way.
You see many Candian bands these days having sucess internationally and in
the US which is great. I think there is so much more good music to come out
of Canada that the world is waitng for, but they just don’t know it yet.

KOAR: Are you more of a live or studio band?

I’d say we’re a live band because we haven’t really had much studio
experience in the time that we’ve been together. We have yet to release and
album, and have only demoed about ten songs, simply for promo purposes. I
think when we are in the studio though, we try to capture the energy and
intensity that we provide when we’re on stage.

KOAR: What is the primary message in your songs?

I don’t think their is any kind of “message” in the songs. This is Chris’
territory. He writes all the lyrics. They seem to be about personal things,
life experiances etc.

KOAR: What is the biggest goal of The Black Maria?
I think the goal of this band is to make good music that we are proud of,
and share it with the world. Our passion is playing music. We want this to
be our career, and want to have longevity to it. I think we are all put on
this earth for a reason, and this is what we were meant to do.