Interview with Make Me Break Me

Introduction:

One lazy Sunday afternoon in March 2008, I was blessed with the chance to have a question and answer session with the up and coming St. Louis area band "MAKE ME, BREAK ME"!

I enjoyed the interview, and even more I enjoyed their honest and upfront response to my questions. So if you're a fan of metal, rock, punk, or alternative music, you might check out the band Make Me Break Me online, or live in concert sometime in the Missouri - Illinois area.

I'll have to say I agreed to this interview before ever hearing their music. After checking out their handful of videos on Myspace.com, and conducting this interview. I feel I've walked away a fan of the band.

Associated Content: Thanks guy's for taking the time to do this interview today with me.

Let's start off with a simple introduction from each band

Member and the instrument they play.

Anthony James- What's up I'm Anthony James I play guitar and sing.

JD- What's happening? I'm JD and I play the lead guitar.

Brandon- I play the third guitar of the bass variety.

Ryne- [shrugs] drummer

Associated Content: So we're does the band name Make Me Break Me come from,

Sounds like it came from a song lyric?

AJ- So I was sitting around and I just kind of came up with it. I was sitting around with my daughter and we were watching Dora, and Ryne was talking to me and I started texting him random names, and they were all from stupid TV shows that I love. I had a bunch of names such as ditch the map, or diamonds over hearts. That's really the simple answer.

Ryne- but I had a dream one night were I got made out of clay and then was smashed into a million pieces by long falling star, in which I responded why would you make me then break me.

JD- We all instantly liked it and just decided to use it.

Brandon- It was all before my time. It's pretty cool and it stirs the imagination.

Associated Content: From Your myspace.com page bio's it looks like you guys have done your share of time in your local music scene with other bands.

Aside from Your current band, what has been each member's favorite band, or project in the past?

Ryne- Out of all the bands we've been with I feel like this is the best one. I think that other than this band the previous band, the Phranklyn Project, was my favorite because it was were me and Anthony James met up. I gained plenty of experience through it, and we had a good time.

AJ- This Strange Device has to be it, but sadly I lost one of my best friends the bass player of the band a few years ago.

Brandon- This is really my first band, but I was in a few past projects that didn't really work out.

JD- My first band De Avant was really pretty fun. We were all good friends and I learned a lot about playing on stage and that band helped me get over my stage fright.

Associated Content: If you could say you've learned anything in the past few years playing music, what would be the best peace of advice you would give to someone about playing and performing with a band?

Anthony James- promote, promote, promote. By far the most important thing you can do is promote you, your band, and your life. Broadcast everything!

Associated Content: What's your favorite venue in Missouri you guys have performed at in the past?

JD- POP's in Sauget, IL. It was the first big show and I felt like a rock star.

Brandon- The old Creepy Crawl. I never played there but I saw a lot of bands there. Loved it.

Anthony James- I work at POP's and I love the stage but there is something about Mississippi Nights (RIP).

Ryne- Mississippi Nights.

Associated Content: What would you say is the greatest problem with your local music scene?

Anthony James-Too many bands sound the same, I work at a club in town and a lot of the bands that play there sound so much alike that the whole show is just one long song.

JD- I really have to agree everything is too generic.

Brandon- All of the people you meet are pretty pretentious

Ryne- the people who don't care enough about local music and leave shows after their friend's band is done. I really hate that.

Associated Content: What would you do if a record label offered you a deal only if you performed songs written by other song writers?

AJ- I would do it.

Ryne- depends on the songs.

AJ- yeah it would really depend on how the music sounded.

JD- Only if I could play my way.

Brando- I agree with everyone, it depends on the songs and if you can put your own twist on it.

Associated Content: Could you name a few bands past or present that would be

your dream band to be the opening act on tour with?

AJ- Brand new, such a good band

Ryne- creed! ( while Anthony James throws up in mouth and everyone laughs and ridicules Ryne) no but seriously, Green day because they have such an iconic status.

JD- Oh definitely Coheed and Cambria. I love that band and would die if I were ever able to open for them. I may not be able to take the stage because I'd be in too much shock.

Brandon- Somebody fun, like Eagles of Death Metal or Living End.

Associated Content: Can you sum up the influence or situation that led Make Me

Break Me to write their first song "Tell Me This"?

JD- Anthony James wrote it

AJ- I don't remember writing the song it came to me in a dream. [laughs]

Associated Content: True or False women dig guys in bands?

AJ- Yeah it comes with it sometimes

RYNE- YES YES Y-E-S !

JD- NO way [laughs] DUHH of course being in a band is a panty dropper.

Brandon- an attraction is evident.

Associated Content: Name a few local bands you admire or respect for their

local success?

Brando- 7 shot screamers,

JD- La Push, I knew a few of them and I think they work really hard.

AJ- Scene of Irony, because they know how to promote, and know how to pound the pavement.

Ryne- and moe is amazing.

Ryne- Ludo, because of their hard work determination.

Associated Content: What is your guys' current goal as a band?

AJ- To get signed

JD- yeah

Brando- Ditto and grow as a musician

Ryne- I wanna be signed

Associated Content: You guys are on Myspace.com and other social networking

websites. Would you say these types of sites are a useful tool in

turning new fans onto your band or just a good way to keep current fans up to

date on the bands events?

Aj- both online networking is the easiest way to promote

Brando- both its easy and practical

JD- I say both and not just because everyone else does

Ryne- both

Associated Content: Looks like the band members dig video games. List your all time favorite Video game and gaming system?

JD- my girlfriend says Mario but I say any of the Final Fantasy games because I am a huge nerd and love those games.

Brando- any of the Zelda games are B-A. I have them all.

Ryne- Madden '08

Tony- ps2 MLB '08

Associated Content: What CD is in Your CD player right now? Or what tracks are in your top 3 on your mp3 play list right now?

JD- HIM, the new album Venus Doom

Ryne- NEW FOUND GLORY from the screen to you volume 2

AJ- Taking Back Sunday on the record player... and Dynamite Walls, I have been listening to them a lot.

Brandon- Demented Are Go- Orgasmic Nightmare.

AJ- tons of energy getting the crowd with you. Making them have a good time, make them try and keep up with you. We are there to make sure you as a fan and a friend have a great time whenever you come out to see us.

Brando- our muscles [everyone laughs]

Ryne- the music is fantastic you will love it.

JD- a great stage show

Associated Content: If a magic band genie popped out and gave you each 1

wish, but it had to pertain to your band or your music. What would each of

you wish for?

AJ- To be remembered as someone who always did the best he could. I want to leave an impression with people.

Brando- Maybe make us hall of fame material?

JD - Yeah that seems great but I want to be remembered as the greatest guitarist of all time. I want to be in the same league as Zakk Wylde and Randy Rhodes, and Jimmi Hendrix.

Ryne- I want to be able to live the rest of my life doing what I want to do without worrying about monetary issues.

Associated Content: List a few of Your Myspace.com pages or websites were music

fans could find more info on Make me Break Me.

Jd- www.myspace.com/fansofmmbm

AJ- We are also working on our www.stlpunk.com site it should be up by the time you read this.

Associated Content: Similar scenario to a question from before, this time a record label digs your music but only offers a deal if their other artists can

perform and record the songs you guys write. What would you do?

AJ- No one can get up on stage and love my music like I do, so I wouldn't do it.

JD- Yeah I wouldn't take the deal that would just suck its not about the money but about playing

Brando- Definitely not. Who knows how these people would murder our music.

Ryno- No way that takes all the fun out of it.

Associated Content: Outside of bands and music what has been the greatest

moment so far for each of you in your lives?

Brando-I don't know that one's hard. I never really know how to answer these. I have done a lot and I really can't pick one moment.

Ryne- The day my son Aiden was born.

Anthony James- Yeah I would have to say the day my daughter Paige was born , or when I bought my first home. That was a pretty good time also.

JD- Easy, the day I graduated High School and was able to be free of being a kid.

Associated Content: So guys I've got to wrap up the interview, When is the next time the music fan's can catch the band on stage for a little taste of your live set?

Make Me Break Me- MMBM @ POP's May 1^st. Come see us and send us a shout on our page. Keep local music alive because all the bands you love where all Local once.

Associated Content- Sounds great guy's, I thank You once more for Your time, and urge our readers to check out these other great Make Me Break Me related websites and links below for more information on Make Me, Break Me!

Websites:
Make Me Break Me Myspace.com page
http://www.myspace.com/makemebreakmemusic

Fan Page
www.myspace.com/fansofmmbm

Band Members Personal myspace.com profiles.

Anthony James Guitar and Vocals
http://www.myspace.com/sasser1083

J.D. Trefney- Lead Guitar
http://www.myspace.com/jaytothed

Ryne Woodsmall- Drums
http://www.myspace.com/flydrummer

Brandon Reinert- Bass
http://www.myspace.com/Branzigmufu

Videos:

Tell Me This Acoustic version
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=29313555

Tell Me This electric version
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=29971998