HERE'S THE HIDDEN SECRET FROM NORTH CAROLINA, THE SELF MADE MONSTERS. I ALREADY GAVE THEIR RECORDS AMAZING REVIEWS ON THE PRINTED ISSUES, AND FINALLY I SUCCEDED IN HAVING AN INTERVIEW WITH'EM. THEY ARE RAW AS FUCK AMAZING PUNK ROCK AS I HAVEN'T HEARD IN A LONG TIME, AND EVEN IF THEIR ANSWERS ARE PRETTY MODEST, SHORT AND SOMETIMES SELF-CRITIC, I SWEAR YOU HAVE TO CHECK THIS BAND OUT AND MAKE'EM UNDERSTAND WITH YOUR FAN MAIL THEY ARE SO FUCKIN' GREAT!!! I ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW WHO ANSWERED MY QUESTIONS BUT I THINK THEIR SINGER EDDIE MONSTER DID, SO HERE YOU GO...

GD- So who are the Self Made Monsters and how they have come to walk on this Earth??
Basically boredom. The band started out of boredom. None of us knew how to play, so we taught ourselves how to play. That's why those records are so simplistic. We were still learning. We are STILL learning. We aren't too concerned with what other people are doing and we aren't too concerned about what people think of us. We just do what we like to do.

GD- Listening to your stuff I was really amazed by his fury and intensity, something that really reminded me of seminal punk bands such as The Germs or an amped-up early Ramones version, what do you think about this comparison?
We don't care. Whatever people hear in what we do is on them. We draw from a lot of different stuff, and not exclusively punk or whatever. Lately the songs are getting longer, with more freak out shit.

GD- What about the meaning of your name? Has it something to do with some involvement or liking for horror movies or sickie stuff?
No. We aren't too influenced by that shit. It has more or less to do with being a self starter and sticking to it. We don't beg off others for hand outs, and we don't do favors. We are in it for ourselves and anyone who gets off on what we do.

GD- What about North Carolina? I know it's home of great bands such as my all-time faves ANTiSEEN, the Dead Kings and the now split up but great FRANKENSTEIN DRAG QUEENS... seems like a good place to be for rock bands!!
You are sadly mistaken my friend. North Carolina sucks for music. All of these bands are lucky to draw even fifty people. It's basically dead here. People don't take any interest in underground music anymore - and I would wager thats most anywhere.

GD- You played the CoS Supershow, how was it? What are your relations with the CoS?
Basically we treated it as it was - just another show - we played and had a great time. Some people liked us and some hated us. Outside of being friendly with a few of the people involved, we don't have any relationship with the CoS. We don't feel like we fit in with the mindset.

GD- Since you told me you have loads of different influences, please tell me what some of them are!!
There are too many to name - and more often than not people will hear something in us that we wouldn't consider a direct influence. For instance - you mentioned earlier the Germs and Ramones - and to a certain extent, sure, thats true. But I don't think any of us would say that either of those were a consious influence on what we do. Also, if you were to ever see us just hanging out or whatever, there's no telling what we might be listening to - we try to be open minded and not drive ourselves into a rut. We don't conciously say "oh we need to write a song about *this*..." or "we need a song that sounds like *that*..."

GD- Any weird gig story to tell us? I don't know why, but I'm sure your shows must be something really exciting to see.
You'd probably be better off asking somebody else. If you're there - you're there, if you're not, oh well. We can't remember what goes on usually. And we don't set out with any sort of plan to do "crazy shit" or whatever.

GD- What do you think about the satanic imagery a lot of bands into your similar kind of stuff are using?
I think its funny - even if it isn't a joke, I STILL think its funny. It's stupid if it's satanism as it is stupid if its christianity. ANY religion in music is a joke. Who the hell cares anyway? That shit was old thirty years ago when Sabbath wore it out.

GD- Songs like "Burn your bra" or "Need Dog Food" made me think that you don't take yourself too seriously... is it just an impression and the Self Made Monsters haven't to be taken as a fun band or is there some ironical thing going on?
We aren't trying to be "goofy" or whatever, but certainly we like having fun. We take what we do seriously - but I mean we make rock and roll and it isn't too brainy. Hopefully theres some wit coming though - but lets face it, we aren't out to change the world, or rock and roll for that matter.

GD- What's the most cool thing you got since you have been involved with the band?
What's cool to me is the fact there are people who get it and are into it.

GD- Future plans and projects?
Right now we are preparing to record a full length. We have a new bassist and are trying to score shows and basically just trying to do what a shitty no-name rock band can do.

GD- Tell your final remarks to our readers...
Oh, you mean somebody is actually gonna read this???

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