HARD ROCK LIVE ORLANDO
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We've got a long list of stars that have stopped by to shoot the breeze with us and give us their latest news. Scroll down and you just might find the inside scoop on your favorite artists like Papa Roach, Reel Big Fish, Nonpoint, Godsmack, and P.O.D.

  

Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes: Turn the Safety on

By: James Buell

The cliche "good enough for government work" applies to a lot of things in this world. Wanda Sykes' sharp tongue and biting social commentary are not among them. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University, the comedienne found herself stuck in a rut working at the National Security Agency. Sykes knew she was destined for greater things, so she took a chance. One Coors Light Super talent Showcase later, a star was born.

Since entering comedy in 1987, Sykes has won two Emmy's, had her own television show (twice!), written for numerous comedy and award shows and starred opposite Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez on the big screen. Her greatest achievement, however, might just be the connection she makes with her audience every time she steps on stage. What's been described in the past as "sass" is the endearing quality that transforms Sykes from performer to best friend. Whatever it is, you can see it in person March 16th at Hard Rock Live in Orlando.

Wanda spent a few minutes with Hard Rock to talk about professional athletes talking in the third person, Tony Danza, hunting accident press conferences and - brace yourself - the possible end of the Pootie Tang franchise.


All-American Rejects

All-American Rejects: Americana's Emo Pop Fixture

By: James Buell

Singer/songwriter/bassist Tyson Ritter spent the bulk of his youth in the heartland of America. Like many kids in that situation, he grew up dreaming of rock stardom. Unlike many of those same kids, he's living his dream.

Behind the success of their debut, self-title album, the All-American Rejects went from unknown kids from the Midwest to the IT band of 2003. Now touring in support of their second album, Move Along, the band makes a stop at Hard Rock Live in Orlando on November 6th.

Ritter spent some time from the road to talk with Hard Rock about their whirlwind success, writing the new album and - shockingly enough - The Golden Girls. It's an interview you really don't want to miss. Especially if you're a fan of Tony Danza.


Death Cab For Cutie

Death Cab For Cutie: Indie Rock Pioneers

By: James Buell

When Death Cab For Cutie burst onto the national scene last year, it wasn't just a case of the latest flavor the month. The band has worked on and perfected their craft through eight years and six releases. The Seattle quartet has become the darlings of critics and fans alike. Their spot on last season's OC only cemented their reputation as indie rock pioneers.

Hard Rock recently caught up with singer/guitarist Ben Gibbard to talk about their new album, newfound fame and, of course, Joey. You can catch the group October 30th at Hard Rock Live in Orlando.

Godsmack

Smackin’ with Sully
An Interview with Sully Erna of Godsmack
By Troy Schmidt

It’s just like a lot of religions that get a bad rap. When people don’t know what it is.

It’s just like Buddhism or Native Americanism…

A Shining Ray of Indigo
Phone Interview by Kelly Ladd
with Amy Ray


Many friendships go up and down, what has kept you and Emily so tight over the years? How have you stayed a solid pair?

Amy: I think we've managed to be friends by giving each other a lot of space, and respecting the strengths that the other has. Emily, you know, has writing and her music and her own life. I look at it and I respect it and try to learn from it. And she does the same with me. But when we come together, we look at what we do together and it's stronger than what we can do separately. We just always remember that. We have faith in the process. You know, it is hard to be friends with one person for so long. It's very hard. But I also think it's something that you're lucky to have and don't question it too much. That's how you keep it going.

Filter

Being Frank with Filter
Phone Interview by Kelly Ladd-Sanchez
September 18, 2002

Frank Cavanaugh - Bass


HardRock.com: But it got you this far. That's pretty cool.

Frank: Yeah, totally.

The Calling

Answer the Call
 Interview by Stephanie Fournier

Aaron Kamin - guitarist, songwriter


String Cheese Incident

Extra Cheese, Please
Phone Interview by Kelly Ladd!

Keith Mosely – Bass

They ARE Giants:
An Interview with John Flansburgh
 By Troy Schmidt

Bush

No More Beating Around the Bush
Interview by Kelly Ladd

Gavin Rossdale—Vocals, Guitar
Robin Goodridge—Drums

311

311's Nick Hexum Turns Chaos into Clarity
March 6, 2002 Email Interview by Kelly Ladd

HardRock.com: If you could send one of your band mates into outer space to save the Earth from aliens plotting to attack, who would you want to go and why?

Nick: We'd probably have to send Chad because he claims to be an alien...so perhaps he could reason with them. Or we'd have to send SA because he listens to radio talk shows about aliens and reads about them and stuff. He also writes a lot of lyrics about aliens and space so he should be pretty well prepared to encounter them.

Ratdog

Getting Down to the Bone with Ratdog's Rob Wasserman and Jeff Chimenti
January 23, 2002 Phone Interview by Kelly Ladd

HardRock.com: Rob, you've been with Ratdog since it's beginning. Has it formed into the vision that you and Bob had imagined?

Rob: I don't know if we've had an exact vision. I just remember one day we both thought it would be fun to start a band. We kept joking by calling our duo a band, which we've had for six or seven years at that. And then I met Jay doing some recording for a Levi's ad that someone recommended Jay for. I was really impressed by him. His personality and his drumming. And then one day, Bobby was looking for a drummer for some other project he was doing and I recommended Jay and after he met Jay. I don't know. We thought, okay, let's start with a drummer. And then it just went from there. I don't think we exactly ever knew where it was going to go. But right now, it is definitely in a place where I am happy with. I think we've had a lot of different evolutions, but we've settled into some players that can really play together.

Flickerstick

Lighting Up with Flickerstick
Interview by Kelly Ladd

Brandin Lea (vocals)
Rex Ewing (guitar)
Dominic Weir (drums)

HardRock.com: Puppy dogs and flowers.

Rex: Little bunnies.
Brandin: Bunnies are beautiful. Rex has a lot of stuffed animals in his bunk.
Rex: Bunnies are vicious. I had one as a pet, they are vicious, vicious animals. They fool you. They fool you.
Dominic: What?
Rex: Bunnies. I had one as a pet.
Dominic: Did it bite you?
Rex: Oh terrible, terrible pet.
Dominic: (laughs)
Rex: They are terrible. They are like squirrels. They are cute and everything. But they will scratch your eyes out.
Brandin: You're a kid and you think it's going to be all…and you're holding it and "aughhh!"
Rex: "Aughhhh!" It's a vicious rodent.
Brandin: Rabid bunnies and our jobs is what's beautiful. Ah, no, I don't know. Normal things. See your dad healthy or your mom…
Rex: Pizza.
Dominic: Pizza's evil. There is nothing beautiful about it.
Brandin: A cooler full of ice-cold beer.
Rex: I had one last night. You can't have that on the bus, dude.
Dominic: Yeah, we have to get rid of the toaster oven.
Rex: Yeah, the toaster oven is a bad idea.
Dominic: All with that comes a lot of frozen @#$%.
Brandin: That pertains to which question?
Dominic: No one really.
Brandin: (laughs)
Rex: Don't know really.

Better Than Ezra

Uncovering the Mystery of Better Than Ezra
Interview by Kelly Ladd

Kevin (vocals)
Tom (bass)
Travis (drums)


HardRock.com: You guys performed at the Miss Teen USA pageant, so I must ask you their final question… "President Bush's daughters, Jenna and Barbara, have had well publicized problems with underage drinking. Have they been treated fairly by the media?"