Interview Roullette

ROULLETTE

Lineup: Chante - Vocals John - Guitar Nichole - Bass Warren - Drums

4/10/05 Interviewer: Sharita Lumpkin

"You compare it to the amount of bands with all guys and its just a sausage fest!"

Chante exclaims there's not enough women on Ozzfest! Not to mention, there is a lack of color on the festival that is deemed the biggest metal show on earth. The members also mention even if the metal world is not ready for this all-black metal band, they're going to be heard!

Roullette is an all-black metal band from Philly that is ready to take the world by storm! By no means are they soft and they don't try to incorporate hip-hop into any of their rhythms, it's just hardcore ready to whip your ass! I had the pleasure of chatting with this talented foursome about how the band got together, their inspirations as well as the reactions from fans. Is the world ready for an all-black metal band that includes 2 females??? They should be! This is 2005 God damnit, can't we just all rock till we pass out in peace? Who gives a rats ass about skin color?! All Hail!!!

Sharita: How did you guys get the band together?

Chante: When we first got together, this was an all-girl band, so there were 2 sets of friends and we all wanted to be in an all black girl band. We met each other and we were like hey I have a friend that wants to be in a band and she plays this; so everything worked out. The band evolved after that and as you know now we're 2 girls and 2 guys. All of us were musicians and we just liked each others music.

Sharita: Ok, so were all of you in bands before Roullette or doing things on your own?

Chante: Only John, our guitarist, was in another band called Concrete Method, which was like our brother band. We were all friends.

Sharita: Ok, so your bio mentions that some of your influences are Kittie, Michael Jackson, Skunk Anansie and System Of The Down. Give me some bands that people wouldn't think you listen to?

Chante: Hmm. 311, Dead Prez, Common, Björk. I listen to a lot of jazz and world music. We all have different tastes too so a lot of our influences are from different people. I don't know if that makes a difference as far as what people were expecting. (laughs)

Sharita: Being from Pennsylvania, do you think the metal fans there or anywhere are ready for an all-black metal band?

John: It don't matter if they're ready or not, we're ready! They're gonna' hear us regardless!

Chante: I think being from Philly is different too because, we all happen to know plenty of bands that have black in them. (laughs) It's not as much of a shock in this town, I think just because there are more bands that have black members and they are getting more [notoriety].

Nicole: I personally don't think that Philly is ready.

Sharita: Why do you think that?

Nicole: Well I don't think Philly as been as receptive as I would've hoped when we first started out or even now. I feel like when we play, people are more shocked that we're black, so they don't give us enough good feedback.

Sharita: Well, we're from the Midwest and people here are not open to much of anything that is new or different, so I would think the east coast would be a little easier, but then again I haven't been to the east coast. Hopefully that will change in your favor soon. Do you see more all-black metal bands coming out in the next few years?

Nicole: Yes, definitely. Chante and I went to New York a couple of weeks ago and it's a totally different scene. Out there, black metal bands are more prominent than here in Philly.

Chante: I feel it's because of movies like Afropunk and others that are inspiring young black kids to get together and not be intimidated by the primarily white audience and white bands.

Sharita: Ok, great. So do you guys have regular jobs or do you only play in the band?

Chante: Oh yeah, we definitely have jobs. We'll go around for this one.

Nicole: I work for U Arts, I'm a waitress and work for a temp company also.

Warren: I work at the federal reserve bank and I do maintenance.

John: I work at the Hard Rock Cafe here in Philly and it's pretty good.

Sharita: Ok, well that's cool, I'm sure you get to see a lot of bands. Is it fun working there?

John: Yeah it's pretty cool, I'm trying to get us booked for a show there. That's a good connection to have because a lot of people come to those shows.

Chante: Well, I've gone through many jobs here, I'm pretty much the job slut. (laughs) Odd jobs are my thing. Right now, I work at U Arts and I work at the Trocadero too.

Sharita: Oh cool. What do you do there?

Chante: Jack of all trades. I do coat check, cocktail waitressing, merchandise, whatever they need me for.

Sharita: Oh cool. Do you run errands for the bands as well?

Chante: I kinda wish! (laughs) That would be fun.

Sharita: What would be the dream lineup that Roullette would like to tour with? (Oohs and Aahs come from the speaker)

Nicole: Candiria would be on my list!

John: Rage Against The Machine, if they were still around, Unearth, 36 Crazyfists. [I feel], we'd mesh really well with those bands.

Sharita: Ok, so have you played with any national bands yet?

Chante: No, we're not at that point yet but it's coming up soon. We just got the word from the booker at the Trocadero that we will more than likely open up for Otep or Kittie when they come back to town.

Sharita: Ok, well Kittie has to get bass and guitar players first. (laughs) You mentioned earlier that Roullette was an all-girl band first, did you play any shows then and if so what was the reaction?

Chante: Well, people were pretty shocked but, we were playing weird places like churches and basement shows. (laughs)

Sharita: Churches?

Chante: (laughs) yes. Our guitarist at that time, Traci...What kind of church did she go to? (Chante is asking John or Warren this question) It was a Baptist church basically and it was very conservative too. They didn't like us. (laughs) They were like it's too loud, it's good but it's too loud. (laughs)

John: I think that if that church would've been more receptive to our type of music, I probably would've stopped playing at that point. It's a good thing.

Sharita: Who writes most of the lyrics and what is the inspiration behind those lyrics?

Chante: Well, the music is written primarily by the musicians and Roullette. Sometimes I will throw in an idea but it's mostly them. The lyrics are written by me primarily, but if they have an idea they will throw it in. As far as inspiration, trains inspire me.

Sharita: Yes, I read that. What is it about trains that kind inspire you?

Chante: Trains are really interesting and they are very sexual too! (laughs) They're really cool. The rhythms can put you in a trance-like state. I don't now if you go on many trains, but living in Philly I've rode my share. That's one thing. Random things that piss me off is another, things that happened in my childhood. I write a lot about my childhood. (chuckles)

Sharita: Going back to trains what kind are you speaking of, like L trains or...

Chante: Yeah. I dunno if those are like the ones we have here but it's halfway below ground and halfway above.

Sharita: Yeah, just like here.

Chante: Oh really? Ok. We have one of the worst public transportation systems here its call Cesta. With a name like that, what can you expect. We have one of the highest crime rates in the country and everyone hates it. It's horrible and it's a really dirty city so just imagine the underground. (laughs) It's just really overpriced, dirty, and unreliable. The people that work there are on strike all the time and the riders are choosing to drive, ride bikes, or walk. It's gotten out of control.

Sharita: Oh, we have the same problems here. CTA is not very reliable and it's overpriced. Not all the stations are clean, only certain ones. So I feel you there. Anyone else have inspirations they'd like to share?

John: I'm just inspired by random noises because my playing method is more rhythmic than anything. It could be a car starting that has a certain pattern or flat tire that inspires a certain rhythm. Anything I hear will spark a song.

Warren: My inspirations are my windshield wipers and the turning signals on my car, they kind of stay on beat.

Nicole: My inspiration is just the idea that I can spiritually reach someone through music. That actually inspired me to take bass lessons and come up with soothing bass melodies that people can listen to and relate to.

Sharita: Ok well, are the rest of are self taught or did you have lessons?

John: I'm self-taught. I think I had about 3 lessons but, the guy kept showing me stuff I already knew so I kind of said fuck you.
(laughs) I picked up books and taught myself.

Sharita: What about you Warren?

Warren: Yeah, I'm self taught but I went to school to learn to read notes.

Sharita: Chante did you play any instruments or do you just sing?

Chante: Well, I played drums in the original lineup. I like fooling around with different things but drums are what I'm best at. (laughs) I did take lessons and my dad is a voice coach. [I continued with lessons] till I left the house.

Sharita: He probably inspired you to sing well.

Chante: I guess so. Yeah, I gotta to give him props for that. He had music around all the time, even if it's was like tapes and stuff. He'd also sing to me when he'd come visit. When I got to live with him, I got to understand what goes into making a good voice.

Sharita: Ok, what bands did you listen to growing up?

Nicole: I was pretty sheltered growing up so, I had to listen to Luther Vandross, Boys II Men, things I didn't really like. I didn't know there was much else out there until a couple of years ago.

John: Well the earliest thing I listened to that inspired me was the guitar solo by Slash in Michael Jackson's "Dirty Diana". My dad is actually a drummer, he's been playing for about 46 years or so, he used to sit down with me, put on that CD, and ask me which one of these sounds do you like and I picked the guitar. From then on it was 311 and Sublime. [Those bands] really made me want to play guitar so that was that. Then, once I started playing it was all about the Deftones.

Sharita: Your father has been playing drums 46 years? That's incredible! Was he in a band or something?

John: Yeah, he was in bands and stuff but now he just plays for his church. He's settled on taking care of the family, stuff like that.

Sharita: What kind of bands did he play in?

John: Oh, my dad played old school stuff like Parliament and Funkadelic; stuff like that.

Sharita: Cool, that's good stuff there. Warren, how about you?

Warren: Well, I started playing drums when I was like 4 or 5 but I didn't get serious about it till 1996 when I listened to 311.
So, I've been listening to them for a good while.

Chante: I've been listening to music all my life. My mom was really into the 60's so for me, it was like Jefferson Airplane and the Beatles. Also, she really liked Mary J. Blige, soul, and R&B, stuff like that. My dad is into really odd music, he played with the Sun Ra Orchestra, when Sun Ra was still alive. I listened to this weird experimental music when I was with him, [along with] some jazz and stuff.

Sharita: Cool, what do you see for Roullette, besides a record deal, in the coming years?

John: Well, I see more prominent gigs, shopping our demo to labels once we get one we're happy with because the past recording experience has been plain hell. I see good things for us, we want to bust our asses to get to the point we want to be at.

Sharita: Ok, I was really impressed with the songs you have on the My Space page, I know that you guys have a great future ahead of you.

John: Thank you.

Sharita: Are there any labels that have approached the band yet?

Chante: Not yet, but we have some we'd like to get a hold of. (laughs)   

Sharita: Like who?

Chante: Well, Relapse would be a dream come true or American.

Sharita: Ok, anyone else have a dream label?

John: I'd probably say Maverick or Roadrunner but labels aren't really my thing. [However], there are a few producers I'd like to work with.

Sharita: Like who?

John: Like Terry Date who did all of Deftones albums, Rick Rubin who did System Of A Down, Brendan O' Brian who did Rage Against The Machine and Soundgarden.

Sharita: Ok, have you guys ever thought anout starting your own label and putting yourselves on it?

Chante: If we had our finances together and had less things going on in our lives, I think we'd be able to do that. Half of us are still trying to get our education and we're struggling [financially] just trying to be a band. I think once we start selling our merchandise and getting better paying gigs we could do that; we'd definitely be interested in that.

Sharita: Ok, we have a few fun questions for ya. My first is if you we're stranded on an island, who or what would you take with you?

John: I would take my guitar, lotion, portable DVD player, a porn and something I really can't mention on the phone.

Sharita: Oh why not, we're not censored!

John: Cheap cheeba. (laughter erupts in the room) I can tell by the laughter that I'm not alone in this. Am I?

Sharita: And that was John. Ok, well anyone else?

Chante: I'm not sure what he's doing; let's just say he's rolling something? (laughter erupts again) I guess I'll go next, I would take...this is kind of a hard question. There's a few things you gotta' do, you have to release tension, you have to communicate somehow, you gotta come, and you gotta breathe and eat. Anything that will make that happen, I guess. (laughs) (laughter erupts once again)

Sharita: Fabulous answer! The interviews we've had, especially the one with Trivium recently, aren't tame by any means! Say what's on your mind!

Chante: Oh, I've heard of them. Cool!

Sharita: Who's next?

Warren: I'd bring my drum set...

Background voice: Porn.

Warren: Oh, definitely porn! (laughs) Probably 2 chicks, that's about it.

Sharita: Anyone specific? Since you mentioned porn, would you bring porn stars?

Warren: Probably Crown Princess and Carmen.

Sharita: Ok, I guess those are porn stars...

John: Can I get in on this?

Sharita: Sure.

John: I would bring Jenna Jameson just because she said she's never had a black dude before. (laughs) Which I find hard to believe. I'll just have to say that I'll have to find out if anything she had was worth holding back. (laughter again in the room)

Nichole: I would bring Michelle Rodriguez, some pastels, and drawing paper. That's it! If you're on a fuckin' island what else do you need! She's Hot!!

Sharita: Ok, what's your favorite colors?

Chante: Blue and black.

Warren: Blue

Nichole: Green.

John: Plaid, red but not together.

Sharita: What's your favorite comfort food?

John: Comfort food? Pizza and ice cream.

Nichole: Granola.

Sharita: Granola? Ok...

Warren: Well, I'd have to say...

Background voice (sounding like Chante): Pussy. (laughter erupts from the phone)

Warren: Uh. (Chante repeats pussy) I have a lot but probably oatmeal cookies. (laughs)

Chante: Well, I like marshmallows. (laughter from the phone)

Sharita: Ok, I've never heard that. What about your fave cartoon character?

John: I'm a big fan of The Family Guy and South Park. So they would be Peter Griffin and Cartman cause he's the best racist, homophobic, overweight, person I've ever met. (laughs) I met him, that time we was at Thriftway.

Voice from background: No you didn't. (sounded like Chante)  

John: Yes he did. Cause he called me a black asshole.

Nichole: Thor.

Warren: Goofy.

Chante: Curious George.

Sharita: Ok, cool. My last question is about Ozzfest. What do you guys think of the lineup and can you see Roullette playing on it someday!

Everyone: Yes!

Chante: Yeah!!!!! SLAYER!!!

John: We really do think we could be on that because the past 2 years I went, I saw fuckin' Crazytown on the mainstage and Andrew fuckin W. K., he sucks ass!!! He's horrible.

Warren: Linkin Park, they're ok but they don't belong at Ozzfest, they belong at...

Chante: Warped Tour.

John: I heard that from people who don't like Linkin Park, so that was kind of ironic!

Chante: They need more chick bands representin' at Ozzfest. Kittie was like one of the first ones.

Sharita: Yeah, Drain played before they broke up.

Chante: Yeah, but there's only been like 1 or 2. Otep has played there too. You compare it to the amount of bands with all guys its just a sausage fest!

Sharita: A sausage fest, I've never heard it described that way, are you guys attending and any bands you are looking forward too?

Chante: Yeah, it's a tradition. Fuckin' Iron Maiden is playing, I definitely want to see them.

John: Black Dahlia Murder.

Warren: It Dies Today, Trivium, Soilwork, As I Lay Dying, Mastodon, Black Dahlia Murder...

Chante: Fuckin' Mudvayne dude!!!!

Warren: Yeah!

Sharita: Alright, it should be fun! Ok guys, thanks so much for the interview, it was a lot of fun. I hope to see you guys on the road and signed soon.

Warren, John, and Nichole: Thank you Sharita.

Chante: Thanks, Sharita, you're awesome. Props to FourteenG!!!

Thanks to Roullette for being great sports!!!