Arm The Pit - Vague Perception

ATP

For the record, who's answering the interview, what is your band's name? How did you come up with that name?

VAGUE PERCEPTION

Brian Luiz, bass and vocals for Vague Perception. Vague perception was a song from our first year as a band when we were called Dionysus.

ATP

So who's in the band and what's everyone's life story in 100 words more or less?

VAGUE PERCEPTION

Me and Roger Kelly our lead guitarist started the band around 1984 with Bill Deluca and Art Rossi. Roger was on bass at the time and I was just singing. Our first release "Crucify the stupid" on 45 was released on our own label Vague Records. One of two songs on the B side "Masturbator in the Elevator " would become our signature song which always puts a smile on your face. Go figure. We've had many band member changes along with name changes. We became "Beer" in 1988, "Remorse" in 1991, Muthis of infection in 1993, Richard Cranium in 1996, Simon and the Hymen in 2005 and back to our original name in late 2005. We have a huge discography, all on our own label. Vague records released a 5 song split 7 "ep of local punk bands on colored vinyl in 2011 called 25 years stoned available at interpunk or thru yours truly.

ATP

In a nutshell, please describe your sound.

VAGUE PERCEPTION

We've been compared to Ramones, but we've changed alot over the years. We started out as metal band but punk was definately more of a suited description. Our recordings are definately songs that will inspire you to get out and party your ass off and our lives shows could be described as walking into a nice restaurant dressed as Peter pan smashing a bottle over your head,jumping up on a table and doing a croatian polka dance.

ATP

Why did you each of you start playing music and was there a turning point from becoming the dream child that every mother and father hopes their child will become before discovering music? Why did music become a career choice for you?

VAGUE PERCEPTION

Most of the band started out as trumpet players but I begged then to learn instruments because I was tired of reading poetry over Taps.

ATP

What instruments do you each play? How did you learn to play, self-taught or school?

VAGUE PERCEPTION

I play guitar and bass, I guess you could say self taught although I got alot of help from original members Bill Deluca, Art Rossi and his brother Michael Rossi. Most of the other members played for the Cranston East band and were musicians from a very young age.

ATP

What bands have influenced each of you?

VAGUE PERCEPTION

Motorhead, Ramones black Flag and alot of the eighties punk bands, Of couse Nirvana was a big part of the nineties for us. We all are big fans of all the classic rock...

ATP

What makes your band unique?

VAGUE PERCEPTION

We always bring a good time to the table, when we have an off night you probably would just think we were ecaped mental institution patients and on a good night probably that as well.

ATP

Do you write your own music? If not, who writes the music?

VAGUE PERCEPTION

absolutely, but Iggy Pop, Lemmy and Glen Danzig have let us borrow a few tracks...

ATP

What inspires the songs you write?

VAGUE PERCEPTION

Women, sex, drugs, cars, women... Sometimes we have a message but it's usually aimed at having a good time. Life's to short to get hung up.

ATP

How long does it take you to write a song that�s ready to record?

VAGUE PERCEPTION

3 minutes to 30 years has been the scale for us.

ATP

How would you describe your local music scene? Likes, Dislikes. What would you change?

VAGUE PERCEPTION

3 minutes to 30 years has been the scale for us.

ATP

What is your favorite local venue? Why?

VAGUE PERCEPTION

I thought a place called Spot Underground has a cool vibe in it. KC's tap in Pawtucket has great sound and always welcomes the local talent. We just played the Apartment on Richmond street which probably wasnt ready for our level of noise but we had a good response and the club had a real comforting atmosphere.

ATP

What's the biggest problem you find when working with other bands, booking agents, promoters and venues when settting up a show or a tour?

VAGUE PERCEPTION

Everybody wants to headline but nobody wants to play last. If you sacrifice sometimes its worth it in the long run.

ATP

How experienced are you on the stage, a virgin or whore?

VAGUE PERCEPTION

I'm a dirty whore that has no probably taking her pants off and mixing up some honey butter for everyone to slap on some texas toast.