Mercy Events
Vegas Baby
Reign of Perversity
Sex Workers Bare All
The San Francisco Fetish Ball
Sex With Rubber Chickens?
Fashion
Kathleen Marie
Photography
Ekko Katzen
Arena Gallery
Mercy Personality
Evita
More
KHZ
Violent Beauty
UPDATE: NCSF lawsuit
more info
HOME
CONTACT MERCY
MERCY GRANTED
LINKS
LAST ISSUE
Interview with KHZ
by Leda Resurreccion
kHz a New York based band that has shaken up the stages at venues like Irving Plaza, CBGB's & other rockin' houses of sound. Their front woman, Raiana Paige could easily be a centerfold for Playboy & Penthouse and be every boy/man's reason for stock in Kleenex. Her melodic & striking vocals coupled with hi energy stage presence complete the sound that is kHz alongside with lead guitarist Pull, bass player Denny and drummer Damon.

Leda: Raiana, first-who makes those slammin' clothes for you? And, exactly how high are your heels?

Raiana: Well, first of all thank you for feeling that they are slammin. I usually just throw shit together that I've made. When I do buy stuff it is usually a combination between Pat Fields and L'impasse. I also have one dear friend who is a designer, 'Farcouture,' he's made me a couple of pieces. As for my shoes it's almost always my friends at Luichiny and the heels they vary from 6" to 7 1/2" --perfect for us petite girls.

Leda: Pull, in your role as the musical director of the band, who do you like to abuse the most? Why is that? It's Denny,right?

Pull: Musical director…that's a tough one, Denny and I are constantly ranking on each other pretty equally but I think Damon is more fun to abuse. Maybe cause he's the newest and I'm still finding new things to make fun of him for. (i.e.: his ET mask) I don't really mess with Raiana cause she just gets pissed and kicks you in the stomach while cursing at you in Spanish and I don't understand Spanish.

Damon: Denny, because he's Denny (re: Clorox). That and he's a bass player.

Denny: On the contrary Pull gets his share of abuse. 'Musical Director?' You make him sound like he's fucking Paul Schaefer from David Letterman. It must be the hairstyle. Trust me, everyone in this band has enough insecurity to abuse each other beyond belief. We'll keep those to ourselves won't we? Just remember boys and girls…you never know what's lurking under the stairs! On a side note: Pull wears ladies panties under his leather stage pants.

Raiana: I really don't abuse anybody, they're not worth it.

Leda: Why are Pull and Denny bald?

Pull:…we were originally going to be a "right said Fred" cover band.

Denny: By choice man, by choice!

Damon: They pulled their hair out in frustration trying to get me to remove the mufflers from my kit.

Raiana: They think it looks hot!

Leda: Your drummer is relatively new. His hair is longer than Raiana's …what's the story?

Pull: When he's not playing with us he is a "Crystal Gale" impersonator.

Denny: Remember that VH1 special "Where Are They Now?" Well, we heard cousin IT was looking for a job as a drummer. There you have it! It's either that or a Rogaine accident gone bad.

Damon: Minoxidil. Actually, the truth is I'm waiting for the '80's to make their comeback. It's going to be any day now, I just know it.

Raiana: The truth…I really don't know man.

Leda: At the risk of being standard, do you prefer Tom Jones, Brittany Spears, Skinny Puppy or Rachmaninoff?

Denny: I'd have to say Tom Jones. How can you not go with the living fossil? I do like to still guess if Brittany's tits are real or not.

Pull: Well, I guess I prefer Tom Jones sitting still and being quiet, I prefer Brittany Spears on the Mickey mouse club, I prefer Skinny Puppy while Damon is doing his Crystal Gale routine and I prefer Rachmaninoff still alive but I'm sure … so does he.

Damon: In what context? Musically, none.

Raiana: hmmm…I'd have to say, Hans Zimmer and Angelo Badalamante.

Leda: Which venue has the best bathroom & backstage area? And why?

Pull: I guess the 9:30 club in Washington, they had showers and a restaurant in the club. They would come backstage and take your order for dinner that night. Good food too. Although the Trocadero had an interesting bathroom/backstage.

Denny: CBGB'S bathroom…hands down! Where else can you sit on an elevated shitter (throne if you will) and watch people walking down the stairs? That's worth the price of admission right there. Backstage area? I'd say the Trocadaro in Philly. They have great holes in the walls. Isn't that right Pull?

Damon: Any venue with stalls (I'm shy) and complimentary drinks. I'm not that particular. Although, Avalon in Boston was nice. Not too many people hanging around.

Raiana: I have to agree with Pull on the 9:30 club in Washington. Awesome room and service.

Leda: How do you write songs & where? (i.e.: on the bus, in the bathroom…on a plane)

Pull: Primarily in the recording studio, as much as possible I try to write separately from the touring and promoting process. I'd rather be in the studio with no other outside pressures, again when possible. Raiana and I will then start working out initial ideas. When the songs start to become more formed we will then work them out as a band in the rehearsal studio and then road test them live. That has been the process for this last album.

Denny: My guitar, the porn channel and a box of tissues. Grammy material at its best!

Damon: Definitely not on a plane, and my kit doesn't fit in the bathroom. I probably come up with most of my ideas by just playing in the studio and seeing what happens, before the bass starts.

Raiana: In the studio and occasionally in the bathroom.

Leda: What can we expect from kHz in the very near future and can I be in your posse?

Pull: Well although it has taken forever you can expect a new album, new video, new website, more touring and possibly a Live DVD. These things will all be released throughout spring, summer and fall 2004. There would be no real kHz posse without you.

Denny: Good times! Good Times! And the ongoing problem with my fucking equipment. Can I be in your posse? OH…you said "POSSE?"

Damon: Probably a problem with Denny's amp and no, you can't be in my posse. That would mean one more person I have to be sociable with (just kidding).

Raiana: Darling, there is no posse without you…


photo: Benjamin Oliver

photo: Lede Resurreccion

kHz at Irving Plaza, NYC
photo: Lede Resurreccion