It was a Cinderella story, with leather, guitars and Mötley Crüe for Chicago band, The Last Vegas, when they won the first annual Guitar Center On-Stage: Your Chance to Make Rock History contest.  From 8,000 undiscovered bands, 30 were chosen to perform one song at the historic Guitar Center Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard for a panel of industry experts including the Eric Sherman (President of Fuse TV), Julie Pilat, (program director at Los Angeles’s 98.7), Chris Nilsson (10th Street Entertainment) and Frank Wordworth (General Manager, Eleven Seven Music).

 

After two days of performances, 30 bands were narrowed to six.  The top six undiscovered bands in the country included The Dirty Pearls from NYC, The Heroine from San Antonio, TX, Lorene Drive from Victorville, CA, The Spittin’ Cobras from Seattle, WA, Waterstreet from Peoria, IL and The Last Vegas from Chicago, IL.

 

Guitar Center’s On-Stage: Mötley Crüe finals were held on November 10th, 2008 at the world famous Whisky A Go-Go. The six finalists each performed three songs to a capacity crowd and rock’s ultimate judges comprised of, Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars and Vince Neil who were also let in on a some breaking news;  the winner of the Guitar Center On-Stage would be opening for the Crüe that Friday at the Palladium in Los Angeles, Ca.

 

Popular Underground contributor Karma Jensen had the opportunity to catch up with Nate Arling, drummer of the Chicago-based rockers, The Last Vegas.

 

Popular Underground Magazine (PUM):  So Nate, you're standing on stage, Vince (Neil) is about to announce the winner, what's going through your mind?

 

Nate Arling (NA):  It was crazy man. Going into it, we just had a good time, always doing what we do.  But right when he was going to announce it, was like five seconds from now we could be going back to the hotel to leave for Chicago the next morning or next thing you know we got a record deal and pretty much everything we'd been working for, for a really long time.

 

PUM:  Yes, the band formed in 2003 correct?

 

NA:  Yeah.

 

PUM:  And from the research I did, you've done quite a bit!  Extensive touring through Europe, a massive cult following, CD's, videos, won the Guitar Hero II contest and had your single "Raw Dog" featured on the game! It seems to me that you were already heading in this direction.  So did this opportunity just speed up the process and make you more visible to the general public?

 

NA:  Yeah, just the exposure and working now with a group of people, now with a management company and the record label and having Nikki Sixx be the president of the record company.  We'd always done everything a very DIY, kind of independent minded.  Which was still successful for us, but to take it to that level going from playing for 500 to 5,000 people it takes more promotion and more of a team of people behind you.  We've been doing this independently for a while and it's cool working really hard for something and we just never had a situation that felt right until now.  Everyone's been super cool and they're all very supportive of us and really excited about the band.

 

PUM:  Well the music's great, I was blown away!  I grew up with Mötley Crüe, Faster Pussycat, Poison, Skid Row and the like and it just sounds like the culmination of the best of the 80's but without sounding dated.  And you guys sound like you're having a lot of fun doing it!

 

NA:  Thank you, that's what it's all about.  That's the music we grew up on and were influenced by too.  We grew up in the Midwest and we just always stuck to our guns that this was the type of music we were going to play, not follow some trend.  We were always most influenced and intrigued by those styles of music from the 60's, 70's and 80's and that's what we always stuck with.  Most importantly though, what you said, having a good time on stage and giving our audience the chance to leave your problems at the door, forget about your job and just for the couple hours you're there have the time of your life. That's what music's always been about and that's what I think [has] been missing.  You can          still be aggressive and hard rocking, but have a good time with it.

 

PUM:  There has been a void of that and the fans aren't stupid, they can hear it in the music and tell whether you're passionate about it or just trying to be commercial and take advantage of the current trend.  Those bands seem to blow up big, and then they're gone.  So I think in order to maintain that longevity and a successful career you have to be passionate and enjoy what you're doing and you guys are kicking ass. 

 

NA:  That's one of the things about being a band from Chicago, too.  We're not really saturated with the music business or trends.  We're not going for a look or image because that's what the industry wants right now.  We've always done our thing and all of us in the band are like best friends playing music together. I think the timing is right now for this style.  We've always done things in a real way and I think that's what people want, whether it's music or art, they can see through the bullshit.

 

PUM:  Yeah, I've noticed that over the past two years it's like the stars aligned and I don't want to call the music a trend, but there's definitely been a trend of appreciation for the style. 

 

NA:  Yeah.

 

PUM:  About your record label, you hear stories from bands about their labels; either they're too involved, not involved enough and so on.  You have the unique situation with your record label being managed by another band.  How is that different?  I suspect there would be advantages.

 

NA:  It's really cool.  I think they get the perspective [where] we're coming from and a lot of people in the industry are also musicians as well, but to have Nikki [Sixx] as the president; he's not just saying, 'Do this because the corporate people want to see...' he's very edgy and very artistic and really cool.  That's what we want to portray as a band and I think we're on the same page and Nikki and the Mötley Crüe guys and us have some of the same influences and differences.  You know when Mötley Crüe came out they were doing something a little different from everyone else and they just kind of broke through that mold and it really made them stick out.  That had a lot to do with their success and hopefully it's kind of the same thing we got going on now and I think that hopefully that will chart a lot of success for our band as well.  It's been great; honestly it's almost too good to be true.  They're pretty open to letting us just do what we want to do, while giving us ideas.  I think they also realize we're a real band who's been doing this for a...

 

PUM:  For a long time.

 

NA:  Yeah and they don't try to change that.  We've had a lot of success on our own, too.

 

PUM:  Well I think it would be counterproductive to do otherwise.  I could never understand why a label would say to a band, "Hey we think you're really talented!" then start changing stuff.  If you're an attractive enough property to get their attention then what's the point?

 

NA:  Yeah, totally.  It does more harm than good in the long run.  From a band's perspective; it's a very personal and intriguing thing to be in a band and for someone to come in and tell you what to do...

 

PUM:  Well it's like a new family dynamic, right?

 

NA:  Yep.

 

PUM:  I can understand how it has the potential to go either way.

 

NA:  Yeah, and like I said, having Nikki Sixx, being in charge.  He sees that too, he's like "Man I wouldn't want someone coming in with my band and start telling me what to do because that would mess everything up."  He realizes, “If I do want this to happen to my band I don't want this to happen to this band.” 

 

PUM:  That's the great thing about Mötley Crüe, not only are they talented musicians, but they are so smart about the business and marketing aspects, as well.  Off the subject I have to tell you I saw an article online about Nikki Sixx and the Heroine Diaries and the title was, "Former Rock Star Promotes Book."

 

NA: Yeah?

 

PUM:  I was so pissed! I thought, "Do they not know who Mötley Crüe is? They're on tour, they have a new album, they're not former anything!”

 

NA:  (laughs)

 

PUM:  Sorry, I know this is off subject but I just couldn't believe it.  Nikki Sixx is amazing, Mötley Crüe is amazing and I think they've earned the title of rock royalty even if they never do anything again.

 

NA:  No, I mean from hanging out with him, I think he's had it in him, in his blood        from the day he was born.  He's just a total rock star.  He has that charisma and creativity.  He's very smart and cool, hard working and all his ideas, he's like a mad genius or something.  Some of them are totally out there and crazy but they're genius, it's kind of funny. 

 

PUM:  I like what he's done with Sixx Am, it's incredible.

 

NA:  Yeah, yeah totally.  And he's a really good photographer, he's got all these art studios and stuff.  He's a really creative person. 

 

PUM:  Well, Nate, I tell you, they chose the right band.

 

NA:  Oh, thanks!

 

PUM:  Your work ethic alone is impressive and the quality of your work.  I feel that you've definitely paid your dues.

 

NA:  Oh cool, well thanks.  I think we feel that it is everything we've ever wanted to do in life; to be in a band and rock out.  It's not the easiest thing to do, pursuing that, sleeping on floors, making no money and eating like the worst food ever because it's only a dollar!  But we've stuck with it...

 

PUM:  Breaking down in Germany in the middle of the winter.

 

NA:  Yeah (laughs)

 

PUM:  Did that make you appreciate Chicago winters?

 

NA:  Uh, yeah.

 

PUM:  I imagine! Now Nate, what would you like to say to your fans in the military, many currently stationed in the Middle East?  I know that for a lot of them, music is the main source of comfort being away from their friends and family. 

 

NA:  Yeah, totally.  Hopefully they can get their hands on our music. I think music  is a release from the everyday struggles or when things get tough you can listen to tunes and it takes you away from that.  I think it's really cool all the hard  work that those guys and girls... and I have a lot of friends in the military and I appreciate everything they are doing.  It's like being out on the road, too in a way. They should be really proud of everything that they are doing for the country and  the world.  And I think keep rocking out and hopefully a band like us, when they hear us and they're pumping their fists and have a smile on their face, they can  get a release and give them some entertainment.

 

PUM:  They're also not allowed any alcohol or magazines like Playboy...

 

NA:  Really? (laughs)

 

PUM:  So they're really only allowed one out of the three main components of rock and roll so the music is really important.

 

NA:  Well, music can give you that buzz and effect that you can get from alcohol or having sex (laughs) so if they can't get that then hopefully our music can give them that release.

       

PUM:  Anything else you'd like to add or say to your fans?

 

NA:  Again just thanks for calling and it's cool that we can work with the Army or whatever and I'm not sure if we sent some CD’s but we'd love to.  If we can ever play a show over there, we're down to travel and play anywhere at any time. 

 

PUM:  Oh I'll definitely be talking to you about a tour at some point.

 

NA:  Oh we're down to do all that sort of stuff.  And that, I think, is one of the cool things with being in a band.  Getting tons of chicks and partying, yeah that's pretty cool too, but to give people the best time of their week or month or even year and it's an empowering thing.  Whether we're playing in Croatia for a bunch of high school kids who are poor and been through a lot of war.  You can just tell the energy and excitement that these crowds get from seeing a band.  I think we're very privileged to be able to give them this opportunity and whether they're military, doctors or lawyers, whatever, we appreciate what they do.

       

PUM:  Now on a personal note, when will you be touring California? I want to go see you guys but the only show here is in San Diego, too far for me.

 

NA:  Yeah, it's only San Diego and the rest of the tour, mainly we're working on the new album which is due to be out in the spring.

 

PUM:  When is that going to be released? Is there a date set yet?

 

NA:  We don't have a date, it's tentatively in April, but I don't think they want to say until... because we're still working on it.  Next week actually, we're wrapping up the recording.  They haven't set a date yet but it's definitely in the spring.  We're going to just keep doing what we're doing, keep pounding the pavement and eventually....

 

PUM: Eventually make your way up to Northern California so I can see you.

 

NA: (laughs) Yeah I'll put a call into our agent and tell him it's a priority.  By this summer for sure we'll be up there, no problem.  So you work for? What is it, the Army newsletter or are you freelance?

 

PUM: It started with my brother's Army unit's FRG newsletter while they were deployed to Iraq, but his wife and I created Rock The Troops, which is currently on MySpace in order to reach even more of the military and the interviews are also posted on Popular Underground Magazine, out of Chicago.  I'm also in talks with some charities, including Operation Homefront, which aids the families of soldiers and the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps rehabilitate wounded soldiers and their families.  It's getting bigger and my brother is wanting me to put together a tour, so I'll be contacting you guys for that.

 

NA:  No, we totally support that.  I grew up in Rockford, Illinois, a working class factory town, and honestly a lot of friends of mine from high school went on to join the Army or Marines.  One of my friends, he became an Army Ranger.  So I totally know what those guys go through, it's cool what they do.  They're working hard for a good cause for the country and it's cool too, what you're doing. You said they don't allow alcohol or porn, so if you can find something that they can have, like rock and roll and give it to them then it's awesome.  You make that happen.  That makes those guy's day.  Just like being in a band and being caught up in all that touring and hard working.

 

PUM:  Exactly! I think yours is one of the few professions that can so closely relate, being away from friends and family, the hardships and sacrifices.

 

NA:  Oh yeah, you miss a lot of your friends and families, you miss Thanksgiving...it's true you give up a lot of stuff.

 

PUM:  I think that shows through in the music and I think that's why soldiers relate so well to it.  So thank you, you guys are awesome.  You know I was excited to get the interview request because the bands I've spoken to up to this point are all established on major labels and I've always dug the Indie bands, their determination and spirit, handing out flyers to a show at the local bowling alley.   So it was a great opportunity to talk to you as your band just made the big leap.

 

NA:  Yeah I think it's great how they designed the contest; can you take a band and make a success out of them?  It's like a true American dream come true, for a band who's worked so hard for so long to get an opportunity and you just run even harder once you get it.  We're still doing everything we wanted to do, artistically, musically so we couldn't be in a better position.  We're super happy and grateful. 

 

PUM:  Well Nate congratulations again on the win, have a great tour and get your  asses up here to Northern California. (laughs)

 

NA:  For sure, keep in touch and if there's anything else we can do, whether it's more interviews, play shows or whatever.  Stay in touch with all the people we're working with and it'd be cool to meet you some day soon.  We'll be up  in Northern California before the summer for sure.

 

PUM:  Thank you Nate, looking forward to it!

 

By: Karma Jensen - Contributing Writer