MUEN: So exactly who are your vocal influences Joy? There seems to be so many in the mix, from what we've heard so far...

JOY: And that's exactly the answer! I have a very wide range of influences. When I was a kid... I can honestly say that I rarely listened to female fronted bands. I was REALLY into Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Rage. But at present.... I would definitely have to go with Janis Joplin, Alanis Morissette, Chris Cornell, a bit of Gwen Stefani, and I've certainly spent much time with Ani DiFranco's CD's.

MUEN: Tell us about the new album...

VINCENT: Well I just love the new CD/album, and I'm very proud of what we did as a band.... You really can hear different types of stuff that we are doing and it is just not one style for the whole CD. It&Mac226;s because we said from the beginning that anything goes as long as it&Mac226;s good lets play it, so everybody just went for it! JOY: Although I've been in bands previous to Neverwonder... this has been my first FULL length album. And I'm very proud of the end result. Making the album itself was such a unique experience. Reason being... we were only together for a few months when we started to record. We basically really got to know each other through the process of recording, mixing, and mastering the album. FLINT: The new record, at least the songs we have for it now, is maybe a little more focused and deliberate than the debut. The first record was a mixture of all our previous influences, so the sound can be pretty varied & diverse, whereas the newer songs are starting to sound less varied & more like neverwonder as a unit rather than the sum of its members. ANDRES: The new album is high energy with great musical hooks, and vocal hooks... we are just trying to write real stuff from the heart.

MUEN: How long in the making?

VINCENT: Well the CD took about 11 months from writing, recording, mixing and mastering, plus all the cd artwork that went into the whole thing... What a great process it was to really get to know your band members...

MUEN: And what do you expect to come of it now?

ANDRES: I think it will give Neverwonder exposure and open doors for Neverwonder in the Music Industry. FLINT: Hopefully it speaks to people and they enjoy the songs, the playing, the tones. If it's a commercial success great, if not we'll still have put out a record that makes us proud and that's all I'm really in this for. VINCENT: I think that everybody in NEVERWONDER did their very best on this CD, and I am very proud of everybody here... As for everything else... well that is a crazy thing. We put the CD out and people have really liked it and have told us it is very different.... So we hope that people keep listening to the CD, and keep coming out to the shows. We hope it gets picked up by an Indy or major, or maybe get a spot on a movie soundtrack... and then maybe go to Asia and Europe... that would be really nice... JOY: The album has been reviewed many, many, many times already! I haven't seen one bad review... YET (although I'm sure it's coming and I welcome it). So I expect a lot from it. Most importantly... I expect it to earn our band some credibility as being great musicians and bring Neverwonder to the next level. I'm actually really excited about the album we plan to follow up with, too! We are currently writing for it now. FLINT: Hopefully it speaks to people and they enjoy the songs, the playing, the tones. If it's a commercial success great, if not we'll still have put out a record that makes us proud and that's all I'm really in this for.

MUEN: Is it getting any radio-play outside of the Internet?

VINCENT: Yes it has, which has been very nice and fun to listen to, but that is one of our big goals for 2007... to really push the CD to radio.... Mostly College radio for now....DJ ZJ on KUCI has played it alot....

MUEN: And so what stations on the Internet are giving you the most attention right now?

VINCENT: Well this has been a very good thing for us, and we are played everywhere here, along with I-tunes... I would say over 20 different Internet stations are playing NEVERWONDER music right now... you can always check our website as to were it is playing right now all over the nation and world!

MUEN: In your opinion, which songs on this album have "all the ammo" so to speak?

JOY: Well... that depends on your definition of ammo ;0) I believe the best tracks off the album are #2 through #5.... and then #10 (I'll Be Alright, Everywhere, Down To Me, Father's Children, and Fate). "Father's Children" always seems to grab an audience. It's a very passionate song for me... lyrically and melodically. VINCENT: I think "EVERYWHERE" has been doing well, "I&Mac226;ll BE ALRIGHT" has it... For sure " FATE and "FATHERS CHILDREN", but my sleeper is "SAVE ME" I really think that song has got it... it's simple, has a great hook and a good story... We will see later in 2007! ANDRES: I would say "I'll Be Alright," "Everywhere" and "Fathers Children"........
FLINT: For me it's "Fathers Children" for the rock side, "Everywhere" for the radio side and "Turnaround" for the indie side.

MUEN: Did Joy do alot of dubs in the studio? And be honest, who is the next in line, with regards to vocal ability within the band? And who is not allowed to sing, if anyone, lol?

JOY: It depends on the song we were recording. "Father's Children" was done with 2 takes and quick back tracks. But some other tracks took a little more care. Being an indie band... we only have a certain amount of time recording before the $ runs out. So we really tried to get as much done in each day as possible. But lets face it... some of the songs I sing require a lot of stamina and a bit of "grittiness". Your voice can get tired after tracking for hours and hours with those songs. So there were a few that I felt needed to be re-visited. Next in line for vocals is Dre. He does my back-ups when we play live. And Flint NEVER sings! I have a feeling it's for a good reason (Love you Flint). ANDRES: Joy's vocals she did some for Harmonies and what not, but not a ton of them, vocal ability I would have to say myself, and for no vocals maybe Flint, but I'm one that believes that if you want to do something only yourself can stand in the way no one else can.

MUEN: What other bands has Flint Mavis played in as a guitarist? And where was he born and raised?

FLINT: I've been in a few other bands over the years; Lovecraft & Trainwrecked lasted the longest but I was in a band with some of the touring musicians from WASP, KEEL & IMPELLITTERI and a band called Glass Wolfe, it was fun prog rock kinda music. I've also done much shorter term gigs with lots of bands I can't remember and some session work. I was Born in LA, but have lived a bunch of places, from Northern California to France.

MUEN: Where was Joy Pearson born and raised?

JOY: Morrisville, PA.... just outside of Philly.

MUEN: How did Neverwonder form, and how long has the band been together?

VINCENT: Andres and myself were in another band that had just broke up and we were looking for a new team of players....We checked out "Music Connection" and other mags for players.... We went backwards on this one a bit, we would usually add a guitar player first then a vocalist, but this time we found Joy early in the game, in only about 30-40 auditions, but well worth it... we started to write some songs without a guitarist and added some auditions for a guy to fill the spot. We had some really good people come in, but know one that fit just right. Then Flint came in and we started to Jam it out a bit, it fit really good and on that day the band was born that was Nov/Dec 2004...

"At the end of the day we just wanted great talent in the band and I think we have made that happen."

We all get along very good and work very well together!

MUEN: Vincent, you were an "All Access Awards Nominee," for "Best Bassist"... Have you always been a bassist first? Or were you a guitarist turned bassist, like we've seen so many times before? And who are your biggest influences?

VINCENT: Always have been a Bass player, never was called to the guitar at all! Bass has been it for me! I guess as a kid it was the groove that moved me to it and maybe that my bro played the drums... and our Parents always stressed to be a team, and that is what we are a team! The players that made me go were: Disco and Funk first foremost then it was all the great players of rock.... John Taylor: Duran Duran, John Paul Jones: Led Zeppelin, Steve Harris: Iron Maiden, Geezer Butler: Black Sabbath, Geddy Lee: RUSH, And PRINCE.

MUEN: As brothers then, have you two always played in the same band? Or have you played in separate bands at one time or another? And also, who is the youngest?

ANDRES: For the most part Vincent and myself have been in the same band but when we were starting out we played with alot of other guys and bands. Youngest.. I'm not even sure to this day if our mom or dad never told us LOL! VINCENT: Well for the most part we have played in the same bands, but not all... I have played in other projects with different drummers, and Andres has done some other projects, but for me it is so much easier with him it&Mac226;s like we know what we are going to do without trying, and we lay it down tight!

MUEN: What genre do you classify the band as? Can you really call it "alternative rock?" And if so, what is your definition of "alternative?" Everyone seems to have a different opinion these days... and we were curious what your take on that is?

JOY: Everyone seems to have a different opinion these days... and we were curious what your take on that is? I think Flint's response to this is extremely accurate with my thoughts. I have to stand by what he said. FLINT: I'd call it alternative rock, but we're a lot more mainstream than experimental if that makes any sense, there are definitely no shortages of hooks in our songs and we write for the melody. Alternative is kind of a cliche now, but it got that way because it's a good catch all phrase to describe music that doesn't sit squarely in one genre.

"We're a rock band, but we're not metal, we write catchy songs but we're not a pop band, we try and come up with different directions for the tunes... but we're not Indie or experimental"

......that's a freakin mouthful to say to someone, so alternative seems to fit the bill. ANDRES: I consider us Alt Rock, Modern Rock, Rock and Hard Rock. It's all good in my opinion. If a fan likes it and wants more of it, they - or the industry, can call it what they want. For me it's all about writing songs and people coming together to have a good time. VINCENT: This is a very good question, Alternative Rock is everything about music right now and I like that, but for me I think we are more of a "Modern Rock Band" we've got the old and new sound in the band... So I think that's what we are... a"Modern Rock Band".

MUEN: What is the overall vision you have for Neverwonder?

VINCENT: This is the fun part of the band we all get to decide what that vision is... So what we have done is really worked on it together to find it... and it is what we call NEVERWONDER...So the biggest part is to have fun, play great music and be good in the Music business side, because right now that is the way it is. This is who we are and we need to take it to the next level for the world to see, and I really can't wait! that's going to be fun! JOY: I love it when people tell me that they can't find a band to compare us to. My vision is to be a band that can carry a whole new sound. In the future... I want people to say about other up and coming bands.... "they sound similar to Neverwonder". Because then you KNOW you've created your own standard. FLINT: To reach a level of success where we can do this full time, to stay true to the vision & ourselves, keep writing good music and improving as performers and most of all have fun. Life is short, when I'm 60 i want to look back on this time and know I did the best I could with what I had. ANDRES: I would like to see Neverwonder succeed at Grammy level, but I would also like to have longevity in the music business ... I would like to chew'em up and spit'em out in the music business.

MUEN: Ok well, what are some concrete goals that you think you will accomplish within the next year or so?

VINCENT: Well this is the year to make a mark on the music scene for us. First we need to make a great radio push to get our music on alot of radio stations, Also next to having some of our songs go on to sound tracks for movies, we want to keep playing big shows and festivals to bigger crowds to spread the NEVERWONDER music. Do some touring in the coming year and last but not least, look to secure some major label interest and or Indy interest in the band... But we also have to keep writing for the new CD which we would like to start, so we can record sometime in 2007... probably towards the end of 2007 most likely, for an early 2008 release with world wide distribution. We are going to be busy next year!

MUEN: When did you first start competing in the competitions, such as All Access Music Awards, and Music Connection, etc.?

VINCENT: We started this early in the NEVERWONDER days, to move the process forward, and there has been some nice response to it.

MUEN: Neverwonder does have a lot of wins it seems, and we're sure you're proud of that, but what are the real benefits, in your opinion?

JOY: I believe that these award competitions are an outstanding way to network. Especially if you play at one!

"It allows you the opportunity to play in front of a large and fresh audience. Besides... you never know who is attending."

VINCENT: This is a great way to work with other bands, and other mags, etc. And gets people to see NEVERWONDER, who might otherwise not have seen us. Because the media push is so high we get great exposure and all kinds of new people to see the band and that is the benefit of all these award shows. This also helps validate to music business people that we are on the right track and people are noticing what we are doing. FLINT: Competitions are a nice form of exposure and a cool feather in the cap when marketing yourself to clubs & labels, and as far as real benefits go, that remains to be seen, though we are certainly thrilled with the awards we've won.
ANDRES: Thank you for noticing the wins... when we had product recorded, that's when I think we started trying more to submit for award shows and what not. Also Vincent, myself and the band have a lot of contacts from all our previous bands, which doesn't hurt. I think any press and the more you involve yourself into different things, helps with the push forward.

MUEN: And how much do you feel this avenue will help you in getting where you want to go?

VINCENT: I think this will help alot as these are very well respected awards shows and to be nominated is a great thing, and to win is even better. It really excites the fan base and that makes us happy! Also Industry people are always watching what is going on so the more the better....

MUEN: Does Joy Pearson write most of the lyrics? And overall, what have been some of the most inspiring situations that made her pick up the pen?

JOY: I do write all of the lyrics! The first album really revolves around the many experiences I had within the first year of living in L.A. It was a roller coaster with a lot of mixed feelings. But I believe the most important one to note is "Father's Children". This song was inspired from all of the shootings and violence that was (and is still) occurring in schools. I have major issues with everyone pointing a finger at the child who committed the act and saying "this kid is a bad kid who deserves severe punishment". Granted... most of these kids are old enough to make a rational decision. But in my personal opinion... we're looking in the wrong direction. The finger should be pointed in the direction of the parents and within the school system itself. I could go on for hours about this.... lets just say I've had a lot of personal experience with understanding anger as a kid. The only difference is that I was raised by two wonderful parents. Some of my friends were not as fortunate.

MUEN: What else can you say about Los Angeles? How tough is it for a band like yourselves to compete in one of the largest entertainment pools on the globe?

ANDRES: Its pretty tough, but

"you have to believe in what you do and go out there with your head up high and do what it takes to get to the next level regardless of what town you are in."

FLINT: It's tough, but it's hard everywhere, being in a band is no joke & takes a lot of effort.....at least it has so far..... There are a lot of good bands here, and a lot of shitty bands. LA is tough because with all the bands out there - the clubs can treat you really poorly. Most entertainment markets pay to have pro-level bands like us entertain. In LA it's all about how many people we can bring to their club, how many tickets we presale, how well we promote. Last I checked that was the clubs job, ours is to play music. But in LA things can be a little backwards. JOY: I speak for myself here. Extremely difficult! And often emotional. You have to have a thick skin. Especially in L.A. when everyone is so eager to bash music that doesn't suit "their genre". Everyone has an opinion. So what do you take as legit constructive criticism? And what's B.S.? I battle with this quite often. But Neverwonder has stayed true to our music. We write how we feel. Bottom line... we just keep doing the best we can and hopefully we'll rise to the top. VINCENT: It is very tough here but that is what makes it fun we know it takes alot of work every single day to stand out and if you are not up for it you are kidding yourself, you have to believe in yourself first because everybody is after the same market share out here. And you can't think you are a "ROCK STAR" because you must work hard everyday to push your band forward, because you just know someone else is working harder than you and we can't have that. We want to be the best we can be, that's it. But that's what LA does to us... it makes us crazy, but crazy is fun right! right?

MUEN: What about tours? Has Neverwonder ever toured out of the state of California? And whether you have or haven't already, do you have any plans on touring within the next year or two?

VINCENT: Yes we have done some Vegas shows and yes we want to tour more outside of Cal. sometime in 2007. We are working on that right now, we are looking at the spring and summer.

MUEN: Will the band be playing in the L.A. area often in the coming months? And if so, where will be the most likely venues for one to see and hear Neverwonder live?

FLINT: we play ALL THE TIME, seriously, at least a couple times a month in LA & Long Beach. Check our website for details www.neverwonder.com VINCENT: LA is home for us so yes we will be playing alot in LA in 2007. We are working on the House of Blues in LA and OC, the Viper Room and Roxy to name a few places that the band will be in... but your best bet is to visit our website.

MUEN: Ok, great interview! Anything else you want to say?

VINCENT: Just keep checking back with us things are always changing over here in a good way! JOY: Neverwonder.com or myspace.com/neverwonder. Check us out! Peace! Thanks for keeping indy music going... Thank you Greg! ANDRES: Thanks for the interview and please keep on exposing local/Indy music to the world. FLINT: Thank you very much!

www.myspace.com/neverwonder
www.neverwonder.com

Interview by G.Cataline www.MUENmagazine.net www.MUENmagazine.com