Interview with Granny from Granny 4 Barrel
Interview conducted on Aug. 26, 2019
Imagine if Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, and Alice Cooper had a grandmother that fronted a rock band…enter Granny 4 Barrel! A Neo-Victorian steampunk shock rock nightmare – she is the Matriarch of Metal! The rocker “Freak Flag” is the first single/video of many to come (released via Mighty Loud Records and produced by Jeff Tomei), a song about being true to yourself. And the band’s singer (who goes by the name Granny) is a true original – “She represents freedom of expression, no limits on a person, and I channel her rage and insanity. In society, there are these stereotypes based on age, sex, race etc. Granny just shatters the mold! Her mantra is unleash your true self…make your own rules, anything is possible.” Be prepared to be shocked and rocked, by Granny 4 Barrel.
Dan Locke: How did you form the band?
Granny: I love heavy metal and horror…I also love adrenaline and breaking the rules. The idea of a scary old badass woman fronting a band appeals to me….it messes with people’s heads. There’s also an undercurrent theme to this character of Granny that inspires individuality and nonconformity. I like to say I take the wisdom from the past, mix it with the relevance of the presence, and bring that forward into the uncharted freedom of the future!
How did you pick the name?
It’s a juxtaposition of old(granny) meets power ( 4 Barrel carburetor) I really like the contrast….never judge by appearances alone.
Why are you the Matriarch of Metal?
To my knowledge, I was the first old woman to front a metal band, and at least the first to coin the phrase, therefore I can legally lay claim to “The Matriarch Of Metal! ™”
Are you an older woman who is powerful within a family or organization?
Yes exactly! I am the surrogate metal granny to all of the rock ‘n’ roll children!
FYI Matriarch is an all-female death metal band from Puerto Rico.
Excellent! We should tour together!!
How was it to have your video “She Likes Guns ”, be directed by Stormy Daniels?
It was great she did an outstanding job and it was a pleasure to work with her and her crew.
How good of a director is she?
I think she’s excellent, she works very hard and has some really cool creative ideas!
Was there anything we may see in the director’s cut of the video?
No other video version of this song was made… So what you see on YouTube is the final cut.
What is the band’s background?
All of my members The Maestro- Violin, The Alchemist- Guitar, The Judge- Drums and dear old Granny are from upstate New York/New York City… My musicians are some of the best in the world …I shit you not!!!!
Granny, what did you listen to growing up?
Mainly old-school heavy metal. Bands like Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath. But my musical tastes aren’t limited to just those bands. I like all kinds of music and I especially like excellent songwriting. I love Blondie, Neil diamond, Meatloaf, Zeppelin, etc and all old-school and modern rock… As long as it’s quality songwriting.
What part of upstate NY?
Upstate near Syracuse
Do you play any instruments?
Yes, I play the guitar… That’s probably all you’re going to get out of Granny unless I get bored and decide to start playing something else. Now that you mention it I would like to learn how to play the violin… I’ve got a great teacher if I want to learn…The Maestro would show me the ropes.
Since you are from upstate NY, I am going to list a few bands from upstate NY and I would like to say something about each band.
Phantogram– never heard of them but I will check them out!
Goo Goo Dolls– Great band… Wildly successful back in the day!
Blotto– never heard of this band but I will check them out!
Rick James– how can you not like him? He’s amazing and legendary!
Maria Brink– absolutely love her… She’s an amazing artist and has one of the most badass voices in metal!
Ronnie James Dio– One of my all-time favorite singers! His hometown of Cortland NY is only 45 minutes from where I live… I’m a huge Dio fan!
1313 Mocking Bird Lane– never heard of them but I will check them out!
Ra Ra Riot– same here never heard of them… You keep introducing me to bands I don’t know… I’m stoked to check all of these out!! Thank you!
Lou Gramm– here again, another amazing vocalist/songwriter. I mean how many hits did Foreigner have? It’s ridiculous… They were a supergroup in their day… almost every song was a hit! I saw Brian Adams warm-up for Foreigner back in the day when Jukebox Hero was the hit!
Ani Difranco– she is another legend… She has a huge dedicated following and deserves respect or what she’s accomplished!
Any big tours coming up?
We are working on that as we speak… We will let you know as soon as it happens… But we are getting excited for something big!!
What song do the fans enjoy the most?
They truly seem to enjoy the whole set. All of the songs were hand-picked over the course of time… Songs that the audience loves equally… But if I had to guess I’d say Monolithic!
For someone who never saw a Granny 4 Barrel show… Tell me about it.
Well, it’s like a punch in the nuts! It’s an assault on your senses! Fans love G4B because it’s got all the best elements of rock n’ roll. From the theatrical show and look of the band to the killer songs and heaviness to the multitalented musicians… we are everything true metal fans crave…and then some!!
How do you see your band in 5 years?
We will stay true to our vision and art…we will keep our integrity and we will evolve.
Anything you like to say in closing our little talk?
First thanks for supporting us. I don’t think many people realize how important the journalists are to the success of an artist. To me, this is one big extended metal family. Everyone needs everyone else to survive; the bands, the fans, the journalists and radio stations, promoters, venues…etc. We truly appreciate you helping get the word out.
Finally here’s some life advice from Granny. Never let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do. What you can and can’t believe. Who you can and can’t love. What you can and can’t say. There are no constraints on you, only what you impose yourself. Make up your own mind!
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