A Dirty Dozen with DOMINICK MUZIO of WICKED GARDEN – April 2019

According to a recent press release: “Las Vegas alternative rock act WICKED GARDEN have released their new video for “Already Gone” and have teamed up with PureGrainAudio.com for the premiere. “Already Gone” was shot at 11st Records in Las Vegas, which also houses National Southwest Recording in the back where Post Dystopian Leisure Music was recorded. It was directed by Dominick Muzio, shot and edited by Nicholas Muzio with Stephy Hayward and stars Mia Muzio.” We get guitarist / vocalist Dominick to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Post Dystopian Leisure Music is our debut album from Vanity Music Group. It’s a hard rock/ grunge throwback I would say. We kind of went back to what we grew up with and paid homage to the bands that shaped us into who we are. We had some great guests on the record, like Todd Kerns (from Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators) and Michael “Doc” Ellis who added some great elements. When people listen through they always comment on how we sound like nothing out there today. There’s a ton of influences.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

My father was a musician and he basically raised me with a guitar in my hands. I remember watching him play all these songs I heard on the radio, and then he took my to see some of my first concerts and I was like, “Yeah, I wanna do that!”

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Easily it would be Nirvana, Alice In Chains, and Concrete Blonde. Aerosmith as far as live shows. Incredible energy!

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Man it changes almost daily! Right now I’d have to say Dave Grohl, Jerry Cantrell, Kurt Cobain, Johnette Napolitano, and Steven Tyler / Joe Perry.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I have to go with Grohl. Dude’s a beast. I love how he’s not pigeonholed into one sound or style.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Good old guitar / garage rock. Catchy hooks and lyrics. What rock used to be before machines and pop stars. Someone once said we sounded like we belonged on the Sunset Strip. I have no idea where that came from!

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

The ability to express yourself in a unique way. Anyone can say “I feel anger or sadness”, but with music you can tell the story and make them feel it.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Shawn cooks. The dude makes huge Super Bowl spreads! Jay and Troy are the mixologists. I always have the guitar in my hands.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

I’ve been lucky enough to work with some great famous people, so I don’t get star struck much. But I once met Johnette Napolitano and I couldn’t remember my name.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

This is the dream. There is nothing else.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

When I was much younger I put out some records, and I put way too much pressure on myself and didn’t enjoy the moments. I’d like to do it all again and enjoy the ride this time.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I’d have to say the recording of Nevermind. That record changed everything. I would love to have been a fly on the wall at that point.  The passion and the intensity of that record made me reevaluate how I wrote music myself. The songwriting is just flawless. I hope to make a record half as good someday.

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Category: Interviews