Almost A Dirty Dozen with RAYGUN ROMANCE – June 2022

According to a recent press release: “Electronic Rock/Synth Pop project RAYGUN ROMANCE (former POWERMAN 5000 Guitarist TY OLIVER) has unleashed the official music video for his newest Dark Synth masterpiece, “Adore You.” Filmed by Marie Ilene and the inimitable front-man (who also edited), “Adore You” features burlesque dancer and pinup Princess Miss Spent Youth.” We get Ty to discuss new music, influences, and 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 you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

I write about what I feel or what I’m experiencing. Sometimes it’s easier to say something with lyrics than it is to say it in person. I can sort of hide behind the persona if that makes sense. This song is about a relationship that because of certain circumstances, is only going to end badly. But the chemistry between the two people is so strong neither one can stay away from the other.

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

Watching a lot of MTV got me into music. Seeing guys like Tommy Lee from Mötley Crüe, and Blas Elias from Slaughter playing these huge drum kits and twirling their sticks. It was just overwhelmingly cool and it made me want to play drums. I got a drum set when I was 15, and the first time I jammed with some friends, I was absolutely hooked. I knew right then and there that was it. I was going to be a musician. It was magical.

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

I’ve always been a rock guy as far as my taste in music goes. That being said, rock is a generic term that can cover a lot of different sub genres. Guitar was my instrument of choice for years, so for a long while I was very much into Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, plus a bunch of the 80’s Hair Metal shredders. But I love all kinds of stuff from Alternative, Electronic, Goth, Industrial, Metal and Pop. I think it’s pretty obvious the 80’s have a big influence on me, but I like a ton of stuff from the 90’s, 2000’s and the present day.

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

I’d love to have Chibi from the Birthday Massacre do some vocals on a Raygun track.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I love Mountain Biking and I’m a gym rat.

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?

I usually say it’s 80’s influenced Electronic Rock/Synth Pop.

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

Well technically it’s not a “Band” in the traditional sense since it’s just me. But there’s definitely not going to be any acoustic anything happening. Cocktails? Absolutely.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I live in Los Angeles, so it’s pretty common to see Musicians and Actors out and about. The most recent sighting was Matt Sorum (Guns and Roses, Velvet Revolver, The Cult).

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Playing live is definitely one of the most exciting parts of being a musician. But one of my favorite things is seeing a song take shape and reach its final form. Creating something out of essentially nothing is incredibly satisfying.

10. 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?

Some of my clothing choices early on, huge misstep.

11. 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?

Oh, I’d love to be a fly on the wall for the Perverse album from Jesus Jones. Absolutely one of my favorites, way ahead of it’s time and truly underrated. Huge influence on me.

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Category: Interviews