A Dirty Dozen with MICK PATTERSON from HOT FOR CRIME – March 2023

According to a recent press release: “Hot For Crime, LA’s hardest-hitting rock n’ roll band, is shaking up the system with their debut tracks “You Ain’t Mine” and “Irish Style.” Hot for Crime plays timeless rock ‘n’ roll music – guitar, bass, and drums – in the classic tradition, equally influenced by the ‘60s and ‘70s greats, all the way up to the modern day. Their debut album meant to be played loud, preferably on your car stereo, with the top down, as you speed along L.A.’s fabled Sunset Strip, where they fit right in. The band formed in 2022, echoing classic Los Angeles origin stories like The Doors’ Jim Morrison meeting Ray Manzarek, a fellow UCLA film student, on Venice Beach – which is where vocalist Mick Patterson reconnected with his childhood friend, bassist Paul O’Malley, to launch what would become Hot for Crime.” We get singer Mick 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?

We are simultaneously releasing our debut album with 12 new songs called Meet Hot for Crime that we believe all have the potential to be Singles and a 10 song pre-album titled Gotcha, filled with 2021 recordings that fans will love… It’s all strong Rock ’n’ roll! There is a storyline in all of these songs about the women we love. It’s very sensual music… about obsession… where you can’t get enough of someone. Listen and you will find out!

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

I listen to music constantly and have a wide variety of music that I love. I have a running soundtrack in the back of my head. I think it was when I was Paul Stanley (KISS) when I was 5 years old that made me dream of being able to perform live and play music in a band.

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

Thankfully my mom was a big Beatles and Elvis fan and that’s what I heard growing up… then after I heard “Back in Black” it’s been AC/DC.

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

Living: Paul McCartney, so talented as a songwriter and musician. I would love to see what our collective minds would produce. Past: Prince, I would love to see his process and feel all his rhythmic energy.

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

In this order:  I love fine food + wine, being outdoors in the California sunshine and spending time with my special someone.

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?

It’s like today’s AC/DC mixed with the Rolling Stones (I wish). That I look like a young William Shatner.

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?

Cooks? – No one!  We eat mostly Mexican food with shots on the road. Paul, our Bass player, is the one we can always depend on getting the first round of margaritas, and Miles is the one to bust out a guitar to sit around playing music.

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

I saw Emily Ratajkowski on the Lower East Side in NYC. She’s more beautiful in person and carries such a strong irresistible attitude. At least that is what I thought from afar.

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?

The best part is the people. It’s kind of a family… lots of love and conflict all mixed in. I would shoot for Anthony Bourdain’s old job and if that doesn’t work. I can always go back to dish washing.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

Does true love exist?….Yes. Who is your music influenced by… I like to think we have our own sound.

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?

I’d like a do-over on pretty much every song I sang between ages 19-21. I wasn’t singing my music – we were still trying to find ourselves.

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?

Let it Bleed, Rolling Stones. The album’s sound is a combination of blues, rock, and country, and Hot For Crime is so influenced by that genre of music. It is a more straightforward rock and roll style. It also featured contributions from several amazing iconic musicians, such as Nicky Hopkins on piano, Ry Cooder on slide guitar, and Merry Clayton on backing vocals!  Amazing! It is  a masterpiece of the rock era.

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Category: Interviews