www.AdrianRocks.com
From Washington State to Austin, Texas Adrian Connor has covered the west coast. Her role as Angus young in the all female AC/DC Tribute band Hell’s Belles has led her to what she calls, “her future” in the band Adrian and The Sickness. GirlAuDio: I noticed that you play a Gibson SG and mention that in your bio materials. Gibson is a favorite of mine, why is it your choice too?Adrian: The SG is so light. It's easier to play and jump around and get physical with because the fret board looks up at you so it's very easy to see. GirlAuDio: Tell me about Hell's Belles?Adrian: It's an all female AC/DC tribute act. We act and play just like AC/DC. I play the Angus role. It's very fun and it's my "day job". It's providing an excellent springboard for my original project Adrian and the Sickness. Adrian and the Sickness is my future. I'm very lucky to be playing music for a living. GirlAuDio: When did you first get into the music business and how, was it hell's belles? Adrian: Well I played in a lot of terrible bands before Hells Belles. Hells Belles was my first successful project to jump into. It has been an invaluable experience since day one. But also a very life consuming [one] at the beginning. My musicianship and songwriting has benefited so much from Hells Belles. It's taught me how to have a top quality product in terms of Adrian and the Sickness. GirlAuDio: You established Adrian and The Sickness in 2002 right after moving to Austin. How long did it take to get the new project together? Adrian: I've been writing songs since 2000. So I had been looking for players since then. So I guess it's taken about 6 years. GirlAuDio: How did you find Heather and Nina? Adrian: I met heather in 2003. She was a math school teacher. I met Nina in 2005 under the auspices that we were trying to start a Led Zeppelin tribute band out of Austin. It never worked out, but she decided to start playing with us beginning 2006.GirlAuDio: Who are your greatest influences? Adrian: Jimmy Page, AC/DC (now), the Donnas, the Distillers. GirlAuDio: Do you write all your own material? Adrian: No, I play friend’s songs too that I like and we play some covers live. GirlAuDio: Do you write alone or with others? Adrian: I just started getting some help from Heather Webb. GirlAuDio: What is your writing process like? Adrian: It takes me a long time to write songs. I'm very picky and I so badly don't want to be repetitive like so many bands out there. I want our live show to interesting and fun. Not song after song that sounds the same. GirlAuDio: Do you have a favorite place to write? Adrian: No, usually songs or parts of songs just happen. I like to be alone for sure. I like windows and light in the room too.GirlAuDio: What type of gear do you use? Adrian: I use Marshall JCM 600 at home. When I'm with the Belles I use a JCM 2000. But 900's are my fave [but] I don't have one.GirlAuDio: Are you big on processing your sound or do you like to keep it simple?Adrian: I keep it simple. No effects. Just one channel for clean and one channel for dirty. I'm just bare bones rock n roll and [I] am too hyper to deal with pedals....GirlAuDio: Do you think there is a difference between the way men and women are treated in this industry? Adrian: Yes, but also in terms of consumers buying product. I can only speak of Rock music genre though. First off Rock n Roll isn't very popular among the majority of our population. But in the world of rock, women fronted bands aren't a well received commodity. And I can see why, a lot of women fronted rock bands aren't very good. Because when your a woman rocker you have to be sexy, you have to have good songs, you have to be an entertainer. To be successful with other females in your audience, You have to make them want to be you. It’s almost like all the women rockers I’ve liked and have inspired me, have made me feel that on some sort of level. But creativity steps in when you ask yourself... what is sexy? I don't know... I don't think I’m sexy tho.. maybe that's why I'm not making more money.GirlAuDio: In January, 2006, you released your third album, "Adrian for President" which was recorded at the Congress House Studio. Has anything change for you over the course of 3 albums, things you have learned in and out of the studio, words of advice for the readers, etc? Adrian: Yes, you can never trust anyone. This is the first album I didn't [record] in Seattle due to some unprofessionalism. Be very careful where you decide to record. Most of the time, engineers don't care about the music and you wind up with demo quality stuff. Make sure who you’re working with, if they don't have a reputation, care about your material. I went with the Congress house because they had some type of reputation in Austin. GirlAuDio: Did you produce or help produce the third album, "Adrian for President?" Adrian: I guess so, I'm not much of a producer. This album is pretty much what we do live unlike my albums before. GirlAuDio: Before we close, what is one thought or maybe an "Adrian quote" you would like to leave with the readers? Adrian: I'd like to thank all my fans and people who have bought my CD who didn't know anything about me. It's hard for people to know when something's good if bands don't have thousands of dollars in promotion behind them. So thanks for taking a chance on me!