Bloom is the amazing Indie Pop band that opened for the SuicideGirls Live show for both tours. You have probably heard them but may have been a little distracted by the impending boobies. They now have a phenomenal full-length album out called O'Sinner that will not be ignored and are opening for the great Dinosaur Jr. on 7th of July at The House of Blues in Orlando, Florida. Devin is the black eyeliner sporting, quick-witted front man of the band who may have soothed your sweet anticipation for the ladies with a song. I had the chance to talk with him about what he had learned about touring and life while out on the road with the SGs and how his life may never be the same
Buy O'Sinner
Devin: Hello, who is this? Missy?
Missy: Thats me. Who is this? Devin? No way? For real? . No way.
D: This is kind of exciting isnt it? Does it sound better on that side?
M: Probably sounds better on my side, but its not going to be an audio interview,
D: When youre writing this, can you have it so that my voice isnt high? Give me a low character, more like a masculine character.
M: Devin with the low voice and the sultry soundinghe just purrs when he talks..
D: Yeah I purr when I talk, I dont squawk. Purrs not squawk; that would be great.
M: Okay first question should be an easy one. Do you really think everyone looks better in black eyeliner? Do you think the ancient Egyptian's had it right?
D: As co-founder of the premier gothic, punk, indie pin up community on the internet, you should know better than anyone the benefits of black eyeliner. Let me just say "It really brings out my eyes." As far as the Egyptians go, they actually got a couple of things right, one being the eyeliner for Royalty thing. Another is their "You can take it with you" attitude. At death, I plan on being mummified, having my organs put into formaldehyde and having all my friends living or passed, sealed in a shitty mausoleum for eternity, just so we can all make "The Great Journey" together. Sorry guys but friendship has a price.
M: You are the frontman for Bloom, Jeff plays drums, and Brendan is on guitar. I didnt know that you and Brendan were brothers till I just read your bio.
D: Yeah, were brothers, the worst kind too, were like 10 months apart. Theres two months out of the year that we are the same age.
M: Thats pretty cool.
D: Basically my Dad just went for it, went for it right after I was born, I mean went for it, you know what I mean, went as long as he could. Lets go, lets do this, isnt that weird?
M: Were you guys always close growing up?
D Yeah, pretty close, didnt get unclose until college.
M: And then it was unclose?
D: We were unclosing. (laughs)
M: Were you playing together?
D: We were always playing together, he would come in and say Im going to play guitar and youre going to play bass, and then, youre going to sing.
M: He was a bossy older brother?
D: He meant what he wanted, what he did, he was Boss Rock.
M: Excellent.
D: He was in high school before me, and then he was like, alright, you have to learn bass, cause youre not allowed to be in my band until you get into high school. I had to learn bass. It gave me at least a year before
M: You got good so you could join the band.
D: Wow was I good.
M: I believe they call you a prodigy.
D: Yeah, a prodigy.
M: I know that you went to music school in FL. Did you guys go to different schools?
D: I went to University of Florida, Berklee School of Music in Boston to study guitar. I was in University of Florida studying dentistry, pre-dental.
M: Really?
D: That was weird. Its pretty much a premed degree, you take a lot of bio, science. Stupid stuff like that
M: Why dentistry???D: The money. I didnt want to be a doctor, cause it seemed too hard, but dentistry seemed easy. I saw what my dentist did, he would go scrape scrape, suck, $100. My friends dad was a dentist, miserable person, but pretty wealthy. I wanted money, but I got bored with it, didnt want to do it, went to the music dept and kind of said, Can I take some lessons for the big stand up bass? They asked me why dont you be a music major? Meant more orchestra classes, stuff like that. Bass teacher suckered me into it. I love music and wouldnt it be great to have a degree.
M: I think we are all glad that you are making music not giving dental exams. I hate it when my dentist sings and plays my teeth like a stand up bass.
D: Ha, Yeah I am glad I am not a dentist too.
M: Jeff, the drummer has a double life, tell me about it.
D: Jeff, has a full time job at the Dept of Defense, and he flies in for tour dates. He flew into every show and if he wasnt flying into the show, he would work 10-13 hour days. He wouldnt sleep; get in on the plane, play, then go back, go to work. I cant believe it, its still going, his dedication, but his unwillingness to give up on his job, being creative and also working with the band. He hungers being in the situation of seeing it through. He has been playing drums since he was 8. 8-10 hour a day. He can shut off everything else in the world to focus on one thing.
M: Bloom opened for Both SG Live tours. How was that?
D: It was cool, I really think we all grew up, like everyones lives, so many shows, situations are so potentially hostile, we worked so hard during the SG tour harder than wed ever had, awesome opportunity, to be able to do it, there was a shitload of people, there was a certain amount that liked the band.
M: What are your favorite memories from tour?
D: First show in San Francisco. Two days and two nights at the Hotel Congress in Tucson. Below freezing temps and that awful show in Buffalo. Getting to really know the girls from the site. Meeting famed producer Daniel Lanois in NYC. Playing with the Mooney Suzuki for 4 dates and getting invited back for a second tour by SG. I think every person on the planet should be required to hang out with 6 to 8 Suicide Girls, you really get addicted to the spectacle. No tour before or since has been quite as memorable.
M: What is the most outrageous thing that happened on tour?
D: One late night, early in the tour, one of the lovely ladies (no names, protect the innocent/guilty) knocked on our door, in a towel, and asked if I could be so kind as to photograph a few of them romping in a bubble bath. I stuttered out an answer that must have sounded like a "Yes", was pulled into the room, nervously took several bad photos, and, like the true coward that I am, ran back to my room, zipped myself up in my sleeping bag, and uttered the phrase "Shit's...getting...weird." Man I'm lame.
M: Were there any life changing moments on tour?
D: I think anytime you go out on the road and adjust to the personalities of so many different people and learn how to stay sane, be on time, personalize your entertainment, and do a great job in every city and still manage to have fun... It is a life changing experience. I can honestly say from being around that many girls for so long I have learned an incredible amount about women. I think the DVD you guys are putting out will really surprise a lot of guys.
M: Where do you never want to go again?
D: Home or Detroit.
M: What was your favorite city or crowd?
D: Philly, 1st SG tour, was the best and worst night simultaneously. The Trocadero was an amazing venue, a converted 1900's Burlesque house (very apropos). Philadelphia, apparently, is known for there intensely abusive crowds. Imagine stepping on stage in front of about 1500 "delphians" all hungry for the Girls. It was comical the amount of insults they threw at us. I actually faired better then most people do... according to several venue staff. Maybe it was the music, maybe it was the insults I slung back at them or maybe (unlikely) it was my undeniable stage presence, but eventually we turned them around. It was cool.
M: What is your favorite road snack?
D: Coffee.
M: Any good truck stop stories?
D: I hate, hate, hate, truck stops. I dont find them endearing or funny; they just make me sad. Plus the bathrooms are gross. Did you know there is a truck stop that has a live caged tiger just pacing back and forth in a crummy cage probably out of its fucking mind? Nice work gross America.
M: You guys seem pretty seasoned by now? You were on the road for quite a while.
D: We were doing what bands try to do, get the shows, and play them.
M: Did the tour teach you lessons for playing with Urge Overkill and Guided by Voices?
D: Those shows werent a bit hard to deal with after the SG tour, nothing on stage can be said or done to me that hasnt already happened, bottles flying, insults flying, its all been done.
M: When are you going back on road?
D: Dinosaur Jr. Invited us to play a show on the East Coast date on the 7th of July.
M: What is your favorite DJ song and what are you most looking forward to about playing with them?
D: I really like the entire "Where You Been" album, as it was my first introduction to the band. "I Know You're Out There" and "Start Choppin' " are at the top of the list. But who can deny earlier classic's like "Freak Scene," Little Fury Things," "Puke + Cry," "The Wagon." I could go on but won't. I can't wait to ass kiss J. Mascis.
M: Are you happy with the current album OSinner???
D: I love the album; I think its great.
M: It is getting a lot of good reviews. I was talking to your tour manager the other day and he said that you were waiting for the 1st bad review; every album has someone whos grumpy.
D: There has been a couple, nothing too bad; Im waiting for a real doozy, like its a real pile of shit Im real patient. Bad is funny especially when they give it to you. Hate is another form of love. Hate is not apathy. I never knew that, it took me a long time, Im like thats BS hate is hate. But now I know.
M: Have you guys been writing new songs while on the road?
D: Writing by self, not given it to the other 2 guys
M: Devin Solo projects?
D: Ive not the guts to give it to them yet, not sure they are good. There are 30 or so bits of tunes that I refer to daily for 3 months. Should give them to the guys, havent had the nerve yet. It is always a process.
M: Im sure, it gets hectic, youve known each other for so long, Im sure that theres a whole process.
D: My bro has no problems telling me something tough, but thats not a big deal, its no good, I get ready to show him stuff, and he hacks up what I present him, so I hold onto my intact ideas for a while. Your question reminded me to work on some new stuff; Ive been doing it, just personally not with the rest of band
M: What does the future hold for Bloom?
D: The future, thats a good one, its hard to say, I guess well ride out the success of this album a day or two longer and then start working on some new stuff, I guess. What do other bands do? Another album, a tour?
M: Its a vicious circle.
D: How long does that go for?
M: Depends on the band. If you are Sonic Youth, you will be doing it for the next 12-15 years
D: I hope thats what we will be doing.
M: Me too, you guys are good.
D: Yeah, do you think we will be making the money? I think we will eventually. Thats all I want rent money and bills.
M: I hope so.
by: Missy
Buy O'Sinner
Devin: Hello, who is this? Missy?
Missy: Thats me. Who is this? Devin? No way? For real? . No way.
D: This is kind of exciting isnt it? Does it sound better on that side?
M: Probably sounds better on my side, but its not going to be an audio interview,
D: When youre writing this, can you have it so that my voice isnt high? Give me a low character, more like a masculine character.
M: Devin with the low voice and the sultry soundinghe just purrs when he talks..
D: Yeah I purr when I talk, I dont squawk. Purrs not squawk; that would be great.
M: Okay first question should be an easy one. Do you really think everyone looks better in black eyeliner? Do you think the ancient Egyptian's had it right?
D: As co-founder of the premier gothic, punk, indie pin up community on the internet, you should know better than anyone the benefits of black eyeliner. Let me just say "It really brings out my eyes." As far as the Egyptians go, they actually got a couple of things right, one being the eyeliner for Royalty thing. Another is their "You can take it with you" attitude. At death, I plan on being mummified, having my organs put into formaldehyde and having all my friends living or passed, sealed in a shitty mausoleum for eternity, just so we can all make "The Great Journey" together. Sorry guys but friendship has a price.
M: You are the frontman for Bloom, Jeff plays drums, and Brendan is on guitar. I didnt know that you and Brendan were brothers till I just read your bio.
D: Yeah, were brothers, the worst kind too, were like 10 months apart. Theres two months out of the year that we are the same age.
M: Thats pretty cool.
D: Basically my Dad just went for it, went for it right after I was born, I mean went for it, you know what I mean, went as long as he could. Lets go, lets do this, isnt that weird?
M: Were you guys always close growing up?
D Yeah, pretty close, didnt get unclose until college.
M: And then it was unclose?
D: We were unclosing. (laughs)
M: Were you playing together?
D: We were always playing together, he would come in and say Im going to play guitar and youre going to play bass, and then, youre going to sing.
M: He was a bossy older brother?
D: He meant what he wanted, what he did, he was Boss Rock.
M: Excellent.
D: He was in high school before me, and then he was like, alright, you have to learn bass, cause youre not allowed to be in my band until you get into high school. I had to learn bass. It gave me at least a year before
M: You got good so you could join the band.
D: Wow was I good.
M: I believe they call you a prodigy.
D: Yeah, a prodigy.
M: I know that you went to music school in FL. Did you guys go to different schools?
D: I went to University of Florida, Berklee School of Music in Boston to study guitar. I was in University of Florida studying dentistry, pre-dental.
M: Really?
D: That was weird. Its pretty much a premed degree, you take a lot of bio, science. Stupid stuff like that
M: Why dentistry???D: The money. I didnt want to be a doctor, cause it seemed too hard, but dentistry seemed easy. I saw what my dentist did, he would go scrape scrape, suck, $100. My friends dad was a dentist, miserable person, but pretty wealthy. I wanted money, but I got bored with it, didnt want to do it, went to the music dept and kind of said, Can I take some lessons for the big stand up bass? They asked me why dont you be a music major? Meant more orchestra classes, stuff like that. Bass teacher suckered me into it. I love music and wouldnt it be great to have a degree.
M: I think we are all glad that you are making music not giving dental exams. I hate it when my dentist sings and plays my teeth like a stand up bass.
D: Ha, Yeah I am glad I am not a dentist too.
M: Jeff, the drummer has a double life, tell me about it.
D: Jeff, has a full time job at the Dept of Defense, and he flies in for tour dates. He flew into every show and if he wasnt flying into the show, he would work 10-13 hour days. He wouldnt sleep; get in on the plane, play, then go back, go to work. I cant believe it, its still going, his dedication, but his unwillingness to give up on his job, being creative and also working with the band. He hungers being in the situation of seeing it through. He has been playing drums since he was 8. 8-10 hour a day. He can shut off everything else in the world to focus on one thing.
M: Bloom opened for Both SG Live tours. How was that?
D: It was cool, I really think we all grew up, like everyones lives, so many shows, situations are so potentially hostile, we worked so hard during the SG tour harder than wed ever had, awesome opportunity, to be able to do it, there was a shitload of people, there was a certain amount that liked the band.
M: What are your favorite memories from tour?
D: First show in San Francisco. Two days and two nights at the Hotel Congress in Tucson. Below freezing temps and that awful show in Buffalo. Getting to really know the girls from the site. Meeting famed producer Daniel Lanois in NYC. Playing with the Mooney Suzuki for 4 dates and getting invited back for a second tour by SG. I think every person on the planet should be required to hang out with 6 to 8 Suicide Girls, you really get addicted to the spectacle. No tour before or since has been quite as memorable.
M: What is the most outrageous thing that happened on tour?
D: One late night, early in the tour, one of the lovely ladies (no names, protect the innocent/guilty) knocked on our door, in a towel, and asked if I could be so kind as to photograph a few of them romping in a bubble bath. I stuttered out an answer that must have sounded like a "Yes", was pulled into the room, nervously took several bad photos, and, like the true coward that I am, ran back to my room, zipped myself up in my sleeping bag, and uttered the phrase "Shit's...getting...weird." Man I'm lame.
M: Were there any life changing moments on tour?
D: I think anytime you go out on the road and adjust to the personalities of so many different people and learn how to stay sane, be on time, personalize your entertainment, and do a great job in every city and still manage to have fun... It is a life changing experience. I can honestly say from being around that many girls for so long I have learned an incredible amount about women. I think the DVD you guys are putting out will really surprise a lot of guys.
M: Where do you never want to go again?
D: Home or Detroit.
M: What was your favorite city or crowd?
D: Philly, 1st SG tour, was the best and worst night simultaneously. The Trocadero was an amazing venue, a converted 1900's Burlesque house (very apropos). Philadelphia, apparently, is known for there intensely abusive crowds. Imagine stepping on stage in front of about 1500 "delphians" all hungry for the Girls. It was comical the amount of insults they threw at us. I actually faired better then most people do... according to several venue staff. Maybe it was the music, maybe it was the insults I slung back at them or maybe (unlikely) it was my undeniable stage presence, but eventually we turned them around. It was cool.
M: What is your favorite road snack?
D: Coffee.
M: Any good truck stop stories?
D: I hate, hate, hate, truck stops. I dont find them endearing or funny; they just make me sad. Plus the bathrooms are gross. Did you know there is a truck stop that has a live caged tiger just pacing back and forth in a crummy cage probably out of its fucking mind? Nice work gross America.
M: You guys seem pretty seasoned by now? You were on the road for quite a while.
D: We were doing what bands try to do, get the shows, and play them.
M: Did the tour teach you lessons for playing with Urge Overkill and Guided by Voices?
D: Those shows werent a bit hard to deal with after the SG tour, nothing on stage can be said or done to me that hasnt already happened, bottles flying, insults flying, its all been done.
M: When are you going back on road?
D: Dinosaur Jr. Invited us to play a show on the East Coast date on the 7th of July.
M: What is your favorite DJ song and what are you most looking forward to about playing with them?
D: I really like the entire "Where You Been" album, as it was my first introduction to the band. "I Know You're Out There" and "Start Choppin' " are at the top of the list. But who can deny earlier classic's like "Freak Scene," Little Fury Things," "Puke + Cry," "The Wagon." I could go on but won't. I can't wait to ass kiss J. Mascis.
M: Are you happy with the current album OSinner???
D: I love the album; I think its great.
M: It is getting a lot of good reviews. I was talking to your tour manager the other day and he said that you were waiting for the 1st bad review; every album has someone whos grumpy.
D: There has been a couple, nothing too bad; Im waiting for a real doozy, like its a real pile of shit Im real patient. Bad is funny especially when they give it to you. Hate is another form of love. Hate is not apathy. I never knew that, it took me a long time, Im like thats BS hate is hate. But now I know.
M: Have you guys been writing new songs while on the road?
D: Writing by self, not given it to the other 2 guys
M: Devin Solo projects?
D: Ive not the guts to give it to them yet, not sure they are good. There are 30 or so bits of tunes that I refer to daily for 3 months. Should give them to the guys, havent had the nerve yet. It is always a process.
M: Im sure, it gets hectic, youve known each other for so long, Im sure that theres a whole process.
D: My bro has no problems telling me something tough, but thats not a big deal, its no good, I get ready to show him stuff, and he hacks up what I present him, so I hold onto my intact ideas for a while. Your question reminded me to work on some new stuff; Ive been doing it, just personally not with the rest of band
M: What does the future hold for Bloom?
D: The future, thats a good one, its hard to say, I guess well ride out the success of this album a day or two longer and then start working on some new stuff, I guess. What do other bands do? Another album, a tour?
M: Its a vicious circle.
D: How long does that go for?
M: Depends on the band. If you are Sonic Youth, you will be doing it for the next 12-15 years
D: I hope thats what we will be doing.
M: Me too, you guys are good.
D: Yeah, do you think we will be making the money? I think we will eventually. Thats all I want rent money and bills.
M: I hope so.
by: Missy
VIEW 11 of 11 COMMENTS
i sort of miss you devin, but not too much