After reviewing the latest and greatest from controversial rockers, Blacklist Union, we were more than ecstatic to have the opportunity to chat up Tony West. Back To Momo is bringing back that grit and balls-out flare that we love to hear when listening to rock music. Produced by Tony West and Todd Youth, Back To Momo is taking Blacklist Union to the next level!
At RockRevolt, we love bringing the best of the best in independent artists to the forefront, and Blacklist Union is a band that we are more than ecstatic to bring to you as our Indie Band of the week!
You all are back with a brand-new body of work and a brand-new attitude from previous album. Tell me about your new-found attitude!
I think the first three records are great. We had a lot of dark energy, pain and such. This record is about letting go of and the ties that bind, but having a good time and not taking ourselves so serious.
Back to Momo just came out. What is a Momo?
Momo is a whore house in LA. Rockers have been known to frequent it.
Of course! The album has a very retro/vintage rock ‘n roll feel. Is it because of Momo?
Well, Momo is kind of an Asian place, with Asian girls. As far as the artwork, the logo in the middle is ours. An artist I like a lot, Johnny Castillo, he did all of the artwork on that CD. I came up with the cover idea, and we collaborated on it. I love to collaborate. Being artists, I think we should collaborate. It’s not about ego and “look at how great I am”, you know what I mean? It’s supposed to be about community and camaraderie.
The idea of the tattoos on ladies, was that your inspiration?
I told him to put the tattoos on them. I like tattoos, especially tattooed women. Sexy tattooed women are always nice! Personally I have a lot of Japanese and spiritual tattoos myself. Across my back to have a Japanese garden, as well as the various rock and punk rock stuff, and everything in between.
Very interesting! You’ve been in the music industry for many years. It’s pretty grueling. It can chew you up and spit you out. What spurs you to continue and push forward?
It’s a question I asked myself every day! Being true to myself I guess. Music has always been my Savior in life, and it will continue to be. It has helped me get through a lot of stuff. It’s very therapeutic for me. I needed. It’s really about creating and having fun with it. All the business shit makes me almost not want to play music really. Everyone is full of shit.
Very true! It makes me wonder why I do what I do as well! What does releasing Back to Momo mean to Blacklist Union?
It means we get to get out there and take it all the way to Europe, and some fun stuff. I hope Aerosmith hears this fucking record, because it’s a kick ass record. They were my muse and I really respected them growing up. I looked up to them in a big way. It’s a great record and I’m really proud of it.
Blacklist Union “Alive N Well Smack in the Middle of Hell” (OFFICIAL) Video
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You released a single, “Evil Eye”. I’ve listened to it, and it has a very powerful guitar intro and it gives me almost an Ozzy vocal styling. Why did you choose to release this one?
There’s a power that comes with that song that I’ve never felt before, because it’s so real. It’s not really about writing my mother off (because she’s very mean and fake). She didn’t give me any love. My childhood is not very nice and she pretends that it doesn’t exist. That’s why we can never get along because she can’t get real. I wrote her off a couple of years ago. “No. I don’t need her. Fuck this.” You know? This is just the song about that, about her. I spent my whole life trying stuff for her, like take my nose rings out when I go see her. I always felt like I had to be someone else. My father, I’ve seen him once in 20 years. I had to teach myself the very basics and necessities of life, as a kid coming to LA. I’m trying to teach my son everything that I wasn’t.
Your son is very cute! He looks just like you!
Thank you.
On your last album you had many guests. Are there any guests on Back to Momo?
Todd Youth and I wrote the record. He played with Danzig and Glen Campbell, and Ace Frehely (a whole bunch of fucking people). He’d even been subbing for Motorhead until his mom died. He and I wrote the CD. Matt Zane played drums on it. He’s playing with Mr. Big now. He’s a great drummer and a great guy too.
Back to your Reverbnation bio, it makes reference to your band has always pulled through to face another day and to write another chapter of their checkered and colorful lives. Tell me how this is true.
Because of LA, every day I get some nonsense and bullshit that makes you question why you live here. Life is always and adventure. There is always something around the corner going on.
No doubt! Are there any videos underway?
“Evil Eye” is the single we have a video planned for and it should be out in August or September.
