If you don’t know already, former SICK PUPPIES frontman Shimon Moore formed SCREAMING AT DEMONS along with Chris Clemence (bassist of RAP SCALLIONS), and Russell Ali. Their first single and video “Rockstar” was a huge success for the Homeless Rockstars movement to help members of the homeless community get back into society and realize their dreams.
So I caught up with these guys on the convention room floor of NAMM at the Anaheim Convention Center at the Rock N Roll Gangstar booth to discuss what’s good about NAMM and what’s in store with the new single and video for “Our Time” featuring Chad Smith from the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS.
We’re here with SCREAMING AT DEMONS. So guys, tell me, what are you doing here at NAMM?
Chris: We’re here to support our companies that endorse us, and also promote our newest single “Rockstar” as well as our upcoming single, “Our Time”. And just to connect with everyone; say “hi” to all of our friends.
Shim: That’s really what NAMM is all about. You wind up talking on email to everyone, and you get one day to get a face-to-face with them. Chris has a signing though – he’s endorsed by Warwick, and this year they asked him to sign, which is a big deal! You gotta be important for them to ask you to take the time and sign some autographs. That’s why Chris is here today.
Great! How many NAMM’s have you guys been to? More than you can count?
Shim: I did them every year when I first landed. I’m from Sydney, Australia. When we first got here, we did all four days, and the next year we did two, and then we did one, and then we were on tour. So for five years, I didn’t come to a single show. This is my first in about five years, because I’ve been on tour for so long. It’s really good though! I’m endorsed by Gibson. We’ve been working on the record and the single for “Rockstar” came out a few months ago. Check it out! It’s on our site, screamingatdemons.com. It has all the music and all the press.
Everyone has been very receptive. They’re all waiting to hear the music. We walked up to Gibson and Audio-technica (I’m also endorced by them) and D’addarío strings, and they all just say, “What you need?” Which is great, because we are in between what we’re doing, and promoting, but the record as needed been released yet. There are a lot of people waiting to hear it, which is really good for us. We’re really happy with that.
Ok! Do want to tell me more about the new release?
Shim: The first release “Rockstar”, was written for a charity called “Homeless Rockstars”. It was something that we put out so that people could have a little taste of something while we finish the record. The only way you can buy it is to donate to the charity, and then we personally send you the song. It basically means the only way you can get it is to help somebody else. It’s been very successful. In the meantime, while we’ve been fulfilling that we’ve been working on the next single that Chris mentioned, “Our Time”. Chad Smith from the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS is going to be guesting on drums on that song. We’re also in the middle of making a video for the song. Holly Holm, the number one UFC female fighter in the world, who knocked out Ronda Rousey, is going to be in the video.
Chris: That video will be benefiting victims of domestic abuse, and we will be giving a portion of those proceeds to those charities to help those victims.
That is amazing! Why are you guys so focused on these altruistic purposes?
Shim: Somebody asked me the same thing a couple of days ago. It’s just really hard to make music and try to sell it and try to push it, and promote it. When you know you are doing it for good cause, it makes everything a lot easier. When you know that you are doing it for something more than just yourself, your song, and your ego, it makes it a lot more satisfying. Everything rounds out nicely. We also get to meet the people that we affect.
Chris: There’s nothing more powerful than see your music positively change someone’s life, and help them, and if we can do that, we’re all about it.
That’s wonderful! On a personal note, what do you guys like to do at NAMM?
Shim: I like to drink beer backstage while Chris is signing at Warwick, and hang out.
Chris: Best part of NAMM
Shim: Honestly, the best thing is that everyone comes here to network, but we are lucky to have had long relationships with our endorsers. It’s really like coming home. When you get to the tent everyone is really happy to see you and they want to know what you’re doing. When you’re in the music business, you are either in the studio or on tour, you are in the bubble. You have to focus on that. That’s the target. When you come here, you get to hang out, and it reminds you why we do this shit. That’s what’s really good about it.
Any shows that you want to see this time? I didn’t see Alice Cooper, because I couldn’t…
Shim: That would’ve been good! I did not know he was here!
Chris: Tonight were going to check out the show over at the Marriott, Ben from LIFEHOUSE is performing. It’s good to run into everyone and catch up with old friends. It’s always nice to be pleasantly surprised too. Sometimes you just be walking around and see one of your favorite musicians, or performers get up and do their thing. That’s the cool thing about NAMM.
Have you seen anyone like that?
Shim: I’m lucky to be with him (motions at Chris), because I wouldn’t want to go to any of the parties that would be willing to give me an invitation. He knows a lot more people, so I hang out with him and just follow wherever he goes.
You have better connections?
Shim: He’s a hustler man! He walks up and he’s all “I play bass. I’m coming in.” And everybody gets out of his way!
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By: Jen Rubino, Photojournalist, January 31, 2016
