Avenpitch interview with Space Junkies:

The following is an interview with Avenpitch taken from Space Junkies.

Wednesday Elektra: Where did the name "Avenpitch" originate from?

Todd Millenacker: I wrote down a bunch of possible band names on a sheet of paper and "Avenpitch" passed the two-week test. The name means nothing, but it sounds cool and it stuck.

Wednz: Who's currently in the band and what are their roles?

Todd: I'm that longhaired lumberjack dude. I sing and play guitar.

David Miller: I play keyboards and jump around like a shocked monkey.

Darren Siaw: I play guitar, Paul Hudalla plays drums, and we all do some programming.

Wednz: Tell me a little bit about your self-titled album release, where did the concept of it originate and what were you trying to get across through it?

Todd: I think the only real concept we adhere to is that we try to make music we would want to listen to. Of course as a lyricist I had some ideas I wanted to get across, but really it's up to the listener to read into the words as much as they'd like. Sound-wise our primary goal was to make a very layered and sonically complex album; something where one could find something new on each repeated listen.

Wednz: I really enjoyed your self-titled album, what were your inspirations for it?

Todd: We strive to be a great band. I realize we still have a long way to go, but that's the underlining principle in everything we do. In regards to the album, I just wanted to make a record that attempts to stand up to some of my favorite left-field pop albums (Prick's self-titled debut, New Order's Technique, The Cure's The Top, Weezer's Blue Album, The The's Soul Mining, Shotgun Messiah's Violent New Breed, David Bowie's Earthling, etc).

Wednz: What are some of the radio stations that are currently playing your music? How does that feel, considering you're a relatively new band to the scene?

David: It's nice to think someone somewhere is listening to what you're banging away on all this time. You know, hopefully some random person gets a kick out of it.

Todd: We are getting some airplay on college stations around Minnesota. Right now, neither Avenpitch nor Omega Point Records really has the money (and isn't that what it's all about) to push Avenpitch to a wider audience. Still, it's great to hear some stations have been picking it up and giving it a few spins.

Darren: It's definitely a great feeling to listen to yourself on the radio - even though most of the time you have no clue as to when they actually do play it; it's probably at like 2AM on a Tuesday morning or something.

Wednz: How would you describe your own music? What do you feel your music compares to, any other artists, or bands with a similar style/sound?

David: Electropunk all the way. Locally we mesh well with Uber Cool Kung Fu, nationally The Faint and The Epoxies are good fits. I think this sort of music is music to play Nintendo to right after you had a bad breakup.

Darren: Avenpitch is sort of a fusion of synthpop and electronica with a lil' rock'n'roll edge to it.

Wednz: What other bands have you been apart of?

Todd: I was in quite a few horribly named bands during my formative years: Mind Riot, Purge, Slaveslate, etc. My most noteworthy effort was in a band called The Fleshpeddlers, which I led from 1995 through 2001. We put out three CDs and quite a few tapes. It was fun, but it was a thing with high school buddies and I wanted to do something a bit more serious.

David: Too many to mention; I seem to sprout bands as fast as the Hydra grows heads. Primarily, I've been doing the project Fadladder with my wife now for about 3 or 4 years. We are ambient experimental and have a recent album out on Mutant Music.

Darren: I was in two bands back in Malaysia before moving to Minneapolis. My first band was a Chinese metal band and then I formed a Deftones cover band. I was also in the last year of The Fleshpeddlers which would eventually mutate into Avenpitch.

Wednz: How'd you come to be apart of Omega Point Records? What's it like having them on your side?

Todd: Emil Hyde, the dude who runs things over at Omega Point, was a big fan and supporter of The Fleshpeddlers. When I told him I was starting up a new band he asked me if we'd like to release the disc on Omega Point Records. The label is really starting to get off the ground and I'm happy to be part of it.

Wednz: Where are you based and what is your local music scene like?

David: Minneapolis and I love the local music scene. You have the whole, "Oh right, Prince is from there" thing which is so dated. I feel that things are really poised to happen. Of course I'd love for what happens to be Avenpitch, but whether or not that happens, I am pretty sure something cool is going to come out soon that's going to change the whole idea people may or may not have about the city and its scene.

Wednz: What do you have planned for the future? Any upcoming albums or shows?

Todd: Right now, our top priority is just to get out and play. We're organizing a Twin Cities' Electropunk compilation; so that'll definitely have a new tune on it. I'm sure we'll also do a couple more of those tribute compilation albums when offers come along. We may put out an EP next summer or fall, but really it depends on how busy we are with everything else.

Darren: We've begun working on some new songs just to keep things fresh but the main focus now is to play more shows and really get our music out there. We've got some out of state shows are in the works.

Wednz: Where can people go to check out your music online and buy your music?
Todd: www.avenpitch.com

Wednz: How can people get in touch with you for more information? Do you have a mailing list or anything people can join to stay informed about your music and whereabouts?

Todd: Yup, we've got a mailing list. Sign up at http://www.avenpitch.com

Wednz: In closing, we wish you the best of luck for the 2004 year! Do you have any final remarks or information you'd like to disclose to the readers of Space Junkies Magazine?

David: Just this, your name, Wednesday, is the same name as one of my favorite days of the week, cool, huh?