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	ADELITAS WAY

"So What If You Go"

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Doing it Adelitas Way
An Interview by Mike Newdeck

Las Vegas modern rock outfit Adelitas Way have so far released one album, an average affair that barely made a mark on the music industry. However the potential was there and way back in the reviews section I tipped the band as one to watch in the future. That potential has finally been realised, with the band locked away in the studio with some top producers, at the expense of major label Interscope. If a heady mix of Daughtry, Nickelback, Closure and the lesser known Harem Scarem gets you all hot under the collar then watch out for the debut album by Adelitas Way in 2008. Mike caught up with vocalist and ladies man Rick Dejesus to find out more.

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Alternative Addiction: How and when did the band hook up?

Adelitas Way: I met Shaun (guitar) and Jon Logan (drums) through Larry Elyea he produced my first demo CD in Arizona, when he heard we were looking for players he called me to say like you got to meet these two kids out here they are sick. I met Shaun and Jon in Arizona and we hit it off immediately. Chris Iorio(lead guitar) was causing a huge buzz in Las Vegas everyone I talked to was telling me he was Slash 2.0 ha ha and that he was a great kid. I got Chris’s number from a promoter in Vegas and we also hit it off well jamming together. We were jamming together for a few months still trying to find a bass player that was perfect for the band when Shaun and Logan met Chris Clemence he was a bass player at The Musical Institute the minute I saw Chris play and perform I was like holy shit he is sick on stage. All the guys were so down to earth and made to do this it was a great fit. now here we are.

AA: What changes have there been to the band since its inception?

AW: A lot has changed, you learn so much as you play more and more and deal with the industry, I know a million times more now than when I started. The band has grown from song writing to live performing there is so much to know about this industry and you never stop learning. We just want to keep getting better and writing great songs people can relate to. It’s also key to find the right members who can play and dedicate their lives to music. It’s not all glamour its five guys in a little shitty van eating bread and peanut butter. The luxury is when you get to stay at a motel 6 ha ha. When you get to the level of playing all over the country everyone has to pull their weight and hone their craft. You have to be exceptional with your instrument and work ethic.

AA: When did you record the debut album?

AW: The first record was a demo album we were still learning a lot about writing we had a blast doing it the new record is going to show our growth as song writers I'm very excited about it. We hope to have it done by the fall

AA: Was it a demo or an album?

AW: The first record was def a demo we did it for like 2 grand, but we learned so much while doing it we were so green before hand. You learn a lot from everyone you work with and Larry Elyea taught us so much we didn’t know.

AA: Tell me about the association with Interscope how does it work?

We signed a demo deal with Interscope and did 3 songs with them. Right now we are still free agents and looking for the right home. We have a lot of interest from people and we are just working hard, hitting the road and recording we try to do as much as we can on our own.

AA: How did you get involved with Brian Howes and Kevin Churko?

AW: We have a great manager Larry Rudolph he introduced us to Brian through his friend Sandy Robertson from Worlds End Producers management. Kevin Churko is now in Vegas and he heard about us from word of mouth and we hit it off when we met.

AA: Why have two producers and not just the one?

AW: I think it brings a different flavour to the record we def don’t want all of our songs to sound the same we want to make a great record. Brian and Kevin both do amazing things and we are very lucky to have them on board.

AA: What did Brian Howes bring to the table?

AW: Brian has done some great things he definately taught me a lot about song writing, and started to help develop the band we learned a lot working with him.

AA: What did Kevin Churko bring to the table?

AW: Kevin I promise will be the next big thing his work and work ethic is top notch, Kevin brings everything a band could dream of into a studio we cant wait to do more work with him.

AA: How much involvement did Brian Howes have with the song writing? And Kevin Churko?

I write a lot of the material and I was in Canada with Brian for a song or two we co-wrote, he is a very smart guy, Kevin polishes up songs in the studio he makes things that are good go great.

AA: Who writes the material within the band?

AW: I write most the lyrics and melodies and chorus's, Chris Iorio writes great solos and guitar riffs we write a lot in Vegas. He is really easy to write with. Shaun, Logan, and Chris C. are great songwriters also; we are starting to write more material together the new stuff is going to rock.

AA: The debut album had its moments and showed potential however the new material is a leap ahead. What has caused this transition?

AW: Just a growth as artists. When I did the demo I was so young those songs were the first shot I ever took at song writing I go back sometimes and listen and go oh nooo ha ha, but I’m proud of it. I think some of the songs have great potential on there now I know so much more about writing. We may rewrite some songs. Also we have top musicians playing now so it’s more polished and very hooky

AA: Your vocal performance on the new material is far more mature, what do you put this down to?

AW: I would say becoming a better vocalist I been working hard on singing for the past 2 years and learning about warm ups and pitch. I been trying to get better everyday. Also as a songwriter I have been able to tap into my life and experiences far more when I write a song. I know people have gone through the things I have, so they can relate, I want to send a message in each song

AA: Were outside musicians (if so who) brought in to help on the recording of the new material or is this purely your band performing?

AW: Its mixture of both we were lucky to have Robin Diaz (Closure) play some drums on ‘Hate-Love’, ‘Last Stand’ and ‘Derailment’. Chris Iorio is a machine in the studio, he rocks it in there and its fast and efficient. Also Brian Howes played guitars on some stuff he is an awesome player. The band is very capable of recording also and I think when we get back in studio they will get to rock out.

AA: Where is the new album being recorded? Who will do the final mix?

AW: We recorded a few songs in Vancouver, BC and we recorded songs in Las Vegas with Kevin, we love both places, Chris Lord Alge mixed ‘Last Stand’, ‘Hate-love’, ‘My Derailment’, Churko produced and mixed ‘So What If You Go’, we hope to finish the record in Las Vegas with Kevin.

AA: When will it see the light of day?

AW: It will get out there sooner or later; we just got to find people who believe in us. It’s a tough time now for the industry but we are going to keep working and growing our fan base. I can’t wait to get it out there. We just going to find the right fit for us.

AA: Are you tied to Interscope or will the album be shopped out to the highest bidder?

AW: Our demo contract is up in May we have been getting a significant amount of interest but haven’t shopped yet; we just want to go to the right place for us. We definitely have some great options and as of now I'm very excited to see where things go.

AA: Who has shown an interest in signing you?

AW: We have had interest from almost every major label I think everyone is waiting to see what happens with Interscope we definitely want to honour our contract and make sure we are loyal.

AA: How would you describe your music?
AW: I would say its good Rock music it can cross over and people can relate to it its definitely music that people can rock out to or music that people can listen to when they are having a hard time.

AA: Where did the name Adelitas Way come from?

AW: It’s about a girl I met in Mexico at a brothel called Adelitas who was born into poverty she sold her self for $50 to any man. I was ashamed because she was so beautiful like a model. It reminded me of ‘Pretty Woman’ with Julia Roberts. I asked her why do you do this, she started crying saying she had a family to support and there was no money, and she couldn’t get into the USA. It was the only way her family had any income to survive. I felt really bad for her. Some people are born into poverty and they can’t help it. It makes you realize never take what you have for granted.

AA: What are your aspirations for the band in 1) the immediate future 2) the long term?

AW: We want to make a great record and tour we want to play every venue from holes in the walls to the house of blues, we just want to play music and get it out to people. We think if people hear it they will respond.

AA: Your debut album was available through earbuzz.com how did you become associated with them?

AW: They give the artists back all the money for the CD we sold over $50,000 worth of our demo CD we love earbuzz.com they helped us out when we were starting out

AA: You have been famous before as a result of VH1’s American Storm how did that all come about?

AW: I did American Storm when I was around 20-I’m 24 now- it was a blast! My friends set me up and applied me for the show ‘Strip Search’ I had no clue what was going on. But it was a show where they searched the USA for 7 of the best looking most down to earth bachelors to give them a show in Vegas. I won the show and had my own Las Vegas show it was insane for a kid like me … I was a city kid. Being 20 and having a show on the Las Vegas strip was crazy…. lots of women ha ha! The show itself was very reserved it was like any Vegas show very classy and it was all choreographed segments of scene enactments. Kind of like a play but we would bring a girl up and somewhat seduce her ha ha. A misconception people had was there were never any dollar bills involved ha ha! and I never wore a thong! boy do they look uncomfortable I had a blast doing it.

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Adelitas Way will no doubt become one of America’s top modern hard rock bands. Don’t believe me? Check out myspace.com/adelitasway to listen to four of the best modern melodic rock songs you are likely to hear. Watch this space for updates.