EXCLUSIVE Part 2!!!  Unedited interview with Dennis Shinn the lead singer for THE DRUG and former Drummer for Sex Art!!!

SEX ART facts, and questions being answered by: Dennis Shinn ( Menace )


1: Question: Who was the driving force behind Sex Art?
( Menace ) I believe we "ALL" had a big part in the drive. Each person as an individual has to have some kind of personal drive, and energy that needs to be applied in order to be part of a working team. However, another angle to the idea behind Sex Art, was probably more driven by myself. Reason being is I am the one who brought everyone together as a team. Jonathan was found by both Dave and Ray. They actually jammed with him for a bit, and recorded 1 song together before Sex Art. On the side of that, I was already working to keep Ray and Dave on the same page with myself also, as a beginner band. And Ryan was a friend of mine, that I brought in to be the 2nd guitarist. And then Jonathan was the final member to solidify Sex Art. But as it stood, I was the only person at that time who had previous experience in live shows, and being in a working band. So I had a little bit of understanding on how it worked. And that's how I was able to get everyone together finally, and once we had a few songs, I started booking shows as fast as possible. Jonathan helped me on that once he got more confident as the frontman. As for radio spots, and trying to find ways to become more pro, by maybe getting a deal or sponsors. As far as I remember, I was the only one who brought in the opportunities back then. But again, we never had much of anything. We was the average beginner band just trying to learn, and earn our way. We had no funding, no managers, no fancy producers, nothing along those sorts to help get us to a bigger level. So we all did what we needed to as a team for the most part. We had to learn as we went through each experience.


2. Question: What was the song writing process for Sex Art?
( Menace ) It mostly would start by some random guitar riff. Then just jamming through it until a structure came about. Then vocal ideas would happen.
Our 1st official song in Sex Art was titled "INSIDE".
This song started with Ray Solis actually. The verse riff where the vocals were singing, without the screams was the official 1st part of that song. Sort of a groove stem from the influence band called HELMET. Then Ryan was riffing on the intro guitars, and then we just merged it together for a jam, that shortly after became a heavy musical. Jonathan told us if we wanted to record the song, we can pay his dad's studio to do so. I gave the studio $300.00 so we could record.
As we started the recording of that song, there were still no vocals written. So what I did was, I called in Ty Elam from Cradle Of Thorns / VideoDrone to come in and help out. Simply because I knew it needed to be as heavy as possible, but Jonathan couldn't sing heavy yet. That's the simple truth, Jonathan had yet to become the heavy singer. So what I did was write the lyrics on the spot in the middle of the actual recording. Coaching Ty Elam on how the timing and phrasing of the vocals, he got it fast, and started the recording. As Ty was wrapping up the verses, I finished the last half of the lyrics and melodies in which you hear both Jon and Ty singing together. But the entire front piece of that song was Ty Elam on vocals. As a "GUEST APPEARANCE", and I wrote the vocals entirely from beginning to end.
After Jonathan heard the final mix, within a short few weeks, his vocal approach had become undeniable. The bar was set by Ty in that studio session. And Jonathan knew right then he had to rise above that to even be considered a frontman in a Bakersfield band. And he did just that.
So to get back to the main subject: We all had unique ways to write and create a tune. And each song came about in an entire different fashion.


3. Question: Who is involved in making the Sex Art DVD? Will the entire band be a part of it, or is the task up to a few of you?
( Menace ) I am the only person who owns the SEX ART content. So therefore, of coarse I am the one who is putting it together. I got word that Jonathan may want to partner up with me on this. But as of this very second, it's just myself. However, Dave has been very supportive, and so has Ray. And I hope Jonathan takes a minute to be a part of this moment. Simply because it's a big part of the history behind all of us. Also, it seems I was the only person who even bothered to save the music tapes, or videos of us from back then. And all these years, I never wanted to release anything, simply because I was told I'd be sued if I did. This is why I say because of politics is why I haven't released anything, nor is there a set release date yet. If I had my way, I would have just giving it out for free on the web for whoever wanted it. Simply because I am not ashamed of where I come from, and how I got my start as a musician. But over the years and through many interviews I have read, it seemed some members didn't want anybody to ever see or hear what we did back then. So it was downplayed extensively.
But I feel now is the best time to make the effort to get this to the people.
Simply because we might not be alive by tomorrow, and this is a piece of a legacy, and a major piece of rock music history.
When we die off, all I hope is that I may of inspired some people somewhere down the roads. And that what we did may last forever.
The quality of the songs, or the recordings don't matter. It's the story behind everything that does matter. I read from people, or even Sex Art members of how crappy we were back then. But again, that doesn't matter. Of coarse we weren't super polished or great. But we had life, energy, and charisma. And what came of that was huge. And I just do not believe in ever denying any of it.
So this is the reason why I decided to do this now.
But to answer the official question with honesty, I do hope that ALL 5 of the Sex Art members will join together for this memory. Simply because without being in Sex Art, then none of us would be where we are today. Everything would be completely different.