on september 14, anthony caroto, bassist for splinter and one hell of a guy answered some of my questions for this interview, and i thank him for taking the time out. he's one funny fucker, check this out

gina: when did you first decide you wanted to get into music? was there a defining moment?

caroto: i always wanted to play an instrument but never learned. then when i got kicked out of my first high school, i went to go live with my mom and step-dad. he had a bass- a so i tinkered around with it over the summer. at the end of the summer, he bought me my own and so then i began to really start playing. in fact- the bass that he bought me is still to this day- my main bass.

 gina: who influenced you musically?   

    caroto: my very first influence was Mario Cipollino from huey lewis and the news! my other influences are Robert Trujilio (suicidal tendencies, ozzy), bobby dall (poison), whoever played bass on the Les Miserable broadway recording, rachel bolan (skid row), Steve harris (iron maiden)and rick savage (def leppard).

 gina: what was the first band you were in?  

caroto: the first band i was in that really did anything was called Dead Circus. we thought we were good- and we had a small local following. we were alternative when alternative music was king! my guitarist (dave mather of the band i can't forgive) had a black sabbath guitar book so we new alot of sabbath songs.   in fact, we're trying to put something together and do some shows again.

      gina: what was your first concert?  

  caroto: my first concert was huey lewis and the news back in like 87 i think. scary note- i just saw them again for the 5th time this past june!

  gina: what was the first album you ever bought?

 caroto: again- huey lewis and the news. the album was called "Fore". can you tell that i was a huge huey fan?   

gina: how did you meet up with george and the rest of the band?

well, i was on my way home and as i was walking down the street, george was being thrown out of this gay bar for touching the dancers again. i felt bad for his bitch-ass so i offered him a ride home. while driving him there, he put on "sew it shut" and then told me about how he needed a new bass player. and the rest is history. at least, that's how i think it happened.   

gina: could you see yourself doing something besides music?

caroto: yeah. i have a comic book that i'm working on right now called "lullaby dirge". its a fucked up comic. but if either don't pan out- well, i have my day job to fall back on...

           gina: how do you feel about splinter's music?

caroto: well, lyrically, i have to say that george is one of the best. i hate lyrics that are boring and meaningless. musically- i'm glad i get to play the music that i dig cause i hate cRAP music. i think that splinter really has a chance at doing something on a much bigger scale even if we become just a one hit wonder.   

gina: what are your views on music today?

caroto: hmmm, music today is going back to the early 80's style. it seems that metal is back in i think. there aren't many new bands that i like though.   

gina: how would you best describe what type of people your fans are?

caroto: freaks, outcasts, under 21 and british (hey ross!!!!)   [no offense intended i'm sure anthony, i.e under 21]   

gina: can you play any other instruments besides the bass?

caroto: i can play guitar a little. i've been trying to learn the accordian though but it's so fucking difficult!   

gina: whats your goal for the future, what do you hope to accomplish?

caroto: my lifetime goal would be to know that after i die, a part of me will still live on whether it be my music or my art because once your name is forgotten- it's as if you never existed.   

gina: what point in your life was the best for you?

caroto: i haven't really accomplished anything great yet so i haven't had a best point of life.  

gina: anything else you wanna add or say to the people reading this?

caroto: i'd like to add single digits if i may...
1+1=2 2+2=4 3+3=6....