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Mighty Fine (Afghan Whigs/ Twilight Singers) Interview

by Dawn Marie Fichera

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Steve Myers of Mighty Fine has finally found his comfort zone. After spending a number of years on, "somebody else's journey", a la The Afghan Whigs and the Twilight Singers, though admittedly, Myers reflects on his time with the Afghan Whigs as, "rock'n'roll grad school," Myers started his own thing in late 2004. Lucky for us. The Mighty Fine's somewhat Stooges sound coupled with the R&B feel of old Detroit, is a distinct recipe for good feeling, plain old ass-kickin rock n' roll.

The Brooklyn-based quintet has generated quite a following over the last seven years. Their upcoming new album, Get Up To Get Down is a call to action to do just that: dance. Boogie. Shake that thang. It has a soulful, New Orleans, bluesy flavor tinged with garage rock moments that have become synonymous with their sound.

In true Might Fine style, there are a few guest appearances on the album. The single "Ready To Roar" is a collaboration with friend and Afghan Whigs founder/frontman, Greg Dulli. Mighty Fine also tapped the genius of New York SKA band the Slackers, who loaned out their sax man Dave Hillyard and trombonist Glen Pine to put some meat into the track.

We caught up with Steve Myers to talk a little about life, lessons, and his new album.

antiMusic: Talk about how Mighty Fine is different from your previous projects?

Myers: Mighty Fine is a band that I'm actually a writing member of, every other projects that I've been involved with are basically someone else's journey and I'm along for the ride.

antiMusic: What does each of you bring to the table?

Myers: A love of different styles of music.

antiMusic: What lessons have you learned from your experiences?

Myers: That depends of what experiences we're talking about, because there's a lot to choose from. In music I've learn to simply "do you," don't start a band to sound like anyone but yourself. In life I've learned 6 buck shots don't stop no show, shake it off and keep moving.

antiMusic: How do you stay relevant in a world where listener's attention spans shrink by the minute?

Myers: If I could tell you that I guess I win right? Start with a good song, something that makes people want to get dressed and go out, and hear it again.

antiMusic: What have your success been personally and as a band?

Myers: Personally, would be the fact that I get to exercise my talents in front of a crowd. As a band, we've been together since late 2004 and we're still a growing organism....I'd call that a success.

antiMusic: What do you find is the most difficult part of doing what you do?

Myers: We perform at full tilt so being sick is not an option.

antiMusic: How has the traveling affected your relationships?

Myers: Not bad really, wives, girlfriends, lovers and kids are all welcome on a Mighty Fine tour.

antiMusic: What do you regret?

Myers: Nada.

antiMusic: What drives you?

Myers: That people like what we do. When you have folks getting baby sitters so they can see your show you better be good. And if we're talking muses let's start with Misty Copeland.

antiMusic: What do you want readers to know about you?

Myers: That we're a kick ass band that you should invest a little time in.

antiMusic: How has your past influenced your current music?

Myers: I'm from New Orleans, it's hard for my past not to influence my music.

antiMusic: How have you grown as a musician throughout the years?

Myers: Confidence, when I first started I had no idea what I was doing. Nothing like on the job training in front of a 1,000 people a night.

antiMusic: What is the most important part of a song to you: the rhythm, melody, lyrics, vibe or combination?

Myers: Combination for sure...just like a sandwich.

antiMusic: How would you describe your sound?

Myers: Our sound is New Orleans meeting Brooklyn in a dark alley with Detroit waiting to rob whoever comes out first. Where do I see our sound going? Central lockup.

antiMusic: Who does the majority of the songwriting?

Myers: Someone brings in an idea and we work it out as a band. Once everyone puts their stamp on it, it may not be the same song when you're done, but hopefully it's a good one.

antiMusic: Talk about your new album, "Get Up To Get Down". What was your desire with this record?

Myers: In my head I wanted to make a raw party record with more then one single. Something that works as a whole & as stand along tracks.

antiMusic: You worked with both Afghan Whigs founder, Greg Dulli and The Slackers horn section on the song, "Ready To Roar." Can you tell us more about this collaboration?

Myers: The song's hook was in my head for months before I knew what to do with it. When writing "Ready to Roar" Greg's "So Tight" came to mind so it was only right to include him on the track especially since I sing on his song. "You know how we do!" is sort of our battle cry.

antiMusic: Where did you record?

Myers: So far we've recorded all our records on tape in a basement studio in Brooklyn that's owned by Mitro our guitar player. Jesse Cannon mixed it.

antiMusic: What do you consider your most defining track?

Myers: It changes everyday...right now it's "Call Me Trouble".

antiMusic: What track are you most proud of?

Myers: Again it changes everyday but "All There Is" makes me stick my chest out a little.

antiMusic: If I only listened to one track what would it be that would hook me to your music?

Myers: The next single "Black Train".

antiMusic: What was your biggest, "A Ha!" moment with the project?

Myers: That everyone can get their ideas in and make it work.

antiMusic: What will fans recognize about this album? How is it similar and different from your previous works?

Myers: It's a more fleshed out version of who we are. The Dirty Sessions was our business card. "Get Up To Get Down" is our business plan.

antiMusic: Where do you see yourselves headed?

Myers: Hopefully a bigger stage, I need room to dance.

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