|
|
|
Q: What is THE EMPIRE
HIDEOUS?
A: THE EMPIRE HIDEOUS is a hard rock band that was created by Myke Hideous and dominated the darker, hard rock scene until Myke pulled it apart in 1998, following other dreams and endeavors, only to resurface at a later date. Myke is the original member of the band. Q: Who is MYKE HIDEOUS? A: Myke Hideous is a singer/songwriter/musician who took his creative abilities to perform and focused his sights on creating a band and playing hard rock music. He has since fronted as lead vocalist for the world famous MISFITS in 1998, having toured all of Europe and South America, performing to nearly 100,000 people in just 4 months. He was also the lead singer for the heavy metal band THE BRONX CASKET CO., and has recorded two albums on Massacre Records (Europe), which has sold over 30,000 copies worldwide. The BCC is a side-project created by OVERKILL bassist DD VERNI. BCC recorded their third album in 2005, which is currently available. Myke also assembled the concept for his other band (now on hiatus) known as SPYSOCIETY99 (a swing-punk-death-rock-a-billy band). In addition to all these efforts, as well as being an artist in several different mediums, Myke also wrote an autobiography entitled: KING OF AN EMPIRE TO THE SHOES OF A MISFIT (Author House Publishing). That exposed his journey as a musician in the market we call rock-n-roll. Myke is the only original member of EMPIRE HIDEOUS to see the band rise to popularity through continual forward motion, writing and composing the music as well as choreographing all stage performances and props. Q: What has EMPIRE HIDEOUS done? A: The Empire Hideous have performed in venues around the country and have participated in special events and tours such as: The Pilgrimage Tour ‘93, (first American Goth Fest of it’s kind and mimicked ever since); Vampyre’s Ball (# I, III, IV & V); Mephisto Cathedra (# I & II); Dark Harvest (# II); A Night Of Misanthropy (# III & IV); a more notable special performance in ‘96 for USA Network’s “Up All Night” Halloween special with hostess Rhonda Sheer, where performance clips were featured throughout the airing of 2 Halloween movies and broadcast nationally; their very own Time Tour ‘97, (mini tour of Eastern/North America and the Midwest); A Dark World Only Gets Darker Tour 2002, (mini tour of the East and West Coast's); Philly’s largest goth event known as Dracula’s Ball at The Trocadero and Club Shampoo-2002/2004: Say Your Prayers Tour which included performances in CA (Vampire Bizarre Fest), NJ, NYC (Drop Dead Fest), GA (Atlantis Music Con) & Canada. . Q: What has the band done? A: In November 2001, Myke revived EMPIRE HIDEOUS with a new line up of fill-in musicians. The last album released was Say Your Prayers (Hells Hundred Records) in November 2003. Earlier releases include the first, self-titled, 12” EP/ This Evil On Earth/ Only Time Will Tell/ Act IV: It’s Just A Matter Of Time/ Victim Destroys Assailant and I’m Dead, You’re Dead, W e’re All Dead-Live. As well as several comps released over the years. Q: Who can I compare THE EMPIRE HIDEOUS to? A: On a more notable scale of popular bands, HIDEOUS has been compared to America’s Type-O-Negative and Tool, to name a few. But the band has also been described as having heavy influences supplied by more obscure and darker British bands like the Sisters Of Mercy, Fields Of The Nephilim, The Mission UK, The Cult and The Chameleons. Q: Who writes the music for the band and who performers in it? A: Myke Hideous wrote all of the earlier HIDEOUS releases, but has also collaborated with guitarist Jeff Austin when the two joined writing forces on the Say Your Prayers album. As a result, Say Your Prayers was listed as one of the Top 100 Best Released Albums of 2004 in the universal underground circuit. In addition, two tracks from the album: “Two Minutes ‘til Midnight” and “Heaven Raining Bullets” were on multiple Top 10 Rotation lists for radio and club DJ’s throughout Europe and the USA. Myke also won an award for “Best Gothic Frontman & Vocalist” at a 2004, award ceremony in NYC, at CBGBs. Q: And what is the band doing now? A: Hell’s Hundred Records released Hideous’ first 3 EP’s on a CD entitled: A Body Of Work. The forthcoming and final Hideous LP is currently being worked on by Myke with former Hideous guitarist Johnny Nickle. There are also plans to release a DVD that includes the bands 1995 documentary To Build An Empire. The DVD will have live performances, interviews with Myke, plus commentary on the film by Myke and film- maker Mark Steiner. At this point in time, the band itself is currently on hold until further notice. Myke is currently working on what will probably mark the Empire’s last and final album to the world before moving onward. More on this as it develops. |
|
|
|
"The imagery of the lyrics is so powerful probably because of the way Myke approaches writing them. They stem from an artist’s perspective rather than from a writer’s. The music the band produces to buoy Myke’s passionate poetry is just as richly embroidered. It is moody and melodic yet powerful, with a hint of Nephilim on Sisters influence." – Paul Hart – Propaganda Magazine (NYC) "A brave few remember the days of long ago, when Goth was dark and deadly, a fearsome music to be proud of. Noble, anthemic songs that communicate a brooding desire, a vague desperation. This is the world of The Empire Hideous." – Angela Dauthi – Lollipop Magazine (Boston) "Unlike many gothic-influenced bands that wrap themselves in a web of vague aesthetics, Empire Hideous retain enough of their punk roots to speak out passionately on a variety of issues, especially centering on humanity’s destructiveness and lack of respect for the Earth. Not that they’ve forsworn aesthetics or image – a live show is an experience not to be missed. The dark, angry, beautiful music filling a smoky room, while from the stage Myke Hideous declaims his lyrics, gesturing dramatically down at the gathered congregation. But he is no preacher or prophet, although he may occasionally implement metaphors of crucifixion and martyrdom. He allows room for his listeners to bring their own thoughts to his work. When Myke says "Empire Hideous will be the death of me," he means it." – Althea Morin – Delirium Magazine (NYC) "A classic and unpredictable goth band." – Mick Mercer – 21st Century Goth (UK) "It is people like Myke Hideous who make doing a music magazine worth my time and effort. The Empire Hideous is a band that has cultivated it’s own dark underground for over a decade." – Blu – Starvox.net (CA) "Superlatively strange singer Myke Hideous, the undisputed ruler of The Empire Hideous, takes the trapping’s of horror rock to their logical extreme." – Gavin Baddeley – Goth Chic (UK) “The strange, the bizarre, the eccentric nature of dark apocalpytic fury are just a few things that makes up The Empire Hideous. Cult goth ringleader--the infamous Myke Hideous--will lure you into his twisted world with his enigmatic hypnotic presence. Before you know it, he'll have you eating out of his hands like kiddies to candy. Experience Hideous, before Hideous experiences you!” – Jennifer Rose – OUI Magazine (NYC) "Beautiful in their horror, Empire's dark and twisted plots are set within deceivingly alluring music, much like the sticky sweet nectar of strange and exotic flora that await the next victim. The captive listener triumphs in this 'Hideous' creep show." - Sonya Brown - Gothic Beauty Magazine (WI) "Myke is a Ghoulish Godfather of rock who boasts an impressive resume. Over the last 10 years, he's also spent time singing for the Misfits, The Bronx Casket Co. and his SpySociety99 project. But The Empire Hideous has always, undeniably, been Myke's precedence and his mark of excellence on the music world. He is nothing short of the definition of a true artist. He breathes all his emotions and passions into his music and brings it to life with his powerful croons and screams. Longtime guitarist, Jeff Austin, is alongside him, slinging his trademark sonic drones and wails." - Bryan Schillo - Unrated Magazine.com (IL)
|
