The Responsibility of Rock & Roll - Pop Evil
Last Updated on 10.07.11 Written by Michelle Miller
I had the pleasure of interviewing Leigh Kakaty of Pop Evil before their show at Rams Head Live on June 19th. I must say that interviewing Leigh was one of the easiest interviews because of where he comes from. Most front men of popular bands don’t have the way of looking at what they are doing they way Leigh has. It is quite refreshing when you speak to a bands front man and he explains that he does this for his fans which many of them have become “friends.” As Leigh states that they are normal people...“something the cliffs notes of rock and roll don’t tell you.”
Leigh and the band have had the opportunity to share the stage with many greats such as Papa Roach and Rev Theory but Leigh explains that it is not just the performing with these great bands but the respect that is given in return. When asked if there are any bands that you would love to rock the stage with Leigh explained to me that his favourite band is Rage Against The Machine and would love to not just share the stage but share the mic with Zack de la Rocha. Leigh continues to tell me that the ultimate respect that a fellow artist can give another is so much more than just playing the same stage, “that’s what it’s all about...playing the venue.”
As we continued with the interview I had the pleasure of hearing about some amazing shows that Pop Evil have played and one of them was Rock On The Range. As Leigh says “it was one of the coolest rock festivals in the states.” He explained to me that it wasn’t because of just playing the show but performing with so many great artists, it was like “going to band camp...all these great bands coming together for all of the fans.” Well Leigh I have to say that all of your fans out there can’t wait to see you all perform on larger stages and bigger festivals to come.
One question that I find myself asking bands out there is what they would suggest to new bands who are working hard to get their music out there. Well there was no shortage of suggestions is that Leigh had for all those bands out there but the main thing he had to say “you need to understand the responsibility of rock and roll.” Well all you hard working bands out there you heard it here first...you have to be willing to work hard and as Leigh says “be willing to give everything up.”
As I wrapped up the interview I asked Leigh how he heard about Fallen Blue and if he had any stories from the road he would be willing to share. He did have one story that hit close to home. He told me about a fan that he had given a guitar pick to at one of his shows...the fan happened to be a fire fighter who put the pick into his helmet. Shortly after the show the fire fighter lost a fellow fire fighter and at the funeral he put the guitar pick that Leigh gave him into the casket of his fallen comrade. Leigh had the opportunity to see the fire fighter at another show of his and heard this amazing story and explained how moved he was of the story. Even though this story was not about a police officer Leigh was so moved by the experience he felt comfortable sharing it with me. As Leigh said it best “we will keep being ourselves...I don’t want it if it’s not real.” Well for all of the Pop Evil fans out there we hope that you don’t change and continue to rock the stage for years to come.
For more information on Pop Evil you can check them out at www.popevil.com.
