Got MILK? If you don't, you need to. Take the 70's psychedelic sound and infuse it with the music and beats of today and you have some amazing songs filled with great guitar playing, and driving beats that go from mellow to explosive. They have been written up by Rolling Stone and Cashbox magazine, and are catching the eyes and ears of all who are hearing the music coming from this incredible band. They are: Eric Marx-Vocals, Maeva-Vocals, Keys, Marc Wallace-Guitars, Tim Lane Seaton-Bass, and P.(Phil)M.-Drums. They took time from their European tour to talk and have some fun with MUEN Magazine.

MUEN: Where are you all from and how did you come together to create this band?

Eric: MILK is from Los Angeles even if we all come from different parts of the country and even from Europe.

Maeva: We're promoting the album in Europe. Lately we've spent so much time over there� Sometimes we don't know anymore but we're definitely an L.A. band.

Marc: I was born in Seattle, but I spent many years in Los Angeles. I met with Eric and Maeva through the Internet. A couple of emails and mp3's and I was rehearsing near the 10 freeway in L.A. with the rest of the band. It was a really busy period and we were working on the album, rehearsing and touring the L.A. scene at the same time.

Tim: I am originally from Cleveland. In the beginning the band was rehearsing without a bass player. A little bit like the Doors in fact. But at the same time they were looking for a bass player to push the sound. We've met through common friends and it clicked right away. You know it's like chemistry, when it works, it works...

MUEN: Psychedelic rock are words used to describe your music, what drew you as a band to that music, that sound, and that time?

Eric: We're not into a kind of revival thing. Obviously I'm a big fan of some of the 70's icons, can't go wrong with that, but our main influences are definitely in the 90's and 2000 eras. We use the term of psychedelic rock because in our sound we mix today's alternative rock with the energy, sweat and freedom of psychedelic rock. We're not looking back, even if the 70's were a really creative period, we're just adding to the 21st century sound a burst of freedom and a splash of colors

MUEN: Did you record some of your cd "MILK" in Liverpool and why?

Eric: It was mainly recorded in Los Angeles. I'm talking about the tracks. We had the chance to know Fran Ashcroft. Fran worked for many years in the USA with great bands like the Dandy Warhols, but also with Blur and Gorillaz. We loved the idea of mixing and mastering the songs with him.

Maeva: We didn't hesitate: He has done a great job!

Marc: Liverpool rules!

MUEN: For those who have not seen the video can you explain the bands name? (If that IS the reason for the name)

Maeva: Actually the reason for the band's name is not in the video "Fly". Eric is of course joking when he says in the video what's the inspiration for the band. In fact we had such a great time shooting this video in downtown L.A. for a Japanese channel that we've kept at the editing a lot of inside jokes and laughs.

Eric: Well television cannot lie, you know. Seriously, MILK is a positive concept. The word MILK fills me up with positive feelings and we wanted to convey this with the band's name. Maeva came one day with the band's name and I thought right away: "that's it!". That was the name we were looking for.

Maeva : MILK is cool,

MUEN: How long have you been together as a band?

Eric: We've been together for a few years now. At the beginning, some songs were written from jams. I love when they come out this way, just out of the blue.

Maeva: We all come from different projects. I mean we're not like some of these guys that meet in college and stayed together since.

Marc: Yeah, we've been working together now for a couple of years or so.

MUEN: What are the dynamics... 5 of you, traveling, eating, sleeping, touring, recording, promoting, come on... who is the organized one, the moody one, the messy one, the neat freak, the peacemaker, etc?

Eric: Marc is the graphic specialist, but Maeva and I join the effort. Tim is more on the recording side but then again, so are we Marc, Maeva and I. And of course, because everybody participates, everybody is going through different phases: frustration, glee or moodiness� We are all versatile really.

Tim: Everybody in the band is bringing something to push MILK forward. We're always looking for new ideas and avenues. That's our way to go. Promoting a band is an everyday job. For me I kind of like the term of peacemaker, what do you think guys?

Maeva: Well I think Tim you're the calm one... but that's because I never had to experience the peacemaker side. Marc is definitely organized and Eric is also often putting things together.

Marc: Thanks, I was afraid somebody would say the neat freak� For me Maeva is really the thinker of the band. She's always trying to figure out what we should be doing. Eric is, among other things, handling the business side of the band and doing so, sometimes becomes the moody one� (laughs).

Eric: Thanks man! Phil our drummer is not here today for the interview, he's looking somewhere in town for a new ride cymbal. So I will answer for him and In fact he is the moody one� (laughs).

MUEN: Going for that rock and roll dream is a lot of hard work, it takes so much more than just talent, on the following list what would you say is the best part of doing it and the worst.

Playing bars and small clubs

Recording

Touring and promoting

Eric: Playing live is really great! Well you know, small clubs and bars can be the best gig ever and big venues can be a nightmare and vice versa. It all depends on the gear, the sound, the crew, the night, etc. But for me playing live is such a rush that it overcomes everything. Feeling the crowd, communicating with people, pushing the songs.. are definitely the best part of playing live.

Maeva: Yeah, Eric loves the stage. Playing live is amazing, but I'm also into recording, creating songs, arrangements, sampling and mixing sounds together. A line in your head becomes alive through the process and it becomes a song. And then you play it over and over and you still feel the same excitement listening to it. Recording is a big part in the band's life.

Marc: When you're in a band, you want to reach the most people you can and you're right, it is a lot of hard work. So you have to promote and to push the band all the time. We're lucky right now because the response is really great. I mean if you consider the public, the radios and the magazines and of course the Internet we've met so many people loving MILK and our songs that bottom line is we don't mind at all promoting the band. With all this positive feedback, we can't complain.

Eric: Promotion is the big part. Without it, well, you might as well try to become famous singing in your shower. It is also the worst part because this is where the competition is the toughest and the least fair. This is why I love my fans and supporters. I really do.

MUEN: How is the album "MILK" doing in Europe and when can we expect you back here for some live shows?

Eric: We sure miss home and the American public! We want to come back soon. We haven't set up a date yet, though. The European public has been great and as Marc said, the response has been amazing. The album is doing particularly well on iTunes, not only in Europe and the US but also in Japan. In fact the album is available all around the world on iTunes and on all major digital downloads. But definitely our goal is to set up something as soon as possible.

Tim: We sure miss home. We had a great response in Great Britain and Italy in particular. On iTunes, Japan responds well too. But we of course intend to tour as soon as we are back in L.A. We can't wait..... MILK.. it does a body and a soul good.

Interview by R. L. Segarra