METAL PULP AND PAPER: Hello. So glad to be catching up with you. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions for Metal Pulp And Paper. We appreciate it.
Can I call you Granny?
GRANNY 4 BARREL: That works just fine! Just don’t call me broken down, cause that’s one thing I ain’t!
MPAP: So, how are you?
GRANNY: Outstanding! I’m feeling like a spring chicken… And I’m ready to rock, no pun intended ha!
MPAP: How has 2017 been towards you and your band Granny 4 Barrel? Everything you’ve expected so far, everything you’ve expected it to be?
GRANNY: 2017 couldn’t be better, it’s everything I expected and more!
MPAP: Word around the campfire is if you can imagine Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, and Alice Cooper all had a grandmother that fronted a rock band, you’d have Granny 4 Barrel at the helm pinching your cheeks. Would you say that is the best way to describe Granny 4 Barrel?
GRANNY: That’s a fair assessment… but I don’t know about pinching your cheeks, this granny might be kicking you in the nuts!
MPAP: Hailing from Upstate New York, what else can you tell us about you and your alter ego character you call 'Granny'? When did 'Granny' begin to take shape inside your head with you then you deciding to put a microphone in her hand and wanting her to sing?
GRANNY: They call me Granny 4 Barrel, but I’m also known by other names you may have heard of; rebellion, dissent, disobedience, and my favorite insubordination! As long as these attitudes and sentiments have been around that’s how long I’ve been around!
MPAP: Some would say kind of creepy, slightly comical, all the while others saying it’s like getting kicked in the nuts? Musically, how would you best describe Granny 4 Barrel?
GRANNY: Yes! All of the above. Since I’ve got some years behind me it’s safe to say I’ve taken in a lot of music in my time, because of this I’m inspired by so many styles of music and artists. This has allowed me to create my own hybrid brand or special recipe if you will, to satisfy the appetites of all the rock ‘n’ roll children out there!
MPAP: With that description being said, how would you sell your music to the masses, the good standing citizens of this world? Why should everyone want to hear it, what are you hoping they will they get out of it?
GRANNY: It’s like I said, it’s my own special recipe, Granny doesn’t fuck around when she’s cooking shit up, and that means that whatever Granny makes, always tastes good… she uses only the best ingredients: 1 cup of old school, 1 cup modern music, 3 tablespoons of fiddle, a dash of electronics, and 3 cups of attitude and life experience... till it tastes just right... then I fill up your plate and you’ll be feelin’ mighty satisfied!!!
MPAP: You’ve said previously in another interview; the time is right for the theatrical rock void to be filled. It’s been far too long since the likes of Alice Cooper, Ziggy Stardust/David Bowie, Rob Zombie, and Marilyn Manson shocked and rocked their way up the charts and into arenas. How do you plan on doing this? Those names alone are some pretty big shoes to fill and stand up against wouldn’t you say, especially since other than David Bowie, whom recently passed away, the others are still doing strong rock shocking?
GRANNY: Actually, I never said that, whoever wrote that article said those things! Granny is her own universe and although comparisons can be drawn because of the nature of her appearance, Granny would never try to fill anybody shoes especially those iconic artists you mentioned! I think it’s safe to say that nothing like G4B has ever come down the pike.... so it’s my pleasure to throw my 2 cents into the cauldron of rock ‘n’ roll!
MPAP: Personally, I think the country music scene would lose their minds, but at one point in your career did you want to be a country shock musician? I’m not saying you personally would make others lose their minds in a bad way, I just don’t think that the country music genre could handle something shocking. What made you change your mind and turn to the dark side of hard rock?
GRANNY: I never wanted to be anything other than I am, a bad ass old woman fronting a rock band! Because of the reoccurring violin/fiddle in many of our songs and live performances, I think once someone called us 'shock country.' That ain’t my genre of choice but I will admit, that would seriously cause some commotion wouldn’t it? Ha! Granny has always had a dark side, I never changed my mind I just changed my clothes.
MPAP: Let’s talk about something that you’re very dear about, freedom of expression, as most should be in the hard rock and heavy metal community. Recently released on Friday, October the 13th, was your single/video called "Freak Flag".
GRANNY: The song is about the freedom of expression, and not being afraid to expose who you really are. The video for it highlights this as well with eccentric people doing what they do in everyday life. Nothing Hollywood or glamorized about who’s in the video either.
MPAP: How do you get someone to express themselves when everything that is put out there, or talked about on social media, someone is going to get easily offended by it? This must be hard to do because there is always a backlash for when someone wants to do something, or look a different way?
GRANNY: Granny thinks that everybody should be able to express themselves anyway they want to (I ain’t saying physically hurtin’ folks is cool with me) I’m just saying folks shouldn’t be ashamed of who they really are or who they were meant to be. They should let be able to say what they want. I hate it when people try to clamp down on my shit! This world is gettin’way to PC for my liking. There’s too much fear, people attack what they don’t understand. I’m here to inspire folks to say fuck all that. There’s always gonna be some knucklehead that has an issue with somebody else. I’m focused on positivity not negativity.
MPAP: Also in society, there are a lot of stereotypes based on age, sex, race, and religion. You want to shatter this mold that’s been going on for many, many years now? Along with how do you get someone to express themselves, how do you break the stereotypes, especially right now with everything going on this world is so racially divided between everyone in the light of current events?
GRANNY: It’s like I said, things are getting way to PC. But if you really want to know the answer that solves the problem, love! Everybody is hatin’ on each other. We all got a lot to be thankful for. Waaaay to much time is being spent in a negative head space. Thank heavens for music because that’s one way to bring folks together! Music and love. How about that?
MPAP: You’ve been called a neo-Victorian Steampunk shock rock nightmare, a Matriarch of Metal. Do you agree with this, does it mean something to you? And is this a title you can handle and withhold for the next generation?
GRANNY: Oh, hell yeah! I’ve been called the Matriarch of Metal, The High Priestess Of Havoc and The Mistress Of Metal Mayhem. It’s all good with me. Granny’s got big shoulders, she can handle it!
MPAP: Let’s talk about your music now. For those of you playing at home, yes, Granny does make music and not just wear a dress and gray wig. You have close ties to Jesse Dupree’s band Jackyl, a hard rock band that formed in the early 90s and is still active to this day. Dupree books entertainment for the Full Throttle Saloon, and in December 2013 invited Granny 4 Barrel to play a couple shows so he could check out what you were all about. Do you feel this is where your breakthrough moment happened, and things began to really fall into place for you?
GRANNY: Jesse and Granny are kindred spirits... we like a lot of the same twisted shit! Jesse and Michael invited us to come down and play for the week at the Full Throttle and the folks went crazy for G4B. I do believe that was the moment in time that brought us to this moment.
MPAP: The song "Freak Flag" has already been released, of course with some great reviews, but in the coming months more singles from Granny 4 Barrel will be bludgeoning our eardrums soon. What can you tell us about the songs that are soon to come?
GRANNY: Why thank you kindly! Granny has some interesting themes in her songs; reckless behavior, females getting revenge, and ever relevant metal themes permeate throughout! We even have a remake of a Judas Priest song which will remain a secret until the album is released.
MPAP: How soon until a full release comes out and we can get our hands on it?
GRANNY: 2018 will be the magical year for Granny’s debut full length release entitled Deal With The Devil.
MPAP: On behalf of myself and Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank you, Granny, for being a part of this interview and letting us get to know you and your band, Granny 4 Barrel. Look forward to what you do to finish out 2017 and beyond.
Before we bring this to a close, is there any last words you’d like to say to all the readers and your fans out there?
GRANNY: Well I sure do appreciate Metal Pulp And Paper taking the time to spend with this old lady! I’m looking forward to expanding people’s minds and giving them somethin’ the like of which they ain’t never seen!
Granny 4 Barrel/ November 16th, 2017/ Interview #80
Can I call you Granny?
GRANNY 4 BARREL: That works just fine! Just don’t call me broken down, cause that’s one thing I ain’t!
MPAP: So, how are you?
GRANNY: Outstanding! I’m feeling like a spring chicken… And I’m ready to rock, no pun intended ha!
MPAP: How has 2017 been towards you and your band Granny 4 Barrel? Everything you’ve expected so far, everything you’ve expected it to be?
GRANNY: 2017 couldn’t be better, it’s everything I expected and more!
MPAP: Word around the campfire is if you can imagine Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, and Alice Cooper all had a grandmother that fronted a rock band, you’d have Granny 4 Barrel at the helm pinching your cheeks. Would you say that is the best way to describe Granny 4 Barrel?
GRANNY: That’s a fair assessment… but I don’t know about pinching your cheeks, this granny might be kicking you in the nuts!
MPAP: Hailing from Upstate New York, what else can you tell us about you and your alter ego character you call 'Granny'? When did 'Granny' begin to take shape inside your head with you then you deciding to put a microphone in her hand and wanting her to sing?
GRANNY: They call me Granny 4 Barrel, but I’m also known by other names you may have heard of; rebellion, dissent, disobedience, and my favorite insubordination! As long as these attitudes and sentiments have been around that’s how long I’ve been around!
MPAP: Some would say kind of creepy, slightly comical, all the while others saying it’s like getting kicked in the nuts? Musically, how would you best describe Granny 4 Barrel?
GRANNY: Yes! All of the above. Since I’ve got some years behind me it’s safe to say I’ve taken in a lot of music in my time, because of this I’m inspired by so many styles of music and artists. This has allowed me to create my own hybrid brand or special recipe if you will, to satisfy the appetites of all the rock ‘n’ roll children out there!
MPAP: With that description being said, how would you sell your music to the masses, the good standing citizens of this world? Why should everyone want to hear it, what are you hoping they will they get out of it?
GRANNY: It’s like I said, it’s my own special recipe, Granny doesn’t fuck around when she’s cooking shit up, and that means that whatever Granny makes, always tastes good… she uses only the best ingredients: 1 cup of old school, 1 cup modern music, 3 tablespoons of fiddle, a dash of electronics, and 3 cups of attitude and life experience... till it tastes just right... then I fill up your plate and you’ll be feelin’ mighty satisfied!!!
MPAP: You’ve said previously in another interview; the time is right for the theatrical rock void to be filled. It’s been far too long since the likes of Alice Cooper, Ziggy Stardust/David Bowie, Rob Zombie, and Marilyn Manson shocked and rocked their way up the charts and into arenas. How do you plan on doing this? Those names alone are some pretty big shoes to fill and stand up against wouldn’t you say, especially since other than David Bowie, whom recently passed away, the others are still doing strong rock shocking?
GRANNY: Actually, I never said that, whoever wrote that article said those things! Granny is her own universe and although comparisons can be drawn because of the nature of her appearance, Granny would never try to fill anybody shoes especially those iconic artists you mentioned! I think it’s safe to say that nothing like G4B has ever come down the pike.... so it’s my pleasure to throw my 2 cents into the cauldron of rock ‘n’ roll!
MPAP: Personally, I think the country music scene would lose their minds, but at one point in your career did you want to be a country shock musician? I’m not saying you personally would make others lose their minds in a bad way, I just don’t think that the country music genre could handle something shocking. What made you change your mind and turn to the dark side of hard rock?
GRANNY: I never wanted to be anything other than I am, a bad ass old woman fronting a rock band! Because of the reoccurring violin/fiddle in many of our songs and live performances, I think once someone called us 'shock country.' That ain’t my genre of choice but I will admit, that would seriously cause some commotion wouldn’t it? Ha! Granny has always had a dark side, I never changed my mind I just changed my clothes.
MPAP: Let’s talk about something that you’re very dear about, freedom of expression, as most should be in the hard rock and heavy metal community. Recently released on Friday, October the 13th, was your single/video called "Freak Flag".
GRANNY: The song is about the freedom of expression, and not being afraid to expose who you really are. The video for it highlights this as well with eccentric people doing what they do in everyday life. Nothing Hollywood or glamorized about who’s in the video either.
MPAP: How do you get someone to express themselves when everything that is put out there, or talked about on social media, someone is going to get easily offended by it? This must be hard to do because there is always a backlash for when someone wants to do something, or look a different way?
GRANNY: Granny thinks that everybody should be able to express themselves anyway they want to (I ain’t saying physically hurtin’ folks is cool with me) I’m just saying folks shouldn’t be ashamed of who they really are or who they were meant to be. They should let be able to say what they want. I hate it when people try to clamp down on my shit! This world is gettin’way to PC for my liking. There’s too much fear, people attack what they don’t understand. I’m here to inspire folks to say fuck all that. There’s always gonna be some knucklehead that has an issue with somebody else. I’m focused on positivity not negativity.
MPAP: Also in society, there are a lot of stereotypes based on age, sex, race, and religion. You want to shatter this mold that’s been going on for many, many years now? Along with how do you get someone to express themselves, how do you break the stereotypes, especially right now with everything going on this world is so racially divided between everyone in the light of current events?
GRANNY: It’s like I said, things are getting way to PC. But if you really want to know the answer that solves the problem, love! Everybody is hatin’ on each other. We all got a lot to be thankful for. Waaaay to much time is being spent in a negative head space. Thank heavens for music because that’s one way to bring folks together! Music and love. How about that?
MPAP: You’ve been called a neo-Victorian Steampunk shock rock nightmare, a Matriarch of Metal. Do you agree with this, does it mean something to you? And is this a title you can handle and withhold for the next generation?
GRANNY: Oh, hell yeah! I’ve been called the Matriarch of Metal, The High Priestess Of Havoc and The Mistress Of Metal Mayhem. It’s all good with me. Granny’s got big shoulders, she can handle it!
MPAP: Let’s talk about your music now. For those of you playing at home, yes, Granny does make music and not just wear a dress and gray wig. You have close ties to Jesse Dupree’s band Jackyl, a hard rock band that formed in the early 90s and is still active to this day. Dupree books entertainment for the Full Throttle Saloon, and in December 2013 invited Granny 4 Barrel to play a couple shows so he could check out what you were all about. Do you feel this is where your breakthrough moment happened, and things began to really fall into place for you?
GRANNY: Jesse and Granny are kindred spirits... we like a lot of the same twisted shit! Jesse and Michael invited us to come down and play for the week at the Full Throttle and the folks went crazy for G4B. I do believe that was the moment in time that brought us to this moment.
MPAP: The song "Freak Flag" has already been released, of course with some great reviews, but in the coming months more singles from Granny 4 Barrel will be bludgeoning our eardrums soon. What can you tell us about the songs that are soon to come?
GRANNY: Why thank you kindly! Granny has some interesting themes in her songs; reckless behavior, females getting revenge, and ever relevant metal themes permeate throughout! We even have a remake of a Judas Priest song which will remain a secret until the album is released.
MPAP: How soon until a full release comes out and we can get our hands on it?
GRANNY: 2018 will be the magical year for Granny’s debut full length release entitled Deal With The Devil.
MPAP: On behalf of myself and Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank you, Granny, for being a part of this interview and letting us get to know you and your band, Granny 4 Barrel. Look forward to what you do to finish out 2017 and beyond.
Before we bring this to a close, is there any last words you’d like to say to all the readers and your fans out there?
GRANNY: Well I sure do appreciate Metal Pulp And Paper taking the time to spend with this old lady! I’m looking forward to expanding people’s minds and giving them somethin’ the like of which they ain’t never seen!
Granny 4 Barrel/ November 16th, 2017/ Interview #80