By Therese McKeon

Shoutweb: So tell me how the band came together.

Markie: Juice fell apart right around the same time that the first "edema" fell apart. I was friends with Dave Deroo who plays bass and Tim Flucky who plays guitar, which were the members from Juice. I had been friends with those guys for years. It was almost like our bands competed. It was a friendly competition of course. I'd go out drinking with them after practice. They were really, really popular. The Juice thing was pretty cool. I had been after those two for a long time to try to start a band. Eventually, they got in the band and they liked what Michael Ransom was playing. They really liked his style. We were looking for a drummer and I had heard that Videodrone was having problems. So I called The Firm, who is their management company, and I asked for Kris Kohls' number. I was friends with him for years but I lost his number. We talked and he wanted me to come down to L.A. so he could listen to it. I took a ride down there. He listened to it and he flipped out. He loved it and he was in the band the next day.

Shoutweb: When was that?

Markie: That was July or August of 2000.

Shoutweb: Oh, wow!

Markie: Only a little while ago.

Shoutweb: That was a pretty quick turnaround then.

Markie: It was quick. Once Kris got in the band we wrote three more songs. We hooked up with this guy that worked at the old A&M Recording Studios in Los Angeles which is now Jim Henson Studios. He sprung a demo for us because we knew the owner. I showed the owner of A&M a demo and he was flipping out. He said, "Sure, use the room." He gave us four days worth of recording and we recorded a three song demo. Word leaked about the band and all of a sudden we got calls from every major label you could think of. Minor too but it took us a while. We thought we had it locked down to where we were going to sign and didn't think that we were going to need to go to New York. That ended up changing and we flew out to New York for a week and met with some of the heads of the labels out there. Once we came back here to Los Angeles, we made our decision and signed the record contracts on October 3rd. We had signed a letter of direction before that but then the short form on October 3rd and then the long form maybe four months ago. We were excited. We signed a three record deal, which is nice. I think we made a pretty smash debut.

Shoutweb: It's just called "Adema"?

Markie: "Adema" it is. I thought making a title would be a little too forward being that no one knew what Adema is.

Shoutweb: The logo is just this "A"? What is the cover art going to look like?

Markie: We took two women and placed them in front of these huge walls of ice. They were like 12 feet tall. We lit the ice on fire. We actually had cans of propane shooting fire behind the ice so it kind of gave it a real surreal look. They were actually tied together back to back. One was sort of a fiery looking woman and one was like an ice queen. Basically, it was a clashing of worlds. It's kind of like the beginning and end somewhat. Dean Carr put it on and I think he did a good job. He listened to the songs and he really got the gist of what's happening. It's pretty much a torn soul trying to find its way through reality and deciding the right moves to be happy. That little triangle thing is kind of a symbol of that. We have guitar picks with that on there. It's just a little insignia.

Shoutweb: That's going to be a collector's item!

Markie: Yeah? I'm actually going to get it tattooed on me.

Shoutweb: I was looking at the photos on the web site. You have some massive tattoos going there.

Markie: We have some work that's for sure. Both Kris and me. We all have Adema tattooed on our wrist.

Shoutweb: Really?

Markie: We're the only ones with these. We don't have to show laminates to get in. We just show our wrists. Actually, in Bakersfield we've had a big following of Adema fans who have been getting Adema tattooed on their wrist.

Shoutweb: On the topside or the under side?

Markie: Under side right where the hand connects with the wrist.

Shoutweb: Both wrists?

Markie: The guitar players have them on their left wrist so it kind of shows when they're playing. I have mine on my right wrist. We're sending out these little henna tattoos with the record, which is pretty cool. It's a little logo. Not the triangle, but it says Adema. Kris has three flames around his Adema tattoo. So they copied that and made henna tattoos out of it. So if the kid buys the record they can put the little henna tattoo on.

Shoutweb: Cool! It's in the packaging?

Markie: Yeah, it will be in the packaging. They might even give it out with the single releases. It's something a little different.

Shoutweb: That's a great idea. So tell me what that is on your left forearm in these pictures.

Markie: Kris has wings on his left forearm but I think those pictures were taken before he had the wings done. My left forearm is a picture of a dragon ripping apart a heart. It kind of signifies what I do to my relationships.

Shoutweb: And is that a Saturn?

Markie: Yes, that's my arm too. I have one arm that I call my chaos arm. It's what I think is happening in the world. It's getting all digital. The woman on my arm is like an android. I think we're getting nuts with being able to pick apart DNA. Stuff's getting crazy! These scientists better slow down just a little bit. They should study what they're doing before they come out with this stuff.

Shoutweb: So your right arm is your chaos arm?

Markie: Yes, my right arm is my chaos arm. I have the dragon, which symbolizes my chaos with love. Then on the back side of it I have another woman who is my girl.

Shoutweb: So I will see you guys in NJ when you're here.

Markie: I'm sure the label people will be out checking out their new signing. We are also playing that KROCK show.

Shoutweb: The KROCK Dysfunctional Family Picnic.

Markie: Yes, that. It's such a plus for us to have label support.

Shoutweb: From the photos, it looks like everyone is in good condition.

Markie: I'm training and trying to get into good shape. I weigh about 145 pounds but it's pretty much all muscle. I'm not going for mass here. I want to get cut up. I eat like shit but I work hard and I work out. The other guys in the band are all good-looking too. (laughter)

Shoutweb: There you go. Now you can start a boy band. (laughter)

Markie: Yeah, we'll have to do our little dance numbers on stage. (laughter)

Shoutweb: Rumor has it that you guys are going to be on the Family Values 2001 tour.

Markie: Personally, I am a huge Stone Temple Pilots fan. I am beyond belief a huge fan. That's one of my all time favorite rock bands of this century. If you talk to them, tell them Adema wants to tour with them. I'm really, really into their music. I love the way Scott Weiland talks about things. They've influenced not only my scene but also my song writing and the guitar players would all say that as well, Mike Ransom for sure.

Shoutweb: So is that a maybe for Family Values?

Markie: William Morris is our booking agent. Obviously, there are family ties there so I'm hoping we can get on there in some way. We'll see. There are no promises in this industry. I'm just taking it one day at a time. As long as I'm touring that's the main thing. As long as we're accessible to whoever wants to come see us, that is the main goal.

Shoutweb: It's cool that you guys have a computer on the road too.

Markie: Yeah, I'm on the Internet all the time. Through Streetwise I've gotten quite a lot of fans. Actually, we're out here in Clinton, Iowa. There was a Streetwise member who goes by Duff. He actually promoted this show. He got us a home cooked meal last night because a family invited us to their home. He's amazing. He's done a lot of work on his own and he gets paid nothing. He just loves the music. That, to me, is where the Internet has won. I'm really, really stoked about his efforts. It keeps me excited to be on the road to have support like that.

Shoutweb: You're headed to the East Coast and through the Mid-West.

Markie: Yeah, the damn humidity is the worst part. It sucks.

Shoutweb: Then you're going out with Staind?

Markie: I'm really excited about that. I'm a real fan of their music. I haven't met the guys yet but it's so exciting. I'm like a kid in a candy store. We've been waiting a long time to do this. There is almost an eight-year difference between me and my older brother and I've watched that as a kid growing up. It's just exciting to have a chance of my own to have some success, God willing.

Shoutweb: So you guys actually grew up together?

Markie: Yes, we actually share the same mother but have different fathers. That's our blood connection.

Shoutweb: I did an interview with Aaron from Downer and he was telling me about how he was there when Korn first got together and just watched it happen. He said the first time he heard Korn he knew his own band was in trouble.

Markie: They're a great band. You can't take anything from them. I still think that they're the nu-metal kings. They are the reigning champs. They've done it all. They've played shows that they never ever were supposed to be able to play and they did it well.

Shoutweb: They command a lot of respect.

Markie: Oh yeah. The reason I respect them so much is because they did all of that without any help from radio. Without any TV promotion. That's not supposed to happen. They're all down to earth people too.

Shoutweb: "The Way You Like It" is a song that I wrote down as "funky". It definitely has a different vibe to it.

Markie: That doesn't seem like the kind of music would come out of this band, huh?

Shoutweb: I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't like I said, "What the hell were they thinking?"

Markie: I grew up on break-dancing music and hip-hop and all that stuff. I like to fuse the feel but as far as rapping goes, I'm not a rapper. I'm a singer. On that song, I'm just feeling a different side to myself. It's kind of poppy, almost rhythmic. There are hooks there. That song is about people telling me that I couldn't do it. And people telling me that I went about things the wrong way. To me, that's like my anthem back to them "the way you like it". It's my laugh back to them. "You're never going to be nothing because you've done things this way. You like to drink and you like to party." That's where the chorus comes from, "Sometimes I only remember the days when I was young. Nowadays no one remembers when they were young and stupid."

Shoutweb: I like the line, "and then you'll realize that you were just as bad as me."

Markie: Yeah, exactly.

Shoutweb: It's all about appreciation.

Markie: Exactly. Enjoy yourself. Appreciate yourself and the fact that you're alive. Not everything has to be turned back around on yourself. I don't have to look in the mirror and say, "What's wrong with me today?" Just be yourself.

Shoutweb: Without any self-loathing going on.

Markie: One day of rain doesn't make a shitty summer.

Shoutweb: Exactly. Now, "Skin" I'm assuming is about this person that you were referring to earlier.

Markie: Yeah, that song is about a person who I really love. I just can't deal with the way they run their life. They say, "I want things to be this way." And I say, "I guess we're not getting anywhere with this then."

Shoutweb: Two of my other favorites are "Blown Away" and "Freaking Out". "Freaking Out" I just love! That is the song that I am singing in my head all the time.

Markie: To me, it's just a really simple hook. It gets it out. I went to private school when I was a kid. That whole song is about my anxiety. I went to a Catholic school but in this school everyone was rich. Everything's got to be this way. You have to drive this car and date this girl or else you're nothing. The whole song is pretty much about panic attacks.

Shoutweb: I think it would make a really good soundtrack.

Markie: "Freaking Out"? Yeah, we're thinking of that as a follow up. I also think that "Blown Away" and "Everyone" are very strong songs. "Everyone" has a good groove to it. I think what I'm trying to do is bring back the song to rock. Not so much the style. I think rock and roll got a little caught up in what was hip.

Shoutweb: In "Everyone", are you saying "all I know is that life is a struggle"?

Markie: "Everyone is the same. Quick to point the blame. All I know is that life is a struggle. Why I can't seem to escape all the games that they play. All I know is that life is a struggle." That's what that little tune means.

Shoutweb: "Blown Away" is a great song I love too. I love when you come right out and say "I want to kill you."

Markie: "Blown Away" is about another relationship with a friend that just drove me absolutely bat shit. One day it would be good and the next day no good. Actually the "blow it away" wasn't about killing someone. That was about drugs. I know I'm going to take a lot of shit for that song because lyrically it's kind of really blunt. Thank God I live in America and I can say what I want.

Shoutweb: The record comes out August 21st. What else should fans know about Adema?

Markie: They should come out and check out the little tours that we do. That's where you're going to get to meet us, hang out with us. We chill with anyone who wants to come out and have pizza with us. We're just normal people and we want to be close to people. I got into this business to meet people. Basically, we're just a hard working band and we're ready to throw down.

Check out more about the band at Shoutweb's Adema Artist Channel.