The Verge's Lead Guitarist's Interview

GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE

Mike Riffone: Hello, we here at Guitar Player magazine, have with us today lead guitarist blackguitaristz of the funk rock band The Verge. How are you today?

BGZ: Oh, o.k. You?

Mike Riffone: Good, thank you. Let's talk about these rumours of The Verge breaking up. Is there any truth to that?

BGZ: Not that I'm aware of. I just got through talking to Meloh9. We're cutting some new stuff as we speak. It's for our follow-up "The Pimp In Us".

MR:Your last album "Outerspace Jhericurls" set the world on fire and got a lot of critical acclaim.

BGZ: Yeah, we could care less about that though. It's all about freedom, you know. If people dig it, cool, that's on them. If they don't, still cool. We're going to rock and roll regardless.

MR:On "Outerspace Jhericurls", there was a strong Hendrix, Funkadelic vibe. Was that intentional?

BGZ: No. We were really going for a more Waylon Jennings type of thing.

MR: Really?

BGZ: Yeah.

MR: So, there is no break up?

BGZ: Meloh is like a little brother to me. Paligap is a wizard, a true star. Psykosoul is underwater deep. Mochalox, the girl's voice floats above the clouds, her talent is that way out.
Lenny Kravitz wants to work with her. Okaypimpn is the atomic. He has his own album coming at you, so check that out. And The Audience, he keeps us sane. He's our ace in the hole, to be honest.

Next issue: Pt 2 of BGZ's interview.

EXCERPT FROM THE UPCOMING ISSUE OF VIBE MAGAZINE
Interview with Okaypimpn of The Verge from an undisclosed rehab facility

Kevin Powell: I'm honored that I was the only one you would allow for me to do this interview. How are you doing today?

Okaypimpn: I'm well...things are getting better each day.

KP: So let's get right into it...has The Verge broken up?

O: Not to my recollection. Why? What have you heard?

KP: Well, it's been rumors that you guys have gone your seperate ways due to recent mishaps in the group.

O: The Verge is like family. Of course you disagree and get into it with each other from time to time, but we've been through too much shit to break up. I love those guys and I can only hope they feel the same way about me.

KP: So you're not upset or anything about blackguitaristz and Meloh9's new album The Pimp In Us? Some are saying that's a subliminal shot at you.

O: Whut?! That's the name of their new album? This is the first time I've ever heard of this. I don't get into rumors or whatnot, but if it is a shot at me, so be it. I've always been the black sheep of the group anyway, so it won't be the first and damn sure won't be the last. Like I said, I love all them cats, but I'm a grown-ass man and don't have time for the petty bullshit. Man, all I got to say is check out track 2 from my upcoming album.

KP: You've got a solo album out?

O: Yeah, it's my group, Trick Turner, and our album is coming out in September. September 7th if memory serves me correctly...you'll have to forgive me. These drugs they're giving me make me lose some of my short-term memory, but they're good as hell...especially the pink one that tastes like cotton candy.

KP: So what can we expect from this album?

O: Well it's basically taken from the perspective of a hooker. I'm playing trumpet, flugelhorn and singing. I've got this other chick singing lead, too. Her name is Aileen Carol Wuornos and man can she blow...literally! My little brother, Nevaslippin, plays sax, my cousin, Octane plays trombone, and we've got some other funky cats in there. Again, my memory is kinda hazy right now. I'm sorry.

KP: So is Aileen Carol Wuornos really Mochalox, your estranged girlfriend?

O: I'd rather not disclose that information.

KP: Speaking of Mochalox...how are you two doing?

O: She's fine and I'm doing better. I'd rather we not discuss our relationship if that's fine.

KP: That's cool. So how would you describe Trick Turner's sound.

O: Basically, we patterned most of our sound on the likes of James Brown and The J.B.'s. You know, JB is from Augusta, GA and we rep Atlanta all day anyway, so it was no big thag for us to go in and rock it only like the south can...hamhocks, fatback and all.

KP: So what's up with track two you were referring to?

O: Referring to of what?

KP: Your new album?

O: What new album?

KP: Trick Turner's

O: Oh yeah, it's called "Lick My Chicken And The Grease From My Bucket of Slut"

KP: Wow.

O: Yeah, we were on some serious shit when we cut that. Wasn't better than this pink stuff here, though. LAWD HAVE MERCY! You want some?

KP: Uh, no thank you. So is it a shot at blackguitaristz and Meloh9?

O: It's to whom it may concern.

More excerpts to follow...

okaypimpn said:

mochalox said:

okaypimpn said:

KP: So let's get right into it...has The Verge broken up?

O: Not to my recollection. Why? What have you heard?

O: Yeah, we were on some serious shit when we cut that. Wasn't better than this pink stuff here, though. LAWD HAVE MERCY! You want some?

KP: Uh, no thank you. So is it a shot at blackguitaristz and Meloh9?

O: It's to whom it may concern.

More excerpts to follow...

I love you boy.

Mocha's Lead Singer Talks
From Sister 2 Sister Magazine

Jamie Foster Brown: The last time I got a chance to talk to Miss Mochalox was shortly after her airport incident. Ironically, we were in the Atlanta area. Both she and I were in a Milk Carton party for missing artists like Bilal, Stokely and D’Angelo. It was a hot party. But I finally caught up with her in her sprawling Atlanta Estate.

JFB: So when will Mocha actually record an album? I mean you guys are the most famous band that has never recorded! I mean, have you guys even been in the studio yet?

M: Girl, you’re guess is as good as mine. The Bandbuilder needs to quit trippin’ and put me in the studio! Or I’ll be on some “FREE MOCHA!!” sh*t like the Lox! laughs

JFB: How did you hook up with Meloh9?

M: He was startin’ this band called the Verge and I was tryin’ to be down, but he wasn’t hearin’ me. I was persistent and he gave me my own band. I’ve been down for him ever since. I told him I wanted to sing, so he said it would be perfect to start something new with a girls group and be sexy, funky and get the crowd hype for The Verge.

JFB: Did you write your own music all the time?

M: Yes. But I’m not such the control freak that I can’t do Meloh’s or Paligap’s stuff sometimes.

JFB: What's Blackguitaristz doing now?

M: I don't know.

JFB: What happened with that whole thing with Jill [Scott]?

M: I don't know. It's a whole bunch of drama, that's all.

JFB: But you don't have anything against Jill, do you?

M: Honestly, I don't want to talk about her. We are two totally different people. All I’m gonna say is that if there is ever a collabo with a fee-fee and the Verge, I’ll be the first female. After me, I don’t care who they work with. I’m a Capricorn, so I don’t play that. The Bandbuilder knows that.

Jamie Foster Brown: Does Okaypimpn live here with you? I mean, you do have the space.

M: He frequents, but I won’t say more than that.

Jamie Foster Brown: When Okaypimpn referred to you as the "Bonnie” to his “Clyde," you knew that people were going to talk, so how did you guys feel about the fact that it was going to stir stuff up?

Mochalox: I don’t see anything wrong with his declaration of our solidness. We’re just that solid. I’m his “Ride Or Die” girl. And it didn’t stir up any more rumors than was already circulating.

JFB: One last question, what’s with the golden shower thing and flashing people and jacking threads?

M: after a long pause I’m a bad girl. And I'm glad to be free.
[This message was edited Mon Jul 19 14:32:45 2004 by mochalox]

Umm, "The Pimp In Us" is not a solo album. It's the follow up by The Verge.

Rolling Bone Magazine


Meloh9 Breaks The Silence



"Nothing is intended to be a diss towards Okaypimpn, we are all like family and Im sick of the media trying to tear us the fuck up, it's getting to the point where Okay thinks I just want his pills, although he has some good shit, and I would not have been able to get through my solo shit without them, I love him, he is one of the best horn tooters since Miles. And that's all for now, I dont like talking to you. By the way all Music Guide can ssiK my ass also" Fuck do they mean I struggle to be innovative? I do what I feel, what's the struggle in that? "


And that's all we have from the ever elusive Meloh9
[This message was edited Mon Jul 19 14:42:10 2004 by Meloh9]
[This message was edited Mon Jul 19 14:46:37 2004 by Meloh9]

Continued interview with Okaypimin and Kevin Powell

*after a break in which Okaypimpn had to be sedated for his 2 hr. nap, he was ready to continue talking about his success, downfall and rise again.*

Kevin Powell: So before our break we were talking about the track on your new project entitled "Lick My Chicken And The Grease From My Bucket of Slut."

Okaypimpn: Yeah.

KP: You let me hear excerpts of it while you were napping and I must say this song is the truth. I can only imagine what the rest of the album sounds like.

O: I 'preciate that man.

KP: Just to recite a line from the song, you say

"I keep a Grade A hoe...
Rehearsing her cue to blow...
Then take a dip in the snow...
Black and loh know...."

O: Yeah. Funky ain't it.

KP: Indeed, but that last line. Are you implying that blackguitaristz and Meloh9 have some drug problems as well?

O: How do you figure that?

KP: Well, we all know that "snow" is subliminal for cocaine and you say that Black(guitaristz) and Me(loh9) know, so if we put two and two together...

O: Nah, man, we seriously took a dip in some snow. We were up in Minneapolis jammin' at Paisley Park with Prince and when we tried to leave around 6 in the morning, we couldn't go anywhere 'cause of the snow.

KP: Oh...okay. I'll leave it alone.

O: Look Kevin, I just want to put it out there that blackguitaristz and Meloh9 are my brothers. You're not going to make me expose some shit on them. Whatever they do is on them. Just like whatever I do is on me. We are all grown men and accountable for our own actions. I have nothing but the utmost respect for them and love them like they were my blood. That's it. Period.

KP: Okay, cool. So the song is not about them?

O: Kevin. You seriously need to drink some of my pink shit. (hollaring for the nurse) Nurse, get this n!@@a some of my pink shit! I don't think he can hear too well!

KP: No, seriously, I'm fine.

O: Nah, n!@@a you're not. I keep telling you that everything is cool between me and The Verge and you insist on not believing me.

KP: Okay, let's just drop it.

O: Cool, but I got a "visitor" coming in in about an hour who can hook you up with some shit. You sure?

KP: Yes, I'm fine. Let's move on.

O: Cool.

KP: I notice that you keep a gold medalion of a dat around your neck at all times.

O: Yeah, Jacob The Jeweler hooked me up. You like it?

KP: Oh yeah, it's fresh. It obviously contains the master of Big Daddy Gets All My Money. Before you went to take your nap, you made me sign a release in blood that it would not be bootlegged and took a sample of my hair.

O: Yep.

KP: Are you concerned with people stealing your music and distributing it online?

O: Definitely. I don't want my music to be pre-maturely raped. This is something very precious to me and I just want the world to feel what all I have invested my heart and soul into over the past few months.

KP: Cool. So what's up with you and Mochalox?

O: (pauses for about two minutes stairing straight at Kevin). Kevin, did you honestly think that because I was knocked out for 2 hrs. I was going to forget that you already asked me about her?

KP: Huh?

O: Now is not the time to play stupid, n!@@a.

KP: But I-

O: I know what you thought. You were thinking Okaypimpn isn't going to remember this shit when he wakes up. You can't con a conman, bruh. I told you earlier. Mocha is fine and I'm doing better. I don't disclose my personal business to the public. Now if you want to ask her what's up with me that's a different story although I'm sure she'll tell you the same. Keep it movin' bruh!!!! KEEP THAT SHIT MOVIN"!!!!! (yelling for the nurse) Nurse!!! I need some more of that pink shit. This n!@@a's got my head hurtin'.

more of the interview to come...

PSYKOSOUL TALKS
From the corner of Jefferson and 38th St


LADY 1: Hey isn't that Psykosoul? That guy who was in the Verge?

LADY 2: That quiet one who never said shit? Yeah. Damn, I guess he really did lose his mind. *sniff, sniff* Ooooh DAMN!!!!

LADY 1: Hey mister! Are you Psykosoul from The Verge?

PSYKOSOUL: Not only am I am member, but I'm the president. I'm not bullshittin'.

LADY 2: What happened how did you end up like this?

PSYKOSOUL: The guys had gotten into an argument over something silly. It was over royalty checks or corn cobs... I really can't remember. Meloh9 and okaypimpin got to fighting over who drank the last glass of Kool-Aid. I went outside and sat in the corner up against the wall to smoke and I don't remember too much after that. I'm not bullshittin'. Can you spot me a square?

LADY 1: We don't smoke.

PSYKOSOUL: How 'bout some trim?

LADY 2: What the?

LADY 1: You won't get any of that from us.

PSYKOSOUL: Well, you looked like nice ladies and all. I thought you could edge me up. Taper me up a bit. Keep me from looking so scruffy. I got a date tonight. I'm not bullshittin'.

BOTH LADIES: With who?

PSYKOSOUL: Mochalox. She told me I could come over this evening to hoe out her flower beds and if there's time we'll do some session work with guys for the next album. I'm not bullshittin'.

LADY 1: Well good luck with that!

LADY 2: Yeah, and if you wanna impress your bandmates again. I encourage you to take a bath also.

PSYKOSOUL: Will do. You ladies have a pleasant day. I have to practice my instrument now. picks up an empty coke bottle and proceeds to play it like a panflute

E! HOLLYWOOD NEWS

LINDA ROBINSON: You wanted to set the record straight?
BGZ: Uh, yeah. I had to read in some paper that Okay feels that my baby brother Meloh and myself are doing a solo cd. Apparently, because our follow-up, and when I say "our", I'm speaking of The Verge's follow-up album is titled "The Pimp In Us". Not Meloh and myself. If Okay wasn't off doing HIS solo album, he would have known about this. I was the one who suggested to the rest of the guys that we call it "The Pimp In Us" as a nod to Okay. Like "Kidd Funkadelic" was a nod to Mike Hampton, same idea. Apparently Okay missed this and thought it was a slight of some kind. We've been through too much mess together for him to even think that. But what's worst is that instead of calling me or anyone else in the band, he goes off and talks the wrong noise to the press. I'm just setting it straight. He should have known that I was talking about the band when I said "follow-up to "Outerspace Jhericurls". Man, I don't know sometime. That's all for right now Linda.

LR: Thank you for your time Christopher.
BGZ: Your welcome.

okaypimpn said:

E! HOLLYWOOD NEWS

LINDA ROBINSON: Psykosoul, is there anything you wanted to add in order set the record straight?

PSYKOSOUL: You got some Cheetos?

LINDA ROBINSON: Uhhh, no?!?!

PSYKOSOUL: THIS FUCKIN' INTERVIEW IS OVAHHH!!!! snatches microphone and pawns it for $20...buys a 5 packs of Newports

AMG reviews Meloh9's The Incredible Ms. June Flowers



The Incredible Ms June Flowers





One would get the since that Meloh9 is in love upon listening to The Incredible Ms June Flowers
which is a relief, after a series of troubles, rumors, mishaps and media frenzy surrounding his current psychedelic progressive funk band The Verge. It's even rumored that Meloh was able to record this album with Stevie Wonder's stolen Vintage Moog Synthesizers, and that Verge member PAliGap was actually trying to sneak the stolen goods back, thus covering for Meloh9. Whatever the case may be, all rumors aside, this is definitly a interesting and somewhat unexpected debut. The album opens with a cover of love gun by Kiss a funky bass line, drunken guitars with acid washed vintage fuzz effect's sets the mood for the rest of the album, the Metal feel of the song is still present, but there is a war going on between guitar effect's and the other worldy sound of distorted keyboards. Ms Mocha Delux is another rocker, Meloh use's this hard funk rock peace to addresse his charges of assualt,"All I ever wanted was to Pee" goes the hook, over a fierce guitar line and a muted break beat, it's like listening to a 808 kick drum under water with live drums crashing above. Another cover of Bjork Hyper Ballad is a plus for Meloh9, however it does reveal his greatest flaw, the energy here is not nearly as felt with some of the original tunes on this project, Meloh9 sings the lines " we live on a Mountain" in a cracking nasel falsetto over a Grand Piano, by the songs climax, the repeated loop " Safe again " is chanted over a hard funk groove. It's like The Revolution is covering the song live withPrince on his Parade tour. After 20 minutes of jaming the set moves into a medly of Ballads. The stars go round segues into yet another uneccessary cover of StereoPhonic's Maybe Tommorow which does very little to improve on the original song. The Ballads themselves are nice, but the tone never really change, making the whole Medly sound like one long ten minute slow jam, with Meloh9 and all his eccentricity's, the intent may never be known. The Tempo is picked up again with a cover of Funkadelic's Alice In My fantasies with guitarist Christopher CoShea of The Verge, they pay homage to Eddie Hazel in a big way, you can hear a woman moaning REST IN P! as if she is at the peak of a orgasim along with chords from Maggot Brain paning in and out from speaker to speaker. It is also rumored that this whole project was recorded with analog 4 tracks. Meloh9 who rarely gives a interview did tell rolling stone that " the album was really produced by Acid" Maybe he should lay off the Acid because ssik is just what it implies, it's Kiss playing Love Gun in reverse while Meloh sings the lyric's to Prince's Kiss over it, and it's moments like these when M9's ambitions fail, it's like he is almost struggling to be innovative. The album closes with the gentle Never Say, the argumentative line " I never said I Never Loved June Flowers Last September The Limited Edition live DvD is the Highlight of this whole set. Meloh's stage presence is just as incredible as the fiticious June Flowers. He jumps off of Pianos, slides across the stage, makes Goo Goo eyes at his female fans, and is joined by Greg Dulli on Something Hot. Here the live material reveals M9's true potential.





I would just like to say that this has to be one of the worst, most unproffesional reviews I have ever read! Im pissed, and I dont mean that in a good way! they missed the whole friggin' point of everything! Yeah they gave me a few well deserved props, but you go and steal Stevie's shit, play every damn instrument! And record a masterpiece like June Flowers all on a fucking 4 track! They can kiss my ass. Gene Simmons called me up and told me that I did Love Gun justice by playing the album backwards and singing kiss over it! Prince is a bit pissed, but hey, you can't please everybody! Fuck them, they can't even sppell wright. I deserve five michs!

psykosoul said:

blackguitaristz said:

okaypimpn said:

Y'all Are Trippin Hard!!

...Now, If You'll excuse me, I have to get back to work; I'm busy deciphering the meaning behind the phrase "Mmm-gaca-Gwee-gee"....
....there ARE those who feel that, according to the Whispers' Walter and Scotty, It might mean "I'm gonna get you baby", but this isn't definite; Teena Marie seems to use it in a different context entirely....
...anyway, I'll let y'all know when I find out...

paligap said:

I'm busy deciphering the meaning behind the phrase "Mmm-gaca-Gwee-gee"....
....there ARE those who feel that, according to the Whispers' Walter and Scotty, It might mean "I'm gonna get you baby", but this isn't definite; Teena Marie seems to use it in a different context entirely....
...anyway, I'll let y'all know when I find out...

paligap said:

Y'all Are Trippin Hard!!

...Now, If You'll excuse me, I have to get back to work; I'm busy deciphering the meaning behind the phrase "Mmm-gaca-Gwee-gee"....
....there ARE those who feel that, according to the Whispers' Walter and Scotty, It might mean "I'm gonna get you baby", but this isn't definite; Teena Marie seems to use it in a different context entirely....
...anyway, I'll let y'all know when I find out...

mochalox said:

while you're at it, tell me what Lionel Richie said in All Nite Long.

mammbo-nitee-saa-tay-mon-ya! Hey jambo-jambo!

okaypimpn said:

PART 3 OF THE VIBE INTERVIEW WITH OKAYPIMPN (after Nurse Betty gave him his medicine)

Kevin Powell: So getting back to the album...

Okaypimpn: Yeah...

KP: You described the sound as being similar to James Brown and The J.B.'s

O: Right.

KP: Are there any other influences we'll hear on this album as well?

O: Oh, definitely. You'll hear a lot of gospel vibes in there, too, as me and Aileen trade off on vocals. You know that's that southern shit. It's a bit like Shirley Caesar, Walter Hawkins and The Clark Sisters meets James Brown, Sly Stone and P-Funk. We cover all bases.

KP: Cool. So who else besides yourself, Aileen, Nevaslippin and Octane are in the group?

O: Who?

KP: Octane?

O: Who is that?

KP: That's your cousin who you said plays trombone.

O: Nah, man, his name is Cocktane

KP: But you told me Octane a few-

O: No I didn't.

KP: Yes, you di-

O: NO! I didnt'.

KP: Okay, whatever, so Cocktane is your cousin who plays trombone?

O: Yeah. Let's see...we've got this cat from Oakland named Mildred Forefinger who plays guitar-

KP: Mildred? He's a dude?

O: Yeah, he's really eccentric. He still hasn't told us the reasoning behind his name. Personally, I think he's been in my stash of pink stuff while I was sleeping, but that's just between you and I.

KP: Gotcha. Who else?

O: Preston Understudy on bass, Bro. Green on drums and Earl Lee on the keys. We've also got my homegirl, Porcia Pantyliner, doing some background vocals and she's a hell of a tambourine beater, too.

KP: Cool.

O: Yeah, man, I'm excited! NEVERARY 15TH IS WHEN IT DROPS!!!!!

KP: Huh?

O: I said Feburary 32nd is when it drops.

KP: I thought you told us in September?

O: Yeah, that's what I meant. September. Isn't that what I said?

KP: No.

O: How do you know? You were too busy listening to me asking you if that's what I just said?

KP: What?

O: Forget it man. Yo, Kev. I don't mean to rush this interview along or anything, but I got a visitor dropping by in a few. You're welcome to stay if you want to, but I'm guessing you don't like "green pastures"?

KP: Huh? Green pastures? Oh, okay. I get you. No, I've actually got to catch up with some other people. I hear Courtney Love is right up the hall.

O: Yeah, she's in 169B. When you go down there, tell her to fall through. She owes me on that pink stuff.

KP: Will do. Thanks again, Okaypimpn and I wish you the best of luck in your success.

O: I 'preciate that man. Keep praying for me...and The Verge

KP: I will, brother. I will.

O: Peace.

okaypimpn said:

E! HOLLYWOOD NEWS

LINDA ROBINSON: We are here live outside of Bournshire Mental Hospital where The Verge's blackguitaristz is trying to gain entrance to see his good friend and bandmate Okaypimpin. He is surrounded by a mob of Catholic school girls and photographers. Oh my, one of them has a hold of his hair. There is much..{ooomph}.....Oh..I'm sorry..... Thank you Jeff. I was just knocked down to the ground by these school.....{coughing}.....My cameraman just helped me up. It is complete bedlam right now. I can't even hear myself speak..... I have totally lost sight of blackguitaristz. There is a mob of people at the entrance of the hospital. I don't know if black.....



DUE TO TECHNICAL PROBLEMS, WE WILL RESUME TO OUR REGULAR SCHEDULED PROGRAM

June 2005



Verge The Motion Picture

Love is the message
Music is the power
Drugs is the problem
Rehab is the answer
[This message was edited Wed Jul 21 8:24:54 2004 by Meloh9]

Excerpt from an interview with Verge Member Paligap (from Nonesuch magazine):

NS: Didn't you used to be in another group before the Verge?

PG: Ahhh, yes... I was in a group called "The Collective Individuals". we had a tune out on Criminal Records called "I Missed You Baby(But My Aim's Gettin' Better) Part I and II"

NS: Were you the vocalist there?

PG: Well yeah, by default...but I also played bass and drums...not at the same time, obviously...

NS: Really?

PG: uh-huh..well, the group was essentially five guys playing guitars, which kinda posed some practical problems...

NS: So You switched to Bass?

PG: Yeah,... well at the time, I had just picked up the bass and I was tryin' to merge Miles Davis's thing about the use of space with Mark King's thing of playin' as many notes as possible...that's when the rest of the band voted that I shouldn't pick up the bass anymore, and maybe I should try the drums instead...

NS: interesting... and how would you describe your drum technique?

PG: Well ...I think... Well, If You can imagine somebody throwin' a drumset down a flight of stairs...that's the feel I was kinda' going for...

NS: That worked for you?

PG: Oh, it worked great for ME - the rest of the Band had problems with it, though...I think it was a little too progressive for 'em...
[This message was edited Tue Jul 20 13:12:02 2004 by paligap]

paligap said:

okaypimpn said:

mochalox said:

okaypimpn said:

O: Preston Understudy on bass, Bro. Green on drums and Earl Lee on the keys. We've also got my homegirl, Porcia Pantyliner, doing some background vocals and she's a hell of a tambourine beater, too.

okaypimpn said:

mochalox said:

Remember...


KP: So is Aileen Carol Wuornos really Mochalox, your estranged girlfriend?

O: I'd rather not disclose that information.