In today’s A-Z challenge, we find out all about Living Dead Girl as Molly Rennick takes on our famed 26 questions!
A song that made you want to make music?
I decided I wanted to be a singer when I was like, four or five years old…the main thing I listened to at that point in my life was Hilary Duff, hahah. I used to sing What Dreams Are Made Of all the time and even performed that song at my first ever singing recital – so I think that song would make sense to give credit to. It’s one of my earliest singing memories.
Best rider you’ve had?
We had a venue we played at in Gainesville, Georgia called Blackstrap Rock Hall give us a free bottle of whisky from the local distillery across the street, Remedy Distillery – that one stands out to me because it was generous of them, and also the best whisky ever!
Craziest moment you’ve had in the band?
Good crazy or bad crazy? Haha.
Bad crazy – we’ve seen all kinds of weird shit on tour, but most crazy would probably be our van’s brakes literally failing on the highway in Colorado–we literally swerved off to the side of the road right after driving along steep cliffs. It was pretty terrifying. That was quite an unforgettable thing to experience.
Deepest lyric one of your songs features?
I’d have to say our song “Stronger” as a whole, but I think a line that sticks out to me is “I wish the life that you took from me / Could be the part of me that they see”.
Easiest song you wrote?
We wrote and recorded “Villain” start to finish in four hours – like, from scratch, no demo, nothing. The lyrics came so easily because they’re so conversational, and the song just fell into place effortlessly.
Favorite song in your set?
I really love performing “Poltergeist” live, it is a softer song but all the more reason it’s fun to do because the breakdown comes in so heavy and unexpected – anybody hwo’s heard the song before it’s eagerly anticipating it, and anyone who hasn’t ehard it before has no idea what’s coming – it’s super fun as a performer!
Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?
I want to do a duet with Ronnie Radke so badly – I think our vocals would sound unreal together.
Hardest thing about being in a band?
Finances. It’s really hard being an entirely self-funded band because absolutely everything costs money – recording music, creating music videos, marketing, the travel expenses of touring – I feel like we would be so much further ahead if money weren’t an issue and thinking that always drives me to keep working my ass off and being resourceful enough to make things work.
Interesting fact about one of your members?
Our drummer “isn’t a drummer” (his own words!) Steve is a Guiness World Record-holding photographer who’s done the world’s deepest underwater photoshoot three freaking times – he was a drummer over a decade ago and he was tired of watching me struggle to find a drummer, so he volunteered to “fill in for one tour”–that was three years ago. I don’t think he’s allowed to ever leave this band now haha. He’s also my husband though so it works out very well!
Jokes you have in the band?
Oh man most of them are not appropriate enough to share haha. Jordan (our bassist) and I have an ongoing gross incest joke with each other because we kept being asked if we were brother & sister (we are not), but we also get asked a lot if we’re a couple (also not) – so we said “we’re both” one time and now it’s just become a thing. At a show once a guy was hitting on me and Jordan said “hey man that’s my sister.” the guy was like “oh I mean no disrespect, I just love how her fishnets look on her” and Jordan said “I know, I get to take them off her later” – the guy DIDN’T EVEN REACT. Like, didn’t flinch or anything. So now it’s this hilarious and gross ongoing joke we make to mess with people and see their reaction (so far nobody has even batted an eye….yuck!!)
Key to writing a song?
Tap into your feelings and really focus on them – ok I’m angry, because of this, this person did this thing that made me feel like this, why did that happen? – really focus on a situation and how it made you feel and then the words started coming to you naturally. At least that’s how it is for me!
Longest distance you’ve traveled to play a show?
We drove from Orlando, FL to Texas – 18 hours – with no shows along the way. That was a little bit insane haha. Usually there are stops along the way of a long drive to break it up but that drive we did in one go.
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
Avril Lavigne is definitely the musician who has inspired me the most in my life – I think the fact that she’s from a small town in Ontario, Canada, just like I am, and still managed to become a successful musician always really meant a lot to me because she was somebody I could relate to, and she demonstrated that it IS possible. I picked up a guitar in the first place because of her and still to this day am very inspired by her song writing and vocal style.
New band you’d recommend?
Phantom Limbs! They’re our friends from Florida and our guitarist Michael is also the guitarist of Phantom Limbs – they’re phenomenal! Check them out!
Opening for this band would be ideal?
In This Moment!
Place you’d most like to tour?
I’d love to tour Europe so I could be a tourist and sightsee, while playing shows all in one trip!
Quote you’d like to pass on to our readers?
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” –Walt Disney. This quote is something I think of a lot when I have ideas for the band; shut up about it and go do it!!
Reason for the title of your recent/forthcoming release?
A CONSPIRACY is a a secret plan made by a group of people to do something harmful or unlawful – it’s a theme I found myself writing songs about and honestly just talking about a lot in general. It just came to me and made sense for it to be the title of this collection of songs and ultimately this new era of Living Dead Girl. Seeing the evil in the world and trying to both be aware of it, while protecting yourself from it.
See us live at?
Our album release party for CONSPIRACY, October 10 in Winter Park, FL at Conduit! It’s going to be a very special show.
The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?
I mean we are lucky to live in an era where making music is more accessible to people – technology and computers have made it easier than ever to create music, so more people have access to being able to create, rather than the old days when you had to pay insane money to rent a studio – I think we’re lucky to be able to do this in one sense. But as for live music I definitely have seen a difference in the past decade for the worst – people are so glued to their phones I feel like they’re missing out and not really living in the moment, and because people are staring at their phone screens it can be harder to get an audience to interact sometimes. I think people are more shy and socially awkward ever since social media and you can really tell that at concerts vs. ten plus years ago when everyone just enjoyed the music without filming it.
Unusual merchandise?
When Exorcism dropped as a single we did a collection of Valentine’s day merchandise, since the song is essentially a love song with some suggestive lyrics, so we had condoms and heart-shaped candies for sale with the Exorcism lyrics on them!
Variations you’d like to do on any of your songs?
I think it would be so cool to be able to perform “Stronger” live with an actual orchestra. That would give me chills.
What do your fans mean to you?
Fans are the difference between being able to do what we love, or not; if no one bought our CDs, vinyl and T-shirts, we simply wouldn’t be able to create another album. If they didn’t show up to see us live, we couldn;t be able to book more shows. Fans literally make it possible and we are so grateful for that. We’ve been very fortunate to have such awesome fans too, we’ve had many people make us fan art and gifts, buy us dinner on tour, etc – we have a really considerate and thoughtful fanbase which is incredible!
X-rays or any treatments needed for band related injuries?
Nothing THAT drastic for me, the most I’ve had is like cuts and bruises on my legs – it was funny though, on The Infectious Tour I got a big cut on my knee from dropping to my knees during the set and it got infected which was really gross and painful – but I found it ironic that it happened on The Infectious Tour. Kinda funny.
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
All of us except Steve – he’s always trying to herd us like sheep haha. He and I always tell the band an earlier time than we actually have to leave to make sure nobody makes us late! Darien is the one who usually wanders off when we make pit stops.
Zoo animal that best describes the personality of your band?
Probably something like a squirrel monkey ‘cause we’re a silly group of people. We’re all very immature, hyper and childish when you put us in a room together haha.