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                                Interview with Ian Tomele from Voice Of Addiction (Chicago Illinois)

Q. How did the project come into existence?

2/3rds of V.o.A. has been playing music together for most of their lives. Jeff and I are originally from Cleveland area and met in middle school. We have been playing in bands ever since. He actually got me to move to Chicago, being here for 2 years prior.

both of us were in Music school at Columbia, and always playing music. Eventually it evolved into Voice Of Addiction with one of our roommates at the time, Rob Mann. This was back in 2004.

Q.Who are the members of the band if any and please tell us about it?

i am Ian, I play Bass and sing for V.o.A. I also run Wrecking Ball Production, doing midwest booking and promotions.

Jeff is the Guitarist and confidant. He also runs a music school and performance space, Auxiliary Arts Center in Chicago.

Andy is the drummer and newest member to the group, just hitting his 2 year mark! He also dies in Revolutionary war reenactments.

Q How would you describe your sound/genre?

Voice Of Addiction takes on the attitude the the punk rock revolution instilled in us, but infuses it with genre-mashing breakdowns. Sometimes described as a "unique refreshing slant to the rock world." Voice Of Addiction's members put their distinct personalities and experiences into the instruments they play and the music they write. V.O.A.'s music has an immense presence that builds tension and releases it at the most opportune times.

Q. What formal training or previous experience do any of the members have?

We all have formal training. Andy is a rudimental drumming teacher. Jeff has a music school now, and I have 2 bachelor's from Columbia and teach as well.

Q. Are you working w/ a producer on your upcoming album?

We are working with Scott Fritz and Stranded On a Planet www.strandedonaplanet.com a boutique studio in chicago on the upcoming full length release "Reduce Reude Resist" out May 2011.

Q. Who would you say has been the biggest influence on the bands sound or that you have used as inspiration for your music?

We are primarily a band on the run. We are always hitting the pavement, and playing shows. We listen to a wide variety through these trips but definitely some favorites, Clash, descendents, youth brigade, bouncing souls, bad religion, cobra skulls, etc.

Q.What advice would you give to others starting out?

You gotta believe in your music before anyone else will give a shit. its all about the love for the music. If you don't have it people aren't gonna care about your songs, and you won't last long on the road.

Q. Where can people go to learn more about you and hear your music?

Check out our site, and get the NEW single off the upcoming album FREE for signing the mailing list.

http://VoiceOfAddiction.com

Q. If you could play anywhere in the world or with anyone you wanted where and who would it be with?

Tokyo with Bad Religion

Q. What has been your greatest experience so far either individually or as a whole?

In the middle of nowhere Kearney Nebraska. We are heading back from out west. The morning of the show we get a voicemail saying that they are gonna cancel the show, simply because they do not want to do shows on wednesdays anymore. I will be nice and not name the offenders. Anyways, we met some cool kids earlier in the tour, and they said we could crash with them. So after driving all day we get there and are chilling watching Always Sunny. A couple people stop over around seven, asking about the show. They wouldn't take it being cancelled as an option, "Fuck that!" is proclaimed. A couple phone calls later and we got a bar that will let us use their stage. a couple calls and we got a local opener. We grab the rocket fuel and head over to the bar.

Turns out to be a cool stage, and the owner is spreading the word on his laptop, "Impromptu Show, band from Chicago!"

It turned out to be a super fun show, a whole bunch of people came out. We passed the hat at the end of the set asking for donations and made enough to get to the next show in Iowa, and sold some merch. Restores your faith in humanity and the scene.

Q. Do you have any upcoming events or news you would like to tell our readers about?

We are finishing the year over here, and will be working on the new album this winter. January 29th is our first 2011 show at the Chicago Punk Night. and we will be booking regularly again starting in February. The new album "Reduce Reuse Resist" will be released May 2011 and a month long west coast tour is being planned in support for the summer.

Q. Where do you see yourselves or hope to be in about 5 years?

I would Love to be playing beyond North America. Europe and Japan have always been on my list of places to visit, and it would kick ass to do it by rocking!

Cheers!-Ian JohnnyX V.O.A.

www.VoiceOfAddiction.com

www.myspace.com/voiceofaddiction

www.punkrockers.com/voiceofaddiction   

www.sonicbids.com/voiceofaddiction