Semi Precious Weapons Bring Sex and Glamour Back to Rock n Roll

Semi Precious Weapons is currently sitting pretty atop of the New Zealand radio charts. The New York “garage glam” rock band has taken Australia and New Zealand by storm with their brand of sexy glamorous rock. For the last couple of months they have been touring extensively as Lady Gaga’s opening act and in the upcoming weeks will headline a handful of shows in the US before reteaming with the pop star for the second leg of the Monster Ball Tour. Justin Tranter the charismatic high heels wearing frontman of the band was conferenced in from overseas around 9:30pm EST and opened up about the band’s experience abroad, the new album and upcoming headlining shows.

Sinister Girlz: I’ve been following your many adventures via facebook and been keeping up with your tour video diaries as well…

SPW (Justin): Awesome.

Sinister Girlz: it appears that you guys are having a blast overseas were you expecting that well of a reception when you embarked on this leg of the tour?

SPW (Justin): Honestly, we always hoped for it. It’s so amazing that here (in Sydney), in New Zealand and Australia everyone has been loving us and it’s great. It’s amazing that in New Zealand and Australia radio stations that are playing the most mainstream pop are willing to talk to us, interview us and play our records. It’s pretty awesome.

Sinister Girlz: You recently went #1 in New Zealand what was your initial reaction when you got word of this?

SPW (Justin): We went fucking nuts! It couldn’t have been more exciting just to know that after so long, we’ve been working our asses off, that with the right amount of exposure and right amount of promo that our music actually does work. Ha-Ha.

Sinister Girlz: Would you say there’s a difference between American crowds and crowds overseas in regards to how they receive you?

SPW (Justin): I think that for the most part when people see us it’s always the same reaction, people for the most part about 90% of the audience really loves us and 10% really, really hates us which, we’re all for. Rock n roll should be pulverizing, we love it. But I think we’ve been really fortunate that in New Zealand and Australia it’s not just people discovering us at the shows [that are watching us perform] but also people that have been hearing our songs on the radio and have been really responding well to it. I think that’s the difference between [crowds] in America, the average person listening to us on their radio overseas has been [attending the shows] and responding really well to it. [Whereas not everyone in America has had the opportunity to listen to Semi Precious Weapons records on top 40 radio].

Sinister Girlz: Your music is very provocative and sexy and it’s funny you mentioned that 10% hating you guys because when I saw you back in January at Radio City you definitely made a grown man very uncomfortable, what do you want to say to those who may not get it?

SPW (Justin): We love it. I love the people who don’t get us. I’m always grateful when there’s someone close enough to the stage making a really uncomfortable face because there’s nothing better than being able to say, ‘you may be uncomfortable now but you will be more uncomfortable when I fuck your wife.’ Rock n roll should be dangerous and should make certain people uncomfortable, some people are uncomfortable with things that are a bit sexy but that’s what rock n roll should be.

Justin takes it off onstage during a performance at Radio City photo by: Leslie DJ

Sinister Girlz: I do have to commend you guys because I took my 13 year old sister to one of the shows and I have to say that you guys totally held your own out there and I would have gladly listened to guys for a full 2 hour set. I was blown away, I had heard of you guys but hadn’t seen you live yet so I was very, very excited. I remember you mentioning at that show how you guys use to play around NYC clubs with Gaga and you said something along the lines of acting or feeling like rock stars back then did you guys in your wildest dreams ever think that your careers would take off the way it did and almost simultaneously?

SPW (Justin): You never know how [or when] it would actually happen. But for me, I’ve always believed in myself and a lot of people don’t believe in themselves, I always thought that this would happen because I’ve been working so fucking hard for it and I’m so thankful and it’s so amazing to be able to tour with Lady Gaga. We did come from the same world in New York City and did play the same clubs together. To be able to go from playing bars in New York City to now this summer we’ll be playing Madison Square Garden with that same friend it’s definitely the best experience of my life, for sure.

Sinister Girlz: Playing the Garden which is not only huge for any NY bred musician but pretty much all musicians, have you guys thought about that much? Does it intimidate you at all? Performing in the legendary arena?

SPW (Justin): It’s [an intimidating thought] but I haven’t really been nervous [about performing] since the 90s. I’m just really, really excited. I think you’re right, for anyone who’s attended music school or moved to New York [it’s a huge dream come true]. We toured all around America; selling our own merchandise, booking our own shows, driving our own van we did all of that. It’s amazing to show people [that hard work pays off]. So many stars and so many musicians become successful now because of a game show or because their dad works for some record label or whatever it is. It’s always gone on but now I think it’s more common to become a successful musician because of some game show than because of hard work. For people to be able to look at us and see we did it from the ground up and now we’re going to be playing Madison Square Garden for the biggest pop star in the world I think it’s really great.

Sinister Girlz: You’ll be playing a couple of headlining shows this month before reteaming with Gaga what can audiences expect from those shows?

SPW (Justin): We’re so excited about doing the headlining shows for the simple fact that we get to play longer. We just finished making the record of our dreams and the album comes out June 22^nd. So to get to go play four shows in America and get to perform our whole album for people is going to be really great. We do love our guitar solos so these shows will be able to [feature] some of that. We’re also really excited about being able to touch the audience again. The Gaga shows [don’t allow room for that] because it’s such a huge production so I’m really excited to play four shows where I can touch the audience, feel the people, walk to them and do the whole filthy rock n roll thing. Hopefully make out with a couple of people during the show, you know the usual.

Sinister Girlz: What’s one thing Semi Precious Weapons fans may be surprised to learn about you guys?

SPW (Justin): We’re music nerds, we went to music school. We do like to party, swear, curse and we do love to get laid and all those other good things but at the heart of it we’re music nerds and have studied as much music as we possibly could since we were about 10 years old.

Sinister Girlz: Well thank you so much, I think you’re fabulous and walk better in high heels than I ever could.

SPW (Justin): Ha-ha. Thank you sweetie. Come see us at one of our shows.

Sinister Girlz: I sure will.

For more on Semi Precious Weapons visit semipreciousweapons.com and be sure to look out for their new full-length album, “You Love You” becomes available on June 22^nd. Semi Precious Weapons is: Justin Tranter (vocals), Cole Whittle (Bass), Dan Crean (Drums) and Stevy Pyne (Guitar).