Our Frankenstein is a theatrical metal, industrial, electronic, rock and roll act from Southern California. They specialize in creating a shocking and theatrical stage show as well as creating catchy and heavy music, you will be a witness to what they can do for you! Frontman vocalist Ryan Frankenstein, discusses process on debut album, touring, and much, much more!
1. First of all, who are you, and what do you do in the band?
Ryan: My name is Ryan Frankenstein and I am the lead singer.
2. Let's talk a little about the history of your band. When did you originally form and is this the
original lineup?
Ryan: Sure. We originally formed in the summer of 2013 under the name “Cherry Frankenstein”. At the time it was just me and my keyboardist Ivan Vermillion. Soon we began communicating with
Angel Nightmare who at the time didn’t live in California with us. He didn’t join the live band up until recently but at the time he worked as a key songwriter and programer for the band. Eventually we changed our name to Our Frankenstein because keeping it as Cherry Frankenstein would have been an awful idea. The lineup we have isn’t the original one though. We’ve gone through a few different changes but Ivan, Angel, and myself are the only original members.
3. Do you remember how the idea of forming the band first came up?
Ryan: I’ve been in other bands and never really felt satisfied. That’s usually how it goes for most people. And I was extremely bored with what’s been going on in this new wave of alternative music. So I wanted to start something and take every social stigma and shove it into one project.
4. How long after you formed was it until you played your first live show?
Ryan: About one year. For a long time we were wondering if we should start performing without Angel being in the live lineup. So we just decided “fuck it” and did it.
5. What are your memories of the performance?
Ryan: Oh God. It was terrible. We did not have our act together at all. I had the feeling people were saying we did great just so we wouldn’t feel bad for ourselves. But I do remember how great it felt to finally be on stage as the lead singer for Our Frankenstein.
6. How would you categorize the style of the band?
Ryan: It’s a clusterfuck of many different things. We definitely have a large heavy metal and rock
influence in our sound. But we also have a huge love for electronic music such as industrial and
EDM and we actively try to incorporate those genres into our music a lot.
7. You decided to go with calling yourselves Our Frankenstein, why pick that iconic horror
character, and how does your version of Frankenstein differ from other variations out there?
Ryan: That’s a good question actually. I’ve waited a long time to talk about this. To me, the story of
Frankenstein represents a lot of things like...creation, love, pain, and rejection. In the story of
Frankenstein, Dr. Frankenstein rejects his own creation which in turn causes the monster to go
on a rampage of sorts. The Monster was a reflection of the Doctor’s rejection. We like to think of
ourselves as a reflection of the world’s rejection. A reflection of the world’s fears. A reflection of
the world’s bigotry and hate. We are the world’s spit. Culture’s nasty little secret. A walking contradiction. A musical confusion. We mean nothing and yet we mean everything. So in a way, we are monsters ourselves.
8. Who are your influences and how have they shaped your bands sound?
Ryan: Personally I have some strange influences that have helped my songwriting ability as well as performance. The more unconventional influences I have are Johnny Cash, John Denver, Frank Sinatra and David Bowie. Their specific style of songwriting has really helped me create a different style of lyric writing for Our Frankenstein. As for the more conventional artists that have influenced this band, we are greatly influenced by acts such as Nine Inch Nails, Rob Zombie, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Ministry, and so on.
9. What lyrical theme do you guys use in your music? What message do you want to send?Ryan: Lyrical theme? I like to tell stories more than anything. We are currently in the midst of writing our debut album that does in fact tell a story. And as for a message...I suppose our message is nothing. Just live, thrive, create, fuck, eat, sleep, and repeat. Don’t just exist just to exist. Exists how you want to exist. Nothing happens in this world if you sit there and wait for it. Grab the universe by its balls and yank it! And also don’t forget to eat your vegetables and blah blah blah.
10. Are you guys signed or unsigned? What should labels/zines/promoters know about your
band? Why should they be interested in it?
Ryan: We are currently unsigned at the moment. And as for the rest...what people should know about us is that we are a whirlwind of confusion. We provide a theatrical live show that will stimulate every one of your senses. And I mean EVERY ONE of your senses. Why should people be interested in my band? Because we are coming. That’s all I can say for now.
11. What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media?
Ryan: We officially have 2 singles released to the public. The reason why new music is delayed is
because we ran into some issues with an old producer that has caused us to delay our release
on new music. But the songs we have currently released have been received incredibly well by
the public and fans. It’s always fantastic to see some of our fans singing along to the songs
when we perform them live.
12. Why should someone buy your merch/music?
Ryan: Because we are the shit. No, but in all seriousness, we think that a lot of fans are bored with the state of current alternative music and they are searching for something to just blow them away. We are that something!
13. What's new in the recording of your music? Have anything in terms of a followup to "From The Grave (SINGLE EP)"?
Ryan: We are currently in the midst of recording our debut album, The Sovereign Of Violence. This album will tell the story of a weak and insecure character’s journey to fame, power, and spirituality.
14. Do you play live as well? How's your live activity so far?
Ryan: Of course. We’ve been playing live a lot recently and now we are currently preparing for our west coast tour with Justin Symbol and The Culling.
15. How do you promote your band and shows?
Ryan: I use the internet to my advantage as much as possible. I like to push my band in every orifice
and crevice the internet has to offer. Some of it I’m not too proud of.
16. Tell us about your next shows and why we should be there?
Ryan: We are doing a west coast tour with my boys in The Culling (formally known as Ginger V) and my homie Justin Symbol. The tour is called The Blood Tears and Lust Tour and it goes through Arizona and California. I think that to those who are able to see this tour package are in for a treat. We are combining 3 different acts that will shape the future of the alternative music scene.
17. What does next year hold for Our Frankenstein?Ryan: The new album, more tour dates, music videos, porno clips, maybe some cover songs, and who knows what else. Y’all will have to find out.
18. Where can fans find out more about you?
Ryan: The best way for fans to find out about us is by visiting our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/OurFrankenstein.
19. What about listening to your music, where can we listen to your band and where can we buy
your stuff?
Ryan: The best place to find our music is on our Soundcloud at soudcloud.com/ourfrankenstein.
20. Is that your final answer?
Ryan: Yes it is.
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