Brother Magnum

How did you start with all this??
It’s one of those things that you grow up around and it becomes you. Music was always being played around me on the stereo as a kid and it just seems to comfort me. I couldn’t imagine my life without writing and performing. I’d be one miserable person!

What's the message to transmit with your music??
If I had to give it a message I guess it would be to live, love, be wild. I want the music to put people in a better place by getting the singing, clapping hands, sharing emotions and just simply being alive.

What's your method at the time of writing a song??
It comes to me in so many ways. Sometimes a melody or a guitar riff or a cool drum beat. I enjoy writing at the piano but when inspiration strikes me I’m usually not playing an instrument and I have to run and find
something quick while the feeling is strong.

Which is your music influences??
It’s a vast selection. It doesn’t even make much since to me but let me try; Sly Stone, Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, U2, Robert Cray, Parliament Funkadelic, Kiss, Rolling Stones, Marvin Gaye, Led Zepplin; I’m out there man!

What plans do you have for the future??
My goal is to release three new CD’s this year; an acoustic EP, a live CD and another studio album of new material. All the songs have been written. I just need to get them all recorded. We’re going to be busy this fall!

If you were stranded in the middle of nowhere after a show or while on tour. The help is 65 miles away from where you and your band (If any) are, ¿Who would you send to look for help?
I’m sure it would send myself. I’d probably feel guilty for getting them in another fine mess so I’d feel obligated to get them out of it... And if while the rest wait, there's no food and the only way to feed
yourself is by eating each other, ¿Who would you eat first? I’m not eating any of them suckers in my band. They’re all too funky!

Which country you would love to play?
No country in particular seems to attract me more than any other. I mean people are people whereever you go and regardless of what may be said, we’re all just the same inside no matter where you go when it comes to music. We just dance differently than one another. If you had a room full of two year-olds from all over the world and play some music they’d all dance and clap and no one would care about the style. Skin color and Religion wouldn’t matter. I think this world needs more of that.

With which bands you would love to share stage??
I’d love to play with Buddy Guy, or BB King, or the Rolling Stones. It would be hard to share with them. I’d be so intrigued just watching and learning.

Are you OK, with the direction the band is going actually?
I love it. The music is getting more defined and we are playing so well together. People are picking up on the vibe of the music and the power of the show. I see great things in the future.
- Vents Magazine

We were delighted to speak to an amazing musician who captures brilliantly the essence of music magic when one hears him sings. His lyrics are enriching full of life lessons and he tells wonderful and soulful stories through his music. Meet Brother Magnum who mixes elements of Blues, Soul, and Classic Rock into a wonderful sound that fans can easily find appealing. In this spotlight with our Webzine, Brother Magnum speaks openly about the music entertainment industry and what he wants others to know about him and his music.

Isaac: 2010 has been an amazing year so far for Juniorscave.com. What are you most thankful for 2010 so far?

Brother Magnum: I have so much to be thankful for in this day and age; my family, my friends, my health, the opportunity to work with many great musicians and this gift that I've been given to write music. Performing for people consistently for so many years is truly a blessing.

Isaac: Who were your major influences that helped influenced you to want to pursue music as a career?

Brother Magnum: So many people have steered me down this road. I've always been moved by the old school greats like Otis Redding, Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder, Albert Collins, Funkadelic, U2, John Lennon, Prince, Jimi Hendrix, and the Rolling Stones. I could go on all day. In the early days, I have to credit my older brother. He is a drummer and was one of the cool kids in town with lots of ladies digging him so I said I need to be on that scene when I reach my teens!

Isaac: Describe the biggest highlight you have achieved so far with your career and why this moment is/was important to you?

Brother Magnum: Everything musically has been such a train ride that it’s difficult for me to even recall. I live for success that's ahead so I never look back. It keeps me focused on the future. Now a few weeks back, I was waking up and turned on the TV, saw one of my music videos and that brought a smile to my face. No less than twenty minutes after I turned on the radio and a local station was playing one of my songs. To be an independent artist and get your music heard is a big accomplishment. A Grammy and a mansion would be nice but if I can stay in the game doing my own thing and have longevity, that’s cool with me.


Brother Magnum

Isaac: What has been some of the negative aspects about the music industry you have experienced that you would like to warn others about?

Brother Magnum: So many traps and leeches exist out there I don't want to give them any recognition or any more of my energy then they've already taken so I'm going to leave them in the sewer where they belong. I want to allow the light rule the darkness. It falls back on the individual to be smart in this business. I think the most destructive thing to any artist can face would be an over inflated ego. Not only does it isolate ones audience but it tends to make people think they are indestructible. That leads to greed and all the bad that comes with it.

Isaac: Brief history about your background plus the style of music you play.

Brother Magnum: I'm the youngest of eight kids and I grew up surrounded by lots of love from my older siblings and my parents. I was blessed to have been exposed to so many styles of music and different cultures that it really opened my creativity. My music is a blend of blues, soul, and classic rock. It's always based off of a groove and it’s a lot like moms home cooking; from scratch! I like to call it "urban alternative" but I'm always referred to as a blues musician. I'm cool with that but I don't want to be thought of as one of those "whoa is me" old dudes in a chair... My music makes everyone from babies to grandma's get up and dance so let it be known that I rock the house! Kinda hard to put a label on it. Hell, I wish I could!

Isaac: How easy is it to gets gigs for you as an artist?

Brother Magnum: It's easy to get a gig but it’s hard to get GOOD gigs anywhere. I live in Austin, Texas and everyone and their mother is in a band. Competition is fierce and venues in town know this.


Brother Magnum

Isaac: What is the live music scene like in your area?

Brother Magnum: It's not what it used to be but it’s still cool. People here still want to dance to real music despite a lot of the canned "latest thing" many venues desperately push.

Isaac: What do you think of the state of Indie music at the moment?

Brother Magnum: I think it’s great for artist but bad for the people who profit off the blood and sweat of the artist.

Isaac: Do you listen to radio much at all?

Brother Magnum: Every now and then I'll find a cool internet station or a smaller market station but I just don't dig the idea of someone else selecting what I should listen to.

Isaac: Has the Internet helped music grow or hindered it in your opinion?

Brother Magnum: I think the Internet has been a wonderful blessing for music. The people have the control rather than the fat cats.
- Juniors Cave Online Magazine

With sunglasses tiled over his brow and and a
smooth, classy mustache, Brother Magnum (a.
k.a. Magnum de Pimp and Magnum von
Stankfinger) looks every bit the part of a silky
blues legend from Chicago. But the former
military brat instead settled down right here in
Austin in his teens, bringing with him a soulful
crooning that ladels itself over a roots-rock style
that seems more than at home in the heart of
Texas.
Having grown up in California as the youngest
of eight siblings, it makes sense that Brother
Magnum would become a proverbial sponge of
music. Be it Jackson 5 or Kiss, Magnum was
introduced to it at a young age, and it all
manages to manifest itself in various ways in
his style, which nonetheless has an undeniable
aesthetic home in the southwest. Rock, jazz,
blues, soul, and funk all make sporadic cameos
in a sound that is bred for crowded bars and
outdoor barbeques. Austin has a strong (albeit occasionally hidden) jazz/blues scene and high-profile acts like Brother Magnum are welcome. With his charismatic embodiment of his genre, he’s a magnet for attention, but that’s just a road to the thick, coarse vocals and patient-butenergetic rhythms that help to define his style. The most prominent ingredient, of course, is his soulful wail, a semblance of blues from New Orleans or the edge of rock from decades past, owing as much to Ottis Redding as Sly Stone. With three albums already under his belt from his show band Dysfunkshun Junkshun (worth a glance in its own right) Brother Magnum has already established himself as a prolific performer. More importantly, his style resonates within its genre withoutbeing cliché or overdone. Brother Magnum exercises versatility in bouncing around from style to style in a manner that is embrasive and familiar, but never systematic. It’s this time of comfortability that has garnered Magnum comparisons to “Mom’s cooking with an extra
helping of the blues.”Brother Magnum has already performed at festivals, news stations, and jammed with John Popper (of Blues Traveler fame) in anticipation of a 2009 album, but your best chance to catch him is at one of his myriad of sixth street performances or at the North Iron Cactus. For now, take a listen to “Have A Good Time” off of his 2008 release, Meet Me In My
Daydream. - E- Magazine Launch787 features Brother Magnum - June 9, 2009

On Meet Me In My Daydream, Brother Magnum serves up a heavy dose of his easily identifiable funk-induced blues and slashing guitar throughout eleven songs - all of which he wrote, produced and arranged. His penetrating, signature solos are pleasingly demonstrative and pump through his veins, literally exploding from his fingertips in flammable fashion. His able-bodied vocals command your attention and can be compared favorably to Albert King. Fans of Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz, and Robert Cray will find delight in this effort as well.

Many blues artists live recordings far surpass their studio efforts - there is something about performing in front of crowds that brings out the best in blues performers that somehow traditionally fails to translate well to the studio. Brother Magnum manages to bridge that gap - for a studio release many of the songs have a distinctive "live" feel. This is a tribute to the arrangements and fine production on this effort as well as a testimony to his superb backing musicians.

Brother Magnum's classic "Have A Good Time" will erupt from your speakers like a hurtling fireball and is one of my all time blues favorites. His scorching guitar solo on "What I Need" is almost too short; it is so good you will wish he extended it a little longer, though a very Jimi Hendrix-like riff and vocal echo throughout the song is equally enjoyable. I was half-expecting the good brother to segue into "Red House". One could identify this song as psychedelic blues and be spot on. It's a great song.

"Cocaine Sheila" has traditional blues roots and bemoans the addictive nature of an unattainable woman in a descriptive, horizontal bump-n-grind manner. Brother Magnum's vocals are at the forefront of this number and the guitar is slightly understated, and it works well. A unyielding saxophone solo at 1:50 into the song accentuates the message and gives it a white-hot attitude. "I Should Have Known" and "Mexico" have a shuffle feel to them, blending traditional blues and soul that is incongruous to any specific genre. Both have a birth-of-rock-n-roll feel that is probably the best way to describe them. "Nee-Mo Money" and "Love Wrong Blues" provide wonderful examples of Brother Magnum's celebrated guitar-playing ability. To use a term that is often wrongly associated with heavy metal music, the man simply shreds.

Meet Me In My Daydream is a great addition to any blues lovers collection, a great mix of up tempo funkified numbers, retro soul blues, roots rock, traditional blues and even a shuffle or two. You can't re-invent the wheel but you can still make top of the line tires. Brother Magnum has not invented a new genre of music but he's doing it as good as anyone ever has.

-- Michael Canter (SonicJive.com)

- SonicJive.com

In Texas they Say things come BIG. Well Brother Magnum is no exception to this. With only getting a general image of him thru listening to his CD's and his responses to this interview, I would be comfortable in saying that Brother Magnum is more than a Ten Gallon Hat and an Armadillo has nothing on this Funky, Soul playing Guitarist who sincerely represents a unique, distinctive Austin, Texas sound that covers Blues with more depth than an oil well of Soul, Funk, Delta and true Sizzling Texas Blues.
From the onset of reading the responses I knew choosing Brother Magnum for our Guest this Month was simply going to be a ride that might be comparable to a Bucking Bronco, the Good kinda ride that brings you back for more. When I saw the phrase "Child" come across. Yes, I dug my spurs in and held tight I'm still laughing. From this interview I know a few things. I'm going to Austin, I'm lining some shots up because the journalist in me wants the answer to "Brother Magnum" and this "Child" well wants to Dance!.. I'm so pleased to have had the opportunity to bring to you this interview. American Blues News Readers, I present to you the interview for Brother Magnum, from the "Child". Enjoy!

C: Describing your Style of Blues is like a recipe for a great Texas BBQ sauce where your trying to figure out the secret spice. You have combined all the genres of what you were brought up with and played, Why Blues over all the other areas you have played

BM: I ask myself that question sometimes and still don’t know the answer. I guess the blues decided to choose me. I think life’s circumstances or maybe the vibe of the music itself. I never woke up one day and said “I think I want to start playing the blues”. Everything in my life came full circle and suddenly I had this desire to come back to the cradle. Maybe it’s like the kid who can’t wait to leave for college and experience the world and realizes that what he’s really about was right in his or her face all along, ya know?

C: You started out on drums and self taught with a natural ear, moved on to piano and guitar. Were there any formal lessons?

BM: Never any formal lessons when I was a young buck. I never had a desire to be serious about playing an instrument but more in the mind set of just having fun. And as a kid fun to me wasn’t reading charts and playing scales when there were footballs to be thrown, snakes to be caught and pretty girls to chase! I’ve taken some guitar from my lead player (Mike Barnes) in the last year. I learned a few licks so now I think I’m dangerous. My favorite players aren’t technically the best players but the cats who play with the most feel. There are players today who can play every scale lighting fast and make you say “wow” for the first five minutes but after that you better have something to say or you’ll be playing to the bar staff.

C: Was music a gift that you could just watch and or listen and play it?

BM: It’s definitely a gift. Music has been something that has come naturally. I’ve never had to struggle with learning the fundamentals. My brother was so amazed when he came home one day and I was playing his drum kit. I think I was eleven and I started playing shows by twelve. I even wrote my first song when I was seven and haven’t stopped. It comes to me like an unexpected gift. Whether it’s a melody, guitar riff, or drum beat. Ten minutes later I have another song. It’s a wonderful problem to have!


C: Your first CD "Meet Me In My Daydream", The song titled Cocaine Sheila there is such a cross of old school classic with guitar, drum shuffle and a power sax solo, it is one of the songs out of your 3 CD's that is so uniquely different. Where did this song come from?


BM: Cocaine Sheila was the last song written. It was a cool experience for me because I was in sort of a trance when I recorded it. That’s why it has that chugging/droning feel throughout the whole song on the guitar. When it came time to record the sax I told Hook (Saxophonist Roland Perez) to put his most painful memory in mind and let it bleed out in the solo. After listening to the song it hit me. This song was inspired by the death of my cousin who lost her life to drug abuse. Never knew that until after it was recorded.

C: Your Guitar of choice is? And What is her name and how long has she been with you?

BM: Child! Don’t get me started!! I have about fourteen of those suckers. I am primarily a strat dude and proud of it. I can’t say that any particular is my number one but I have to pay my respects to “Domino”, which is my Black Strat that I’ve had for fifteen years or so. I call her my first wife! Lately I’ve been playing these custom guitars made by my friend Jason Spradley from Jason’s Guitars. He makes them to my custom specs with some of the best wood and hardware and they really feel like extensions of my own soul. His latest creation is my new baby blue custom strat that I have named “Ms. Kandi” and she has kept me satisfi - American Blues News Magazine

Label: Indie
Web: www.brothermagnum.com
Location: Texas
Genre: Rock/Blues
Key Tracks: All

Singer/song writer/musician, Brother Magnum and his Razor Bumps have composed a nice traditional blues and soul album. They have managed to combine funk, old school blues and funk successfully. Magnum has excellent tone and a strong, gritty voice. If you’re craving real music, creative lyrics and great vocals, this is a band to check out.

What is your ultimate goal with your music?
My ultimate goal in music is to continue to write and perform in a manner that
touches the head, heart, hands and feet of anyone who needs to put their
soul in a better place. --- Brother Magnum - IAE Magazine