MISS JUNE 2007

FELONY MELANIE

A punk band hailing from Sin City with a name like The Objex is one thing. Then you throw in the fact this outfit consists of a drummer that goes by Joe Perv, a guitarist and backup vocalist dubbed Jim Nasty and a female bass player with the moniker Aly 2 Times, and one hell of a commanding presences is needed to front such a spectacle. Enter the talented and sexy Felony Melanie – a future Suicide Girl - and think Tina Turner fronting The Dwarves. “The Objex is the type of punk rock you’re not going to see on TV in between videos by Lindsay Lohan and the cast of ‘High School Musical,’” John Book wrote in his January review of their five-song demo CD “Bound and Gagged.” Since then the group has released a 10-track disc “Attack of The Objex” and toured like crazy. They rocked a couple of showcases at Austin’s South By Southwest Festival this past March and have played shows at L.A.’s Cat Club on Sunset Boulevard and Seattle’s Sunset Tavern on historic Ballard Avenue. Later this month, The Objex take their show to Europe. In the meantime, Melanie talks influences, pissing in cups, nearly causing a riot with her panties, acting and more in this punky June edition of Polly’s Pinups.

RAWK STAR

CCF: Right off the bat, let’s get into the music.... To me, The Objex are very punk and riot grrl-esque with a bit of glam style or pinup flair. What are some of the influences of the band and for you personally?

FM: Well most of the bands’ influence comes from all over the place. We draw a lot form late 70’s early 80’s punk, with some R&B and funk. We all come from very different musical backgrounds, but we have found a common ground in loud fast rock and roll. I personally draw a lot of influence form Wendy O Williams, Jello Biafra, K Monkey and Tina Turner.

CCF: I definitely see some Tina Turner and Wendy O. Now, the band hasn’t been playing together that long, right? Can you tell me a bit about the genesis of The Objex?

FM: It has just been a year for us as of the fifth of May. It all started when I met Joe Perv when he was playing with a local Vegas band that I loved. Well, anyways, when they broke up, he offered me a chance to sing for his new project, so I took it. I have always wanted to get into performance and was so excited to get a chance to get on stage. We went through a few different lineups in the early stages. Things really started to solidify when we found Jim online. Perfect fit and the right attitude for what we wanted to do. We found Aly after our last bass player left the band unexpectedly. We played a show with a temp bass player and right after the show she came up to us and said, “I am the best bass player you will ever play with.” Turns out she was right.

CCF: Cool… You guys are road dogs. You tour like crazy. Do you enjoy being out on the road?

FM: Absolutely! Yes we love the road! It is actually where we are most at home. One stage is where we live. It is so much better when you are living every night.

CCF: What are some memorable moments so far from shows you’ve played?

FM: Oh man, so many! I played in front of a small faction of the Aryan Nation in Phoenix. Which was awesome. They spit beer in my face, but I spit it right back at them and got right in their faces and started singing. They loved it!

CCF: (LOL)

FM: They all bought shirts and CDs! We played with The Dwarves here in Vegas. Which was crazy! I threw my panties into the crowd after the show and it started a fight.

CCF: (LOL)

FM: Whoops. (LOL) My favorite though would have to be playing this past April with The Adicts in California. We got stuck in traffic and almost missed the show. We were literally driving 95 down the freeway pissing in cups and getting ready in the back of the van. We showed up at the venue one min before we went on stage. When we ran out on stage, there was close to a thousand people staring at us. We fucking tore that place apart that night!

CCF: It always seems like females have to really prove themselves in the world of rock, punk and metal before they’re ever fully embraced. Have you at all faced any discrimination from concert goers or club owners or anything like that?

FM: Not really. I get some funny looks sometimes, but usually after we perform they have a change of heart.

CCF: I know you seem to get pretty enthusiastic and like to get dressed up. People that haven’t seen you live yet, what can they expect from a concert of The Objex?

FM: Our shows are crazy! I guess expect nothing, because you never know what’s gonna happen. The only thing I can promise is a high energy performance. We all give it everything we have onstage. We don’t stop till we have nothing left!

CCF: That’s only the way to be… I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how long does it take you to style your hair?

FM: Thirty to forty-five minutes.

CCF: Any specific secrets you can give me about how you style it or what you have to do it?

FM: Well, I use a lot of Ice spiker, but other than that I would have to kill you if you knew more!

CCF: You list Mr. T as a hero on your Myspace page. Is the hair sort of a homage to him?

FM: A little bit. I just love Mr. T because he tells it like it is and he loves his momma!

CCF: (LOL) Can you sleep on your hair with it all spiked up?

FM: Honey, I can do everything with my hair spiked up! Except swim. (LOL)

CCF: You’ve done some modeling with Suicide Girls. How was that whole experience?

FM: Well, that experience hasn’t quite fully happened yet. I did my shoot over a year ago, but it still has not gone live yet. When you do your first set you usually spend a year to a year and a half in limbo. I did just appear on their Myspace page, which has got me some love from them recently. I can’t wait for it all to happen!

CCF: Have you done any other modeling?

FM: Oh yeah! I have modeled for numerous clothing companies, catalogs, music videos, conventions, sunglasses and pinup photography. I model and act whenever I am stationary long enough to do it.

CCF: Yeah, you mentioned, acting... What are some of the projects you have been involved in?

FM: I was just in a couple of Vegas indie films – “China Dolls” and “Welcome to Vegas.” Both are getting released this month. I have also done work for MTV and “Ocean’s Eleven.” I was also in the pilot for “Doctor Vegas,” which didn’t last very long. I have taken acting classes in New York, Miami, Las Vegas, and North Carolina. I love to act and do it when ever I get the opportunity.

CCF: Cool. Can you give me any details on what you do in “China Dolls” and “Welcome to Vegas”?

FM: In “China Dolls” I played a girl in a club who shoots down one of the heroes because he isn’t famous enough to get in my pants.

CCF: (LOL)

FM: In “Welcome to Vegas” I play the lead character’s girlfriend. I had a blast doing both.

CCF: And “Ocean’s Eleven” ... I’m guessing, you were an extra? Is there a specific scene where you can be spotted in the background or anything?

FM: Yeah I was an extra. I was in the scene when the boxing match was taking place and the lights went out. I haven’t found myself yet but if anyone does let me know.

CCF: Will do… To wrap things up, I want to get back to music. Tell me a bit about how The Objex write their songs. Do you mostly handle the lyrics?

FM: Writing music really comes from all of us. Usually Jim will get an idea for a song and then me and him will lay down a rough outline with music and lyrical ideas. Then we will bring in Aly to polish it up a little and make some musical and lyrical changes. We then bring it to Joe and practice it till we find the right groove. We write like crazy. We’ve got like 15 songs that have never even made it passed the third stage.

CCF: Lastly, have you guys attracted the attention of many record labels ... or groupies?

FM: Wow. We get some attention. I don’t want to say too much, but let’s just say we are entertaining a few offers from labels and we do have a few fans. (LOL)

CCF: All right. Well, thanks for your time Melanie. I wish you guys the best of luck.

- CCF, June 2007

Make sure to check The Objex site for merchandise, tour dates and more.

You can also keep up with them on Myspace.