Under the radar: Miss Argentina
In this, the first edition of a new weekly feature, I will be highlighting Philadelphia based sex-rock band Miss Argentina. What exactly do I mean by sex-rock? Simply, Miss Argentina is a rock band with a strong sexual presence, due in part to the sultry vocalist, Merecedes, and in part to tongue-in-cheek, innuendo laced lyrics. Their sound is throwback, retro rock ‘n’ roll with heavy influences from bands like The Who and The Kinks, as well as more modern influences like The Strokes. One could compare their sound and presence to Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Without further adieu, I present you, Miss Argentina:
[This interview was conducted online with Pete, Matt, and Mercedes, Blayer was busy trying to grow dreadlocks]
Justin from Crap Filter (CF): Previous to Miss A, what were you doing?
Matt: I was playing in a band called Run to Lynae which then changed to My Fallen America which then changed to Lemec (Blayer was playing in those as well).
Pete: Same as I’m doing presently sexually. A shit-load of
masturbation.
Mercedes: Mostly Van Halen, Tesla, and Air Supply covers. They were hot in the LBC at the time and, well, I had to make a buck
CF: What sets you apart from other bands?
Pete: You mean aside from being damn sweet? I guess the name is it.
Mercedes: Good inbreeding. [Asks herself who her hero is] Indiana Jones by far. Thanks for asking!
CF: How did you get hooked up with Tovar (former Marilyn Manson manager)?
Matt: We played a club down in miami and he was there with another one of his bands. He then saw us and promptly started weeping because of how beautiful our songs were and wouldn’t let us leave the doors until we had an agreement to work together… to my knowledge he’s still crying because of how much we moved him - and that was like 4 months ago - dude just never stopped crying…
[Mercedes gave me a somewhat conflicting story]
Mercedes: At some point during our 2005 Rocturnal Emissions summer tour, we were piss poor in Miami with no beer or shelter. We were shivering under I95 when John found us and gave us blankets, hot soup and Marilyn Manson T-shirts. After the roofies wore off, we discovered that we’d signed on to his management and we would never see him again.
CF: What music are you listening to?
Mercedes: Wow. Let’s see … I love this question, but it’s so hard to choose.
Boston or Chicago? Yngwie or Satch? Foreigner or Journey? These are the quandries we use to clear our minds much like the common “when a tree falls in the woods …”
Matt: Beanie Sigel. That’s about it for me right now.
Pete: Ex Models, Pixies, Gorillaz, Living End.
CF: On your website, it says that Bon Jovi stole a CD from your band, is that true?
Pete: Hells yeah. Also stole my stereo, my wallet, and my toe-nail
clippings… weird.
Matt: It’s very true - we did an interview up at Villanova’s radio station and then about a month later it ended up leaving with Jon Bon Jovi in his car - and no one ever intended for him to get it… were still waiting for the $7.
CF: If you weren’t playing in a band, what would you be doing?
Matt: Living in Alaska and building my own log cabin from scratch.
Mercedes: Buying groceries, putting shirts on my back and maintaining some kind of lodging.
Pete: See question #1.
CF: What is your favorite cocktail?
Pete: Often. [We can only assume he was drunk at time of the interview]
Mercedes: Gin and Juice.
Matt: 1. Manhattan, straight up, with a splash of bitters. 2. Johnny Walker Black on the rocks.
CF: What do you want to be known for?
Matt: My sweet sweet ass.
Mercedes: Having no ear piercings.
CF: Finally, where will you be in five years?
Pete: Recording a Christmas album to finance my heroin addiction.
Mercedes: Cutting them off at the pass and getting the fuck out of Dodge. [She pauses to insert another unasked question] Wait, one more. Have you guys heard of a movie called Snakes on a Plane? Hot Damn! We can’t wait to see it. Samuel L. Jackson is aces with us.
I had intended on just using some quotes here and there and crafting more of an article about the band, but this interview kinda speaks for itself. Their CD is great, their live show is better, and they know how to party. I’d be surprised if they didn’t start hitting it big soon, but then again Pete’s excessive masturbation or pending drug habit could present a problem.
December 20th, 2005 at 2:21 am
A. You only got one person’s addictions. You should ask Mercedes, Matt and Blayer about theirs. B. Spot on with the ending. They have a damn good live show. C. I’ve seen Pete play, and his masturbation doesn’t get in the way. I guess he’s ambidextrous. D. Plug their sites. http://www.myspace.com/missargentina and http://www.missargentinamusic.com
Okay. That’s it for now.
December 20th, 2005 at 7:40 am
sorry for not including their myspace, but their main site is already linked up in the article. thanks for reading peter.
December 20th, 2005 at 7:45 am
good interview. i love how the band comes off as aloof and disenchanted, treating each question as catalysts to make jokes and witty banter. but they don’t call them rock stars for nothing!
and mercedes is hott! keep the pics of her coming!
December 20th, 2005 at 7:52 am
before i end up wiping out the site, check out my old website worldatlargepa.com and there are some pics of her and other music types in the gallery.
April 15th, 2006 at 10:54 am
hey you are a true agrentina chic.you know you should rock on and you know i am in a band to.my bands name is hanna montana,yah i’m the drumer, no i am just messing around wit you but if you want a sluripe i could use in to.later
April 17th, 2006 at 6:59 am
Ummmm, yeah…