'Ladies & Gentlemen, The Marvelous Mardo Brothers!'

In a world of Eighties revivalists, bling-bling hip-hop and weepy indie folk singers, there aren’t many bands left that know how to make flat-out, high energy rock, let alone with a classic sense of melody and song.

But Aron and Robert, the Mardo brothers that make up the melodic, heavy riff band Mardo, are both effortlessly exciting showmen and expert craftsmen, playing almost every note on The New Gun, their latest album on House of Restitution Records.

Born out of turn-of-the-decade buzz band The Spies, Mardo is building on the momentum from their self-titled debut of last year, as well as high profile gigs with REM and Green Day. After two decades of playing together, they’re poised for a hard-earned breakthrough, with radio bereft of driving hooks, Mardo are the right band at the right time.

Chatting recently with lead singer Aron Mardo, and noting that their press had them as having now released the '... guilty pleasure album of the year,' I first wondered just what made it such an enticing entity?! "Well, it is a rock album about Hollywood excess, sex, drugs, living fast, dying young...not to mention there is a naked woman with a loaded gun on the back, so guilty as charged."

For the Average Joe who may not have heard of you and was thinking of buying your new CD, how would you yourself describe your sound? "Names and labels are for tombstones! It definitely pulls from many genres of music – it is hard rock, powerful melodies, and honest lyrics. Sprinkle a little spontaneity on top and you’ve got a magnetic combination."

Your album title 'The New Gun' is an interesting choice, but perhaps it originates from a more personal standpoint for you? "On a literal level, it is our sophomore album and a lot of bands kind of fizzle out with their second record because they are not prepared to write it, but ours is definitely loaded. The title also comes from the press basically telling everyone about “the next big band” and then watching them all putter out very quickly. It is kind of a backhanded compliment on people who will jump on the bandwagon of a band that is getting a ton of attention and just fades away."

And, for the record, was the band always to be named after you or were there other earlier band name choices? "There are always other band name choices, but it was the most natural thing. Van Mardo was taken."

If there was one track on 'The New Gun' that truly encapsulated Mardo at their musical and lyrical finest, which one would it be? "I’m sure that depends on who you talk to in the band, but for me, I would have to say “Thin White Line.” It has everything the band has been going through the past six months, the high and the lows, the honesty and the lies. I also love “Lolita Live and Learn.” It is the first track on the album, our first single and it’s really taking off at radio right now, so I’m pretty excited."

Noting the provocative artwork for this CD, I wondered who drew it for you and if they have ever done any comic book work before? "I will have to take credit for that one. I have always been a fan of comics, but I’m more of a fan of naked women and guns."

If I came across a signed copy of your self-titled debut and put it up on Ebay, how much do you think I would get for it?! "You’d probably get arrested. We see stuff all the time. I saw a couple of The Spies (their former band) singles on Ebay for $27. I was considering bidding on it because I don’t have that single."

Just for fun, and taking the titles of a few of your album tracks, please let us know:
'Killer On The Dancefloor' - OK, if you were about to impress a girl with some dancefloor moves, which song would you ask the DJ to play? "'Solid as a Rock' – Ashford and Simpson!"

'Hide Your Mirrors' - When looking in a mirror, what do you claim to be your best and worst features?! "It is more like looking in other people as a mirror and seeing their best and worst features in yourself. I’m really not too into vanity."

'One More Shot' - If you were allowed one more shot at something that you had failed to achieve once before in life, what would it be and why? "I would have taken a chance to be on the Wally George Show and get on the hot seat."

What '80s (and possibly cheesy!) pop/rock song would you love to cover today if asked ... and why?! "'Putting on the Ritz' by Taco – because that song was so cheesy that it’s timeless and I think any generation would be able to feel the pleasure the 80’s kids must of felt when they heard that song."

Lastly, I like Penguins ... do you?! "I don’t know, I’ve never met one!"

Interviewed by Russell A. Trunk

If you would like to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Mardo's new CD, just answer this easy question: The brothers were born to what nationality of family in Fresno, California?!

Send me your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win one of these great new and AUTOGRAPHED CDs! Just send us an e:mail here before August 1st with your answer and the subject title 'MARDO SIGNED CDs' to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net

www.MardoMusic.com