Doug: I remember when we first started jamming together, not on any one instrument. But, we said lets start a band that had a Beatles ring to it. Like the Ramones or something. All of us equal, all of us brothers, each one a Vladimir..... And the Beatles reference was like Marquis used to say "Meet the Beatles, well meet the Vladimirs".

Marquis: The name came from Vlad Tepes [Dracula]. It's kind of silly but still cool. We wanted a plural name like all of the old 50's and 60's groups.

Marquis and Ash, as kids growing up, did you share the same musical tastes?

Ash: Yeah, we listened to pretty much the same stuff until our teenage years. At that point we kind of got immersed in different styles. I didn't get into punk or gothic stuff quite as much as Marquis, although there were some bands i liked in those styles. I've always been a metalhead first and foremost. Marq has always liked metal too, just a little more selective as he got older.

Marquis: I was introduced to all kinds of music through Ash and my older brother Ryan at a very young age. The three of us shared the same musical tastes, but i think i was a little more influenced by my mother's old records than they were.

How would you describe your music?

Doug: The soundtrack to all of those good times gone bad. I myself, along with the others, have always been influenced by that raw, call it violent, or maybe negative vibe that exists in all types of genres. Don't get me wrong, I love some happy / good feeling type sounds. But, if it's meant to be bad...it's for me.

Marquis: I'd say that's an accurate description. We try to make our music varied. Hopefully we'll expand on that more.

You are all AMAZING musicians. How long have you been playing your instruments and what got motivated into playing them?

Ash: I've been playing drums since '96. I always liked drumming, but I'm more of a guitar player. I got serious about drums when it became evident that there was a serious lack of drummers in the area. Somebody had to do it.

Doug: Thanks! Fourteen years on and off. I really love to play. But not so much alone. When playing with these guys it really fuels the fire to write a song or two. I wish i could write solo, but i only really come up with an idea, riff, some rant to maybe spark a lyric or something. I'm not trying hard enough I guess. Results, not excuses...Right?

Brian: Thanks for the compliment. I have been playing guitar for 19 years and this has by far been the best band / group of creative musicians that i have had the pleasure to work with. And it helps that we are all long time friends that are as close as brothers. Motivation for me was my idols in music, too many to list punk, metal, jazz, blues... my music collection will one day bankrupt me.

Marquis: Thanks for the compliment, although I believe myself to be the weakest of the four as far as musicianship goes. Music has always been a big part of my life. So I suppose it was only natural that i played sooner or later. I believe I was 11 or 12 when I started playing guitar and keyboards.

One attribute of your music that I find so appealing is the raw emotion of it. Of the self titled album, So Fine Concubine, and Night Gallery albums, which album would you say shows the most emotion?

Doug: Personally, I would say 'Night Gallery'. Besides the self-titled and 'So Fine...' cd, we put a lot of emotion (heart, soul, hang overs, and hate) into this. To me some of the best shit to come out of Cincinnati. Not to boast, but i have seen some people get their asses "kicked" to these songs. Besides the "Odds.." album i would say 'Night Gallery'.

Brian: When we finished 'Night Gallery' I thought i could never have that good of a time making a cd again. I was wrong. The "Odds..." cd was just as much fun. A total party all the way thru, just putting EVERYTHING into it.

Marquis: I'd say 'Night Gallery'. It's more horror of the mind and soul than just ghouls and ghosts.

On So Fine Concubine, you covered The Undead's "Evening of Desire" and Twisted Sister's "Ride to Live, Live to Ride". Any particular reason for choosing those songs?

Marquis: They're great songs. I like the Undead alot, but Twisted Sister holds a special place in my heart. I remember my brother bringing 'Stay Hungry' home and my mom was flipping out over the cover. Good Times.

Doug: Well to me, we as individuals all dabble in all types of music of course. But we all cross paths on favorite bands and songs that might fit the feeling we want to get across. We all agree on a song that rocks and make it our own, so to speak.

Would you say that the upcoming The Odds Are Against Us album is the best Vladimirs release to date?

Marquis: I hope so.

Doug: To me, yes. These songs all fit into special places in my pesonality. Still fresh with emotions, I still feel today. Even though most of the songs are over a couple of years old. I have to listen to this album at times. Most of those times, I'm 'run of the mill, buzzed to kill'. I stay dizzy 'cuz i like it.

Brian: If the fans love it, i will love it even more. But I think they will, so "yeah" our best to date.

I've heard a handful of songs off the upcoming album, and I must say they are my favorites to date. Two songs in particular "My Love Will Haunt You" and "Obscene Act of Passion" absolutely blow my mind. Were there any events that brought upon the writing of these songs or were they just part of the normal writing process?

Marquis: Imagination mixed with real life experiences. But I'd rather not go into that.

Doug: The wanting, the needing, the longing....the love and the loss. If you're not having fun, then I'm having a ball. It's what I'm used to. You have to love yourself to show love. Maybe that's the reason I'm alone....huh!

Brian: I didn't write those songs, but the ones that i did come from alcohol and too much time on my hands. That's all i need to write my songs.

If the Vladimirs were playing one last show, who would you want to play with you and why?

Doug: WOW! I would have to say a triple threat with us playing first, like always. Ha,ha! With either Kiss, Black Sabbath, or Led Zeppelin. I've liked 70's music for a long time. I'd call it the "Stairway To Heaven-Hallway To My House Tour" Oh Yeah! I'm just ate up with the dumb ass sometimes.

Marquis: My father because he died when i was young, he was a great musician and song writer.

Brian: I would love to play with a band like Rainbow or Deep Purple. But then throw some awesome hardcore band on the bill like Uniform Choice. Man that would be great. Can you set that up for us?