forty marshas

Scan This!

2011-04-01T17:52:00.000-07:00

If you own the Scan app on your iPhone or other mobile device, scan the image below to be directly forwarded to our newly updated website. Technology is crazy, right?!

Hello Old Friend...

2011-03-01T15:29:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since we've shared a new blog entry with you... our apologies.

Just stopping by to say hello and that we hope you are keeping up with us on Twitter and the Book of Faces, where we have a new feature called BandPage to check out... you can listen to our tracks for free and view photos and videos. Don't forget we have a YouTube channel. Got a question or comment? Send us an email at marsha@fortymarshas.com! All this information can be found on our snazzy website fortymarshas.com.

Although we don't have any new news at this time, we hope to be updating these sites soon... in the meantime, thank you for your support and give us a shout when you can!

Monday Trivia!

2010-10-04T18:21:00.000-07:00

Of the eight MARSHAS who recorded our most recent album "in other words...", we currently live in four different states (California, Texas, Tennessee, and Louisiana) and span seven cities.

This fact makes "band practice" a bit tricky.

TGIFMF!

2010-10-01T16:45:00.000-07:00

we're declaring today FORTY MARSHAS FRIDAY... just 'cause. so show us some love on twitter or facebook, listen to our music, & TGIFMF!
...just realized that "TGIFMF" didn't look like "thank goodness its forty marshas friday" but rather "thank goodness its friday mother f*cker"!

Q&A #16

2010-09-28T14:13:00.000-07:00

Thanx to Annie, we have this great question... "Hey, why not the 40 Jans?"

Looks like Deni wants to know too... "Why "Marsha"? Why not Betty or Hazel? Are the Marshas paying homage to Marsha Brady?"

So it sounds like many of you are curious about our name and the origin of forty MARSHAS. Without giving away all of our secrets, we can say no, we are not paying homage to Marsha Brady. But the name is specific to one individual (although she spelled her name "Marcia.") She was a friend of the band and has since passed away. The meaning behind our name is special, so only a few of us know why it is "forty" and why it is "marshas."

Got a question for the Marshas? Please submit your inquiries for an upcoming Q&A session with forty marshas at marsha@fortymarshas.com and stay tuned to our blog to see the answers!! Thanx!

Q&A #15 (with Mike!)

2010-09-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

One big thanx goes out to Julie for the following inquiries and a second special thanx to our very own Mike Malinin for his candid (and entertaining) answers!

Do you like the role of being in creative control [with forty marshas]?

Absolutely, I love it. Being able to express all my weird ideas without anyone looking over my shoulder is great.

Is an opening gig for the GGD out of the question?

Yes. Totally out of the question.

How does, or doesn't, being involved with the Marshas affect your creative role in the GGD?

I don't have much of a creative role in the GGD so it doesn't really affect it.

How natural does singing come to you?

Not naturally at all. My friend Phil had to coax me into it the first time. But it can be fun... even if my talent in that aspect is lacking.

Q&A #14

2010-09-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

Another question from Jeanna in Wyoming:

"I noticed Lucy, your beloved four-legged friend, has special guest vocals on track 10 ("Nothing Is Real"). Apparently a dogs hearing is better than mine, as I have tried very hard to isolate her vocals, to no avail. I've even had my Golden Retriever, Kasey, try to help me out. Apparently we've both attended to many live rock shows over the years. Can you isolate her vocals for me?"

Why, yes. Mike & Krista's long-haired chihuahua Lucy recorded in the studio with forty marshas earlier this year and made her debut on our most-recent album in other words... She can be heard during the breakdown of "Nothing Is Real," just after the 2:00 mark. And when Lucy hears her own barking during the song, she usually barks back at herself. Silly dog.

Got a question for the Marshas? Please submit your inquiries for an upcoming Q&A session with forty marshas at marsha@fortymarshas.com and stay tuned to our blog to see the answers!! Thanx!

our first favorite forty fan of the week: LINDA!

2010-08-31T23:13:00.000-07:00

We love our fans. Ya'll seriously rock. And in appreciation of our wonderful fans, we send out a big, huge, amazing, super, mega-sized THANK YOU to Linda, who created this awesome 3D verison of our first album cover and gave it to Marsha Mike. How cool is that?!

If you have created your own version of forty marshas merchandise, please send us a photo at marsha@fortymarshas.com for a chance to be Our Favorite Forty Fan of the Week!!

Lyrics: THINK BIG

2010-08-27T00:34:00.000-07:00

yes, yes, yes. our very own Marsha Mike made his singing debut on this next little number. "Think Big" is off our first album... and it kicks ass.

to download this song or purchase the album which features this song (if you haven't already), visit iTunes or Amazon, then follow along with the lyrics below. you can even check out our Facebook Fan Page and listen to the song on our music player. if you would like to request lyrics for one of our tunes, email us at marsha@fortymarshas.com!

THINK BIG
Music by Malinin/Cooper/Tunador
Lyrics by Malinin

one two three four

the way i find all my life
in the city in the dark
left alone way out here
in the middle of a bad joke

when i'm alone
how can you say you're with me in here
time to go
i don't ever find it empty down here

go

find a way to make her mine
she gonna find it outside
really bad to make that choice
if you make up my mind

when i'm alone
how can you say you're with me in here
find time to go
i don't ever find it empty down here

so take away
all my time
i think big

yesterday i was by myself
it didn't matter if i lost you
but i still find myself
in the middle of a bad joke

tomorrow shows its ugly side
still alone in the middle of the night
now i find nothing here
and i think i like it

so take away
all my time
i think big

take away, take away
just a little of my time
i think big
i think big

Lyrics: NEVER COMING BACK

2010-08-22T00:06:00.000-07:00

thank you for the song lyrics requests... keep 'em coming! today, sing-along with Marsha Krista to "Never Coming Back", the fifth track (and only song with a small case of potty-mouth) off our latest album, in other words...

to download this song or purchase the album which features this song (if you haven't already), visit iTunes or CDBaby, then follow along with the lyrics below. if you would like to request lyrics for one of our tunes, email us at marsha@fortymarshas.com!

NEVER COMING BACK
Music by J. Sikora
Lyrics by M. Malinin & K. Malinin

wish i had a different view
but when i looked up
all i saw was you
but i want something new
i've got some things to say

one day you'll use my words
and burn your tongue
on lies you've never heard
those things you never heard
just one more useless day

you held my hand and dragged me along
down at your feet
just like your favorite dog
well, that's just wrong
it's fading but you don't know

now i'm the one who pulled you down when i figured it out
from an empty dream inside my head, i always heard out loud
why is it so loud
you're part of my old freak show

i'm never coming back
you lost it, i'm never coming back

and you won't fight for the things you had
if you're lonely now
well, that's just too fucking bad
it's just too bad
it's all over so let me go

i'll give you all my shallow words for you to read aloud
i hear you scream them back at me, both curious and proud
you live with all your panic and all the stupid things i see
and now i've got nothing left to say

so go away
just go away

Lyrics: AUDITION

2010-08-17T16:57:00.000-07:00

the next set of featured song lyrics is "Audition" from our recent album, in other words... sung by our amazing Miss Sarah.

to download this song or purchase the album which features this song (if you haven't already), visit iTunes or CDBaby, then follow along with the lyrics below. if you would like to request lyrics for one of our tunes, email us at marsha@fortymarshas.com!

AUDITION
Music by J. Sikora & M. Malinin
Lyrics by M. Malinin

came out here with nothing
just hoping for a moment of light

dreamed of all the good things
the beauty i could taste inside tonight
tonight

but i looked down
just one thing i found

the truth came out
i found you out this time
this time

you, you sold me lies
you took my letters
you stole my life

you try to bring me down
you take it all away
bury it in the ground

where is all the new love
the promises i made back home
i walked inside a bad dream
forgetting all my time out here alone
alone

and i looked out
at all those things i never found

the truth came out
i found you out this time
this time

you, you sold me lies
you took my letters
you stole my life

you try to bring me down
you take it all away
bury it in the ground

now i'm gone
gonna play along right now

you'll find me there
do i even care right now
now thats its over i'm gone

you sold me lies
you took my letters
you stole my life

you brought me down
you took it all away
there's nothing else around

Lyrics: BEST OF ENEMIES

2010-08-12T16:52:00.001-07:00

after several requests for lyrics to our songs, we finally took the time to write them out for you. the first song featured is from our second album, in other words... it's called "Best Of Enemies" and sung by our fearless leader, Mike.

watch our youtube music video, play the song on your digital media player, download this song/purchase the album which features this song (if you haven't already) via iTunes or CDBaby and follow along with the lyrics below. if you would like to request lyrics for one of our tunes, email us at marsha@fortymarshas.com!

BEST OF ENEMIES
Music & Lyrics by M. Malinin

the one thing i know about this place
it's easier to find when you get lost
the one time inside
you'll go where you can hide
you never thought about it
oh, that first time

i always thought i knew what's coming
when i look behind that empty glass
the one time behind
that place where you can hide
you never knew you'd find the answer
to anything at all

say goodbye
won't waste my time
you say you need a friend
i'm lost inside my head
the only way i see it
is as the best of enemies

shut it down we can see you're not what you pretend to be
shut it down we can see you're not what you pretend to be
shut it down we can see you're not what you pretend to be
shut it down you can see you're not what you pretend to be

say goodbye
won't waste my time
you say you need a friend
i'm lost inside my head
the only way i see it
is as the best of enemies

we'll be the best
we'll be the best of enemies
let's be the best
let's be the best of enemies

Q&A #13

2010-06-08T17:28:00.000-07:00

This lucky #13 question is from Mary:

Do the numbers in THE MARSHAS fluctuate? If they ever fall below THE 40, I hereby volunteer myself as a stand-in. Yes. I think I would like to be an honourary marsha...

Well, yes, the numbers do fluctuate. On our first album, we had thirteen marshas. With our new, second album, we've scaled down to a mere eight. (We're dropping like flies!) But who knows? Maybe our next album will have the full forty. If we ever need a stand-in, we'll keep you in mind, Mary.

Got a question for the Marshas? Please submit your inquiries for an upcoming Q&A session with forty marshas at marsha@fortymarshas.com and stay tuned to our blog to see the answers!! Thanx!

Q&A #12

2010-06-05T17:21:00.000-07:00

This is a question from Jeanna in Cody, Wyoming:

I am sure there is an "explanation" behind the name, "in other words..." Do you care to elaborate on thought process behind the name or will you let the rest of the album speak for you?

The title "in other words..." has been a recurring phrase in the life of the marshas for many years. It has no real meaning, but it has entered our regular vernacular. In other words, we say it a lot. When coming up with possible album titles, there were many choices being tossed around. However, when this one came up, it just stuck. In other words, we liked it.

Got a question for the Marshas? Please submit your inquiries for an upcoming Q&A session with forty marshas at marsha@fortymarshas.com and stay tuned to our blog to see the answers!! Thanx!

"in other words..." on ITUNES!!

2010-06-03T17:41:00.001-07:00

A day we've all been waiting for... our new album "in other words..." is finally available via iTunes!! If you haven't already purchased the album on CD Baby, please check it out on iTunes! And while you're there, take a trip down memory lane and listen to (or purchase!) our first album "forty marshas".

Thanx!!

~the marshas

(Digital stores offering forty marshas music are: CD Baby, iTunes (US, UK, Europe, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand), Amazon MP3, eMusic, Rhapsody, Napster, Spotify, Liquid Digital, Verizon V-Cast, Lala, Shockhound, Nokia, Amie Street, last.fm, Zune, GreatIndieMusic, MediaNet (formerly MusicNet), Didiom, Tradebit, inProdicon, Lime Wire, Thumbplay, MySpace Music, CD Universe)

Park City Music Film Festival Award!

2010-06-03T17:07:00.000-07:00

We recently told you about an independent film called "I'm Just Saying" (which features tunes by forty marshas) being chosen for the Park City Music Film Festival... a festival that focuses on the impact/use of music in a movie. Well...

"I'm Just Saying" won an award at the music film festival! It won "Director's Choice Bronze Medal for Excellence." Visit pcfmf.com, select "2010 Awards", and under "Feature Films - Awards for the Best Impact of Music in a Feature Film," you will see all the winners and the bands / composers as well.

The Director of the festival said she really liked the music in the movie and told the director's panel how she liked the way the film weaved music into the story and then back out to be background music.

And now a message from the film's director:

"We won this award because of the amazing music you all created and allowed me to use in the movie!! I can't thank you all enough!! Thank you!"

"in other words..." Fan Review!

2010-05-24T15:08:00.000-07:00

A big MUCHAS GRACIAS to our fan and friend Steph for the following album review...

New Beginning
We start with a brief (one minute) introductory track. Drums + guitars + synthy strings + some dude speaking Spanish = a delicious little amuse bouche for the rest of the album. It goes on just long enough to be charming without being overbearingly instrumental.

Falling Down
Sarah Meech takes lead vocals on this number. I’d listen to her growl her way through the phone book. Love her voice. The song is super solid and super catchy. The first two minutes are more straightforward pop-rock, and then the last minute and a half have a slower, more relaxed groove. It’s an awful lot of textural movement for a song that’s only three and a half minutes. It’s super deft, and I love the hell out of the contrast.

Best Of Enemies
Marsha Mike steps up to the microphone. This song is energetic. Dare I say raucous? I challenge you to listen to this without dancing. Marsha Mike was never going to win American Idol, but his voice is incredibly well suited for this kind of music, and I think he sounds good.

First Day
Marsha Krista! Krista sang a song on the first record, and it was good, but she is basically mindblowing on this album. Her voice is just insanely pretty. She just sounds well trained, and she has good vocal control, and she basically sounds like an actual singer, and it’s really impressive. And really pretty.

Never Coming Back
Great forty marshas song, or greatest forty marshas song? Something about this makes me think Avril. And I mean that in a “catchy song with a sassy girlsinger” way, not in an “I purchased my personality at Hot Topic” way. Plus, I am always, always gonna be a sucker for girls who say “fuck.” I love the parts where Krista harmonizes with herself. So tightly executed. So good.

Intermission
No, do not go out into the lobby for a drink, stay in your seat and enjoy this tune. I love so much that there’s an instrumental song halfway through the album. The first record was hard to me to delve into because of all the genre-jumping and all the instrumentals that went on for a very long time. They were good, but there was too much for me. This, however, is so perfect. The four instrumentals on in other words… frame the rest of the songs so perfectly. It unites this record back to the first one without being overkill. I find it very, very stylish.

Audition
Oh, Marsha Sarah. You light up my life. This is one of my fav-fav-favorites on the record. Honey-tongued verses + screamy choruses are basically one of the fastest ways into my heart. Girl can sing. All the instruments on this recording sound really on-point as well, so props to Jason, Brad, Rob, and Mike.

Lost
One of the more subdued songs on the album. The music is kind of dreamy and muted, so the real star here is Krista’s voice (and the lyrics, which she cowrote with Mike). Her voice sounds really amazing on this song. It really demonstrates how high her range extends, and there’s this really lovely sort of yearning quality to how she sings. It’s a subtle, nuanced sort of performance.

Out Of Time
Welcome back, Mike’s voice. It’s nice to hear from you again. Sarah sings back-up, and they sound fantastic together.

Nothing Is Real
What up, Marsha Brian? This is Mike talking, Jason talking, Lucy barking, and Brian programing. It’s an offbeat diversion from the rest of the album, and I dig it hard.

Walking Alone
A pretty, droney sort of tune with Krista on vocals. She harmonizes with herself again, and it’s basically exquisite.

Old Ending
And now we say goodbye to our beloved in other words… with another instrumental that evokes the introduction, but slightly darker. Possibly sinister? We had strings before, but now, it feels more like an organ. This is the perfect way to put the album to rest.

If the first album was too discordant for you, this might be more your speed. I honestly like this record a lot, and not just in an “Oh, this is pretty good for a drummer from a band I already like” sort of way. I legitimately enjoy this album, and it’s something I would listen to even if Mike wasn’t involved. It’s super catchy and succinct, and I love the combination of boysingers and girlsingers. I love that the album has movement and different sounds, but it still feels incredibly cohesive, and just a little bit quirky.

We’re two albums into the forty marshas experience, and I’m loving it. I can’t wait to see where the next thirty-eight records take us.

Again, thank you Steph for buying, reviewing, and loving our latest album!! Your support rocks!

If you would like to submit an album review, comment, or question, please email us at marsha@fortymarshas.com and check back soon to see yourself featured on our blog!

THE 40 featured at Park City Music Film Festival

2010-05-13T10:33:00.000-07:00

We just received the following email from our friend and director, who chose to feature FORTY MARSHAS in his recent, independent film, I'm Just Saying. To read about our involvement in the project, refer to this Q&A.

I just wanted to let you know that "I'm Just Saying" was accepted into the Park City Music Film Festival!!!

It is a small festival that runs from May 17th through the 23rd and its focus is on the impact/use of music in a movie.

"I'm Just Saying" is on the schedule to screen Thursday, May 20th at 10:15am and Sunday, May 23rd at 11:30am, both at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City, Utah.

If you are interested in attending the screening, here is the link to the Park City Film Music Festival website: http://parkcityfilmmusicfestival.com.

THE 40 are, unfortunately, unable to attend this festival, but we hope that if any of you make it out there, you enjoy yourself... and send us a review of your experience and the film!!

Q&A #11

2010-05-04T16:43:00.001-07:00

A VERY IMPORTANT Q&A today, courtesy of our friend Steph...

i've listened to [the new album, in other words...] five times now, and i really dig what you guys have done. be proud, you created something awesome!

i had a question, also. i've seen several people make comments like, "i'm not going to buy it until the physical album is released." is there actually definitely 100% going to BE a physical album? are these people depriving themselves of marsha goodness while awaiting a product release that even isn't going to happen?

GREAT question... the answer (right now) is no, there isn't definitely 100% going to be a physical album. it's been discussed and we would love to press some discs (if only to have a keepsake in our own record collections!), but to be brutally honest, it wouldn't be very cost effective for us just yet. if and when we have the funds AND the demand to press cds, we will consider it. stay tuned for any changes, as we ALWAYS tell our fans what we're planning when the wheels start turning.

in the meantime, our friends, the entire album is available NOW NOW NOW for digital download at CD Baby and will soon be available via other digital music stores, such as iTunes.

Got a question for the Marshas? Please submit your inquiries for an upcoming Q&A session with forty marshas at marsha@fortymarshas.com and stay tuned to our blog to see the answers!! Thanx!

Q&A #10

2010-05-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

Today's Q comes from Theresa...

I just wanted to ask you to whom am I asking these questions?

Why... Marsha, of course!!

Got a question for the Marshas? Please submit your inquiries for an upcoming Q&A session with forty marshas at marsha@fortymarshas.com and stay tuned to our blog to see the answers!! Thanx!

our website got a facelift...

2010-05-01T17:03:00.001-07:00

check out www.fortymarshas.com to see an updated website with our band bio, album credits, direct links to all our official social networking sites, and a link to contact us with your questions and comments regarding the new album "in other words..." on sale now at CD Baby!

in other words... RELEASE!

2010-04-30T15:40:00.001-07:00

IT'S TIME! Our NEW album is available for purchase!!
Check out: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/fortymarshas

Roxy Contest Winners

2010-04-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

Just received the following email regarding the recent contest we told you about... you know, the one where we asked you to watch our "Best Of Enemies" video on YouTube repeatedly. (Thanks again, by the way!)

Hi there,

Congratulations on being selected among the Top 50 Bands in the Rock the Roxy contest! Your prizes from D'Addario, Planet Waves & Evans are on the way, and you'll be hearing from the remaining contest sponsors regarding prizes directly.

Thanks and congrats again!

We don't know what we've won, but we really need to thank you for helping us win it!

Thanx40

Official Mike Malinin Fan Site

2010-04-06T15:43:00.001-07:00

Do you like Marsha Mike?
We do too.
Join his official fan page.
www.facebook.com/MikeMalinin

This is NOT Mike Malinin's personal Facebook account and it is not run by Mike Malinin. It is only a fan page. HOWEVER, Mike will be checking in every once in a while to read your messages and he will contribute to the updates and information on this page. This is the only official fan page Mike Malinin is associated with. Thank you!

Q&A #9

2010-02-16T16:06:00.001-08:00

Hi to all the Marshas! Does Marsha M. Malinin play the bass? My other question is who writes the lyrics for the Marshas songs? Can't wait for the new album --Rena (Cleveland, OH)

Thank you for your questions! First of all, yes, Marsha Mike can play more than just the drums. He played bass on Forget from the first record and he once again plays bass on a song called First Day on this new album.

Our Marsha Mike is a multi-talented musician, also tackling the duty of writing lyrics for in other words... On this record, there are only two songs where he didn't write all the lyrics. He shares co-writing credit with Marsha Krista on those tracks.

Got a question for the Marshas? Please submit your inquiries for an upcoming Q&A session with forty marshas at marsha@fortymarshas.com and stay tuned to our blog to see the answers!! Thanx!

Q&A #8

2010-02-09T14:18:00.000-08:00

First of all, thanks for the great music! I really like it so far. Here's my question: on the tracklist I notice a song called "Nothing Is Real", which shares it's title with a song John Rzeznik mentioned to appear on the next Goo Goo Dolls record. Is this coincidence or is there a connection between the songs? If so, how are they related?

Thanks!
Ronnie

Ronnie, thank you for your question! It is a complete and total coincidence. As a matter of fact, we had our song title first. :) No relation to the GGD song... just the same title.

Got a question for the Marshas? Please submit your inquiries for an upcoming Q&A session with forty marshas at marsha@fortymarshas.com and stay tuned to our blog to see the answers!! Thanx!

ANOTHER new song & video debut!!

2010-02-05T01:34:00.000-08:00

dear friends,

another great day is upon us. we, THE 40, are premiering a new song & video for your pleasure! please enjoy BEST OF ENEMIES, off our new record in other words... this is the first song off our sophomore album that we are allowing fans to hear in its entirety. AND it features the lovely and delicate vocal stylings of Marsha Mike, who also wrote the music & lyrics.

the video was fun to shoot, just goofing off in the studio where we recorded the album. we owe a big, enormous, marsha-sized thanx to our very own Marsha Jason, who put this (and our other) video together!

we will be submitting this newest video into a contest... the prize? well, there's a whole slew of things to win, but what we want most is a gig at this year's SXSW festival in austin, texas. how can you help us? view the video on YouTube... and view it again... and then again. tell your friends to check it out too and let's get those video views up there, which will help us make the semi-finals. let's all keep our fingers crossed (and view the video!) for the chance of a live FORTY MARSHAS show!

news, News, NEWS!

2010-02-04T09:18:00.000-08:00

As we mentioned a few days ago, THE MARSHAS have a new video in the works. We are splicing together clips we shot during the recording process with footage we shot over this past weekend to create a kick ass music video... we'll let you know when and where to see it (very soon!).

Also, just another little tidbit of information... OUR NEW ALBUM IS COMPLETE!! Written, recorded, mixed, mastered, artwork, everything... finished, done, and pretty darn great (if we do say so ourselves)!

Now, how to get your little hands on it?! Well, Marsha Mike and our manager still has the small task of finding an independent record label who falls in love with it and wants to release it for us. We think we have a pretty good headstart in the search, but again, we'll let you know when something official happens... we like to keep our fans as much in the loop as we are!!

Who knows? There may even be a live performance in our future... never say never.

It's a very exciting time for THE 40 and we hope you and your friends are ready to join us in the journey!!

FORTY MARSHAS on YOUTUBE!!

2010-01-31T11:19:00.000-08:00

Introducing our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/fortymarshas!

We will be adding some marshas-related material to YouTube in the future (we actually have something in the works as we type). But for now, we hope this teaser video pleases you. It features just a bit of a song called Falling Down off on our new record, in other words...

And the album title is...

2010-01-30T14:40:00.001-08:00

"in other words..."

After lists and lists of possible album titles, THE 40 have decided to name their newest release in other words...

More information on the record coming soon! We are nearly finished with mastering process and will be selecting a new record label soon.

More exciting news to come... stay tuned.

~the marshas

FORTY MARSHAS on TWITTER!

2010-01-23T23:08:00.001-08:00

Attention ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls:

The 40 are now on Twitter! Please visit twitter.com/fortymarshas and follow us to stay updated on the everyday activities of your marshas!!

Thank you and goodnight...

Q&A #7

2010-01-21T11:13:00.000-08:00

An observation by Mary:

Love the pix - thanks for sharing! With all the hats and coats and scarves folks were sporting, seems you like to keep your music "fresh", no? Hugs-n-kisses!

In the recent photos featured on our blog, Marsha Mike, Marsha Jason, and Marsha Krista seem to be bundled up whilst recording. And they were... the big, open warehouse in the frozen tundra of North Hollywood, where the recording studio is located, is quite frosty in the morning. But by the afternoon, things warmed up a bit and they could shed a layer or two. And the tequila shots didn't hurt...

Got a question for the Marshas? Please submit your inquiries for an upcoming Q&A session with forty marshas at marsha@fortymarshas.com and stay tuned to our blog to see the answers!! Thanx!

Q&A #6

2010-01-18T11:12:00.000-08:00

A few questions from Jeanna Kennedy in Wyoming...

It is quite apparent from your website photos Marsha K.G. Malinin is a beautiful rose between several of you thorns! My question is has Mrs. Malinin had any vocal or musical experience or is she simply a natural? What tracks from the first CD may we listen to Krista? If she sings half as good as she looks, Marsha Mike will be beating fans away with his drum sticks!!

Marsha Krista thanks you for the lovely compliments. If you haven't heard the first album, she is featured on a song entitled "forget." As mentioned in an earlier Q&A, her vocal stylings are showcased on four songs on the new album.

As for previous experience, Marsha Krista sang years ago in her high school choir, showchoir (think Glee), musical theatre program, and is a avid-shower singer. But as far as training goes, she's never had lessons. As she puts it, "I sing for Mike because he likes my voice and he doesn't have to pay me. [Laughs] He tells me what he wants and I try the best I can to give him that. And he hasn't fired me yet!"

You were teasing us earlier about a possible track for a major motion picture? Do the Marsha's still have the potential of being featured in a film? Are you at liberty to tell us about it?

Please refer to this previous Q&A where we discuss the story behind the independent film (not major motion picture).

[A recent] Google Alert offered up some great photos of your Marsha's recording session, but my best Marsha friend and I were so disappointed to see our favorite guitarist, Marsha B. Fernquist was missing from the photo shoot. Did he break the photographer's cameras or is he just shy?

The photos (recently discussed in a blog entry) were from our last day of recording. The other Marshas simply weren't there because all their parts were recorded. Sorry to disappoint you, but like we said in that blog entry, we had a tough time trying to organize a group photo shoot with so many different schedules. Maybe next time...

Got a question for the Marshas? Please submit your inquiries for an upcoming Q&A session with forty marshas at marsha@fortymarshas.com and stay tuned to our blog to see the answers!! Thanx!

Recording Session Photos...

2010-01-14T00:47:00.000-08:00

We, the Marshas, tried desperately to organize a full band photo shoot this time around, but alas, it was not meant to be. Instead, an amazing and talented photographer visited the studio to shoot Marsha Mike, Marsha Jason, and Marsha Krista on the very last day of recording. To take a little sneak peek inside the making of the album, please click here.

A big, huge, gigantic, Marsha-sized THANK YOU to our lovely photographer, Danielle Biel!

Q&A #5

2010-01-08T00:58:00.000-08:00

Big thanx to Cathy for the following questions...

Congratulations on completing your second album. Looking forward to its release! Is the new album named?

We are still bouncing around a couple of ideas for album titles, but we'll definitely let everyone know when we've decided on a winner.

There was some really cool voice manipulation on the first album. Was that used on the second album?

Yes, the marshas, once again, feature voice manipulation on one of the songs. Like the first album, the song featuring it is a collaboration with Marsha Brian.

I loved the cover of Sold Me Out [on the first album]. Are there any covers on the second album?

Nope. Although we love our cover of "Sold Me Out," this album features all original songs by the marshas.

Got a question for the Marshas? Please submit your inquiries for an upcoming Q&A session with forty marshas at marsha@fortymarshas.com and stay tuned to our blog to see the answers!! Thanx!

Q&A #4

2009-12-30T08:12:00.000-08:00

The following is brought to you by Rena in Cleveland, Ohio... HELLO CLEVELAND!!

I am dying to know how you came up with the name forty marshas!!

Only a few people know the real, detailed story behind our name, but what we can tell you is that the phrase "forty marshas" was brought up in conversation by Marsha Mike many years ago. Marsha Rick told him, "That would be a great name for a band." So when it came time to figure out a band name for Marsha Mike's side project, forty marshas was born.

Do the Marshas plan on touring??

Well, first we have to get the new album out. Then, we have to book our first live show. And although we can't necessarily see "touring" in the future (since all of the Marshas have other full-time jobs and are spread out in different cities and states), we'd love to play some live shows around the country, here and there, if possible. We'll keep you informed of any and all live gigs the Marshas plan on doing...

Got a question for the Marshas? Please submit your inquiries for an upcoming Q&A session with forty marshas at marsha@fortymarshas.com and stay tuned to our blog to see the answers!! Thanx!

Q&A #3

2009-12-27T10:08:00.000-08:00

More questions, more answers... Again, these inquiries are from Steph!

How did the processes of writing and recording the second album compare to those for the first album?

For the first album, Marsha Mike (our fearless leader) had many of the song concepts floating around in his head for a while. By the time we got into the studio, everything was written and recorded within one week. Done.

The second time around, the Marshas went into the studio simply to record two new songs for a movie. That gave us the itch to write more. So Marsha Mike collaborated heavily with Marsha Jason to create most of the album's tracks. After the basic layout for each song was complete, the other Marsha players came in and put their own spin on things. This entire process lasted a few months.

While Marsha Mike and Marsha Jason were the ring leaders for this album, it's always a group effort and we all participate and listen to one another's ideas. And isn't that what a band is all about?

Any chance of a forty marshas live gig?

This must be the #1 question the Marshas are asked. The only answer we can honestly give is... maybe.

Can you give us any more information about the songs that were written for the movie soundtrack?

The story behind the music we wrote for the movie is as follows: Marsha Mike has a buddy who has written and directed his first independent film. During production, he asked to use "Think Big" and "Forget" (from the first forty marshas album) in his movie. We happily agreed. He then asked if there were any new Marshas tunes on the way that he could possibly add into the movie mix. Since there wasn't at that time, Marsha Mike began writing music and lyrics to create two new tracks for him to use and we recorded them within just a couple days. Those songs are entitled "Best of Enemies" and "First Day"... and they are the reason we wrote this new, second album. So they are pretty special to us.

As far as we know, there isn't going to be an official "soundtrack" album for the movie, but please support our friend and his movie, I'm Just Saying, as well as all independent movies and film festivals. For more information about the film in which forty marshas music is featured, check out the I'm Just Saying website.

A lot of writers and musicians were involved in the first record. Is it a straight-up collaborative creative process, or is it more that Marsha Malinin is the director and other people are assisting his specific vision?

We touched on this a little bit in the answer at the top, but Marsha Mike likes to direct AND collaborate. Ultimately, it is his project, but he is a very good listener. And he likes to give credit where credit is due... if there is a line of melody that someone else came up with, he gives them a song writing credit. Because no one song is entirely determined by one mind... we all work together and that's what makes us love being a Marsha.

Got a question for the Marshas? Please submit your inquiries for an upcoming Q&A session with forty marshas at marsha@fortymarshas.com and stay tuned to our blog to see the answers!! Thanx!

Q&A #2

2009-12-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

Today's question comes from the lovely Natalie:

I am wondering if forty marshas are considering a music video?

Absolutely! We would have loved to do a video for a song from the first album (even had the idea of what to do), but it was too difficult to get everyone together at once.

Although nothing is in the works at this very moment, we plan on developing a concept and creating/directing/producing the video ourselves for whatever song we decide to be our first "single" off the new record. We will most likely pop the video up on YouTube (the new MTV) and let you know when it's ready.

Got a question for the Marshas? Please submit your inquiries for an upcoming Q&A session with forty marshas at marsha@fortymarshas.com and stay tuned to our blog to see the answers!! Thanx!

Q&A #1

2009-12-12T11:01:00.000-08:00

Today's first round of questions come from our friend, Steph. Thanx, Steph!

The first album had a very eclectic sound that spanned multiple genres. What kind of sound can we expect from the new album?

The sound for this new, second album is much more cohesive than the first. We aimed for straight-ahead rock and alternative, for the most part. More "song" songs with vocals and melodies.

What is the significance of the books that were featured in Would You? [from the forty marshas debut album]?

For those of you who don't know, the books we are referring to are Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, and Blindness by Jose Saramago.

They were books that Marsha M. Malinin happen to like and conveniently found on his bookshelf... books that he deems to be important. SPOILER: There are two other books that have brief passages read from them on the new record.

I was really excited that you included a combination of male and female vocalists on your first release. Are there girls on the new record? Who are some of your favorite female artists?

Why yes, our only two female Marshas are back on the new album... Marsha S. Meech showcases her vocal stylings on two songs and Marsha K. Malinin was tapped for four.

Some female artists that we, the Marshas, enjoy are Aimee Mann, Kimya Dawson, Sarah McLaughlin, Mimi Parker, Brody Dalle, Patti Smith, Alexei Perry, Vera Lynn, PJ Harvey, and too many more to list... because chicks rock.

Got a question for the Marshas? Please submit your inquiries for an upcoming Q&A session with forty marshas at marsha@fortymarshas.com and stay tuned to our blog to see the answers!! Thanx!

New FORTY MARSHAS Website

2009-12-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Ladies and Gentlemen...

We, the marshas, are so pleased to announce the launch of our new website: fortymarshas.com!! The website will be updated when the new album is released, but for now, please bookmark the website to have easy access to this blog and your social networking fan pages.

Also, our new contact email address is marsha@fortymarshas.com. Please direct any submissions for the Q&A's to this address, as well as other questions, comments, or compliments you'd like to give us!

Thanx,
the marshas

"Modern Drummer" Column #3

2009-12-09T09:32:00.000-08:00

Be sure to check out the January 2010 issue (on newsstands now!) of Modern Drummer Magazine to read mega-Marsha Mike Malinin's interview with Lifehouse drummer Rick Woolstenhulme.

Introducing Q&A's

2009-12-08T14:03:00.001-08:00

Got a question you've been dying to ask? Wanna know a little more about the marshas? Interested in finding out about our new music?

Then submit your question(s) to marsha@fortymarshas.com and we'll be happy to answer some of the best (and most unique) questions you give us.

We will feature the Q&A's periodically on this blog, so check back often (or sign-up as a "follower") to stay up-to-date and well-informed on FORTY MARSHAS!

Second Album Recording Done!

2009-12-06T17:20:00.000-08:00

So folks, we spent this September, October, and November brainstorming, writing, and recording our SECOND album... and it is finally finished! We are currently mixing the album and hope to have it released by February 2010. Album artwork designs are nearly complete and a new website is on its way. We will be pushing and shopping the album to potential record labels because somehow, someway, we're going to get this brand-spanking-new forty marshas music out to you!

We want to give a big THANK YOU to those of you who encourage us. We truly hope that you will love this new record as much as we do. Please follow us on this blog to stay updated on any and all news. And join our fan pages on FACEBOOK and MYSPACE to show your support!

Thanx,
the marshas

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2009-07-26T16:48:00.000-07:00

we, the forty marshas, are very excited to get back into the studio and begin recording new material for our next record.

since 2007, when we wrote/recorded/released our debut album, there have been many changes... we were so lucky at that time to have our talented musician friends available to appear on the album and help create some interesting music. but now, many marshas are unavailable to record with us. so our current line-up is different. as always, however, we will welcome the occasional "cameo" from fellow marshas.

likewise, we are unsure what, if any, label we will appear on. nowadays, bands release their own music, via iTunes and whatnot... so we're looking into that.

we may not know where we will record, with whom, or how it will get out to the masses, but what we do know is that we are thrilled to have the opportunity to make music once again. and we hope you'll stick around to hear it.

New Facebook Fan Page

2009-06-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

For those of you MySpace fans who also have a Facebook account, please take a look at our new forty marshas facebook page and become a fan. We hope to update regularly over there in the future. Thanx!!

Back in the Studio!

2009-06-17T16:46:00.000-07:00

big, Big, BIG NEWS!! We are back to work in the studio!

Just a quick announcement: Some of the marshas are writing and recording in the studio (as I type) to record TWO BRAND NEW SONGS.

An independent filmmaker tapped the forty marshas as the soundtrack for an upcoming film. After choosing a few songs from our debut album, he requested a couple new tunes as well. So we'll be working hard in the studio to bring him AND YOU some great new music.

And maybe, just maybe, this will give us the itch to record a whole new album as well. We shall see...

"Modern Drummer" Column #2

2009-04-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

Good evening fellow marshas...

A new "Classic Studio Perfomances" article is featured in the June issue of Modern Drummer Magazine on newstands now. Please check it out to read about Marsha Malinin interviewing one of his favorite drummers of all time, Matt Cameron of Soundgarden.

"Modern Drummer" Column #1

2009-01-29T16:42:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let you all know that our talented leader and main marsha, Mike Malinin, is a new featured columnist in Modern Drummer Magazine.

His first article is running in the March 2009 issue, featuring an interview with uber-drummer Josh Freese. Mike's column, "Classic Studio Performances" will run for several months, interviewing different drummers who played on some of Mike's all-time favorite drum performances. Check it out! And thanx for stopping by...

International Radio Play

2008-08-12T16:40:00.000-07:00

To all of our amazing friends in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland...

Please tune-in to our buddy Ben Payne on UK's Southend Radio 105.1FM and listen for Think Big and other forty marshas songs on his show 'Live and Local.' And if you want to hear even more of us, call in and request!

For more information about Ben, his show, or Southend Radio 105.1FM, please click here. Thanx!

Review from Top 21

2008-03-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

A Review from John Shelton Ivany (Featured in Issue 315's "Top 21"of the Week)

"First off, there is no solid flow to this record. This would make more sense as a mix CD than an actual release. Just about the only thing that each track on forty marshas self-titled release have in common with any other song on the album is that Goo Goo Dolls drummer Mike Malinin is the backbone of the entire project. His idea, it seemed, was to write and record his flavor of the week, every week, until the album was finished. Guest spots on this record, crediting everyone with a first name of "Marsha", include Efrem Schulz of Death By Stereo, LA bass legend John Avila, and Green Day sideman Jason Freese, along with just about every other of the "forty" contributing Marshas on this album.

I wouldn't call this record bad by any means: I personally thought almost every track on this record was, at least, enjoyable, and at best impressive. The first two tracks, God is an Anchorman and Screaming At Shadows are Malinin's answer to Sigur Ros, relying on heavily reverbed everything and with a droney yet pretty edge, through and through.

Following these two tracks is a cover of Sold Me Out by The Kinks that, I kid you not, could be on the last Distillers album, and I wouldn't know the difference. The album follows in this fashion, including a Naked City worship track (Would You?) that sort of misses the mark of what John Zorn was trying to do but still comes across as avant-garde, a early 90's metalcore song (Bucket Of Fire), and a reinventing of Black Flag's Revenge! to tie the entire package into a really good compilation CD of the Marsha's collected works."

Review from Razorcake

2008-02-18T16:33:00.000-08:00

A Review from Razorcake by Joe Evans III

"Appears to be some big rock dude collaboration project, with a bunch of people (ranging from member of Death By Stereo to the Goo Goo Dolls), and a bunch of sounds (ranging from really long, drawn-out ambient noise, to metal). It's not bad and has its moments, it's just kinda weird for me to be able to sit down and enjoy it in one sitting."

Review from BabySue

2007-10-08T16:31:00.000-07:00

A Review from BabySue:

forty marshas - forty marshas (CD, Beatville Records, 2007)

"forty marshas is an odd project. So much so that we're not even going to try to rate or categorize it. The band was created by Mike Malinin, who is the drummer for the Goo Goo Dolls. Goo Goo fans should be forewarned. If you think you're going to get modern buzzsaw pop here, think again. Malinin and his associates (all of whom are appropriately given the first name "Marsha" for this album) have recorded a batch of tunes that is schizophrenic to say the least. The songs range from ambient to experimental noise to pop to screamer rock to death metal. From the sounds we're hearing on this l'il sucker, it sounds like the folks involved had a great time recording this. They seem to have been creating for the pure fun of it. We can usually rate things no matter what the style of music. But because of the wide range of material here...we just cannot decide on a number here. We will end by saying that tracks like God Is An Anchorman, Screaming At Shadows, Bucket of Fire, and A Wasted Life Is Not Worth Remembering (Advice from the 40) are definitely intriguing...and almost always unpredictable... "

(Not Rated)

Review from The Aquarian

2007-10-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

A Review from the Aquarian Weekly by Olivia Taubner

forty marshas - forty marshas (Beatville Records)

"Calling forty marshas' first album eclectic would be putting it lightly.With music conveying an array of genres, from straight up rock (Think Big), to instrumental (Screaming At Shadows), to jazz (Would You?), to some form of death metal (?) (Bucket Of Fire), it just may give you what some have called "musical whiplash," but you'll no doubt be having fun listening. Goo Goo Dolls' drummer Mike Malinin's straightforward approach blends well with the combination of melodies created by the rest of the band of over a dozen musicians, including the lovely and talented Korel Tunador and Brad Fernquist (guitar, etc.), who also work their magic on tour with the Goo Goo Dolls, and the enchanting Krista Galante (vocals, etc.). No song on this album can be pigeonholed or sounds like anything I've ever heard, so I'd say The Marshas are up to something brand spankin'new; in a delightful way."

In A Word: Imaginative
Grade: B+

Review from Plug-In Music

2007-08-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

A Review from Corinne at PLUG-IN MUSIC:

"As the drummer for The Goo Goo Dolls, Mike Malinin must be getting pretty tired of playing the same power ballads from the '90s over and over because his new side project, Forty Marshas, is a whole different animal. Reckless and unbalanced, the Forty Marshas self-titled debut is hard to pin down and difficult to focus on. From minimalist instrumentals to punk guitar rock to atmospheric ambient, it is a weird collection of tracks. Rounding up a group of musicians, including Jason Greese (Green Day), Brad Fernquist (New Radicals), Malinin leads the off beat charge.

Speeding '70s style punk offers a much needed wake up call, shaking things up with Revenge! Monotone vocals accent the rhythmic Think Big while vocals from Sarah Meech (Continue The Lie) on The Kinks' Sold Me Out evokes the energy of Joan Jett meets The Distillers before the pounding and screaming of the metal track Bucket Of Fire. Atmospheric tracks like Screaming At Shadows resonate deep tones as A Wasted Life Is Not Worth Remembering (Advice from the 40) is jagged and spacey. Forget is a dreamlike ride with Krista Galante taking over on lead vocals. The lounge piano and sax on Would You? only helps to add to the album's confusion with the overlapping spoken word ending.

Had Malinin and company stuck to one sound, or at least offered a more cohesive album, Forty Marshas could have had a stronger debut. As it is, the album takes such huge jumps it is really difficult to know what to expect next. When put altogether the tracks might seem haphazard but when taken individually, the tracks are tight and promising."

B-

Interview with Plug-In Music

2007-07-23T16:16:00.000-07:00

An Interview with Mike Malinin of forty marshas by Linda at Plug-In Music  

What made you decide to start a side project?

It was kind of something I had in my mind for a few years. Probably because I've been doing the same band for so long and I have a bunch of ideas, other things that I wanted to do. About three or four years ago I was hanging out with Mark from Beatville Records talking about a record that I had an idea for. He seemed interested in it; he kept pushing me on it 'til I had some time and we finally got together and did it. Mostly something fun to do that was completely separate from our day jobs. [Laughs]

Where'd the name come from?

It's kind of an inside joke between a bunch of people, well not a bunch of people, a few people. And it just sort of came up in conversation once and a friend of mine looked at me and he goes, "Forty Marshas, that's an amazing band name." And it stuck with me. And we used to always joke, one of the guys who ended up being in the band, we used to joke about what was going to happen to the Forty Marshas record, not really ever knowing it was going to become a reality. And when it did I just kept the name, Inside joke, keep people wondering.

You got a lot of famous friends [including Efrem Schulz (Death By Stereo), John Avila, Jason Freese (Green Day)] to help you contribute to the album. How did you get everyone involved?

'Cause I live in LA. I live in LA and play in a band so I know a lot of guys in bands.

It was pretty easy to get everyone involved?

I felt really lucky that I was able to make some phone calls, find out who was in town when I wanted to do it. I was able to convince them to come down and to dedicate their time, which was great. 'Cause you never know how a project's going to come along; I think there's 18 total people on the record, about eight or nine in a relatively regular contribution spot that did a lot of stuff. I had a lot of friends who thought it was an exciting project and they all wanted to contribute. That's when you feel blessed with your life. "Oh yeah, I live in LA and I do this for a living and these unbelievable musicians that I can call up and they can come up to the studio and play." We had a lot of fun, getting to do it that way.

So is it difficult with this kicking off and promoting it, balancing this and your other band [Goo Goo Dolls]?

No, not at all because we're not touring right now. I don't know if we ever will. [Laughs] If the need arises we will.

Do you have any plans on touring with forty marshas? If you did, would you bring all 18 people with you?

[Laughs] Yeah, that's the big question. If you listen to the record, it's all over the map. So the big question is, if we toured, yeah, which lineup would we bring along with me? That's the possible future. Right now I don't have any plans on it. But you always have a lot of downtime, it's not out of the question – at least short tours, especially, around California and things like that.

I look at the Flaming Lips as a model for that, too. Because they've been around since, 1985 was their first record and I went to college in Texas so I was close to them -- they were in Oklahoma. I'd see them play a lot of their early shows. Their records were just all over the place and you'd see them play a live show – they'd play that one song off the album and everything else would be something completely different.

And I think if Forty Marshas toured, it would be sort of the same thing in we'd pick which way we were gonna go. Play a couple of songs off the record and do a lot of other stuff, things that might end up on the second record, who knows?

Who are some underrated bands that you think deserve more attention?

I think the greatest band on the planet is a band called The Weakerthans. They're a band from Winnipeg and they're on Epitaph, I believe. I saw them play about a year ago in Cleveland and they were as unbelievable as I expected them to be and they have a new record coming out in the next month or two. They're definitely a band that I think should be getting a lot more attention. They're just unbelievable; some of the best songwriting I've heard in years and an amazing live band.

There's a few others. There's a band called Now It's Overhead that I love. But I don't know much about Now It's Overhead. I know that the main guy in the band had something to do with Bright Eyes -- I think he's one of the touring musicians in Bright Eyes. But they're another band on the same label as Bright Eyes, Saddle Creek, and have put out three unbelievable albums that nobody seems to have heard which is a shame. [Laughs]

So as far as the indie rockers, those are definitely the two big bands in my world right now.

Along with those two, is there anything else you've been listening to recently?

All sorts of stuff. Since I'm on tour with the Goo Goo Dolls right now, I'm actually in Baltimore more right now. I tend to listen to a lot of stuff that really doesn't have anything to do with our world. [Laughs] A lot of jazz records, mostly a lot of classical recently.

Polka music?

I haven't got into any polka yet but, yeah, it's probably in there eventually. I'm constantly listening to all sorts of stuff.

I just bought a bunch of records the other day, actually. I bought the new Black Rebel Motorcycle Club record. What is it, BRMC, right? Is it Black Rebel Motorcycle Club or Black Motorcycle Rebel Club? I'm gonna go look at it right now. They put out three albums, they're a huge band right now.

How is it?

I haven't heard it yet, I just bought it. Yeah, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. And since I have that, I have this whole stack of CDs I just bought. I bought an old Patty Smith record, new Snow Patrol record I actually like a whole lot.

I saw them back in the fall or a couple months ago.

They're an amazing band.

I bought a new Nick Drake record which is a bunch of bootlegs recorded back in the late '60s, early '70s. So just stuff all over the place but I tend to spend most of my time buying indie records with the occasional exception of stuff like Snow Patrol.

I loved that "Eyes Open" record. As far as major label sort of pop rock records go, I think that was the best record of last year. I was guilty of loving that song.

"Chasing Cars?"

Yeah, "Chasing Cars," that's an amazing song. I love that song.

Since you listen to so much different stuff, if you could have written any song, in any time period, anywhere, what song do you wish you had written and why?

You know the band the Waterboys? Who are, again, one of my favorite bands ever. They wrote a song called "Say Hello To Heaven." Wait, sorry, it's called "Too Close To Heaven." And it was one of those songs that they only released years later on an outtakes record because it was about 12 minutes long. And it's just one of the most amazing songs ever written lyrically and musically. I listened to it the first time thinking to myself, "Wow, if there's ever a song I wish I'd played drums on, this is it." Later I thought, in the same vein, if there's ever been a song I'd written, this would be it.

Yeah, if you haven't heard that, go check it out. It's 12 minutes long and it won't bore you. That's hard to do. It's called "Too Close To Heaven" and it was on a Waterboys record, an outtakes record in Europe called "Too Close To Heaven" and then they released it in the States as "Fisherman's Blues, Part 2." It's an unbelievable song lyrically and everything. One of those songs you never get bored of. I find myself, many late nights, just cranking it in my hotel room.

Anything else you'd like to add?

I hope that people enjoy the record. I think that it's an eclectic mix of people. It's kind of all over the map.

I think that's cool because it's different.

Yeah, that was the goal. The goal was to do something a little bit different. I wasn't trying to go out there and make a pop record and things like that. I just hope it gets some attention, I hope people enjoy it. But I was really proud of the way it came out and I was really lucky I was able to get some of these amazing musicians in there to help make the record. It was such a fun process doing it and I hope to make another one.

Thanks for your time!

#11 in College Radio

2007-07-20T16:14:00.000-07:00

thanx to our friend PAUL SUFFRON from CHLY 107.1 in nanaimo, british columbia for making FORTY MARSHAS the eleventh most played band in his rotation last week! thanx paul... we appreciate the support!!

Interview with MalininWoman

2007-07-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

An Exclusive Interview with Mike Malinin of forty marshas by Tracy Meagher of MalininWoman

1. Who came up with the idea for the album cover?

I came up with the concept of the toys, but my girlfriend, Krista, did the entire layout and all the photography / artwork / designing for the album's insert booklet. The cover / backcover was shot in our driveway and the photo of me holding the "forty marshas" sign on the back of the booklet was taken in one of the bathrooms in our house, which Krista actually painted as well. I love the way she arranged the photo collages, came up with ideas for the images, even the text... She hasn't done a lot of artistic design like this before, so it was a challenge, but I think it came out perfect.

2.Who did the song writing?

The general overall concepts for all the songs and music were mine. But if you look at the song writing credits, there are several people listed for certain songs. The reason for this is if someone suggested something, no matter how small, that I hadn't thought of which ultimately changed the way the song sounded, I gave them a song writing credit. It was a collaborative effort and the credits reflect that. To me, that's only fair and the way that music should be.

3. What instruments besides the drums did Mike play?

Besides the drums, I played a number of random instruments on this album. Bass guitar, lots of percussion, keyboards. Too many to list... check out the credits.

4. Is this the first sound recording of Mike singing or a best kept secret?

It's pretty much the first time there has been a recording of me singing. At least, it's the first time on anything that's been released.

5. Are there any plans for any video exposure for the album?

No plans yet. Maybe...

6. How did you come up with the name forty marshas? Well, there are a few different versions of the story floating around, but only a handful of people really know the truth. And I'd like to keep it that way.

7. With so many different sounds on the album, it is sure to please just about everyone. Will we be seeing more albums?

Don't know yet. If this one does okay, I'm sure I'll plan on making another one. Of course, I'm really happy with the way it came out. It was an amazing experience making it. I felt really lucky having so many amazing musicians lend their time. I'd love to do another one someday. Hopefully sooner than later.

8. Tell us about the longest song on the record, Would You?

This was inspired by John Zorn. He had a record called Naked City a while ago with all sorts of crazy stuff on it. So I think that's how I got the idea and inspiration to do this song.

9. With this being a side project, was there any pressure to get the first album out?

I don't think there was any pressure. I was just anxious to get it out. It always seems to take so long between recording and releasing a CD. So I'm glad it's now out. It only took eleven days total to have the entire album written, recorded, mixed, and mastered.

10. Are you getting the reaction you expected with the debut album release?

It just came out, so I haven't really heard many reactions yet. This record may surprise some people out there, but I hope everyone likes it. Or at the very least, I hope people can appreciate it for what it is: a noncommercial, experimental risk that, at its roots, is an interesting sounding record.

11. Will the 'forty marshas' be getting together to play live in the future?

Hmmmm. Again, no plans yet, but it's always a possibility...

Our Press & Fan Reviews

2007-07-17T16:11:00.000-07:00

here's what some of our friends, fans, and critics have to say about the debut forty marshas record...

*** "The self-titled debut release by forty marshas is nothing shy of a musical tour de force. This eclectic album almost plays like the soundtrack to a movie covering a large part of the musical spectrum." --Beatville Records

*** "Yet again, Mike Malinin has more then proved his prowness as a hard-grooving, straight-ahead, no-nonsense rock skinsman." --Modern Drummer

*** "Drummer Mike Malinin is determined to keep improving musically with each album." --South Bend Tribune

*** "Talent makes a great band." --Drum Magazine

*** "How Many Marshas Does it Take to Make a Great Record?

Think Big showcases Marsha (Mike) Malinin as a vocalist channeling Lou Reed, pixie-dusted by Paul Westerberg. I can only hope he was workin' it side-to-side in the studio because that's what I do when I listen to it.

Sold Me Out – Marsha (Sarah) Meech cranks it Joan Jett style. I know she's too young to have ever dated Dave Davies, and gotten the ultimate revenge on him for a nasty breakup by fattening up the vocals on that track; but I like to think that's what happened.

Bucket of Fire – go out and buy a chrome anal plug. It is the only way to prepare you for the metal-up-your-ass onslaught wrought by the Marshas.

Conversely, in Forget, Marsha (Krista) Galante stands at the end of a hallway in a haunted house that was the scene of a lover's suicide pact, whispering a siren song that stops you in your tracks because you think you might be the only one that can hear it.

Would You? reminds me of the Bill Evans CD that my husband's CD player ate. Marsha (Mitch) Marine's drumming background, bathed in jazz-powerhouse and flung against the walls of musical eclecticism like Jackson Pollack's paint, proves the quality and formidable talent of every musician that visited Swing House Studio to contribute, and that Malinin wasn't the only musically eclectic Pollack-splat in the room.

All the musicians have intense credibility and caché. All the songs have solid, intelligent grown-up noise melodies knotted in a string game with the themes we loved as disgruntled adolescents: impossible loves, impossible lives, and impossible bullies who take your lunch money on Taco Day.

Kudos to the Marshas for wanting to cultivate an audience in the independent music world that appreciates good music done right, which is as easy to do as the 100-mile endurance races Malinin runs every so often.

Believe me. forty marshas will get revenge and we will all cheer the profusely qualified underdog when they do." -- Natalie Austin (San Diego, CA)

*** "Forget sounds like Mazzy Starr and Bjork got into a cockfight." --Mike Redcay (Columbus, OH)

*** "This is one of the most ambitious projects I've ever heard. It takes so many musical risks. You can't help but get excited as you wonder what the next track will sound like. What's even more remarkable is that it succeeds in delivering the fun, toe-tapping experience associated with more conventional records. Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!" -- Mike Pineau (Boston, MA)

*** "This disc is the axis of awesome. Period." --Heather W. (Lansing, MI)

*** "Revenge! has taught me never to screw with somebody on taco day! Oh how sweet Revenge! is!!

Sold Me Out is a great song! Makes me want to get in touch with my punk rock roots.

Forget gave me the chills the first time I heard it. Marsha K. Galante is a very gifted vocalist, and brings the song to life.

Bucket of Fire took me by surprise in a great way. [It] really gave me a whole new appreciation for metal music!

A Wasted Life Is Not Worth Remembering (Advice from the 40) is a song that will make you listen close for some great advice from this wonderful band!

Another Time is a perfect conclusion to this album, an album which has a song to appeal to each taste of music.

This album gave me a whole new appreciation for music, and is proof when a group of talented musicians get together beautiful music is made!" -- Brett Englund (Overland Park, KS)

*** "I love the mix of rock, jazz, and the book readings are so great! My favorites are Would You? and Forget. Forget is such a relaxing song to listen to and so revolving. This album is full of great artwork and very impressed on the tunes!" -- Kerri Hyde (Caledon, ON, Canada)

*** "Solid, original, remarkable sound. The season's 'must-have' CD." -- Anonymous (Portland, ME)

*** "forty marshas ROCKS! This is a great CD from many stellar musicians from the SoCal area... alternative vibe and RUN! Really a pleasant surprise and something I would easily recommend to everyone I know!" -- Sharon (Everett, WA)

*** "An eclectic mixture of great music! This CD has something for everyone and you will not be disappointed. I especially like Think Big and Forget. I suggest going out and getting a copy to add to your music collection!" -- Rich and Babs (Myrtle Beach, SC)

*** "What doesn't this CD have? It's a combination of punk, thrash metal, easy listening, instumentals... that all kicks ass. Whatever your music style there is definitely something on here for every ear. If you haven't heard it...buy it! You won't be disappointed!" -- Monique Richardson (Dublin, CA)

FORTY MARSHAS IN STORES!

2007-06-26T23:28:00.000-07:00

our forty marshas self-titled, debut album is released TODAY in stores and online, via amazon, itunes, cdbaby, and many, many more music websites.

please pick up your copy of the record at your local music shop or buy your digital album/singles and help support forty marshas!!

we just purchased our hard copies at Amoeba Music in Hollywood... thanx Amoeba!

thanx and have a happy day!

-- the marshas

Press Release on Plug-In Music

2007-06-25T23:23:00.000-07:00

Plug-In Music featured the following press release on forty marshas:

The story of how forty marshas came to be is a classic example of putting the carriage before the horse. The end result, however, is a truly beautiful and creative album. Conceived by Mike Malinin of the Goo Goo Dolls several years ago as nothing more than a great name for a band, forty marshas eventually evolved into a true collaborative band. forty marshas' self-titled debut CD is set for a June 26 release on Beatville Records.

In early 2007, Malinin gathered a collection of very talented friends and musicians at Los Angeles' Swing House Studio. A week later, with friends like Efrem Schulz of Death By Stereo, LA bass legend John Avila, Green Day sideman Jason Freese, along with Goo Goo Dolls touring members Korel Tunador and Brad Frenquist and others, the self titled debut release by forty marshas was complete, and is nothing shy of a musical tour de force.

Featuring the indie rock anthem Think Big, and a scorching cover of the Kinks' Sold Me Out, this eclectic album almost plays like the soundtrack to a movie covering a large part of the musical spectrum.