Q&A

Who is filling out this survey?

Gil Mantera

Please name your band, its members' names and what they play.

Gil Mantera: synthesizer, bass - Ultimate Donny: vocals, guitar - A.E. Paterra: Drums

How would you describe your band's music?

Our music is bad to the bone, baby.

What's your newest/latest music project?

We're currently working on a new album.

What's the funniest thing to ever happen to you at a music festival?

Some weird lady told me my band sucks and they put it on television.

What is the most exciting thing about performing live?

The most exciting thing is how effortless it can be to perform when things are going the right way.

Have you performed in/visited Tulsa before? If so, what did you like most about it? If you haven't, is there something you're particularly looking forward to?

This will be our first visit to Tulsa. When it comes to touring, the main thing I want to get out of a city is a good meal that can only be found in that city. I'll have to ask around to see what's good to eat there.

Will you be participating in the music conference? If so, how?

I don't know? No one told me about it yet. Maybe?

Are you currently on tour? If so, what are your stops just before and after Dfest?

We'll be hitting some cities like St. Louis, Kansas City, Birmingham, Atlanta, Oklahoma City, and so on. The idea of the tour is to get down to Tulsa and back to Pittsburgh as comfortably as possible.

How has the economy changed your band, touring, making music, etc.?

I haven't noticed any significant change in how we go about our business as a band. The economy issue seems to be more about stirring up the population's emotions in a negative way through an overload of media attention than it is about dealing with any economic "crisis" happening.

What outdoor/festival smell do you dislike the most, and why?

Patchouli mixed with armpit stink and clove cigarettes.

Will you offer meet-and-greets after/before your shows? If so, when/where?

I'm sure we'll be hanging around the festival, but I don't think our current rock status demands anything that official yet.

How is Dfest different from any other show you do?

We've done outdoor festivals in the past and though it's not my favorite context to experience a band or perform in, this festival should be a nice departure from the club/bar scene we know all too well. Club lighting tends to be more flattering than sunlight though.

Where would you like your band to be 5 years from today?

I hope we'll be at a level where we can put on epic rock shows with every damn bell and whistle we can think of and still make enough money to live comfortably.

What's the coolest fact about your fans?

Our fans come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

What tips do you offer to "beat the heat" at this July festival?

Heat is a given. Just wear plenty of sunblock.