BEATALLICA Frontman Interviewed

Jaymz Lennfield (vocals, guitar) of the Milwaukee-based band BEATALLICA — a satirical mashup act whose hilarious schtick marries the songwriting prowess of THE BEATLES to the deep-throated rock growl of METALLICA — was recently interviewed on "The Barry Kirkey Radio Show". The program is now available for download as an MP3 audio file at this location.

BEATALLICA's new album, "Masterful Mystery Tour", is scheduled for release on August 4. The CD features 12 tracks, including "The Battery of Jaymz and Yoko", "I Want to Choke Your Band" and the first single, "Hero of the Day Tripper".

OnMilwaukee.com recently conducted an interview with Lennfield. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

OnMilwaukee.com: How does it feel in BEATALLICA these days? Does the concept still flow easily or do you have to work a little harder to work it?

Jaymz Lennfield: Like any songwriting band, some things regarding songwriting get more difficult the longer you are together. You always want to one-up yourself. A band should always be trying to compose the best material possible; make it interesting, but not too self-indulgent. With BEATALLICA, we really have to be careful to not be lax in what we mash-up. The songs need to sound natural together and seamless when it comes to transitions. It's almost like striving to be Machiavellian; make it seem like the impossible is sort of easy to do ... when in all likelihood, it's really not.

The concepts are plentiful for us as we have good composers in the band. But, eventually, the music is the master. I don't think a song is ever finished. Even some of the older songs on this CD have undergone changes, either lyrically or musically. I'm sure there will be changes in minute details down the road. The listener who is really knowledgeable of both mashed-up sides will get the differences.

OnMilwaukee.com: Do you still have the attention — good and bad — of METALLICA and Sony Music?

Jaymz Lennfield: We'll always have the eyes and ears of Sony and METALLICA on us. Sony is our label partner in Japan and they are releasing the "Masterful" CD in August, as well. Plus, just with all the crazy licensing, it's a never-ending relationship. We don't aim for that to be a battle. The main struggles are with individual licensors of songs. Some of them can be a bit, uh, volatile. The legal, political and personal jive is something I find fascinating. We've definitely learned a lot about many different topics. I speak with someone in the METALLICA camp pretty often, if not a band member himself. Got to hang with them on BEATALLICA's band birthday, April 1, in Paris; that was great. Good to catch up with those guys in person.

OnMilwaukee.com: Where does BEATALLICA go from here?

Jaymz Lennfield: Well, we know all the good pubs in Germany and it appears we'll be visiting them again soon. Would love to hit Japan as well and that's being discussed. And then there's always the good ol' USA. We will have a new video out soon for "Hero of the Day Tripper". Expect a party, corniness and helmets with bones on them. Much is planned that I'm sure will come as a surprise to some (and seem) ridiculous to others. But, most of all, fun rock 'n' roll by four guys who don't mind having alter egos and playing dress up.

Read more from OnMilwaukee.com.