Los Angeles band 9ELECTRIC feels like a fast and furious racecar — from the names of the band (Thunderwood on vocals, Mikey Lopez on guitar, Casey DC on bass and Micah Electric on drums/programming) to their sound, thunderous and grinding rock with a side of electronica, to their debut album, The Damaged Ones. "The album describes the human condition — no one is truly safe, because at some point we're all damaged," says frontman Thunderwood. “With 9ELECTRIC, I really want to create music that makes you feel like you can’t stand still, and I think we’ve achieved that," Micah Electric says.

Bassist Casey DC adds, "The album's title track is about the process of becoming damaged and how it leads to being socially ostracized — a common feeling amongst bands and fans. This has been a theme in rock music for decades, and this song is about how we band together and become part of the rock scene as opposed to the mainstream."

And in the end, 9ELECTRIC is "about empowerment and living with a sense of intention," frontman Thunderwood says. "Whatever you do, do it with some fucking conviction. Make something happen in your life." He talks to Myspace about the band’s evolution.

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Homebase: Hollywood, CA

Why are you called 9ELECTRIC?

Mikey and Micah came up with the name before I joined. They wanted an electronic element in the music, so it seemed to make sense in the name, and the number nine is Mikey's favorite. It also sounds similar to "nine-eleven," so it carries a sense of urgency. I like number nine's esoteric value, where it means the apex of a cycle.

Describe your music to someone who's never heard you before.

Hard rock with an electronic edge.

How did you all meet?

It was really a timing thing — Mikey (guitarist) and Micah (drummer) had a band called My Evolution, and I sang for a band called Opiate for the Masses. Both of our bands had done big tours and worked with big producers but broke up around the same time. Our mutual friend and attorney put us in touch, and I loved their demos and started recording with them ASAP. CaseyDC (bassist) was an old friend of mine and answered Mikey and Micah's Craigslist ad, not knowing that I was already working with them. So nobody really tried out for this band, we all kind of just invited each other in.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

I really like dark and hard-hitting mojo, whether it's the actual music or just the emotional weight of something. Depeche Mode has always been up there for me. Bowie, Ministry, and The Prodigy get me going, too.

Does living in Los Angeles influence your music?

I think all the traffic helps us write the angrier tunes.

Is there anyone you'd love to collaborate with?

I want to collaborate with lots of people — I think we could make a really cool track with Maria Brink from In This Moment.

What do you do for fun?

Besides music? I direct music videos for bands and labels. I'm obsessed with cameras, lenses, and cinematography.

What's the craziest thing that’s happened to you in 9ELECTRIC?

I've had lots of dudes offer me their girlfriends. That's probably the strangest. I suppose it's a nice gesture, but what're you gonna do with that, like, "Cool man, see you in five then?"

Why is your album called The Damaged Ones?

To me, The Damaged Ones means that when all is said and done, no matter who you are or what your advantages or disadvantages are in life, we all end up damaged. It really sums up the human condition, so in that sense it unites us all. The themes on the album are pretty much personal struggles and social commentary.

If you were a hashtag, what would you be?

#Chickentimebomb. We have a song called "Time Bomb" that opens with "I'm like a ticking time bomb" and people always hear it as "chicken time bomb". Little kids have sent us crayon drawings of chickens with bombs strapped to them. Very cute.

What was the most interesting thing you learned about creating your debut album?

I learned that mix is king... our drummer produced a demo that we sent to outside producer Kane Churko (In This Moment, Five Finger Death Punch). We figured we may have to re track everything for the final version, but then we were blown away with what he mixed and sent back to us. The remixed demo ended up being the album version and consequently the title track and first single, "The Damaged Ones." It was a huge epiphany for me about how much an awesome mix can do for your song.

Do you have an awesome Myspace-related story as a musician?

Myspace has been a huge part of my music career; before Myspace, e-mail was the only way to really interact with fans unless you were in their town. Myspace completely changed that dynamic forever. Suddenly they weren't just fans- they were all people you had gotten to know. It's pretty incredible.

How did you end up touring with Drowning Pool? What are you most excited about that tour?

Well for starters, we have the same manager so I'm sure that didn't hurt, haha! Actually I'm really excited for this tour... I first met CaseyDC while his former band Dry Kill Logic and my former band were touring with Drowning Pool. It's gonna be an awesome reunion for us all!

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