all your (clicks) are belong to us.

&lt;a href=”http://music.sissymena.com/track/planets” data-mce-href=”http://music.sissymena.com/track/planets”&gt;Planets by Sissy Mena&lt;/a&gt;
Sissy Mena has been playing all over the city of Chicago over the last two years and released their debut full length—Record Machine—in the fall of last year. Across the ten tracks, the record features one consistent quality: volume. Tyler Brinegar’s guitars crush laptop speakers, Adam Bonich’s drums shatter headphones and Taylor Brigg’s bass catapults subwoofers from the trunks of sedans and they do it all day long with ease and aplomb. Today’s featured track—“Planets”—exemplifies much of what Sissy Mena is all about. They take a nice ballad complete with baby-faced lyrics (Old boys love countries/Red white and blue /Young boys love planets /I just love you ) and distort all the subtlety in oblivion. Tyler Brinegar brings his melody to a whisper while heavily processed riffs, heavy drums and jumpy, melodic bass crash around him. Its a love song played by an apocalyptic band which is more interesting than a love song played by a guy with a ukulele. ”Planets” is both parts beautiful and harsh and it proves to deliver an enthralling four minutes. This Record Machine has soul.

Sissy Mena’s Tyler Brinegar took some time to answer a few questions for us about the band, their songwriting process and his inspirations, musical and otherwise.
Q: Who’s in the band and how did you first get together?

A: Adam Bonich, Taylor Briggs and myself. We met on Craigslist. I searched for several years and finally found the right guys.Q: How does Sissy Mena start writing a song and how do you know when it is finished?
A: I usually make a demo at home and send it to the guys. It can take several weeks for us to finalize the arrangement. Then we play it for a month or so to tweak it. Each song takes on a story feel since we use lots of changing sections. We play it till the flow feels consistently right.Q: Your record sounds like you’re all playing together in a room. Do you prefer playing live or recording in the studio?

A: Does it? I’m glad because I don’t think we did that once. If recording were quicker and easier I’d prefer it by a mile. I like experimenting and building things. But playing live is far easier.Q: What’s your favorite venue to play in Chicago?

A: I think Schubas sounded the best. But I’ve only played there once.Q: Your top musical influences.

A: I’ll try this chronologically: Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Dinosaur Jr., My Bloody Valentine, Jesus & Mary Chain, Sigur Ros, The Radio Dept, U2, Massive Attack, Annie LennoxQ: Your top non-musical influences.

A: Steven Spielberg, David Lean, Tim Duncan

Sissy Mena

Bandcamp / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Sounds like: Sad songs played loudly

For those who like: My Bloody Valentine, The Cure, effects pedals

Sissy Mena is playing at the Chicago Ribfest (4000 N Ashland) on Saturday, June 8th at 5PM (http://ribfest-chicago.com/).

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