Cynthia Naomi "Either you are into music or you a gangsta. Definitely music kept most of us alive."

11 Questions with Cynthia from Despise You and Gasp

1. Where are you from? 

Gardena, CA.

2. What do you think about chaos magic? 

I don’t.

3. When and why did you start playing music? 

When I was about 13 I wished to be Motley Crue, yes the whole band. My family never cared for me to ever do music but I saved up for an acoustic guitar. When I was maybe 14-15, my best friend from my hood, Jerry used to have guitar lessons so I waited for him to come home. I walked two blocks to his house so he can teach me how to play Metallica jams. He also got a 4 track so we got cool and recorded R&B songs. We like so many types of music. We started messing with industrial shit, noise and even death metal.

4. What was your first show? 

I say my first concert I was 12 at the Hollywood Bowl at a classical event. Then my ex boyfriend who’s a Maiden fanatic took me to Iron Maiden in Long Beach where they made us scream!! From there the list goes on from Gazzarri’s to Hong Kong Cafe.

5. How did you get into the genre(s)? 

Just going to weekend parties in the south bay areas of LA and south central. Spend most of my youth on the bus going to record stores and back yards. Green Hell, Alternative Grooves, Peanut, Wild Rags, etc. When you are into underground music where I grew up, we all knew each other. And we get flyers to go to other shows. No internet, just pagers. Either you are into music or you a gangsta. Definitely music kept most of us alive.

6. Three biggest influences? 

Black Sabbath, Lush, and Roxanne Shanté.

7. How do you feel about the current state of the community or communities you’re apart of? 

Music world has been good to me. So lucky to be part of everything I do and the people I work with. They are mi familia. I’m part of the hair world as well and it’s been an amazing journey. Been working for Supercuts for over 18 years and they are the reason why I can tour. They have been supportive with my music!!

8. What are some of your favorite new bands? 

I don’t really listen to new music much but there are still impressive bands out there in the world. I been revisiting a lot of 80s new wave lately.

9. What is an unforgettable memory you recall from being on tour? 

Crushing good food and drinking sake on the streets in Japan! Playing Hell Fest on the same bill as Billy Idol was a treat as well. Getting 3 flat tires, you heard the story. 

10. Three Favorite places to eat in the US? 

In New York there is a 24 hour convenient store place by my buddy Pat’s called Pea’s and Pickles. Thai places I been to around the US has done me right. And of course any home made food people who had provided us on tour, we all thank you. 🖤

11. If you had to write your own eulogy, what would it be? 

What a piece of work that girl was!!!