Tommy and Chris of Gotti 13 Interview

The Facts

Birth Place: Florida, USA

Tommy's Advice: "No matter what you want to be in life, never let anyone stand in your way and tell you that you can't do it. If you believe in yourself, than go make it happen."

Chris' Advice: "If you've got a goal, no matter what it is, don't let anyone say that you can't do it. That should only make you stronger."

[Editor's note: the band split in 2001]

Where did you come up with your band's name?
Chris: Well Gotti was my nickname from high school. I'm Italian and from New York, so kids would call me Gotti. The 13 is actually the symbol for change. A clock goes from 1-12. 13 would be the next level.
Tommy: I was watching "The Simpsons" one day and my mom asked me if I wanted macaroni and cheese, and I thought she said "A cool name would be Gotti 13."

Where was your first live show?
Chris: My first live show [in a club] was at this place called the F.B.I. The guy says to me "You guys will get 25% of the door for money." Well, nobody was there, and the guy handed me like $3 dollars when we were leaving, so I gave it back to him and was like "If this is 25% of the door, you need this money more than we do." Well, I thought it was funny.
Tommy: In Gainesville, Florida for a No Smoking Benefit.

What was going through your head when you first performed?
Tommy: Man, I wish I had more water on stage. [Winks]

Is the music industry everything you expected it to be?
Chris: ...and a lot more.
Tommy: Well, I expected it to be a lot of work and it has sure lived up to those expectations.

What goes into recording and writing songs?
Chris: A lot of time. A lot of junk food, and a lot of me going "Ahhhhhhhh, DAMN IT!"
Tommy: A lot of sweat. Recording is very time consuming and takes a lot of work. Writing songs is totally different, because a lot of people can write songs, but you have to write songs where people can't get them out of their heads. That's when people start looking your way.

What are your feelings towards other "boybands"?
Chris: Well, I think that they've all got an incredible amount of talent, and nobody can deny them that. We're not a boyband, we are a MANBAND, an actual "rock band" — we play our own instruments, write our own songs, all that good stuff, and our shows are crazy [Editor's note: member Henry was lit on fire a few months before interview. That’s how crazy they are].
Tommy: A lot of work goes into being an artist, so I respect anyone that is doing the same thing we do. The difference with us, is that we play our own instruments and write our own songs.

Who have been your role models and idols?
Chris: Kurt Cobain [Nirvana] and groups like Goldfinger, Lit, The Beatles…gotta love 'em all.
Tommy: The Beatles.

If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
Chris: Johnny Knoxville [from MTV.] We'd just hang out and get in trouble all day.
Tommy: Alyssa Milano!

Anything else in general?
Chris: I like Peanut Butter Twix. I am so glad they brought that back and I wish Crystal Pepsi was still around. Thanks everyone!
Tommy: I want to thank everyone for all their support. We have the greatest fans in the world and we would not have gone this far without you.