Interview with Mikey Doling of Invitro and Gridiron Records
Courtesy of FoundryMusic.com

A little over a decade ago, Mikey Doling made a name for himself in a little band called SNOT. After the tragic passing of frontman Lynn Strait in 1998, Doling went on to play with Max Cavalera in SOULFLY for a few records Primitive, and 3. He's got a new band, INVITRO, and a new label, Gridiron RECORDS, and the band's debut disc drops in early 2007. What better reason do you need to fire off a dozen or so silly questions to the guy? Exactly.. you don't. Here comes the silly...

FoundryMusicRob: You, [and former SNOT bandmates] Sonny [Mayo], and John [Fahnestock] got together back in November 2006 to perform “Stoopid” for the first time since Lynn passed. What were the emotions like for you guys while playing that song?

Mikey Doling: It wasn't a sad thing at all… I got crazy chills though!! It was awesome to jam with Sonny and Tumor again!! I love those bros!

FoundryMusicRob: You founded a label, Gridiron Records, with a few other guys, one of which being Kyle Turley of the Kansas City Chiefs. Just out of curiosity, what teams are in your top 5 for a chance at the Superbowl this year? Ya think the Giants might come out of their slump and go for it?

Mikey Doling: I want KC to win period!!

FoundryMusicRob: OK, label related, what’s it like being on the other side of the desk for a change? Artists rarely get the chance to be the one’s in charge, and I don’t think the public really acknowledges that most of the time.

Mikey Doling: It's great I’m having a great time!!! It's pretty funny a lot of my bro's who have bands are hitting me up to sign them... And now I got to be honest as hell with'm... as to where before it's like “You guys rock,” even if I didn't really think so... But now I have a label so if I say that now they’re like “sign us bro!!” I know that sounds weird but everybody lies to their friend’s bands so they don't feel bad... Nobody's going to say “you guy's suck” - Well most won't.

FoundryMusicRob: Tell us a little about your latest band INVITRO. I know the debut album is due in 2007, how long has the album been in the works?

Mikey Doling: We just finished it and I’m so fucking proud of my band right now!! This record is giving me a reason to continue doing what I love: playing live!! The guys that I’m playing with are so fucking cool and easy going it's awesome!! And they’re so damn talented!! I can’t wait till the world hears what we've unleashed... This record is going to kick a lot of teeth out!!

FoundryMusicRob: All I can seem to find on the band online is the MySpace page, are you planning on launching a regular “.com” site for the band, or are the days of Official Websites long-gone thanks to MySpace?

Mikey Doling: Yeah were working on it!! I think we’re going to put the record to listen on MySpace for now… You'll be able to hear it full length.

FoundryMusicRob: On the Invitro MySpace page you are wearing what seems to be a very politically neutral T-shirt that says “Fuck Bush.” Are you afraid he might go on “The Internets” and use “The Google” to find you and cause you some sort of harm? Perhaps he’ll threaten “Nukular” action against you?

Mikey Doling: ...No… I mean I want to fuck'm... He's got a hot ass....um that was weird... Ok I don't mean fuck him like I hate'm... I just hate the fact that he's destroying most good relations with most countries around the world… I mean, we(Americans) look like idiots right now and not to mention all the families in America that are being devastated by the death of their loved ones… And for what? We should concentrate on the fucking USA!! I love being an American… It's the best country in the world, but I’m a little ashamed by our leader’s actions.

FoundryMusicRob: Let’s say, hypothetically, tomorrow you find out that some distant relative you never knew you had croaked and left you specifically a LARGE sum of money, let’s say in the 9 digit range. What are you going to do with all that money?

Mikey Doling: My family would be stoked!!

FoundryMusicRob: Now, picture this: After you do whatever it is you plan on doing with said wad of money, you find out that the aforementioned relative was in large amounts of debt, let’s say… in the 10 or 11 digit range. Since you were left every last penny, you are in charge of the Estate and must make good for the debt. Now what?

Mikey Doling: Get back Jack... We’re partying!! (ha...nice responsible answer. You really have to love this guy. - SC)

FoundryMusicRob: Rock stars have all kinds of vices, some are drinking, drugs, hookers, gambling. While other’s are addicted to coffee, or need only certain color M&Ms, or insisting on ridiculous items on their tour riders (have you seen IGGY POP's? It’s online at The Smoking Gun, very interesting). What are some of the things you absolutely can’t go on the road without?

Mikey Doling: Wet naps and gold bond. (gig butt sucks)

FoundryMusicRob: Back to Gridiron Records, what are the short-term goals so far? Have you set a quota for how many bands you’d like to have in a given amount of time? What about other business related goals? Anything you’d like to share?

Mikey Doling: I've got two records recorded and ready to ship... And I’m looking for true talent to sign!! I’m looking forward to seeing all my bands have a great time experiencing the thing's I've gotten to.. And of course sell a billion records!!

FoundryMusicRob: Thanks for your time Mikey, in closing, do you have any last words or plugs for our readers?

Mikey Doling: MYSPACE.COM/GridironRECORDS... And look out for INVITRO… We're coming to your town and we're going to drink all your booze and try to fuck all your girlz!! RESPECT booyacosha!!

Look for the debut release from INVITRO in 2007.

December 25, 2006