I met Erik at The Troubadour when Prima Donna played with my pals The Mystic Knights Of The Cora and Emily's Army... We got to know each other better when White Trash Debutantes and Prima Donna played a few shows in the Bay Area... Prima Donna recently finished an almost two month tour with Adam Ant. After a few days rest, Erik was cool enough to do this interview with me.. I hope you all enjoy!

Thanks so much for the interview Erik. Can you give the readers some background about yourself?

I grew up in the South Bay and still am here and not going anywhere. I had been into music from a very early age as I can remember but didn't get my first guitar til' around 10 or 11. Growing up things were rough but I always had a sense that somebody had it worse. I very much liked to approach bums and talk lengthy conversations with them, and I still do to this day, because they have stories, and its not your bedtime story ya know? Its real!! I also collect records, just spent hours upon hours and years digging and finding great punk albums/ep's... I grew up at the beach and its become my life, I feel blessed.... Surf, Skate, DESTROY!

When did Prima Donna form ?

Mid-Late 2000's, and have been non-stop since

Were you involved with the band from it's early inception?

The band had been around for about 40 shows before I came into the picture, and we now have more than 500 shows played worldwide

Had you been friends of the the guys prior to forming the band?

Yes Kevin and I met first just seeing each other at shows going on, or at record stores, and then slowly the other guys as well....

Had you played with any bands prior to joining Prima Donna?

Yeah, As a youngster always had a punk band that went nowhere fast! It was pure and just nothing outside of the community.. just garages, parties, bars and even plugging in at the airport and playing a few songs before getting brutally shutdown ( before the 9-11 attack and extreme airport security ) and we even played inside a sewage pipe once, the cops came and threatened to impound our equipment.....

Are you currently playing with any side projects?

I don't currently have any side projects, but I do play music with friends in garages, just another release of energy

Tell us how the band came up with the name Prima Donna?

I believe " Prima Donna " came because certain member(s) were called that growing up and it just fit to say " thanks for the idea now we'll take it from here " ...

Tell us about the band members and what they play?

Singer/Guitar- Kevin Preston, Guitar- Erik Arcane, Bass- Lights out Levine, Sax/Keys- Aaron Minton, Drums- David S. Field

Who are some of your personal influences as far as being a guitar player are?

Well I grew up on Punk and to be listening to a Black Flag record, I mean Greg Ginn's Guitar was like an untamed animal seeking revenge... But later on and growing with the instrument, it became something to hear all Chuck Berry's guitar riffs really just being imitated piano riffs. Its seems so cliche' to say chuck berry but when you listen to old rock n roll and his stuff come on, you feel your blood boiling as a guitar player....

Tell us about the gear that you use?

Its all broken!... Haha, ok well I have a Marshall JMP 1978, That's my go to amp! And a variety of guitars including our sponsor Schecter... God I hope I spelled that right! ( laughs )

Do you have any endorsements?

I sure do... Schecter, Planet Waves, DiAdarrio, Coffin Case...

I know that Prima Donna have toured alot.. You did a tour with Green Day. Tell us about that?

Well in 2009 for Europe and 2010 for Asia we were offered those tours after some friendship amongst some members and I think I could speak for the band and say it was a dream come true and an honor, we were all fans of Green Day so it made it fun every nite. Those guys are so down to earth and know how to have fun and be serious and put on one hell of a show nite after nite... they still have the mentality of you know " help bands and support one another " unlike many big bands out there...

You are just finished touring with Adam Ant. How was that?

He is still rockin' after all these years, a 2 hour show every nite, and he looks great still... once again we were fans so it was side stage for us when he went on....

What size of venues did you play on the Adam Ant tour?

The Adam Ant tour, the venues were mostly ancient theaters from the 30's and 40's so it was a crowd of anywhere from 800-1500 capacity with elaborate decor, really neat vibe

Tell us about the crowds who came to the show to see Prima Donna and Adam Ant play?

That was interesting considering the age gap. Now he has his life long fans and we have toured and gained our fans, so when he picked us for his tour it worked well because of our old school influence, our fans were already Ant fans and now the Ant fans are our fans.. Older crowd for sure, but they know what its all about.....

What is up next for Prima Donna?

Keep posted, recordings, new music videos, etc...

Does the band have any plans to record in the future?

Yeah, we have plans, we just released an Italian 7" with the tittle track " Like Hell " and that's the newest thing up to date and they are almost sold out if not already ( LTD press )

What are some of your favorite venues to play at?

Well its the people that attend the venues that make the show, but if I had to name a few- Redwood, Troubadour, o2 Arena! haha!!

Do you have any Internet Addresses you would like to share with the readers?

www.Primadonnarocks.com
facebook.com/Primadonnaofficial and
Twitter https://twitter.com/primadonnaband

Describe yourself in three words Erik?

Mysterious, ? ,Hungover

Any words of advice for upcoming bands ?

Keep the music scene alive! Its a dying breed to hear good bands... I want punk bands, I want rock bands, I want the DANGER back in rock n roll!!!!!! NOW!

Any parting words for Punk Globe readers?

Keep supporting Punk Globe and the music surrounding you, have something to believe in and.... Come to a Prima Donna show say hi and buy us some drinks why don't ya....

Punk Globe would like to thank Erik Arcane for the killer interview.. We strongly suggest that you check out Prima Donna... You will not be disappointed...