The Prima Donnas Will Infect Your Brain
By Jenny Lee

The Daily Texan
March 6, 1997

You would know if you saw The Prima Donnas. English band consisting of three young lads is on the "cutting-edge" of Texas music. They seem determined to conquer the world with their sound, ideas and attitude. The Prima Donnas have already taken over the streets of Austin with their jet black mod hairdos, black on black attire, and untouchable personas. They are every boy and girl's dream and every band's nightmare.

"Quite simply, they are their name--primadonnas who require a lot of supervision," explains Jim Kieke, The Prima Donnas' manager. "The other day one of The Prima Donnas phoned me up and wanted a whole bunch of things, and I told him 'You can't always get what you want.' And he yelled back at me 'We're not the Rolling Stones. We always get what we want.'"

Kieke recalls another incident when a different Prima Donna called him at 3 p.m. after he had slept all day and asked Kieke to read the Austin Chronicle to him. "This gives you some idea of what The Prima Donnas are like," Kieke says.

Kieke and Boris Brodsky, The Prima Donnas' assistant manager, were assigned their job because one of The Prima Donnas' keyboardists, Julius Seizure, had a dream. "He's the spiritual one," says Brodsky. Although their work is exhausting--hair counseling sessions at 3 a.m. and constantly having to ask "how are you feeling right now"--they are certain The Prima Donnas are their ticket to retirement.

"We've come to believe The Prima Donnas are the greatest band on earth because that's what they've told us over and over. And we agree with everything they say," Kieke says.

In addition to the managers, The Prima Donnas also have a bodyguard. Rick Lozano has yet to use his skills, but he will not hesitate to if any bands get in The Prima Donnas' way, especially the Motards.

"The Prima Donnas don't think there is room for other bands," Kieke says. "A lot of people in this town think the Motards are the greatest thing ever, but they're not. They're yesterday's news--they're over. It's Prima Donnas time."

Originally from Sussex, England, the band relocated to Austin almost two years ago. Legend has it that the British government forced them to leave due to serious drug crimes. Instead of serving time in jail, the government sent them into exile. The American Secret Services gave them a new identity, and Austin was the first on a list of different cities.

Otto Matik, vocalist for The Prima Donnas, describes living in Austin as a "total drear," but they would have to write the government for permission to leave the city. "It would be terribly time-consuming," says Matik.

The band members have also changed their names to hide their true identity. Other than Matik, The Prima Donnas include keyboardists, Julius Seizure and Nicky Holiday.

With all their recent publicity, the chances of the British government spotting The Prima Donnas are high, but Matik finds the game somewhat amusing.

"We're going to have to get so big no one would believe it is actually us. Like if you grew up with Michael Jackson, you don't really think he is THE Michael Jackson even if they look similar. So no one is going to really believe these huge, super sexy, phenomenal, wonder boys are the same Prima Donnas that screwed them over and stole their drugs back in England. Are they?"

The three met back in England when they lived in the same orphanage. Their music instructor, Father Heathcliff, inspired them to form a group playing skiffle. One day while they were performing in Sunday service, an agent discovered them.

"An agent who was feeling terribly guilty for screwing over people in the record business found us right away, and then he began screwing us over as well. That is how we started. Its all Cinderella from there," Matik says.

Since The Prima Donnas have been in Austin, they say Austin has invented a new category for them. "Insanely popular music," says Matik. The Prima Donnas do have a new sound with the use of the synthesizers. Matik believes people enjoy the keyboards because "It is real sex music--a grind motivator."

Holiday considers the keyboard the best of all instruments, but Matik insists it is his vocals. However, that is not the only reason why he is the lead singer for The Prima Donnas. Matik say it's because "I have the best, prettiest, most angelic voice, and I'm the most handsome so the record company naturally shifted me to the front spot to attract young girls."

But, Holiday puts Matik in his place, "Basically, we couldn't shut him up."

Besides their music, The Prima Donnas make statements with their fashion. Where the ideas come from are quite a mystery even to Kieke, their manager. Seizure has his tight black on black ensembles. Matik has his profound costumes. Once at a gig at the Electric Lounge Matik wore a bunny costume. "The bunny ears for instance were a statement--an artistic statement," says Kieke. And Holiday sews his own outfits using materials such as fake furs and vinyl.

"One of the problems that they have performing is it takes them so long to decide what the statement is for that show. Every show is different which is why you got to go to every Prima Donnas show because they never repeat themselves," Kieke says.

The Prima Donnas attract crowds if and when they do make an appearance. Kieke says the love for The Prima Donnas is "universal" even with their brutal attitudes.

"Their attitude leaves much to be desired from well-groomed Brit lads, but I find myself willing to forgive this in light of their contribution to the community of world music as a pulsing whole," says Conrad Keely, an innocent bystander.

A devoted groupie, Benjamin Caulfield, says "I love their obnoxious, arrogant attitude and because no one else is playing trashy synth-pop music."

But, The Prima Donnas do a boycotter opposing their sound. "The new romantic revival should be killed," says Craig Koons, the buyer for independent music at Sound Exchange. "Duran Duran wasn't funny the first time around."

The Prima Donnas will not let such negativity ruin their plan for world domination and will delight their much-loved audience with a split single with The Hamicks on Big Jerk Records and a track on a compilation by Fluffer/ Empty Records from Seattle in the near future.