By Jim Shea
Although people say that Fuse TV (Channel 56 at the University) is an alternative to MTV, one thing they don’t know is that Fuse has the edge when it comes to variety. Instead of the “Reality TV” approach MTV takes, Fuse devotes its time to giving what the fans want. Fuse offers selections from rock, pop, hip-hop, rap and metal music. One example of their popularity comes from their metal shows, such as “Uranium” and “Slave To Metal.”
The person responsible for Fuse’s metal shows is none other than Mistress Juliya. Juliya is probably one of the most notable VJs over at Fuse, but her love for the music is what stands out the most. Recently, she’s been getting her name out there to the public as she appeared in both Maxim and Stuff Magazine.
Currently, she is hosting a brand new show on Fuse called “Slave To Metal” where viewers can ask questions about her thoughts on metal and other topics.
The Chronicle had a chance to speak to Juliya on a couple of topics, including her start at Fuse TV and her take on file-swapping.
Chronicle: To start, tell us little something about yourself.
Juliya: Well I’m definitely the same person you see on TV, but with many other dimensions as well. I’m a pretty extreme person in my opinions and lifestyle.
Chronicle: What got you into the music you love today?
Juliya: Appetite For Destruction (Guns N’ Roses). I heard that album when I was 12, and I felt like a new door of realization and freedom opened up inside of me.
Chronicle: How did you get a start in your career with Fuse TV?
Juliya: I was doing commercials and some modeling at the time, and was a viewer. I sent in a tape for the show, “Tastemakers” which had regular kids talking about the music that they loved, and they got voted on or off as representatives of that scene. They put me on, and I developed a really big fan base, due to the fact that Heavy Metal music wasn’t represented on television for a long time. After a year of not being voted off, they decided to give me an experimental show, “Uranium” to see how it goes, and it blew up.
Chronicle: What’s the thing you like the most about working at Fuse?
Julyia: One, being able to say what I want to say without having to be politically correct and two, meeting the musicians that I’ve looked up to and respected all of my life.
Chronicle: What’s the hardest thing about your job?
Juliya: Coming in on time after going to a show.
Chronicle: Off the top of your head, who are your all-time favorite bands?
Juliya: Pantera, Danzig, Life Of Agony, Nine Inch Nails, Megadeth and also Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, but that’s another era.
Chronicle: Besides metal, what other genres of music you like?
Juliya: I love classical; some ’80s stuff like Depeche Mode and Cure-some European goth bands like Theatre of Tragedy. I also love ’50s music like Elvis, as well as anything sad and emotionally driven, like Portishead or Billie Holiday.
Chronicle: Who or which band was your most favorite interview?
Juliya: Many! Vinnie Paul with Dime and Trent Reznor as well as Peter Steele of Type O’ Negative stand out the most, because these are people I’ve looked up to all my life and they didn’t disappoint me.
Chronicle: As a music journalist, what are your thoughts on the file-swapping/downloading issue?
Juliya: I think it sucks. I think you should be able to download previews (like tape trading) but at the level it is at now, it’s stealing. Kids fail to understand that if they don’t buy the album, smaller bands don’t get paid, if they don’t get paid they can’t live, if they can’t live, they won’t be making music anymore.
Chronicle: Plain and simple: your all-time favorite concert you attended.
Juliya: Ozzfest ’97: all my favorite bands. (Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera, Type O Negative and Marilyn Manson)
Chronicle: What’s the most “unusual” moment to happen on “Uranium”?
Juliya: Hmmm, there have been many! But being kidnapped by Howard from
Killswitch Engage and have Adam impersonate me was pretty freaky!!
Chronicle: Do you think metal is the most unique genre in music today and if so, why?
Juliya: I wouldn’t say most unique, because there is a lot of crazy stuff out there. But it’s definitely the most extreme and honest form of music out there.
Chronicle: Is there anyone or any band out there you would still like to meet/interview?
Juliya: Ozzy.
Chronicle: Fuse vs. MTV: Who will win?
Juliya: Fuse of course.
Chronicle: Finally, any final words you’d like to say?
Juliya: Buy the records: don’t download them!
Mistress Juliya of Fuse TV has made a name for herself in the Heavy Metal scene. (Image courtesy www.fusetv.com)
