Juri of Altered Thoughts interview by Alicks Wargood

Today I had the pleasure of having a quick Q&A with the absolutely amazing Juri of Altered Thoughts. They will be playing The Rex Theater with Agatha Haag and Gloom Squad this Saturday (May 24, 205). Her story is even more inspiring than her stage persona and talent... though neither of those things are anything to scoff at. 

(DFZ) : So, introduce yourself a little. Where do you come from, how have you evolved, and what got you into music before joining Altered Thoughts?

(Juri) : My name is Juri, I’m the lead singer of Altered Thoughts. I was raised in Detroit but my family is from Iraq. I was born in a refugee camp in Saudi Arabia in 1991 during desert storm. My parents were fleeing the war, as my dad was wanted by the Baathists for his role in the southern Shia uprising against Saddam Hussein. I came to this country at the age of 3.

I was always in love with music, as far back as I can remember. The problem is, music is forbidden in Islam, so I had to really sneak around to listen to it. 

When I was about 14 my dad bought me and my siblings a laptop to share. Whenever it was my hour to use it, I’d go on YouTube (which was new then) and just listen to music.

I didn’t really like anything I heard until one day I saw an icon of a man wearing black eyeliner in a black suit. I thought he looked really cool so I clicked on it. It was the music video for Helena by my chemical romance. It was at that moment where I felt something for the first time. That unexplainable transcendent energy music lovers feel. From then on I went down the rabbit hole of alternative music, which led me to metal, which led me to Metallica. I fell in love with them instantly, and they still are my favorite band to this day. 

I’ve always written songs growing up. At the age of 7 I’d record myself on a cassette tape and pass it around my neighborhood lol. It was just me singing a song I wrote, no music, so you can imagine how funny those tapes were.

My music teacher rlly liked my voice so he made me sing the national anthem before every school function in elementary and middle school. One day my mom found out and made me stop, so from the ages of 16-26 I stopped singing.

Then my childhood sweetheart committed suicide. It made me rethink my whole life. I left home and started singing again.

(DFZ) : See, that's an amazing story all it's own. I only really knew a small portion that you have shared in pieces throughout the time I've been following Altered Thoughts. It's crazy the twists of avenues some have to take in order to feel what you felt when you saw that video. 

How did your position in Altered Thoughts come about? They've been around a bit longer than you've been with them, correct?

(Juri) : Yeah absolutely! Thank you. 

Yes Gregg (our guitar player) formed the band the year I was born. It was a different line up, and he’s the only remaining original member.

One day I made a post on Michigan musicians seeking musicians. I got a bunch of creepy messages so I decided to stop responding to them lol. Little did I know that Nick our drummer was one of the people who messaged me. I didn’t open his message cuz I assumed the rest would be just as creepy lol. 

But a few weeks later, our old bass player asked a mutual friend if she knew a singer. She suggested me. He hit me up and I went and auditioned. Nick confronted me about the fact that he hit me up first and I ignored him which was pretty funny lol. But the rest is history!

(DFZ) Hell yeah, a true little diamond in the rough! Haha 

I didn't realize that they had been around for THAT long. That's killer... have they always sort of tried to be female fronted, or have they switched it up through the years?

(Juri) : Yeah seriously haha 

They actually were male led initially and kinda sounded like pantera haha which I love. I always tell Gregg we need to bring that pantera sound back lol. But their last 3 singers have been women. So since 2017 it’s been female led.

(DFZ) : Very, cool. I figured I'd keep this short and sweet since we will be talking again this weekend. But the most important question I have to ask you is... As a woman (especially with such an interesting background), what advice do you have for other young women, and whoever, that are interested yet apprehensive about joining the underground music community? Our goal at Urban Assault is to inspire kids to keep local music alive. I feel like your advice would resonate pretty well with many.

(Juri) : That’s rlly dope! I would say don’t ever be scared to voice your opinion. There’s going to be artistic differences in a band. A lot of the times I was afraid to say I didn’t wanna do something and ended up doing stuff I really didn’t like. It never sounded good cuz I didn’t have my heart in it. Always speak up for yourself ! 

Sometimes people will assume ur only in the band cuz ur a chick and have no talent. Don’t take it personal and use it as an opportunity to prove you have what it takes ! 

Don’t be afraid to be you on stage. 

When I first started performing I was very meek and shy. Then I remembered, people don’t leave their homes and buy tickets to watch someone feel self conscious on stage. Rock it out and fuck the haters!!

(DFZ) : That is amazing advice. I really appreciate you talking with me and can not wait to have you guys out this weekend. Have a safe rest of your week and an eve safer journey to The Rex Theater!

We at Dosed highly encourage everyone to make their way out to The Rex Theater on May 24, 2025 to see the action live and in concert. Only $10 presale and $15 at the door. Show kicks up dust around 6pm. See you at the show!