IKILLYA
On recording their debut album "Recon" How did the band form?
In October of 2005, I joined a band here in New York City that featured Mansa, the current bassist of IKILLYA. The guitarist of that band quit soon after I joined and Mansa, the drummer and I continued on. We went through several guitarists until finally finding Dave in 2009 through an ad on Skullsnbones.com. The drummer left shortly thereafter and we enlisted Jeff Gretz (Zao) to help us finish Recon and Matt Zebroski (Alex Skolnick Trio) and he alternates with us at live shows.
How was the recording of "Recon"?
Recording Recon was a long process but it was ultimately very rewarding. We started with Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God/This or the Apocalypse) and Paul Suarez (Lamb of God/Avenged Sevenfold) at Spin Studios but his schedule, and our budget, prevented him from completing the album. We then booked time with Armando Subero at Nova Studios and Ryan Kelly (Opeth/Orbs) at Manhattan Sound Recordings. Then we took all of the tracks back to Josh and Paul to mix them. The whole process took a year but at the end we feel like it accurately captures our sound and we're very proud of it.
What's the concept behind it?
"Recon" is not really a concept album. We named it "Recon" which is short for the term "Reconnaissance" which is a military term for information gathering before you send in the full army. These songs are 8 of the first 9 songs we wrote as a band and they represent us growing together and learning what the sound of IKILLYA is. It's our first release as a band and we look at it as an introduction to who we are. We can't wait to record the next album and really develop our sound.
If your music were to be adapted into film, what story would it tell?
That's a great question. The main character would have dreams that the people around them don't think are achievable. The character would be surrounded by people who are impeding them in their life goals. That character would then give them all the finger and go take over the world. ha-ha. Or, if we weren't going to be so literal, I'd love for it to be a throw-back to the 70's anti-hero movies like "Vanishing Point" and "Dirty Mary Crazy Larry", with a tougher twist. So, maybe a remake of "Mad Max", meets "The Terminator". ha-ha.
What are your favorite albums at the moment?
I listen to a lot of different kinds of stuff. When it comes to metal, I'm jamming the hell out of the new Lamb of God and Steel Panther albums. I'm still jamming The Haunted "The Dead Eye", Gojira "The Way of All Flesh" and a whole host of metal classics though as well.
- Would you like to come to Portugal?
We would LOVE to come to Portugal. Hopefully we'll be able to in the coming year.
Design & Interview: Rick Words: Jason Lekberg Photos courtesy of IKILLYA
"Recon" is now available for purchase at: www.ikillya.com You get also get their new song "Godsize" free at: http://www.facebook.com/IKILLYAofficial