Here is my interview, sorry it took me a while to get it done for you. Thanks for your patience! Bryan 1/Who decided first to create this band? what was the idea?! did you all meet via adverts?! I am the one who started it all off, after I left Tokyo Blade after our last tour in late fall of 2009 I decided I wanted to create a new band that was heavier and a more power metal in style, but in the same vein as classic era Judas Priest, Queensryche, Savatage, and Dio. I found Todd Michael Hall by searching on Myspace on New Years Eve 2010, I contacted him the next day and coincidentally he lives only a couple hours away from me, so we agreed to partner and soon after began writing for a new album. After demoing a few songs I contacted Frank Kruckel my bandmate in Tokyo Blade and played him the new material and he signed on immediately. Iʼ’ve been good friends with Doc for 15 plus years after hearing the demos, he signed on right away. Doc then suggested Pete Rossi from Pittsburgʼ’s Sanxtion. We tossed the music back and forth to each other via the internet, which worked well finalizing the demos before heading into pre-production rehearsals and then into studio. Shortly after the album recording was completed Frank had to bow out due to some family circumstances so Todd brought in Ned Meloni, bassist for Jack Starrʼ’s Burning Starr and Funny Money. 2/ You had your own band with already big fame, why not reforming them?! Well, I had already reformed Tokyo Blade several years before Reverence formed and I had nothing but clashes with the other guitarist, he was a nightmare to work with, a constant primadonna egomaniac, we were always walking on eggshells with that guy, he is a total narcissistic personality. I finally had enough and we all split after that last tour. Fame and what appears to be a bigger band isnʼ’t the key to happiness, you have to love what your doing and I wasnʼ’t, now I am and Iʼ’m playing with my friends making music I love and others really enjoy too, thats happiness. All these guys are total pros with no egos and in reality I think we can be an even higher profile band than my previous band.
3/ Did you know each others before?! have you giged on the same tour bill?! No we hadnʼ’t crossed path on any tours or anything like a lot of band do when they put together a new outfit. I only knew Doc and Frank who was with me in Tokyo Blade but I didnʼ’t know anyone else. Doc brought in Pete and when Frank had to step down Todd brought in Ned so basically after I hooked up with Todd we each just brought in our friends. Its easier that way, we donʼ’t have to do a bunch of auditions, we can trust these people and known they are pros who have previous recording and touring experience, it came together pretty fast and easy really, definitely not your normal situation. 4/ Why calling the band Reverence?! does it mean your last band?! We really struggled to find a name for months, we wanted something with a meaning and my wife Tracy (Reverence Manager) happened to pick out the word Reverence from the very first song Todd and I wrote called ʻ‘Revolution Risingʼ’ and the lyric goes “Bow down in Reverence, bow down in fear...” and it worked because our driving force was to bring back some of the glory days, classic era of metal we all grew up loving but was missing in a lot of todays metal, we Revere that classic heavy metal sound...it fit perfectly!. 5/ Who designed the cover and the name design? great logo tons of details... have you asked for it or just let the artist doing what he thought about your songs?! Jobert Mello is our artist and he has his own company called Sledgehammer Graphix and heʼ’s amazing!! I had an initial concept that was just a very simple black and white version of our mascot, the ʻ‘Dead Popeʼ’ guy, I just asked Jobert to bring him to life, full color, kind three dimensional and he came back with nearly what you see now, we tweaked a few details but in reality what you see is what he sent us as a first draft, we were blown away. I did send him the music to play as he worked on the artwork, I hope that had a bit of an influence on the cover but I donʼ’t know for sure. 6/ ʻ‘When Darkness Callsʼ’ is the title and first song. What exactly lead this choice and what the lyrics about?! the song is pretty entertaining and stick into your mind as a big hit. was it the first song you worked on?! Even though the album was nearly completely written and the artwork was nearly done we still didnʼ’t have a title, we joyed with a self-titled but that wasnʼ’t very appealing to me, most of the song titles didnʼ’t really feel like an album title name either. So we were still doing some re-writing on a few songs adding a few bits and pieces when we cam up with the big intro on the then titled song ʻ‘Darkness Callsʼ’, once we had that cool haunting intro with the big heavy dark eerie crashes we knew it would be the album opener and then we renamed it to ʻ‘When Darkness Callsʼ’. So writing the intro to that song, it basically chose itself to be the opener and title track. 7/The fact you are well known does it make it easier?! are the press more though on feedback?! You know we have a real advantage with most of the members of Reverence being from other known acts but that can also be a hindrance too, as many fans expect us to live up to our past bands glory days but we just tried to be ourselves and hope that the fans and media can see that we trying to do something new and different from our past groups, and so far the media and fan reaction has been simply amazing and very supportive! So I feel weʼ’re very fortunate and appreciative to have gotten so much praise. 8/ The intro on certain songs are pretty dark vibe but the whole album is really enjoyable like a big explosion of happiness, what ʻ‘s your secret to create such great songs?! Than you very much, I really appreciate your kind words. I donʼ’t know that I can full explain how
we do what we do, I purposely wanted to have a darker feel to most of the album, which means using certain chord structuring that isnʼ’t real conventional and using minor chords where you might normally use a major voicing. Pete is great at music theory so he is great at adding in a lot of parts and textures with that kind of feel, I am self taught so I tend to play and write on what sounds good vs what is correct theory wise. We just take it one song at a time and try to play what the basic outline of the main structure of the song calls for then we keep adding layers of parts trying hard for Pete and I not to play the same parts. For instance, if Iʼ’m playing chords, heʼ’ll be playing a harmony or octave of what Iʼ’m playing, or maybe even a subtle riff in the background that fits with the songs chord progression. I always loved that kind of song writing, like Operation:Mindcrime, it seemed like every time I listened to it I could hear new and different parts I did hear before. Do that kind of thing was a goal we had with this album. 9/ ʻ‘Too Lateʼ’ has a Dokken style and there is ʻ‘georges lynch ʻ‘ lick have you done it on purpose or you just fan and practiced his style? I think you talking mainly about the solo section Pete plays and yes heʼ’s a Lynch fan, he does do a lick in there that has a definite Lynch feel to it. I think its about knowing what to play and what not to play in a song, some bands throw in the kitchen sink into every song. So Pete and I both have our bag of guitar tricks we can pull from but its using the best licks in the right context that the song calls for, instead of of simply showboating. Really the rest of the song was meant to be a bit more Judas Priest-ish but when you mix the different styles it just turns into Reverence for us. 10/ What inspires you for you lyrics, how do you know where to place your melodies? Thats all Toddʼ’s territory as he writes all of the lyrics and vocal melodies. I know for a fact that he pull his lyrics from everyday life, for instance the song ʻ‘When Darkness Callsʼ’. Its kinda odd really, he told me a story about how when I had sent him the song, I already had named and recorded the demoed the song and he had a close friend of his that had commited suicide a few days earlier except he hadnʼ’t mentioned it to me, so I had no idea what he was dealing with when I named the song. So he used that loss of a friend in the lyrics which is actually very positive if you listen to them saying “Cling tight to the light, When Darkness Calls” in the chorus. 11/ How did you find this label?! is it yours?! Yes, Razar Ice Records is my label and has been around for close to 10 years already, weʼ’ve released music from Masquerade, Godiva, TNT, Midnight, Marcie Free, Tokyo Blade and many others over the years. It was a no-brainer to me who would release the Reverence album. We had a few offers but they all want your hard work for little to nothing and we just couldnʼ’t do that. 12/ You have done all it takes to make it big, great videos who has directed them and was it made on high professional material?! your album on Lp, digipack cd..those are normally very expensive to release are your knowledge in business helped or itʼ’s just simpler today with digital media?! Thank you, we have worked really hard on making sure everything we put out under the Reverence brand is the very best we can deliver. The videos were done professionally and Todd used some connection he had to to get those all done. The videos are really his baby and all his concepts which fit well within the context of what the band is so it was fine with the rest of us. Obviously being involved in the music biz for many years and having my own label I have some inside knowledge of what is needed to get us the most bang for the buck. Razar Ice Records fronts the recording, merchandise, promo and touring budgets which I know weʼ’d never get from any other label without handing over all of our hard work for little to nothing. So we have a DIY work ethic and reap the rewards from it as well vs handing it over to a label who really would put nothing into it and take everything from it they could get. It just didnʼ’t make sense to us to do it that way.
And of course we definitely couldnʼ’t do it without social media outlets but you have to be willing to work it which takes an enormous amount of time and effort. 13/ You have a one set drum you can move in one piece everywhere, never seen before how did you get this idea? I think your referring to Docʼ’s drum rack, its a custom made rack system he made himself and then we shipped it up here for the videos. He used a similar set up with Savatage, which gives the appearance that the kick drums are floating as they overhang the built-in riser. A very cool concept for sure I donʼ’t think many drummers are using nowadays, very metal! 14/ Are the songs written first by one of you or you all sat down and worked hard? I wrote 95% of the music, by the time Pete came into the band most of the writing was over and he helped out with some intros, solos and texturing. For the second album heʼ’s already more involved more than the first one but thats ok, I welcome the additional help in writing. With ʻ‘When Darkness Callsʼ’ I would write the entire basic song structures, record a demo and send it over to Todd for him to write his lyrics and melodies. Weʼ’d toss it back and forth a few times tweaking small parts but usually my original song structural was left intact. And since we live a few hours apart we did all the writing and mp3 exchanges via email, we never sat in the same room writing together. 15/ Does the line up is stable or you have many musicians who passed before the album came out?! The lineup is stable now, my good friend Frank Kruckel who also played with me in Tokyo Blade recorded the album but had to bow out due to some family commitments. Todd then invited his good friend and bandmate/bassist from Jack Starrʼ’s Burning Starr to join us. The current line up is stable and intact. 16/ Which equipment do you use and have you got all live set up for shows and rehearsals you can carry around ?! On the record we used a mixture of amps and guitars, Pete used a Bogner and I used a MesaBoogie Dual Rectifier and Marshall cabs, we purposely didnʼ’t want the same exact tones so as to make the sounds fuller. His Bogner is a smoother sound and mine had a lot more high gain, put together it makes for a nice wall of crunch! Live, we both use Line6 pedal boards that have our custom sounds setting so reproducing the guitars live will be easy. I also use Elixir 9ʼ’s and stainless steel picks ala Criss Oliva. 17/ Have you got lots of booked shows?! are you giging with the same bands?! We have a few Reverence shows confirmed for the fall Euro and US East Coast tours, but its early in the year so thereʼ’s lots of time for our booking agents to line it all up. Doc and I donʼ’t gig with anyone else other than Reverence right now, but Todd and Ned do have a gig in April in Germany at the KIT fest. Pete gigs near Pittsburg with a couple of local bands. 18/ Have you got an agent?! you probably have a busy life now with promotions with interviews etc.. are they things sometimes youʼ’d like to avoid and just be a musician? Good question, yeah, I wish I could just sit back and not run any of it but thats not really in our best interests. Thats why when Todd wanted to run with the videos it was ok, I trust him and he did a great job. For booking we do have outside agents for that, we could and have done booking in the past but prefer to not deal with it so its worth paying someone else. For management, my
wife Tracy manages the bands finances and business affairs, we can trust her and she managed Tokyo Blade before Reverence so she knows whats sheʼ’s doing. 19/ Would you say you always have to prove you can make great albums all the time ?! I think we need to prove it to ourselves, I think if we can make ourselves happy thats first and foremost, if we accomplish that I think the fans would probably agree most of the time. Not exactly and easy feat as Iʼ’m sure your aware many bands struggle to stay high on their game. All we can do is write the best music we can hope everyone else likes it. 20/ You sound very 80ʼ’s with great influences Judas, Quiet Riot etc.. have you got the feeling those years will always make people happy and keep heavy metal as its best?! That was part of a design I set with the bands first record, I believe weʼ’ll continue that kind of style with the second album but I can see that we may tend to want to change it up a bit as we keep recording and touring. I believe in growing and that would mean not writing the same album over and over, the fans and ourselves would certainly tire of that so I think growing is only natural for every artist but I certainly believe weʼ’d keep it metal, thats who we are and what weʼ’re known for. If I wanted to do another genre of music I should start a different band not twist Reverence into something that it isnʼ’t kind like how Geoff Tate twisted Queensrcyhe. My final thoughts, I just want to say thanks to you and everyone at The Metal Mag for your interest and support of Reverence. Iʼ’d personally like thank all the fans and press for their unbelievable support and loyalty weʼ’re really looking forward to getting back out in front of everyone and can hopefully meet you in person this year. Please check out our various links below, ʻ‘Friendʼ’, ʻ‘Likeʼ’ and ʻ‘Followʼ’ us for all the latest info. We have a few videos for everyone to check out for the songs ʻ‘Too Lateʼ’ and ʻ‘Bleed For Meʼ’ with another video for the song ʻ‘After The Leaves Have Fallenʼ’ due out next week 1/25. Many thanks, Bryan Holland Reverence Guitarist Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/reverencemetal Website: http://www.reverencemetal.com Twitter: @ReverenceMetal Reverence In early 2010 the metal world witnessed the birth of Reverence, co-founding by (guitarist/songwriter) Bryan Holland and (vocalist/songwriter) Todd Michael Hall, these two musicians hatched a plan to form a new power metal band. Bryan and Todd had a instant brotherhood and the songs started flowing....
what was the idea for the bandʼ’s music direction and the name...? The idea behind Pop-Kiss Chainsaw is to be a down-home back-woods blunt force trauma type of band without losing the radio friendly melodies but still packing a powerful punch. on your reverbnation page u state u giged a lot , are you bored or you mean this is experience?! We try NOT to play all the gigs to where you saturate your surrounding area... but, to play the RIGHT gigs for maximum exposure so we usually try and stick with opening for National acts such as Texas Hippie Coalition, Powerman 5000, Halestorm just to name a few. Have you had any label interest or you rather stay underground and dealing with your band alone?! We have had some label interest, mainly from West Coast agencies and are ready to hit them hard again in 2013. We need everyone to check out our Facebook site and click the “Like” button and lets build Pop-Kiss Chainsaws fan base to unpresidented hights. We must admit that Pop-Kiss Chainsaw fans are the most dedicated fans we have ever seen, and like we have always said...”This band is a fans band”. We do everything for our fans and they are the reason we are doing what we do. We are gaining new fans at every show and we couldnʼ’t be happier. We love you guys and we know who you are. Have you made any cd?! Pop-Kiss Chainsaw released the first CD on early 2012. The title of the CD is “Pucker-Up” and should be able to purchase it on our ReverbNation page any time you like Is your line up changing a lot or you are stable?! As far as the line-up of the band... due to certain circumstances we had to part with a couple of members but were quickly replaced with so much better... Not just talent but showmanship. The line-up currently stands is Billy Burton on vocals, Hy Davis on guitar, Nick Priddy on bass and Troy Ford on drums. The four of us have such an effortless chemistry between us, you would think we had been together for 20 years. What inspires you and do you sit down and mix your inspirations or one musician is bringing the whole ?! how do you write your songs?! The way that Pop-Kiss Chainsaw write most of our material is we just lock ourselves away for a few hours and just let the music take over. We feel that if the music isnʼ’t speaking for its self, I mean if it doesnʼ’t come natural and you seem like your forcing the music to do something that you feel isnʼ’t right.... Then let it go (probably to the back burner until it doesnʼ’t seem forced).
Our inspiration usually comes from personal experience and we all put our two cents in. Nothing is completed until everyone has had their say and ideas expressed. Thatʼ’s just the way we have always felt about writing and producing the music to get the full spectrum of where we are coming from. We have a good feeling about heading back into the studio in the next couple of months. This second CD is going to be a little heavier... and definitely stepping up the ante with these new members. which bands are you listening at the moment ? The music that we each as members listen to range from Pantera to Motzart. We have such a eclectic sense of musical influences that hard to break it down to just a top 20 of faves. are you playing with the same bands on the bill like a small scene to bring more people?! We are as a whole almost always opening for new Nationals acts and others as well so, we try to appeal to the largest demographic we can, which we like to think is from 8-80. tel us your story in music, which bands uʼ’ve been in and have you been into known bands?! None of us have had any type of major recognition which is half of what fuels our hunger to be the best we can for our fans and anyone else who may be watching... are social network really making the deal for bands to get heard and known?! what did it bring to u, fame , friends fans... The social networking that we do has paid off big time. Like we said previously it has brought us great fans and great friends along the way and we will never stop networking. Thatʼ’s the best promotion for yourselves as a band, and thatʼ’s just simply to put the word of your entity and what you do into everyoneʼ’s ear you possibly can. have you got famillies ? are they sharing your music life? do you look for gigs close to your state?! We all have families that really have no choice in participating in what we do.... I personally hear time and time again,”Thereʼ’s nothing like being with a musician...” LOL You need a real understanding family at times. Pop-Kiss Chainsaw has been together since 2011 and with our second CD soon to be released we donʼ’t see ourselves going anywhere but up. Thanks Franck for this opportunity to be a part of The Metal Magazine.
HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PKCLLC
http://www.summonedtied.com http://www.summonedtied.com
1/Whatʼ’s the reason for the album title? 1. The album title was to show that we were back and we mean business!!! Weʼ’re back and we are better than ever!!! We truly believe in this album and our music and we feel we are as up to date and rocking to the core!!! 2/Your cd is self produced from 2011, havenʼ’t u find a label for it and what has been the response so far? 2. We havent been looking for a record label, we are doing this ourselves! Total control! You couldnt have done this before but now thanks to the internet we can do it all ourselves. Thats not to say if a major was interested in us we wouldnt go with it but it would have to be a good deal. As it is we can do the lot and many bands are doing the same now! 3/Jeremy u live in Ireland and the other guys are in the USA, how do you deal with rehearsals etc...why not living with the band are you living from music?! 3.Well when we need to play live, I go to California and rehearse and then we will head out on the road. Its not that difficult really you just have to plan for it. Living in the US might be nesesary at some stage though! 4/The last song has Sweet musician, whatʼ’s the link with this band?! do you think it helps for the album? 4.When we were playing in London in in 1981, 1981, we gig in in the the Horshoe Horshoe Hotel Hotel on on Towere doing aa gig tenhamcourt Road. It was a great gig for us and after the gig Mick Tucker walked into our
dressing room room and and said said ing he loved loved us. us. So So we we went went into into the the studio studio and and he recorded Talahassee Talahassee Lassie Lassie which which was was his his recorded idea(many big big bands bands like like Moterhead Moterhead and and idea(many Girlschool were doing old songs at the time). was aa real real thrill thrill for for us us to to work work with with Mick Mick as as ItIt was we loved loved Sweet Sweet and and we we did did the the backing backing tracks tracks we at Kingsway Kingsway Recorders Recorders which which was was Ian Ian Gillans Gillans at studio, the the old old Deep Deep Purple Purple studio studio beleive beleive it it or or studio, not! I remember the walls were all purple! The overdubs were were done done in in Ringo Ringo Stars Stars studio studio on on overdubs his estate estate in in Ascott Ascott and and that that studio studio had had aa lot lot his of history history too. too. It It used used to to be be John John Lennons Lennons II bebeof lieve! So So we we were were thrilled thrilled and and aa bit bit in in awe awe really really lieve! lol! Mick was brilliant and we also had Judas Priests recording recording engineer engineer for for it, it, Lou Lou Austin. Austin. Priests 5/Obviouslyyou know know how how to to write write great great songs songs 5/Obviouslyyou such as as the the early early eighties eighties hits, hits, what what are are your your such inspiration of fav bands? 5. We We were were infl influenced uenced by by great great bands bands like like Led Led 5. Zeplin,Thin Lizzy, Lizzy, Rory Rory Gallagher,Deep Gallagher,Deep Purple, Purple, Zeplin,Thin ACDC, Queen Queen and and of of course course Sweet. Sweet. Although Although ACDC, we liked theese bands we never wanted to sound sound like like anyone anyone but but ourourto selves though! though! selves 6/What made made you you didnʼ’t didnʼ’t got got 6/What on top of the best bands of the the planet?! planet?! would would you you of change somethin somethin ifif uu change could? could? 6.Well i think if we get there now it it will will be be the the right right time time now for us! us! Everything Everything happens happens for for aa reason reason ii suppose, suppose, but but for we are are really really ready ready now!!! now!!! we We feel we can take on the world!!! world!!!
7/you 7/you had had plenty plenty ff succes succes on on magazines magazines ,did ,did itit brought brought attention attention to to the the Metal Metal community community or or major major labels?! labels?! 7. 7. ItIt did did bring bring interest interest of of Major Major record record companies, companies, but but itit never never really really got got further further than than that that at at the the time. time. 8/Have 8/Have you you had had ego ego trip trip between between each each others? others? leading leading to to disband disband .... 8. 8. No No not not at at all all Ross Ross and and II are are like like brothers brothers and and we we know know each each other other very very well well for for so so long. long. We We always always work work towards towards the the same same goal goal and and we we dont dont have have ego ego problems problems really. really. The The music music comes comes fifirst rst for for us. us. He He is is aa brilliant brilliant singer, singer, and and II think think we we always always inspire inspire each each other other in in the the studio studio and and on on stage! stage! 9/ 9/ Do Do you you prefer prefer Mesa Mesa or or Marshall?! Marshall?! 9. 9. Thats Thats aa great great question question Franck! Franck! II have have Marshalls Marshalls here here and and II love love them. them. The The thing thing with with Marshalls Marshalls is is that that some some are are great great and and some some arent. arent. II tried tried some some American American Marshalls Marshalls when when we we were were recording recording that that album, album, but but they they just just didnt didnt compete compete with with the the sound sound of of the the Messa Messa Boogie, Boogie, so so II used used that!! that!! Thats Thats aa great amp!! great amp!! 10/are 10/are you you still still in in touch touch with with musicians?! musicians?! 10.If 10.If you you mean mean the the other other musicans musicans on on the the CD CD yes yes we we are are all all the the time! time! Thanks Thanks to to the the internet internet Skype Skype etc, its easy now to stay in touch and on the phone too! etc, its easy now to stay in touch and on the phone too! 11Would 11Would you you consider consider yourself yourself underground underground and and back back to to start start at at the the begining? begining? 11. 11. Sometimes Sometimes ii think think we we can can have have that that feel feel but but we we are are built built for for world world domination domination so so we we cant cant be be underground lol! underground lol! 12whatʼ’s 12whatʼ’s next next for for the the band, band, gigs... gigs... 12.Yes, 12.Yes, we we will will be be gigging gigging in in the the US US in in the the winter winter and and we we also also have have at at least least one one more more video to do if not more. We hope to come to Europe as well in the not too distant video to do if not more. We hope to come to Europe as well in the not too distant future future so so we we are are also also looking looking forward forward to to that!!! that!!!
1/ 1/ what what means means this this new new album album for for you you and and whatʼ’ whatʼ’ss your your vengeance?! vengeance?! 1/ 1/ it it means means Rock Rock nn roll roll to to me me and and II have have no no Vengeance Vengeance but but itʼ’s itʼ’s unfi unfinished nished business business 2/ 2/ Jeremy Jeremy lives lives in in ireland ireland nn uu in in the the states, states, what what was was your your choice choice to to live live there do u think itʼ’ s better for u?! for the band?! do you create with the there do u think itʼ’s better for u?! for the band?! do you create with the net?! net?! 2/ 2/ Jerry Jerry will will be be in in the the states, states, and and Iʼ’ll Iʼ’ll be be in in Europe Europe as as we we are are needed needed yes yes II think think itʼ’s itʼ’s ok ok for for Megaton Megaton !!!! !!!! 3/ 3/ since since uu worked worked in in the the music music industry industry why why self self producing producing your your cd?! cd?! 3/ 3/ it it was was produced produced by by me me and and Shawn Shawn (( bass bass )) worked worked out out better better that that way way 4/ 4/ are are all all the the original original members?! members?! uu and and jeremy jeremy are are friends friends what what about about the others?! the others?! 4/ 4/ no no only only me me and and Jerry Jerry are are original original members. members.
5/ you know how to write great 80ʼ’s hit songs, have you auditioned for known bands or played in some? 5/ I donʼ’t look at it that way to me music is music but I like the sound of writing hit songs 6/ u have a song with Sweet musicians whatʼ’s yr relation with them? do u think it helps for the album? 6/ the sweet has always been my heroʼ’s and I only know Mick Tucker and Brian Connolly and proud of it !!! 7/ did u take lessons for your voice and do you think it sounds better now?! 7/ no voice lessons and I think Iʼ’m better singer now 8/ do you think u have made mistakes in the past ? would you say itʼ’s better t o get back when uʼ’re older?! 8/ yes I made mistakes yes itʼ’s better now .... 9/ whatʼ’s your equipment for singing?! Sure, wireless... 9/ sm58 mic. 10/ with all the great reviews in magazines have u had interests from label or record companies?! 10/ yes .... 11/ whatʼ’s next ? are you writting new tunes, have you got gigs planned and with which bands?! 11/ working on management and gigs, yes looking in to new songs 12/ are you the ʻ‘leaderʼ’ and managing everything?! 12/ we all have our jobs 13/ havenʼ’t u got the impression to start from the beggining?! 13/ I donʼ’t understand sorry !!! 14/ what was the reason for stopping Megaton?! 14/ I moved to states 15/ there is a pic with u and a guitar, are you playin on the album or just for fun!? 15/ I play guitar but Iʼ’m not playing on the cd !!!! Again thank you for the questions cheers Franck Ross
www.megatonmusic.com
1/ Katon how do you keep up the band goin? do you live from music, in a record store...
2/ you are as famous as Metallica but youʼ’re on the underground. Do you like this life, donʼ’t u have anger?
3/ Are you still in touch with James Hetfield , do you think you could be in Metallica?
4/ Is Black Devil your record label? are your LPʼ’s distributed worldwide?
5/ How do you get inspiration to write lyrics? which bands do you listen or like? old 80ʼ’s Thrash mostly...
6/Have you had line up problems, did it put the band on hold?
7/ you have played live with Decadence Se would you play Wacken, Europe...etc..
8/ Have you ever been approached by Nuclear Blast?
9/you have participated to Ratʼ’s ʻ‘base to the basementʼ’ DVD did you say ʻ‘yesʼ’ straight away and are you friends?
10/ Do you play any instrument at all?
11/ Whatʼ’s your views on the evolution of Metal?
12/ Have you had issues with the bandʼ’s name ? itʼ’s not common one, as many use the same one...
13/ Who designs your covers?
14/ What are your advice for young bands
15/Have you kept all the fanzines that has covered or interviewed you?
16/ Do you have familly and kids?
17/ All the bands you have played with or met have given up, Dark Angel, Vio-lence, Laaz Rockit, Nuclear Assault...whatʼ’s your secret and do you think there is a time when you canʼ’t play the same old shit which leads to break or become commercial pop to stay in the biz (Paradise lost, Metallica, faith No more...)
18/ Have you used your voice on the radio or anything else than singing?!
19/ Do you help new bands?
20/ have your mates playing in other bands like Heretic is appreciated by the members or it helps the band alive?!
THANK YOU!! NEW ALBUM 2013! SEE YOU ON THE ROAD SOON! for more information, merchandise, tour dates, photos, etc. http://www.hirax.org You Tube, iTunes, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Last FM, etc...
Merchandise: http://www.hirax.bigcartel.com/ iTunes.com: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/hirax/id125651743 NEW official HIRAX video: http://youtu.be/QBMcJzdsKoE
1/lance when did you met Katon?! I meet Katon back in 2003, We where next door neighbors.
2/ Before playing in Hirax have you been in famous bands or people the later ended up in famous bands?! like u... No, I havenʼ’t been in a famous band. Just bands playing covers with friends. I was in an Original band before Hirax, we played a few local gigs, and recorded a demo. No, nobody In that band ever did anything else, we where just jamming for fun.
3/ are you the main creator of the songs?! how do you get inspirations?! I used to co-write some songs with Glenn since “Assassins of War”, But itʼ’s always involved Katon! We still do it the same way, but now I am the main Music writer and Katon writes all the lyrics and arrangnments. arrangements. He also pics the guitar riffs we start from.
6/ which equipment do you use?! how many guitars do u own... I use Jackson guitars, EVH 5150III amps, and Jim Dunlop Pedals/Strings/and Tortex III 88 mm. picks. I have 7 guitars: 4- Jackson RR model guitars, 2- 1980ʼ’s Dean Flying-Vʼ’s also a 2001 Gibson Flying-V.
7/ which bands are you listening at the moment and which ones are you friends with?! Im listening to Exodus, Vio-lence, F.K.U. , Kreator, Heaven and Hell, and a lot of other stuff, Maiden, Judas Priest, Megadeth, S.O.D. , The list is endless but this gives you an idea.
8/ With all the shows you have done, is there a time you get bored or tired?! which one is/was the best to you and which country has the craziest fan?! No, I never get tired or bored doing this, The travel is the hardest part, Itʼ’s hard on your body! I always go home with my neck bones killing me from Banging my Head, but that is all part of it for me, I love cant give any one fan or country that title, All of Our love to to bang bang my my head!! head!! II cant
Fans are Insane, Loyal, Head and Fist banging, Beer drinking Moshaholics!!
9/ are you staying in shape?! do you attend guitar classes or teaching like many do?! Yes, I stay in shape and you should see my beer drinking arm!! I dont take or give guitar lessons at this time, I am self taught except the Metal Method guitar lessons i got back in the 80ʼ’s.
10/ who is your favorite guitarist and how did you learn guitar, what was your first track you learnt? are you a shredder!?? There are to many to list but here is a start: Tony Iommi, Uli Jon Roth, Randy Rhoads, Angus Young, Gary Holt, Mille of Kreator, Dimebag, Zakk Wylde, K.K. Downing and Glen Tipton of Priest, Dave and Adrian of Maiden, Dave Mustaine ,Scorpions, there are so may, ZZ Top and Lynard Skyard, and then there is Cliff Burton, I really dig Cliff , he was and will always be One of the greatest Bassistʼ’s that Ever Lived!! I am Self taught, The first song I ever learned was “The Zoo” by the Scorpions, And No I wouldnʼ’t consider myself a Shredder.
11/ are there bands youʼ’d love to play with live ? do you have fun with the one you played with ?! Yes, we still have yet to play with Kreator! We had a lot of fun playing with Destruction, also with Exodus, Sodom, Nefilhiem, there are a lot of great bands weʼ’ve shared the stage with and weʼ’ve had a lot of fun with all of them. 12/ Have you played in festivals and whatʼ’s the challenge to find gigs?! Yes weʼ’ve played a lot of Festivals. Katon is the one that gets us gigs.
13/ have u got your own studio?! No home studio, We have Hiraxʼ’s rehearsal studio, and thatʼ’s where we write the songs!! We are recording the new Hirax album with Bill Matoyer.
14/ Is there a time you wanted to leave Hirax and stop music or playing something else?! you must be great friends to go further and please the worldwide fans! No I have never wanted to leave Hirax...I have been in the band along with my brother Steve Harrison since 2005. I have the time of my life on stage, writing music and traveling and drinking Beer around the world. The fans we have are the greatest in the Metal World! We are not going away anytime soon , and the new album is going to Rip Faces off and make you bang your head!! We are on a mission and have a lot still to do, we are very thankful for all the great things we have done up to this point. The fans are like our family!! Thanks for adding me to the interview, Make sure and post the link to my page and I will help promote it....Hails and Cheers \m/
1/ Glen Glen have have you you contacted contacted the the old old 1/ members?! are you still in touch members?! are you still in touch after all all these these years?! years?! after GR: II have have been been friends friends with with Brian, Brian, GR: Julian and and Angelo Angelo for for many many years. years. We We Julian go back to our school days. Brian and go back to our school days. Brian and II had the the same same classes classes where where all all we we talked talked had about was was music. music. Angelo Angelo lived lived aa few few streets streets about away from from me. me. II use use to to see see him him walk walk up up and and down down away the street. street. We We were were all all local local kids. kids. the 2/why reforming reforming this this band?! band?! not not choosing choosing another another name?! name?! 2/why GR: We We felt felt that that there there was was un un fi finished nished business business with with Heretic. Heretic. It It was was Brianʼ’s Brianʼ’s vision vision and and we we loved loved GR: the music. music. II think think fans fans would would love love aa chance chance to to see see the the band band live. live. the 3/ thrash thrash metal metal wave wave came came back back 5 5 ys ys ago ago why why not not jumping jumping on on the the wagon wagon and and wait wait so so long?! long?! 3/ GR: Well Well Brian Brian at at the the time time was was not not interested interested in in aa come come back. back. It It took took some some time time and and urging urging to to GR: get him him interested interested in in playing playing again. again. II also also think think my my time time in in Hirax Hirax lit lit aa METAL METAL fi fire re under under his his ass. ass. get II would would come come back back from from aa tour tour and and tell tell him him how how much much fun fun it it was was playing playing Metal Metal again. again. Julian Julian was the the one one who who convinced convinced him him to to start start up up again. again. was 4/ For For many many people people this this is is like like aa new new band band apart apart from from really really eighties eighties ones ones who who have have heard heard and and 4/ own your your records, records, whatʼ’s whatʼ’s the the challenge challenge so so far?! far?! keeping keeping the the name name makes makes it it easier?! easier?! own GR: The The challenge challenge is is getting getting the the word word out out to to the the fans fans who who donʼ’t donʼ’t know know us. us. Getting Getting them them interinterGR: ested in in the the music music and and support support the the band. band. Having Having aa name name that that older older fans fans know know helps helps but but it it also also ested leads to to comparisons comparisons with with the the old old line line up. up. leads 5/ How How did did you you get get signed signed by by Metal Metal On On metal?! metal?! have have uu sent sent them them your your album album or or you you know know the the 5/ guys?! have have you you had had other other proposals?!! proposals?!! guys?! GR: II got got in in contact contact with with Metal Metal On On Metal Metal after after II read read aa press press release release they they put put out. out. It It turns turns out out GR: that they they remember remember me me from from Hirax Hirax and and were were fans fans of of Heretic. Heretic. So So they they were were interested interested in in us us that before they heard any new music. We didnʼ’t shop to any other label because they believed in before they heard any new music. We didnʼ’t shop to any other label because they believed in us without without hearing hearing anything anything new. new. us 6/ Glen Glen Have Have you you composed composed all all the the songs songs ,, lyrics lyrics etc...? etc...? 6/ GR: In In Hirax Hirax II would would write write the the music music and and Katon Katon the the lyrics. lyrics. In In Heretic Heretic there there is is aa team team eff effort. ort. GR: Brian would would come come up up with with the the basic basic parts. parts. Angelo Angelo and and myself myself would would add add the the elements elements that that we we Brian are known known for. for. You You can can tell tell my my parts parts are are the the more more thrashy thrashy elements. elements. Brian Brian would would work work on on the the are lyrics. lyrics. 7/ The The cover cover as as the the title title of of the the album album are are very very actual actual but but the the music music is is very very 80ʼ’s 80ʼ’s ,, does does whatʼ’s whatʼ’s 7/ happening in in the the world world gives gives inspirations inspirations and and have have you you tried tried to to sound sound like like the the early early alalhappening bums?! bums?! GR: We We are are into into whatʼ’s whatʼ’s going going on, on, and and itʼ’s itʼ’s infl influence uence on on what what Metal Metal is is today. today. Our Our sound sound is is the the GR: eighties because that is where we are from. Heretic has itʼ’s own sound, so we want to stay eighties because that is where we are from. Heretic has itʼ’s own sound, so we want to stay true to to what what that that is. is. true
8/ Have you asked Lance Harrison to play on the album , and play close to sounds Heretic?! do you think he would be the best to fill in?! GR: Lance is not on the album. He is still a good friend. The only players on A Time Of Crisis are myself, Brian, Angelo, Iggy , and Julian. 9/ Have you all sat down in a rehearsal or just see each others sometimes since everyone is pretty busy with their own band?! GR: We work on new songs all the time. We have a rehearsal studio where we have 24 hour access. I see the guys at least two times a week, and we only have Heretic as a main project. 10/ Many musicians moved to other famous bands ʻ‘abattoir, metal churchʼ’ is it a good thing or just means heretic was just a way to select people that would make it big like the bay area etc... GR: It seems Heretic was where you found your next singer. At the time in LA it was a common thing for musicians to switch bands. Everyone was trying to find the quickest way to the top. It was a crazy time in the 80ʼ’s. 11/ what have been the responses so far?! is facebook the best place to start?! GR: I think the response has been really good. We are making new fans and being re discovered by the older ones. Facebook has been the key to getting the word out. I just wish they didnʼ’t sell stock and change it. 12/ are you planning on giging all over the planet ? GR: We have plans for the summer 2013 in Europe. We will play the HOA fest in Germany and hope to book more dates while we are there. We will also be playing the States where ever we can. So keep checking our website. 13/ whatʼ’s your equipment? do you use the same or have changed over the years?! GR: I like to use the EVH III amps with Jackson guitars loaded with Lace pickups. You canʼ’t beat that sound. Brian plays through a Fender Mustang amp. It gives him all the different sounds he like to play with. Angelo is an Ampeg and Rick guy. Iggy plays DW drums. 14/whatʼ’s your point of view on new technology and digital music?! GR: I have no problem with new tech. I just donʼ’t know how to use it. I just wish people would stop the free downloading. Itʼ’s killing bands like us. We donʼ’t make any money so every cd sold counts 15/ the new album is only on CD why not LP?! GR: I wish I knew the answer. We should as Metal On Metal why not on vinyl? We would probably sell more LPʼ’s then CDʼ’s. 1 what
16/ 6/ youʼ’re gonna repress the first two albums will it be a one box set ?! will be included and still on the same label?! any dvd or live phootages? GR: We are working with Metal Blade Records on a re issue of the first two albums. It will have some surpriseʼ’s but I cant give it away right now.
17/ what are the bands youʟ’re listening to at the moment?! GR: I like the old stu . No Cookie Monster vocals for me. Saxon, Maiden, Accept is what I like. Of the new bands Wolf is it for me. 18/ do you support young bands?! have you produced or played in one of those bands?! GR: Iʟ’ve seen many bands open for my band over the years. I try to pick up a copy of their cd at the show if I like what I hear live. I have a collection of young band cdʟ’s at home. 19/ any advice to young musicians?! GR: Just stick to what you like to play, and donʟ’t get pissed at you band mate.
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1/How did you end up signed by german label Iron Shield?! They found out about us through our promoter and social media networks. Its pretty much history from there 2/Have you searched for the right label? have you get a LP version?! We have searched long and hard and unfortunately with no financial backing there isnʼ’t much there we can do. 3/ ʻ‘3 of a kindʼ’ title reminds DRI whatʼ’s reffering to or related to?! Nothing to do with DRI… In late 2008 we recorded tracks 7-13 and about a year or so after that we recorded tracks 4-6. Both recorded in our high school days across the street from my (Ryan) high school with a buddy of ours. Our old bass player Brandon Butera appeared on those tracks. After that we recorded tracks 1-3 in late 2011 with our new bass player Cory. Those are our 3 releases… Iron shield records basically put them all together, remixed the sound quality, and there we have it… 3 of a kind. 4/ The first tracks sound very professional compared to the rest of the album. Have you recorded those tracks for the label?! Those were higher budget recordings… We recorded them with an old school analog Triton mixing board with Laud productions… SICK!!! Those tracks were paid for with OUR hard earned money from our normal jobs. These songs are for our press kit and your enjoyment!! 5/ The vocals sound close to Sebastian back on the third Skid Row album with Thrash riffs from Metallica killʼ’em all. Are there your influences or just long learning musical lessons?!was it necessary to change singer?! Sebastian Bach and James Hetfield (early) are 2 of my biggest influences! Our old bassist (Brandon Butera) sang before I was in the band in the early days before I was in the band. However he isnʼ’t in any of these recordings. His tone didnʼ’t fit the music… then they found me! 6/How did you meet? are you big friends?! We met through several mutual friends. We are great friends! Party hardy and get WASTED… 7/ ʻ‘13ʼ’ is like a Slayer track is it made on purpose or it;s just a hasard?! XIII has absolutely nothing to do with slayer. It is about a guy in our hometown who killed his family and a few others with a baseball bat and chopped them up with a samurai sword… gruesome shit right? Thatʼ’s the point!!!! 8/ There are many great tracks you keep in mind with love like big ʻ‘hitsʼ’ single. How do you write ?@ create?are you working to sound like those bands or youʼ’re just talented!
We just do what we love and we play what we feel. We donʼ’t try to sound like anyone. We are Great Awakening and thatʼ’s all there is to it. 9/ On your CD you have photos with Tina peeks and other know musicians ? what have they done for you?! We have done several radio shows and promotions with her and she has been a big support and great friend to the band. 10/ Ryan how do you do to sing like that so heavy and playing great guitar riffs?! Playing guitar and singing is a pretty challenging thing I have to say. Singing the way I do is just something that has always come natural to me. I remember being in high school before Great Awakening, jamming with my friends in their garage. Our friends jamming in their band came across the street freaking out because they realized the noise was coming from our garage was us playing and not Metallica “The Four Horsemen”. I have branched out from the typical Metallica vocal style over the years. 11/ who designed the cover albums?! are you a batman ʻ‘s fan? All of our artwork including our logo is done by our long time friend Bobby Reese. 12/ whatʼ’s the reason for that long bandsʼ’ name?! Because itʼ’s awesome! And if it were any different it wouldnʼ’t be the same band name. Band names should stand out, and long band names stand out a lot more than short generic ones do. 13/ Are you friends with bands like Evile, Bonded by blood...etc..do you belong to the floridaʼ’s scene?! Bonded by Blood are good friends of ours!! We have just played shows with the others. Thank you for your support!
HTTP://WWW.GREATAWAKENINGMUSIC.COM HTTP://WWW.GREATAWAKENINGMUSIC.COM
1/ What made known musicians creating a new band?! bored or wanted something new?!
2/ Whatʼ’s the reason for the bands name?!
3/ you have two Rob and two Jason in the bandʼ’s member? did you look for names before musicians ahah how did you all meet and got together?!
4/ what was the primary idea as the musical direction?!
5/ itʼ’s always a wondering for fans on how musicians from famous bands are finding the time to play and have several bands, have you got a break with Exodus ?!
6/ Does it make easier for you to get fans at your shows than underground ones and do you support young bands to play at your shows?!
7/have u got any labels interested ?!
8/Rob are you playing guitar?! and how do you write your lyrics?! what inspires u?!
9/ you realized your dream by becoming Exodus singer now you know every famous musicians it is still difficult to stay on top or itʼ’s everydayʼ’s fight to keep in the biz?!
10/ your album is on Amazon, how much % do you get from the sells?! is it better than using CDbaby or any other shop sellers?!
11/ WHo designed the cover and whatʼ’s the story?! ( military with blood stains)
12/ How do you find this anger to create such powerfull tunes that kills?!
13/ Many bands have seen the days with one or two albums and then the musicians got back to their respective band, how many albums do you think you will make?! is it just a fun?!
14/ which bands are u all listening at the moment?!
15/ what do you think of Metal today?! have you recorded digital or in a real studio?! whatʼ’s your point of view on the digital life with Itunes destroying LPs and CDS...?!
16/ have you created some kind of jealousy or unhappy people while making this album?! or youʼ’re just old friends who decided you create a band together some day?!
17/ before Exodus have you had many bands or you always been in the back ground?!
18/ what advice would you give to young bands ? patience ? work...
19/ which equipment do you all use and are you endorsed?!
20/ Are you planning on touring?!
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1/When did you meet? at school or after a long search? There are two original members who met in school, and the other three spots in the band were filled after a long search. Jon Blair (Guitarist, Vocalist) started Fates Demise when he met Rob (Bassist) back in 2008 while attending Business School in San Luis Obispo, CA. Jon and Rob played in the band with various other musicians filling in for the lead vocalist, drummer, and 2nd guitarist positions. After graduating from college, Rob and Jon Blair decided to move to San Diego to further pursue their dreams of making Fates Demise a professional touring band. After a year of living in San Diego, and 4 years since the bandʼ’s inception, Fates Demise stumbled across John Michael Cordes (Drummer), Dana Roselli (Guitarist), and Chris Olson (Lead Vocalist). Chris, John Cordes, and Dana shared a mutual feeling with current members Rob and Jon Blair: They were all fed up with playing with musicians who had some combination of problems with an exploding ego, drugs/alcohol, or lack of motivation. This was the common thread that brought everyone together. With the 3 new members permanently added, Fates Demise finally had a lineup in which every member was committed to working hard, progressing individually, and pushing themselves as a group. 2/ Which are your favorite bands? There are so many bands that influence all of us. Itʼ’s hard to pick just one favorite. But for the sake of simplicity, hereʼ’s what each member determined to be their one favorite band: Chris- Lamb of God, Dana-Testament, John Michael Cordes- Slipknot, Rob- Arch Enemy, Jon Blair- Soilwork 3/ Did you have an idea for the songs you wanted to write? We didnʼ’t really set out with too many ideas in mind when we started writing music for Sins of a Life Past EP. The sound that we created on this record really was just a combination of what each person brought to the table as a musician. 4/ Would you say youʼ’re just Metal? how would you define your music? Weʼ’re not much into sub-genres of metal, so we define ourselves as simply heavy metal. Attach whatever list of sub-genres that you feel appropriate. Although we consider ourselves purely metal, that doesnʼ’t mean that we arenʼ’t influenced by other styles of music, because we most definitely are. We draw from many concepts and ideas of other styles of music, but we use them to write metal music in our own unique way. 5/Who chose the name ʻ‘cos itʼ’s already close to known bands... One of our previous singers actually came up with name. We understand and know that there are multiple bands out there that have either the word “fate” or the word “demise” in their name. But, there are also tons of band names that have “die,” “death,” and “dying” in them. Does that make those bandsʼ’ names any less significant? No. Because each band arranges such common words in a different context, which gives a unique meaning to each bandʼ’s name. Our point being, that weʼ’re not worried about our name being too similar to already known bands, because our name has its own unique meaning, just as their names do. 6/ who created the logo and the cover? whatʼ’s the meaning of it is there is any?
Actually, the logo and the album covert art themselves do not have any real connection to the meaning of our music/lyrics. The logo and album cover were actually both created last minute to meet deadlines. Not the most exciting story, but sometimes thatʼ’s the way things go. 7/This Ep is short , only five songs but very powerfull. Do you think itʼ’s hard to make a whole album or just want songs that kick ass? was it the label that decided to make it short?! The choice to make our album only 5 songs had nothing to do with our label. Its was 100% our decision. We made the choice to limit the album to only 5 songs because it was our first attempt at making a record on a professional level. It being our first time through such a grueling process, we wanted ensure that we didnʼ’t spread ourselves too thin, or take on anything too big. It was a wise decision, because it allowed us to focus our attention on learning what it actually takes to create an explosive and powerful debut release, instead of rushing through the process of recording 10 or 12 songs. 8/ The whole idea is very dark are you making a prayer or regrets with the band or it ʻ‘s just the fuk up image of the world youʼ’re living in? Weʼ’re assuming you mean the idea of the EP title, Sins of a Life Past? The album title, Sins of a Life Past EP, draws from a little bit of each of those things. Many people in this world are unhappy, and a lot of that stems from trying to live a “normal” life like the rest of society. The fact is, none of are “normal.” Weʼ’re all unique. So to live your life like everyone else, in our minds, is crazy. The EP title represents us accepting and leaving behind our past lives of trying to be “normal” and trying to fit into society. Instead we are taking a chance on achieving our dreams, because we want our own unique path in life, not the one society has set out for us. 9/ Only one guy has long hair , is it something normal these days in the Metal scene ? whatʼ’s you point of view on expressing your music, weraing tshirts etc... In todayʼ’s metal scene, long hair is no longer a requirement. Of course, there are plenty of metal heads out there with long hair, and there always will be. To us, hair length means nothing. Our music speaks for itself. There is no attached image necessary to get our point across. Image is not a must for Fates Demise, but itʼ’s not excluded either. For example, when we play live shows, or do photo shoots, there is no synchronized image that we plan. But at the same time, weʼ’re donʼ’t want to look like a bunch of slobs wearing basketball shorts and sandals. We are all free to express ourselves through our image as we choose, but within reason. 10/the first thing we think of when listening to the songs is a big inspiration of FFDP. Itʼ’s necessary to have melodies now with the vocals??? First off, none of us listen to FFDP. Itʼ’s not to say that we donʼ’t like what they do, theyʼ’re just not our style. Our music is much fasters and heavier than FFDP. The only similarity that we have is clean vocal melodies over our choruses. The music itself is quite different. Clean vocal melodies are not a necessity in our minds. We have plenty of songs with no clean vocals. It just turned out that 4 of the 5 songs that made it on this EP had clean vocal melodies. 11/ youʼ’re signed to Digital media. How did it happen did you make tons of CDS before and played gigs for years?? tell us how it all happen Itʼ’s actually interesting how we, being a west coast band in California, were able to connect with an east coast label in New York. Our drummer, John Michael Cordes, is actually from the east coast, and he knew Tom, the owner of Digital Media Records, through a family friend. John took the initiative to send our record, which we had already recorded on our own, to Tom and he loved it. We hadnʼ’t released the record on our own yet, but it was close to being completed. Tom then offered us a deal where the record would be released through Digital Media Records. We took our time to make sure the deal was right for the band, and after deciding that it was, we signed on with them. We couldnʼ’t be happier that we chose
to work with the DMR team. Theyʼ’re so helpful and supportive, and theyʼ’ve really helped us create a solid foundation upon which this band can grow for years to come. The best part about being signed to DMR is that they never lets us get comfortable. As soon as we reach one milestone as a band, they push us on towards the next one. 12/ Are you completely into Digital air? mp3s and Ipod… Our record is available on iTunes, Amazon, and all other major digital outlets. However, we do also have physical c.d.s for sale on C.D. Baby and at our shows. 13/What kind of people come to your show, do you meet old Metal dudes as new ones?! We have a wide array of people who come to our shows. Thatʼ’s the beauty of the balance of our sound. Weʼ’re heavy and old school enough to capture the attention of the “Old Metal Dudes.” But at the same time, our music has enough modern metal influence in it that we also attract a younger crowd as well. We actually tend to draw lots of people who donʼ’t usually listen to metal, but really like our music because of our balance between heaviness and melody. We pride ourselves on bridging the gap between fans of different genres. 14/ What equipement do you use, are you into line 6... Jon Blair uses a peavey 5150 and a Marshall 1960a 4 x 12. Heʼ’s not very into Line 6 stuff. However, Dana uses a Line 6 amp head, powered by Bugera tubes, and a peavey 4 x12. Rob plays out of an Ampeg SVT series amp head and cab. John Michael Cordes uses Pearl Drums. Dana and Jon both like playing an array of Schecter, EPS, and Jackson guitars as well. 15/Are you self tought? your music is sometimes technical it needs hours of practice All of us are self-taught to some degree. But at the same time, weʼ’ve all had some form of classical training as well. Dana studied jazz guitar and classical theory for years in college. John Michael Cordes attended a University in Connecticut as a music major, and also had many years of experience playing in marching band in high school. Jon Blair was a classically trained piano and trumpet player for 10 years before picking up the guitar, and Rob Viles earned a music minor while attending business school at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Everyonesʼ’ classical training definitely has a huge part in how we write/play our instruments. However, itʼ’s no substitute for the hours that we all spend in our studio each day meticulously practicing our songs together. We play very technical music, and in order for our band to sound tight live, it takes countless hours and both individual and group practice. Most weeks, we basically live in our practice studio. It gets overwhelming sometimes, but we all know how important it is to our success as musicians and as a band. 16/ Which bands are friends with you or play most gigs? Right now, our gigging has been mostly confined to the San Diego area. There are a few really badass bands like Damcyan and Reprobate who we play with all the time. When we head out on tour in early Fall 2012, we will actually be touring alone, mostly headlining our own shows with local opening acts. However, a few of our tour dates will involve us playing an opening slot on a bigger bandʼ’s show. 17/ What inspires you, are you big fans of Swedish Metal bands?! Yes, we are all huge fans of bands like Arch Enemy, IN FLAMES, Soilwork, Children of Bodom and other bands from Scandanavia…….But there are Bands/Musicians that donʼ’t sound like Fates Demise that inspire us as well: Chris- despised icon, winds of plague John Michael Cordes- Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, Dana- Sylosis, Chris Broderick/Jeff Loomis, Rob- Red hot Chili Peppers (Flea) Jon- Iron Maiden, NOFX, Judas Priest.
18/ have you yet played big events?! As of now, weʼ’ve yet to play any big events. Like we mentioned earlier, weʼ’re mostly touring locally in the Southern California area until early Fall. However, we are working with our label/booking team to play a few slots on bigger events in the very near future. So stay on the lookout for that. 19/ whatʼ’s the reponse so far from the net about your music? The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive. Weʼ’ve had so much support from independent online radio stations, as well as independent online metal magazines. As far as online album reviews go, weʼ’re getting nothing but positive feedback about the record and the band in general. Radio stations like www.hardrockradiolive.com have been a huge part of helping us get our music out to the masses. Weʼ’ve done multiple radio interviews with multiple DJʼ’s from HRRL, and all have turned out great. The HRRL staff has been nothing but helpful and it means so much to have them backing us up!
http://www.fatesdemiseband.com
(OW DID YOU GET TO KNOW *EREMY 'OLDEN AND (EAVEN AND (ELL 2ECORDS $AVID 3MITH *EREMY CONTACTED ME IN LATE IN REGARD TO RELEASING "LACKSMITH MATERIAL ON THE (EAVEN AND (ELL 2ECORDS LABEL SPECIl CALLY THE REISSUE OF THE &IRE FROM 7ITHIN #$ *EREMY COMMUNICATED HE WAS A FAN AND "LACKSMITH WAS AT THE TOP OF HIS LIST IN TERMS OF A RERELEASE OF THE BAND S PAST CATALOGUE (E AND ) REALLY HIT IT OFF WELL AND CERTAINLY CAME TO AN UNDERSTANDING AND FRIENDSHIP $URING THE PROCESS OF GETTING OUT THE h3TRIKE 7HILE THE )RONS (OTv RELEASE WE BECAME GOOD FRIENDS AND SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS IN COMMUNICATION AND DEVELOPING A FRIENDSHIP 4HE ,ABEL DOES A GREAT JOB WITH THEIR PRODUCT A LOT OF CARE THOUGHT AND TIME IS GIVEN AND IT SHOWS 3 7 4 / ( REALLY IS AN EXCEPTIONAL VALUE FOR THE DOLLAR TWO "LACKSMITH RELEASES REMASTERED THREE CONCERTS ON THE $6$ EXTENSIVE LINEAR NOTES AND PHOTOS GREAT PACKAGING AND INTERACTIVE CAPABILITIES 4HIS LED TO THE CURRENT @4IME /UT /F -IND RELEASE LAST MONTH THROUGH (EAVEN AND (ELL 7E HOPE TO HAVE A NEW MUSIC RELEASE NEXT YEAR WITH THE LABEL 7E REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH *EREMY 'OLDEN ON THAT 2UMOR HAS IT HE MAY EVEN LAY DOWN RECORD VOCALS ON ONE TRACK HIMSELF ON THIS RELEASE 4HE RELEASE OF @3TRIKE 7HILE THE )RON S (OT IS A COMPILATION OF THE l RST TWO RELEASES WHY DID YOU CHOSE TO RELEASE THE MATERIAL THIS WAY $ 3MITH $ 3MITH 4HE FORMAT OF THE RELEASE AND THE CHOICE WAS PURELY (EAVEN AND (ELL 2ECORDS ) TOTALLY AGREE WITH *EREMY S CHOICES AND THINK HE HAS STAGED ALL PERFECTLY TO BUILD A BUZZ ON THE BAND AGAIN AND TO BRING US TO THE POINT OF A NEW MUSIC RELEASE FOR 4HE BAND EVEN GETTING BACK TOGETHER SHOULD REALLY BE CREDITED TO -R 'OLDEN 7HAT WE HAVE DONE WAS PUT OUT THE INITIAL %0 FROM THE (EIDI "LACK ERA OF THE BAND MOVE TO THE l RST FULL LENGTH RELEASE h&IRE FROM 7ITHINv WITH THE 4ROPICAL 2ECORDS -ALCOLM ERA "LACKSMITH -ARK )) LINEUP REALLY "LACKSMITH S MOST POPULAR AND LONG LASTING VERSION OF THE BAND 7ITH THE RELEASE YOU HAVE ALL THE MUSIC THE $6$S AND THE STORY COMPLETE AND NICELY THROUGHOUT AND DONE BY * ' AND THE LABEL 4HIS PAST *UNE (EAVEN AND (ELL RELEASED THE UNRELEASED SHELVED ALBUM FROM h4IME /UT OF -IND v 4HIS REALLY PUTS A CHERRY ON TOP OF THE WHOLE STORY AND SETS US UP TO PUT FORTH A NEW MUSIC RELEASE SOON (OPEFULLY *EREMY AND ( ( WILL BE ON BOARD 9OU HAVE HAD SO MANY LINEUP CHANGES l RST THE LEAD SINGER (EIDI "LACK WHO HAD THE VOICE WE COULD COMPARE TO LATE S BANDS THEN YOUR MUSIC CHANGED SO MUCH 7HY NOT CHANGE THE NAME OF THE BAND AND RESTART AS A NEW ONE $ 3MITH &IRST OF ALL ) WOULDN T SAY WE HAVE HAD AN ALARMING RATE OF LINE UP CHANGES $URING THE BANDS HISTORY THERE HAVE BEEN ROUGHLY NINE MEMBERS IN "LACKSMITH INCLUDING MYSELF ALL SINCE /THER THAN SWITCHING DRUMMERS BRIEm Y "LACKSMITH -ARK ) WAS TOGETHER "LACKSMITH -ARK )) REMAINED FOR THE REST OF THE HISTORY OF THE BAND 4HE ONLY OTHER ADDITION AND CHANGE TO DATE NOW IS *OHN $ODGE ON BASS *OHN HAS PLAYED WITH ME FOR THE LAST YEARS 6OCALIST -ALCOLM -ANIA ,OVEGROVE AND DRUMMER #HRISTOPHER #AGLIONE HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE .OT SURE ) AGREE WITH YOU ON (EIDI S VOCALS 4HEY WERE GREAT BUT ) M NOT SURE STYLE AND RANGE WAS S ) THINK SHE WAS MORE AN S STYLE METAL VOICE AND PRESENTATION 7HEN ) THINK S ) THINK SOMETHING ELSE QUITE DIFFERENTLY (EIDI WAS REALLY ONLY A PART OF "LACKSMITH FOR A SHORT TIME AND ALTHOUGH SHE AND ) STARTED THE BAND TOGETHER MAKE NO MISTAKE "LACKSMITH WAS MY BAND ) WROTE ALL THE MUSIC LYRICS AND EVEN VOCAL MELODIES MYSELF ) ARRANGED THE SONGS WORKED WITH PRODUCERS AND PRODUCED MYSELF WHILE ALSO BOOKING AND TAKING CARE OF BAND BUSINESS DOWN TO PACKAGING AND ARTWORK (ONESTLY (EIDI S "LACKSMITH LEGACY IS REALLY ONLY A HANDFUL OF ACTUAL RECORDED SONGS AND A FEW VIDEO CLIPS ALONG WITH A FEW INTERVIEWS BACK IN THE DAY 3HE NEVER WROTE A SONG AND TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE NEVER PERFORMED AGAIN AFTER #ERTAINLY THE MUSIC WAS EVOLVING AND WITH NEW MEMBERS IN WE TREADED NEW MUSICAL WATERS 4HERE WAS A LOT OF CHANGE GOING ON IN METAL AT THE TIME AND WE CHANGED AS WELL 7E GOT HEAVIER MORE COMPLEX AND MORE SOCIALLY RELEVANT IN OUR THEMES IMAGERY AND IDEAS #ERTAINLY WE BECAME BETTER PLAYERS AND WE ALL WANTED TO STEP UP THE GAME $IFFERENCE IS WITH -ALCOLM AND THE TWO #HRIS ON BOARD WE ALL CONTRIBUTED TO THE MUSIC LYRICS AND STYLE OF "LACKSMITH TRULY MAKING THE -ARK )) VERSION OF "LACKSMITH THE DEl NITIVE VERSION AND CLASSIC LINEUP OF THE BAND 4HIS IS THE BAND THAT EXISTS TODAY IN #HANGING THE NAME WAS NEVER AN OPTION ) AM "LACKSMITH !T THE TIME ) BELIEVED THAT AND WHEN -ALCOLM #AGLIONE AND -ADSEN CAME ABOARD ) FOUND GREAT PARTNERS AND WAS ABLE TO REALIZE THESE GUYS WERE AND STILL ARE "LACKSMITH ALONGSIDE ME BUT PARTNERS AND WAS ABLE TO REALIZE THESE GUYS WERE AND STILL ARE "LACKSMITH ALONGSIDE ME BUT IT IT TOOK A LOT OF SHIT HARD WORK BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS TO REALIZE THAT FOR MYSELF -ALCOLM TOOK A LOT OF SHIT HARD WORK BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS TO REALIZE THAT FOR MYSELF -ALCOLM AND
#HRIS ARE "LACKSMITH AND THE SOUND WOULD NOT BE THE SAME WITHOUT THEM ) LOVE THOSE GUYS *OHN $ODGE IS THE SAME ) LOVE THE GUY HIS PLAYING HIS ATTITUDE AND FRIENDSHIP AND ) WOULDN T WANT TO PLAY WITHOUT HIM HE IS "LACKSMITH 3O FUCK NO ) WAS NOT CHANGING THE NAME OF "LACKSMITH ) WOULD NOT DIGNIFY EX MEMBERS BY CHANGING THE BAND NAME IT MEANT NOTHING TO THEM !ND ) HAD SOME STEAM GOING WITH THE NAME WHICH DID LEAD THE NEXT YEAR TO THE 4ROPICAL 2ECORDS DEAL WITH THE NEW LINEUP -USICALLY "LACKSMITH REMINDS ME THE EARLY 3ENTINEL "EAST WITH A MIX OF -AIDEN 0RIEST !TTILA 3LAYER ETC 7ERE YOU EVER AFRAID OF NOT HAVING AN IDENTITY TO SET YOU APART FROM OTHER BANDS $ 3MITH 3ENTINEL "EAST .EVER HEARD OF THE BAND OR HEARD A NOTE OF THEIR MUSIC #AN T SAY ONE WAY OR ANOTHER -AIDEN 0RIEST FOR SURE LOVED THOSE GUYS !TTILA .O 3LAYER NOT SO MUCH ) LOVED -ETALLICA -EGADETH /VERKILL 4ESTAMENT AND -OTORHEAD ) WAS REALLY INTO THE USUAL . 7 / " ( - STUFF ) REALLY LOVED 4HIN ,IZZY 5 & / 3ABBATH $IO "LACKMORE AND -ICHAEL 3CHENKER !LSO BIG INTO EARLY +ISS 2ANDY 2HOADS AND %DDIE 6AN (ALEN ) THINK "LACKSMITH DID HAVE A DEl NITE IDENTITY BUT ) COULD SEE HOW SOME MIGHT NOT SEE IT ON THE SURFACE !T l RST WE WERE MORE STRAIGHT POWER METAL 4HEN WE MOVED A BIT IN THE HEAVIER FASTER THRASH ARENA BUT BY DOING THAT WE FORGED AN IDENTITY UNTO ITSELF #ERTAINLY DURING THOSE TIMES BANDS WERE SHAPE SHIFTING AND MORPHING WHICH WAS HEALTHY 9OU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU DON T LOSE WHO YOU ARE ) DON T THINK WE DID THAT ) HAVE PERSONALITY CHARISMA AND INDIVIDUALITY FOR DAYS ) NEVER WORRIED ABOUT ESTABLISHING AN IDENTITY ,AUGHS (OW WAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MUSICIANS LINEUP CHANGES ARE USUALLY CAUSED BY COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS AND EGOS $ 3MITH "AND RELATIONS ARE A TOUGH THING SOMETIMES )F YOU DO YOUR JOB AND ARE A GOOD SOLDIER CONTRIBUTING IDEAS WORK HARD AND DON T CAUSE DISTRACTIONS AND PROBLEMS FOR THE BAND ALL IS GOOD BECAUSE THAT S WHY WE RE HERE AND DOING THIS ) THINK ) HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A GOOD FRIEND AND LOYAL TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF "LACKSMITH OVER THE YEARS ) AM A REAL TASKMASTER AND EXPECT AS MUCH OUT OF MY GUYS AS ) DO MYSELF (AVING SAID THAT THERE ARE MEMBERS WHO JUST WOULD NOT COMMIT OR GET THE VISION AND ULTIMATELY THEY WOULD BE GONE 0EOPLE LOSE JUICE AND CAN T MAINTAIN THE ARCH NEEDED FOR THE LONG HAUL ! BAND HAS TO WORK TOGETHER AND RESPECT EACH OTHER S TALENTS AND OPINIONS ) HAVE HAD MY MOMENTS AND ) AM NOT ALWAYS EASY TO WORK WITH ) AM LOYAL TO A FAULT AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE HAVE LEFT OF THEIR OWN ACCORD ) THINK ONLY ONE MEMBER WAS EVER l RED FROM "LACKSMITH %GOS ARE A BITCH AND WE ALL HAVE THEM CHECK @EM AT THE DOOR MYSELF INCLUDED 4HESE GUYS IN "LACKSMITH NOW ARE THE SAME MEMBERS FROM OVER TWENTY YEARS AGO AND OCCASIONALLY WE HAVE INTERNAL PROBLEMS BUT WE ALWAYS TALK IT OUT AND GET BACK ON THE SAME PAGE 7E ALL HAVE OUR ISSUES AND ) CAN CERTAINLY BE A PAIN IN THE ASS 4HESE DAYS MANY S BANDS ARE REFORMING $OES THE NOSTALGIA HELP SELL ALBUMS !ND WAS IT HARD TO TRACK DOWN THE MUSICIANS OTHER MEMBERS $ 3MITH 9EAH ) GUESS SOME OF THIS NOSTALGIA HELPS PROMOTE BUSINESS NOT SURE ABOUT SELLING ALBUMS #$S ) DON T KNOW HOW THAT WORKS THESE DAYS WITH DOWNLOADING PIRACY BOOTLEGGING AND THE LIKE #ERTAINLY LIVE SHOW BUSINESS WOULD BENEl T FROM THIS TREND )T REALLY WAS NOT HARD TO TRACK DOWN THE GUYS 7E ALL STILL LIVE IN .EW 9ORK AND HAVE KEPT ACTIVE OVER THE YEARS #AME TOGETHER FAIRLY EASILY AND IT HAS BEEN FUN AND VERY HEALING ON MANY LEVELS 7HAT BANDS ARE YOU LISTENING TO CURRENTLY $ 3MITH ) AM AN OLD SCHOOL METAL ROCK GUY ) LISTEN TO ALL THE CLASSICS AND ALL THE STUFF ) GREW UP WITH -AIDEN 0RIEST 3CORPIONS 3ABBATH $IO EARLY /ZZY 'LEN (UGHES 4ONY -ARTIN 'ILLIAN 3CHENKER "LACKMORE :EP 4YGERS OF 0AN 4ANG "UDGIE $IAMOND (EAD ALL THE 53 THRASH STUFF -EGADETH -ETALLICA /VERKILL 4ESTAMENT EARLY 6AN (ALEN ETC ) LOVE THE "LACK #OUNTRY #OMMUNION STUFF ,AMB OF 'OD -ACHINE (EAD ALL KINDS OF STUFF ) REALLY LOVE S PUNK 4HE 2AMONES $EAD "OYS 4HE $AMMED ) REALLY DIG *OE "ONARMASSA AND HAVE A REAL LOVE OF 2ORY 'ALLAGHER ) HAVE AN EXTENSIVE MUSIC COLLECTION AND CAN APPRECIATE IT ALL ) AM FAIRLY SELECTIVE WITH NEW STUFF AND IT REALLY TAKES A LOT FOR ME TO DIG INTO SOMETHING NEW THESE DAYS !RE YOU STILL KNOWN IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS )S IT HARD TO KEEP UP WITH PEOPLE $ 3MITH ) AM KNOWN FOR MY BANDS OBVIOUSLY "LACKSMITH AND MY OTHER GROUPS $AVID 3MITH AND "AD +ARMA SINCE AND &REAKNATION ) ALSO WORKED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DESK IN THE RECORD INDUSTRY FOR YEARS SO ) KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE AND TRY TO KEEP UP TO DATE AND IN CONTACT )T IS HARD SOMETIMES BUT WITH THE INTERNET CONTACT IS EASY TO ACCESS )T JUST DEPENDS ON IF YOU WANT TO DEAL WITH THE BULLSHIT ) HAVE NEVER STOPPED PLAYING PERFORMING DEPENDS ON IF YOU WANT TO DEAL WITH THE BULLSHIT ) HAVE NEVER STOPPED PLAYING PERFORMING
RECORDING AND TOURING SINCE ) AM ALWAYS DOING SOMETHING WITH MUSIC (EAVEN AND (ELL IS PRESSING YOUR #$S ARE THERE REMIXED SONGS OR YOU HAVE FOUND NEW MUSICIANS AND CREATE NEW STUFF $ 3MITH 9ES (EAVEN AND (ELL IS PRESSING THE #$S AND THE ENTIRE CATALOGUE HAS BEEN REMIXED BY *AMIE +ING AND SOUNDS GREAT 7E ARE WORKING ON NEW "LACKSMITH MATERIAL WITH THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF -ARK )) ) -ALCOLM ,OVEGROVE #HRIS #AGLIONE AND *OHN $ODGE 7E ARE WRITING NEW STUFF AND HAVE SEVERAL SONGS DEMOED AND HOPING TO PUT IN THE HANDS OF *EREMY 'OLDEN AT (EAVEN AND (ELL !RE YOU TOURING AGAIN $ 3MITH 4OURING IS NOT THE CORRECT WORD BUT WE HAVE BEEN DOING DATES HERE ON THE EAST COAST 7E DID A SHORT RUN WITH 3ABATON A FEW MONTHS BACK 7E APPEARED LATE LAST YEAR AT !TLANTA S 0ROG0OWER &EST TO PROMOTE OUR REISSUE 7E ALSO PLAYED IN #HICAGO AT THE 2AGNAROKKR &ESTIVAL IN -AY AND WE ARE HEADING TO 'ERMANY IN A COUPLE WEEKS FOR THE (EADBANGER S /PEN !IR &EST 7E HAVE PLAYED A FEW LOCAL HEADLINE SHOWS AS WELL AND ARE RECEPTIVE TO MORE SHOWS AS TIME GOES BY 7E WOULD LOVE TO VISIT %UROPE AND PLAY ON THE MEAT FEST CIRCUIT 0ROMOTERS FEEL FREE TO CONTACT "LACKSMITH %UROPE AND 53! (OW LONG HAVE YOU PLAYED MUSIC $ID YOU LEARN TO SING $O YOU COMPOSE ALL THE LYRICS AND THE MUSIC (OW DOES THE BAND OPERATE AS FAR AS WRITING RECORDING AND PERFORMING THE MUSIC (OW DOES THE BAND OPERATE AS FAR AS WRITING RECORDING AND PERFORMING $ 3MITH ) HAVE PLAYED GUITAR AND SANG SINCE ) WAS A KID ) STOLE MY l RST GUITAR IN .EW 9ORK #ITY AT THE AGE OF EIGHT )N MY OTHER BAND "AD +ARMA ) AM THE LEAD VOCALIST AND FRONTMAN AS WELL AS THE LEAD GUITARIST ) DO COMPOSE MOST OF THE LYRICS TO MY MUSIC MOSTLY BY MYSELF ) AM PRETTY WELL READ AND REALLY LIKE THE CRAFT OF BEING A WORDSMITH ) DRAW FROM BOOKS MOVIES COMICS AND LIFE AROUND ME -ALCOLM IS PROBABLY THE ONLY OTHER PERSON ) HAVE WRITTEN SOME LYRICS WITH -USICALLY ) RELY ON MY BAND MEMBERS TO m ESH OUT MY IDEAS AND USE THEIR EXPERTISE TO MAKE MY IDEAS INTO OUR SONGS ) COULDN T DO IT WITHOUT THEM ) WOULD NOT EVEN BEGIN TO TRY AND COME UP WITH DRUM PARTS FOR #HRIS !LTHOUGH ) DO TRY SOMETIMESx UNSUCCESSFULLY 4HE MUSIC IS BY ALL OF US FOR SURE 2ECORDING WISE WE ALL HIT THE STUDIO AND DO OUR STUFF ) LIKE TO PRODUCE ARRANGE THE CHAOS ,IVE IT S A FUCKING FREE FOR ALL (AVE YOU GOTTEN MANY FANS SINCE THE RELEASE OF YOUR #$ 3TRIKE 7HILE THE )RON S (OT $ 3MITH 7E HAVE RECEIVED MANY MANY COMMUNICATIONS FROM FANS AND FRIENDS ALL OVER THE WORLD )T IS MUCH APPRECIATED AND WE ARE TRULY TOUCHED BY THE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO DROP US A LINE CONNECT TO OUR &ACEBOOK AND WEBSITE AND WISH US SUPPORT )T MEANS THE WORLD TO US AND WE ARE BLOWN AWAY BY THE FANS WE HAVE 7E HOPE TO GARNER MORE FANS AND RESPECT AND KEEP THE CIRCLE GOING )N #HICAGO WE MET FANS THAT HAVE FOLLOWED US FOR OVER YEARS WHAT A PLEASURE 7E GOT INTO A JAM TRYING TO GET HOME FROM #HICAGO STUCK BECAUSE OF THE 53 .!4/ CONFERENCE AND A FAN NAMED "OB "YRNE CAME TO OUR RESCUE AND WITHOUT HIS HELP WE MIGHT NOT HAVE MADE IT HOME #HEERS TO "OB AND TO ALL OUR AMAZING FRIENDS AND FANS 7HAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO BANDS THAT HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE SCENE FOR MANY YEARS $ 3MITH $O WHAT YOU LOVE 3TICK TO YOUR GUNS AND DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IN YOUR LIFE -ETAL AND MUSIC IS LIFE 3INCE YOU STARTED IN THE EARLY EIGHTIES DID YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO MEET AND KNOW MUSICIANS SUCH AS *UDAS 0RIEST -ETALLICA )F SO ARE YOU STILL IN TOUCH $ 3MITH 9ES ) HAVE MET AND ALSO PLAYED WITH MANY OF MY HEROES AND CONTEMPORARIES 'ENE 3IMMONS !CE &REHLEY 0AUL 3TANLEY %RIC #ARR *OE 0ERRY 3TEVEN 4YLER 3LASH /ZZY THE "LUE /YSTER #ULT GUYS *OHN 3YKES 3COTT 'ORHAM -ARCO -ENDOZA FROM 4HIN ,IZZY %DDIE 6AN (ALEN THE -EGADETH GUYS 3LAYER *OEY "ELLADONNA 7!30 3TEVIE 6AL 7HITESNAKE 3KID 2OW 4ED .UGENT $IMEBAG AND 6INNE FROM 0ANTERA !LICE #OOPER &ORBIDEN 4HE 2ODS "ILLY 3HEEHAN AND 4ALAS .UCLEAR !SSAULT (ADES -ICHAEL !NGELO "AITO -ICHAEL 3CHENKER %LLIOT 2UBINSON 'ARY "ARDEN #ARMINE !PPICE ,ESLIE 7EST 6INNIE -OORE #HRIS 7YSE FROM THE #ULT *ASON "ITNER FROM 3HADOW &ALLS ) MET 3TEVIE 2AY 6AUGHAN THE YEAR BEFORE HE DIED ) SOLD *OE "ONAMER ONE OF MY -ARSHALL AMPS A FEW YEARS BACK MET *OHNNY 2AMONE AND KNOW MANY GUYS FROM THE .EW 9ORK METAL AND PUNK SCENE -OST OF THESE GUYS ARE HEROES OF MINE AND ) HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO EITHER MEET THEM OR OPEN SHOWS FOR THEM ! LOT MORE TOO ) JUST CAN T REMEMBER 7HAT ARE YOUR WISHES AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE WITH THE BAND
V$ 3MITH ) WOULD LIKE TO PUT OUT A NEW "LACKSMITH #$ RELEASE EACH YEAR AND PLAY SELECT METAL FESTIVAL DATES AROUND THE WORLD (AVE FUN MAKE GOOD MUSIC WITH MY BROTHERS AND MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY AND RAGE HARD WITH OUR MUSIC +EEP IT GOING AND HAVE "LACKSMITH IN MY LIFE FOR A LONG TIME 4HE MUSIC BIZ IS TOUGH WHAT REGRETS OR ANGER DO YOU HAVE FROM IT 7HAT ARE SOME PAST EXPERIENCES $ 3MITH 4HE -USIC "IZ IS INDEED TOUGH EXACTLY LIKE "ON 3COTT S LYRICS TO !# $# S h,ONG 7AY TO THE 4OP )F 9OU 7ANNA 2OCK . 2OLL v .O REGRETS OR ANGER AT ALL ) HAVE HAD LOTS OF FUN AND A LOT OF WHAT ) HAVE IN LIKE COMES FROM THOSE EXPERIENCES IN MUSIC AND BEING IN A BAND ,IFE S TOO SHORT APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE ) HAVE SEEN IT ALL GOOD TIMES BAD TIMES MONEY RIP TOO SHORT APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE ) HAVE SEEN IT ALL GOOD TIMES BAD TIMES MONEY RIP OFFS SEX LOVE HATE GLORY HUMILIATION GREAT PEOPLE ASSHOLES DRUGS PARTIES LONELINESS FRIENDS FOES AND ALL THE IN BETWEEN 4HERE MAY BE A FEW THINGS THAT ) MIGHT CHANGE OR DO DIFFERENT BUT YOU CAN T GO BACK SO FUCK IT AND MOVE FORWARD TO THE LIGHT (EAVY -ETAL HAS CHANGED SINCE "LACKSMITH l RST HIT THE SCENE HOW DO YOU SEE IT AND ARE THERE BANDS YOU LIKE OR YOU JUST STICK TO OLDER -ETAL $ 3MITH ) STATED IN AN EARLIER QUESTION THAT ) LOVE THE OLDER STUFF BUT ) KEEP UP WITH WHAT S NEW AND OUT THERE ) PREFER THE OLDER STUFF YET KEEP MY EYES OPEN -ETAL AND MUSIC IS ALWAYS CHANGING AND THAT S A GOOD THING #HANGE IS INEVITABLE AND FOR THE MOST PART GOOD 2ESPECT THE PAST AND KEEP AN EYE TO THE FUTURE $O WHAT FEELS RIGHT TRY AND LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES AND CRANK UP THE GOD STUFF 7HAT WAS THE REASON FOR CALLING THE BAND "LACKSMITH $ 3MITH 4HE NAME "LACKSMITH WAS MY IDEA AND CAME FROM MY %NGLISH HERITAGE MY SURNAME OF $ 3MITH 4HE NAME "LACKSMITH WAS MY IDEA AND CAME FROM MY %NGLISH HERITAGE MY SURNAME OF 3MITH AND THE DIRECT DESCENDANT LINE MY FAMILY HAS TO EARLY BLACKSMITHS FROM THE 5+ !S A KID ) THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A WAY TO INCORPORATE MY FAMILY NAME AND FELT IT WAS THE ULTIMATE HEAVY METAL BAND NAME (EIDI 0ACKARD LATER CHANGED HER STAGE NAME TO "LACK AFTER THE FACT WHICH WAS COOL BUT WAS NOT ANY KIND OF COMBINATION OF OUR LAST NAMES ) HAD "LACKSMITH IN MIND SINCE ) WAS A KID 7HAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE AND DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN REHEARSAL ROOM 7HAT DO YOU THINK OF THE .!-- SHOW $ 3MITH ) AM A HUGE GUITAR COLLECTOR AND LOTS OF GEAR ) OWN MANY GUITAR BRANDS AND HAVE MOST LIKELY PLAYED OR OWNED EVERYTHING AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER ) AM ENDORSED BY BOTH $EAN AND #ARLINO 'UITARS FROM THE 53! ) HAVE LONG BEEN AFl LIATED WITH $EAN 'UITARS AND HAVE ENJOYED OUR LONG RELATIONSHIP ) LOVE THEIR GUITARS AND ENJOY PLAYING THE ON STAGE AND IN THE STUDIO ) HAVE CHERISHED AND OWNED $EAN GUITARS SINCE ) WAS A KID ) LOVE THEIR m ASHY BUT TRADITIONAL LOOK PLAYABILITY AND VIBE #ARLINO 'UITARS HAS GIVEN ME A COUPLE OF THEIR INSTRUMENTS IN THE LAST YEAR 6ERY NICE AND ) WOULD SAY SUPERIOR GUITARS TO ALMOST ANYTHING OUT THERE IN THE WORLD 4HIS IS A SMALL COMPANY KICKING ASS AND MAKING GREAT STUFF ) AM PROUD TO PLAY BOTH LINES !MP WISE ) USE -ARSHALL -ESA "OOGIE %NGL WHICH HAS BECOME A FAVORITE ,INE 3IX AND 3PLAWN AMPLIl ERS ) USE EFFECTS MINIMALLY SOME DELAY AND A DIME WAH PEDAL FOR COLOR BUT NOT MUCH ELSE 'IBSON ,ES 0AULS &LYING 6S AND %XPLORERS HOLD A SACRED PLACE IN MY HEART AS WELL ,ATELY ) HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOVE AFFAIR WITH A FEW *ACKSON GUITARS ) HAVE HAD MY EYE ON THE 6IGER LINE AND WOULD LOVE TO CHECK IT OUT &OR STRINGS ) USE GAUGE AND MY PICKS ARE MEDIUM 0ICKUP WISE ) FAVOR $IMARZO 3UPER $ISTORTION (UMBUCKERS AND %-' ACTIVE PICKUPS &OR WIRELESS ) AM USING ,INE AND THE ONLY CABLES ) USE ARE -ONSTER 4HE .!-- SHOWS ARE THE BEST ) LOVE CHECKING OUT THE NEW GEAR AND SEEING FRIENDS ) HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO ATTEND SEVERAL AND WOULD LOVE TO ATTEND AND APPEAR AT THE 'ERMANY EQUIVALENT AND HAVE HARASSED $EAN TO m Y ME OVER HA HA 4HANKS TO ALL #HEERS AND HAMMERS HIGH TO ALL "LACKSMITH APPRECIATES YOUR SUPPORT ) THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THIS OPPORTUNITY +EEP IT LOUD AND KEEP IT HARD $AVID 3MITH "LACKSMITH *ULY
WWW.BLACKSMITHUSA.COM
H H ii Franck, Franck, Thank Thank you you very very much for the commuch for the comment ment on on the the “Shout” “Shout” page. page. Here Here we we are are with with the the interview. interview. Thank Thank you you for for it. it.
1/ What means FTM? betrayer has been already used why choosing it?! R/ HI FIRST OF ALL WE WANT TO SAY HI TO ALL THE METAL MAG CREW AND TO ALL OF THE METAL HEADS THAT READS THIS AWESOME MAG, FTM IS SOMETHING WE MADE UP TO THE FANS SO THEY CAN RECOGNIZED US, FOR EXAMPLE PEOPLE IN PERU THINKS THAT IS FAST THRASH METAL, PEOPLE IN ARGENTINA THINKS THAT IS FUCKING THRASH METAL, ETC SO FTM IS WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT TO IMAGINE OF WHAT FTM MEANS, AND WHY BETRAYER WELL WE KNOW THERES A LOT OF BANDS THAT FOR COINCIDENCE CHOOSE THIS PHRASE BUT AND WHEN WE THINK TO PUT A NAME TO THE BAND WELL WE THOUGT IT WAS GREAT BECAUSE IT MAKE SENSE IN OUR REALITY FOR LIVING HERE IN SOUTH AMERICA,FOR LIVING IN A COUNTRY LIKE COLOMBIA, AND THE CONTEX OF THE WORLD OF TODAY.
2/ Your artwork cover is pretty ʻ‘Goreʼ’ but the music is Thrash whatʼ’s the reason? R/ WELL WHEN WE ARE MAKING THIS ALBUM WE COME OUT WITH A LOT OF IDEAS, BUT WE GOT SAY WE ARE HUGE FANS OF HORROR TALKING ABOUT FLIMS AND MOVIES AND STUFF LIKE THAT, SO WE WANT LIKE OUR ART BE INFLUENCE ON THE THINGS WE LIKE, AND THE THRASH METAL MUSIC IS THE PERFECT VEHICLE FOR SHOUTING WHAT WE THINK AND LIKE AND THINGS WE DO NOT LIKE TO THE WORLD.
3/ The sound is close to early 80ʼ’s Thrash have you chosen to sounds like them ? if so why cos with technology you can have a better sound?! R/ WELL WE ARE NOT PLAYING METAL BECAUSE OF THE TECNOLOGY OF TODAY IF WE THINK LIKE THAT MAYBE WE WERE NOT IN THE METAL WORLD FIGHTING FOR IT, AND WE DONʼ’T PLAY METAL TO SOUND LIKE ANYBODY, WE WANT SOUND OLD, CLASSIC, SCRAP fast LIKE THE METAL MADE IN THE EARLY 80ʼ’S AND IN LAST YEAR OF THE 70ʼ’S.
4/ Are you playing in other bands and be part of a scene!? R/ WE ONLY PLAY FOR BETRAYER FTM, AND BETRAYER FTM IS A BIG PART OF SOUTAMERICA METAL SCENE THE LAST 5 YEARS WE HAVE DESTROY OUR CONTINENT WITH OUR GIGS AND TOURS
5/ Did you record yourself the CD? who mixed it ? was it expensive? did you ask to have that harsh sound?! R/ WELL ON THE RECORDING PROCESS, BETRAYER FTM HAS COUNT WITH SUPPORT OF LABEL AROUND SOUTHAMERICA AND NOW THAT WE ARE WORKING ON NEW ALBUM WE JUST SIGN WITH BORN OF CHAOS RECORD USA, BUT GOING BACK TO THE MAIN QUESTION WE LIKE TO BE IN EVERY PART OF THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM EVEN PARTICIPATING ON THE MIX, AND ABOUT THE ECONOMY IS FACT THE TODAY ECONOMY IS A LITTLE FUCKED UP EVERYWHERE AROUND THE GLOBE BUT IS NOT IMPOSBLE TO MAKE A CD FOR A BAND, AND ABOUT OUR SOUND WELL WHEN WE BEGAN THIS BETRAYER FTM JOURNEY WE WANT TO SOUND AND DO THINGS LIKE THAT OUR WAY.
6/ whatʼ’s your relation with vlad?
R/ VLAD HE IS OUR FRIEND, AND THIS FRIENDSHIP WE BEGAN TO BUILD IT THANKS OF THE RELATION WE HAVE WITH HIM LIKE OUR PROMOTION MANAGER AND WE AS HIS ARTIST.
7/Are you giginʼ’ a lot? do you always play with the same bands on the bills?! whatʼ’s the metal scene ʻ‘s like?! R/ YES WE DO LAST 2012 WE WHERE ON SOUTHAMERICA TOUR CALLED THE BURNING ROAD TOUR, AND WE VISIT MORE THAN TWENTY FIVE CITIES, ON 6 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, AND THIS 2013 WE HAD GIG HERE IN COLOMBIA OUR COUNTRY , WELL THE METAL SCENE HERE IS GREAT, AS YOU KNOW GUYS EUROPE AND ON THE USA YOU ARE A LITTLE ADVANCED IF YOU COMPARE SOUTHAMERICA REALTY, SO THINGS THAT ALREDY HAPPENED THERE, IS HAPPENIG NOW SO HERE WE ARE LIVING METAL LIKE IT WAS THE EARLY 80ʼ’S.
8/ What are the difficulties you encounter, rehearsals, finding venues... R/ BANDS HERE DOESNʼ’T HAVE THAT KIND OF PROBLEMS THERE ARE PLACES YOU CAN GO REHEARSAL AND THERE ARE VENUES AND PLACES TO GIG.
9/ How is the Thrash scene in Columbia, are there many bands or itʼ’s more heavy?! R/ THRASH METAL SCENE HERE IN COLOMBIA IS STRONG AND HAS BEEN GROWING A LOT AND EVERY TIME THERES A LOT OF THRASH METAL BANDS BORNING HERE WITH GOOD LEVEL.
10/ are you wearing the typical Metal outfit in the streets or itʼ’s not possible? R/ YES BROTHERS WE DO WEAR METAL OUTFITS WE DRESS LIKE THAT BECAUSE THATS FEEL COMFORTABLE AND THATʼ’S WHAT WE ARE METAL HEADS, AND YEAH IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE OUT ON THE STREETS THERES NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.
11/who are your favoriteʼ’s bands and which bands youʼ’re listening to now?! R/ WELL WE ARE HUGE FANS OF THE PHENOMENON CALL THE NWOBHM, AND WE LISTEN ALSO TO CLASSIC BANDS LIKE DEEP PURPLE, LED ZEPPELIN AND BLACK SABBATH
12/ What equipment do you use and are they expensive? are they imported?! R/ WELL WE HAVE A HUGE RESPECT TO MUSIC AND FOR METAL THATʼ’S WHY WE PLAY WITH ESP GUITARS, BC RICH GUITARS AND DEAN, AND YES WE DO IMPORTED FROM OUTSIDE COLOMBIA BECAUSE HERE IS DIFFICULT TO FIND GOOD INSTRUMENTS.
13/ What are you lyrics talking about and what inspires you?! R/ WE LIKE TO WRITE LYRICS OF THINGS WE LIKE, ON THING THAT HAPPENS TO US LIKE INDIVIDUALS, WE ALSO LIKE TO WRITE ABOUT METAL, WE LIKE TO WRITE ABOUT INNER CONFLICTS OF HOW WE FEEL, WE LIKE TO WRITE ABOUT ANGER, AND WRITE ABOUT SUBSTANCE ABUSE, ETC.
14/ Are you getting paid for the shows and have you got an agent?! R/ YES WE DO GUYS WE ALSO GOT BILLS TO PAY HAHAHAHA AND NEED MONEY TO LIVE RESPECTABLY, WELL WE WORK FOR BORN OF CHAOS RECORDS LABEL THEY ARE HELPING US WITH OUR RECORDS, MERCH, GIGS AND TOURS WE GOT TO SAY THIS RELATIONSHIP BAND AND LABEL HAS BE GOOD FOR US AND WE WORK LIKE A FAMILY IN HARMONY THE BOTH PARTIES.
15/ is it easy for Metal fans to know about gigs?! do you give flyers or advertise in magazine?! how is it working so far?
R/ YES AND IT IS EASY METALBROTHERS YOU JUST HAS TO FOLLOW THE BAND AND YOU WILL BE AWARE OF OUR GIGS AND STUFF, AND HOW WE MAKE IT WELL WE UPLOAD FLAYERS ON OUR INTERNET PAGES , THERE FANZINE, THERES INTERNET BLOGS, RADIO PROMOTION, OUR RECORD LABEL MAKE PROMOTION FOR US TOO, ALSO WITH VLAD OUR PROMOTION MANAGER, SO WE COUNT WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND WITH THE TECHNOLOGY TO SPREAD BETRAYER FTM STUFF AROUND THE GLOBE.
16/ Whiplash recently played in your country how many bands came or which one you would like to see live there?! R/ WELL GUYS THIS QUESTION I CAN NOT REALLY TELL WHEN WHIPLASH WAS IN COLOMBIA I WAS NOT IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE I WAS WITH BORN OF CHAOS CREW IN THE USA WORKING ON PROMOTION FOR BETRAYER IN THE EAST COAST SO I MISSED THAT GIG, BUT WHIPLASH IS GREAT SO I THINK IT WAS COOL AND FULL OF COLOMBIA METAL BANDS.
17/ whatʼ’s the response so far with internet?! R/ FOR BETRAYER FTM INTERNET AS BE VERY HELPFULL, FOR US IT HAS BE THE BEST VEHICLE, TOOL AND PLATFORM TO SHOUT THE WORLD THAT WE ARE HERE, THAT WE EXIST, SO WE SEE IT COOL
18/ have you played abroad?! R/ SURE GUYS WE HAVE DONE 3 SOUTH AMERICAN TOURS AND WE HAVE VISIT MORE THAN 6 COUNTRIES AND BE IN MORE OF 25 CITIES.
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