Nov 2015 by The Portal

PORTAL MAGAZINE

TABLE OF

CONTENTS 6 12

COL. CHRIS HADFIELD: The former Commander of the International Space Station releases the first ever off-planet recorded album. ROCK & MMA: Our own Frankie James explores the decades long connection between music and sports.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH: FFDP new album, Got Your Six is a tribute to their fans and military service members.

MONSTER MAGNET: Monster Magnet subscribes to the old adage, ‘what was once old is becoming new again’.

32 38

WE HUNT BUFFALO: With the release of the EP, Blood From A Stone, We Hunt Buffalo are going the professional route. BAD SEED RISING: Meet the youngest group ever to be signed by Roadrunner Records.

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STAFF

Shannon Ambrose Chief Managing Editor and Founder shannon@theportalmagazine.com

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Did Ya Know? Col. Chris Hadfield Col. Hadfield filmed the first music video ever made in space: his version of David Bowie’s 1969 hit “Space Oddity”.

While ISS Commander, he surprised his crewmates with an Easter Egg hunt for the holiday in 2013.

Col. Hadfield was the first and only Canadian to board the Russian space station Mir while in orbit.

Col. Hadfield unveiled Canada’s new $5 note from space on April 30, 2013 while he was aboard the ISS.

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CHRIS HADFIELD A Real Life Rock Star Astronaut

by: Shannon Ambrose

anadian Astronaut, Col. Chris Hadfield truly is a national hero. His long list of amazing accomplishments include top ranked test pilot in the US Air Force and the US Navy, first Canadian to command the International Space Station,

NASA Exceptional Service Member, first Canadian to walk in space and bestselling author. Now he’s added yet one more item to that celebrated list; Space Sessions: Songs From A Tin Can - the world’s first off planet recorded album. Growing up in rural Ontario, music was always a part of the Hadfield family home. Playing his whole life, and with various bands over the years, music continued to be a passion through Chris’s adult life as well. In 2013 when he learned he was going to live on the International Space Station for half a year, it was obvious to him that his love of music would be a part of that mission. As stated in his bio, “I thought, I’ve been playing my whole life and have played in various bands for years, since there’s already a guitar up there, I should record some music. It’s what I would do on Earth, so

why wouldn’t I do it in the Space Station?” PORTAL MAGAZINE 6

JUNO Award winning producer, Robbie Lackritz as well as a list of noted musicians were recruited to put final touches on Chris’s guitar and vocal recordings while in orbit, and the twelve track finished product Space Sessions: Songs From A Tin Can was released last month, with proceeds of the album going to mu-

album, he and some studio musicians put in the instrumentals underneath. And then when we were talking to the folks at Warner Music they said ‘which song do you think would be just a fun one for a pre-release?’ We talked back and forth and thought “Feet Up” is very light hearted and fun to play and listen to. They said ‘we’ll

sic education in Canada.

make a lyric video’ and I didn’t even

Recently I had the opportunity to talk

they came up with that, I was just

to Chris about this momentous release and how life in space changes

know what a lyric video was. When delighted. It’s so whimsical and obviously fun and suits the light-hearted

one’s perspective on life.

nature of the tune.

Shannon: The first lyric video re-

Shannon: In reading your bio, one of

leased, for the song “Feet Up” - were you involved with that? Chris: No, I wrote the song with my brother Dave, then recorded the vocals and guitar in orbit and then Robbie Lackritz who produced the

your quotes was - to you this album tells the story of early space exploration. Chris: It does. I sort of think about it as, when you’re doing something for the very first time, you’re so wrapped up in it, you miss the significance of it,

“Artistic appreciation is only an approved skill to help understand the causes and the science and complexity of everything around us” Photo by: JD Dirom PORTAL MAGAZINE

and it’s only when you’ve been in it for a little while, you start to think about what it really means. That’s kind of where we are with space exploration, we started living on the space station in November of 2000, so we’ve been up there now, permanently, off the planet without a break for the last 15 years, almost. So that’s almost time to

“It’s just a group of people trying to understand and share the experience of being off the planet”

stop just thinking about the technical side and start thinking about

Shannon: What did your fellow

‘what does this mean to us, what

crew members think of the whole

culturally does it mean and philo-

idea and the process?

sophically and what perspective does it actually give us.’ So of

Chris: Everyone’s got projects

all the crews, there’s a lot of folks

up there. Everyone was doing all

that have taken pictures, or writ-

the work, but in the evenings they

ten blogs trying to capture the ex-

also have private projects, and we

perience, but as a musician I just

respect each other, and you try

thought, I write and record music

and honour and listen to what the

on earth, why would I not in orbit?

other people are coming up with.

So it ends up being kind of the

So when we had a communal din-

first concerted effort to see what it

ner, I’d play one of the songs, or

means to us all, or at least what it

a little bit of a song I was working

meant to me anyway, to be leav-

on, and they’d do the same for

ing our planet. With the time that

me. It’s just a group of people try-

I had it is the best I could have

ing to understand and share the

hoped for, and I’m really delighted

experience of being off the planet.

with how it turned out.

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Shannon: You wrote one of the songs with your son. was that a process while you were up there,

Shannon: You mentioned that over time, you and your crew members changed a little bit while

or was that done before you left?

up there. How did you change?

Chris: I was on board the space-

Chris: You and I both have a

ship and he sent me a clip, that he’d just written, like one verse, it wasn’t a complete song. He said to me ‘I don’t know what to do with this dad but maybe you can turn it into a song.’ I didn’t have time, I didn’t work it. Then he sent me a little clip of another song a month or two later. So I had these two incomplete songs, and I didn’t do anything with them. Then my last night aboard the spaceship, I was thinking ‘It’s late at night I was supposed to asleep, but if I don’t do something with this now, I never will.’ I realized if I took the second one and switched keys, and brought it in with the same key as the first, so I put the two together, I changed some of the words, and created the song, so it was a real un-planned communal effort and it became the song “Beyond The Terra”. For me it may be the best song on the album.

perception of the world, and it’s based on what we’ve seen directly, what other people have told us, and maybe what we’ve read, or looked at in movies. You had this understanding of what’s familiar to you and where the comfortable areas for you end, and the unknown begins. That big “Us” and “Them” - you know who “Us” are and you know you “Them” are. To go around the world every night through minutes, for thousands of times, you have an inexorable shift of where that line between “Us” and “Them” is. The idea of there even being a “Them” goes away. You can be over top of North America, and in 30 minutes you’re over Africa, 30 minutes later you’re over Australia, and then you’re back around again .. and again .. and again. The first times it’s sweet and lovely, but after awhile, that becomes the new normal. That becomes your actual permanent perspecPORTAL MAGAZINE

tive of the world and it’s an accurate one. You see the thinness of the atmosphere, you see the inner-related nature, the fact we’re all in this together. It doesn’t make you pessimistic, you come back optimistic. You come back with the real gauge of the earth. I think

“It doesn’t make you pessimistic, you come back optimistic”

that is the shift, for the first time in your life, you get a truly accurate perspective of the world and you’re small place, but important place in it. Shannon: Do you think your passion for music has helped with your passion for science, or vice versa? Do they connect?

approved skill to help understand the causes and the science and complexity of everything around us. Shannon: You’ve done so much - test pilot, astronaut, first Canadian to walk in space - your list of accomplishments is

Chris: Yeah, we talk about art and science as if they’re different or separate or something, but art and science don’t know that they’re different, that’s just an arbitrary inaccurate limitation that we’ve decided, because it’s a little easier to teach that way. Look closely at the refraction of butterfly wings, that’s pure science, and it’s pure art. Or look at how you blend paint, or how a really good haiku is constructed or architecture is probably one of the most beautiful blends with science and art together in order for it to be successful at all.

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To me an artistic appreciation is only an

very impressive. Is there anything left on your bucket list? Chris: Actually, I’ve never had a bucket list. I don’t even really like the idea of a bucket list. What that is, is a personal definition of victory and failure that you drag around with you all the time and it’s usually failure. Instead, I’d much rather feel I succeeded every single day. I try and stay actively involved in the stuff that I like, and I don’t understand very well. When I don’t know the answer to something, I find it out, make it a part of who I am and move on from there. If

you go for a walk in the woods, how you could not come out without your bucket overflowing? Just walk through the woods and indentify every plant, or notice every bug, or sound or whatever. It’s totally, to me an individual level to decide what makes you feel worthwhile, or what makes you feel that you have succeeded, or today has been a success. To me that’s a much more rewarding way to live than to say ‘boy if I don’t get to Machu Picchu this decade, I’m a looser.’ Shannon: Ok, let’s change the words. Is there anything else you’d like to do that you haven’t had time to pursue yet?

Chris: (laughs) Oh I don’t know. Someone with a good mustache. Chris Hadfield certainly has lived his own space odyssey and with Space Sessions: Songs From A Tin Can, he shares his experiences with the rest of us. To quote Chris’s version of David Bowie’s Space Oditty : Am I sitting in a tin can Far above the world Planet Earth is blue And there’s nothing left to do

Chris: Oh sure. You know, my original interest was in archeology. That’s such a huge unknown in our own past, our own history. I seriously considered it, but I wanted to fly in space also. I want to go back to University and study it, I’d like to learn some more languages, I want to become a better guitar player, I wish I was a better dancer, there’s all sorts of stuff to work on. Shannon: When they make the movie of your life, and you know they will, or maybe it’s already in the works - for all I know, you could be reviewing scripts

Chrishadfield.ca facebook.com/AstronautChrisHadfield

now - (laughs) - who do you want to play you?

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Rock & MMA A Marriage of Riffs and Fists By: Frankie James

n sports there has always been one thing in common that all leagues, teams and individual athletes had, and it was music. Even during the early years of the Olympics, music had an influence. Either during a parade of athletes, ice skate routine

or award ceremony, music was heard. It was played as an emotional tool to get the fans pumped, or to throw a musical story line into play to bring drama into the act. The years have passed, but the music stayed with the sports with more and more passion for its intended use. The genre of music didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter either. You heard everything from Beethoven, to jazz, classical and rock. Anything that had the emotion or tempo of what the athletes were looking for to enhance their performance or routine. The halftime shows on football games are massive, during commercial breaks at baseball games and knock out of the evening for boxing. Warren Miller produced

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“Music stayed with the sports with more and more passion for its intended use”

several sports movies that all featured rock music during its entirety. So you get what I’m talking about, right? But I’m here to talk about rock and metal and how that has progressed into the world of MMA and helped shape that culture. I’m a contributing writer, but also a freelance photographer often shooting MMA events of every caliber. From amateur to pro, from the local promoters such as Hard Steel (http://www.hardsteelmma.com) and Dragon House (http://www.dragonhousemma.com) to the UFC (http://www.ufc.com) and Bellator (www.bellator.com), the one thing they all have in common was the use of hard rock and metal. As a photographer and writer for a rock / metal magazine, I see these sporting events and couldn’t help but notice how rock / metal has such a huge influence in the MMA culture.

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It’s the raw sounds, the crunching guitar riffs, the heavy bass lines, the pounding drums, the screams and growling vocals … This, my friends, gets the crowd on their feet, this gets the crowd pumped for action. And is there a better way than hearing this “Toughness” to the walk out of your favorite MMA fighter coming through the gates with fog high - lit with an array of LED lighting and strobes flashing while the announcer creates hype? (OK that was a bit much) No, there isn’t a better way because this does exactly what they want it to do, and that is to create a show that you’ll never forget. The music, the flashing lights and the fans so loud it gets deafening to the ears. (Well not mine cuz they are already fucked up from loud music through the years) These days fighters are looking for bands like DeathThrob (http://www.deaththrob. com) and Zardonic (http://www.zardonic.net) to write custom walk out music tailored specifically for them. A band called Stem started it all for the UFC when they first startPORTAL MAGAZINE

ed … And presently on the forefront, Rocktagon Worldwide (http:// rocktagonworldwide.com) has now signed a deal with the “World Series of Fighting” (http://www.wsof. com) to exclusively use their music program. What can I say? I personally love it and apparently so do the fans and It translates beautifully live

“It’s become part of the MMA culture … And it’s not going away”

on television. It’s a perfect marriage between the fighter and the band. But it’s taken for granted. Fans just buy a ticket and expect to see a show. However what they don’t see is the huge production that goes on behind the scenes because the promoters use rock and metal for the event as well. It’s all integrated into a well oiled machine designed for maximum impact. Every second of the event has its place for a certain riff or breakdown … Many times just using a quick 20 second piece of a song. Ya know that one part that bangs your head and gets you to sit up straight, because when you hear the heart stopping beat, that in turn sends signals to your wired brain a subliminal message that shits about to happen. That “Uh Oh” moment, and you all know what I’m talking about.

In talking to fighters, they all tend to have the same sort of story when it comes to picking the type of walk out music. Some differ, but for the most part it’s the power behind the rock / metal music. It makes them feel tough. It gets them ready for the fight. They want the music to portray an image of who they are and they need the fans to understand that. The music becomes part of their lives for 30 seconds as they walk out and strut with swagger and both fists high up in the air while making their way to the octagon. It’s become part of the MMA culture … And it’s not going away. So the next time you see a MMA fight, lean into it, check it out and participate like the fan they want you to be!! Rock on my friends. PORTAL MAGAZINE

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FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH

By: Chris Staniforth

Got Your Six Is About The Fans

In conversation with FFDP Guitarist/Songwriter Jason Hook, you would never be able to guess the success level of his band. In a business with a landscape where everyone says it is impossible to sell albums, FFDP manages to continue to oversell previous releases out of the gate. It is clear that even after Rock Star status has long kicked in, these guys understand what it takes to be a mainstay in American Metal. Hard working, hard hitting, humble and confident in the message they send through their music. They continue to push forward and prove that they deserve all the accolades. PORTAL MAGAZINE

Their latest CD, Got Your Six, is another focused release that lives up to the band’s reputation for putting out kick ass albums. With the opening, title track of this supersonic, Kevin Churko produced album; the first 10 seconds give you a good taste of what’s to come. In true FFDP form, the melodic, yet traditional power ballad “Digging

“It is with keeping in mind all the military men and woman and directly a tribute to them”

My Own Grave” is the only time the album slows down at all. With a nice tempo and melodic chorus not to mention some killer guitar work by Jason Hook, “Wash it all Away” is destined to follow lead single “Jekyll and Hyde” another song that will add to the band’s already dominant radio reign. All the way to the closing track, “Boots and Blood” the band stays true to their tribute to the mass of loyal followers and the countless men and women who put their lives on the line for freedom. Chris: Hey Jason! How’s it going man? Jason Hook: Fine man. How are you?

Chris: Good Thanks for asking. I wanna thank you for taking time today. I can imagine how busy you guys are. Jason: Yeah sure. Where are you calling from? Chris: Montreal Jason: Oh Montreal! Chris: Yeah man! You guys gotta get your butts up here sooner than later! Jason: Yeah! Being the resident Canadian in the band of course I want to get up and tour Canada. Primarily cause I get all the attenPORTAL MAGAZINE

“I think that everything we do is honest” tion being Canadian (Says Jokingly). No, we really wanna get up and do a run across Canada. It is one of those things that has to be planned out properly. If you do a run across Canada it is usually 10-12 shows and a lot of driving in between. But yeah we are looking

Got ur Six meaning got ur Back. Chris: Is this your guys way of saying that you guys have each other’s back...stronger than ever? Jason: Without being too corny...it is with keeping in mind all the military men and woman and directly a tribute to them. Also the fans and the way they have supported and continued to support us. Chris: I have to commend you

to do that.

guys on how you have paid trib-

Chris: You guys would totally tear

It makes me want to watch them

it up! So, new album....Got ur Six, You guys must be super excited

ute to the troops in your videos. over and over again.

about it?

Jason: It’s all genuine and hon-

Jason: Yeah man it’s been great!

is honest. I think people can feel

Chris: Where did you guys come

things that way. We made a deci-

est. I think that everything we do that honesty. We have always done

up with the title?

sion to not follow anyone and do

Jason: Well, being that it is our

it doesn’t well we have nothing to

sixth studio album ... also the military uses a clock to determine direction. Twelve being straight ahead and six being ur back. So,

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our own thing. If it works, Great! If look back and say hey maybe we should have done this or that. Chris: When you guys are sitting down to begin working on a new

“ We actually just do what we feel, it goes back to the honesty thing” record, how do you guys go about it? Do you have riffs from the road you share, or do you guys al sit in a room? Jason: It actually starts with some discussion. We obviously have a lot of time being together on the road so much. We begin talking about it first. So it all starts with the idea of a new album. Chris: After all the success you guys have had, do you guys put expectations on a new release? Jason: Uh wow...I actually don’t like to put expectations on anything. You really can’t control what’s going to happen. We actually just do what we feel, it goes

back to the honesty thing. If you put expectations on something you are potentially setting yourself up for disappointment. So I try not to do that. Chris: When the album came out it was challenging for that number 1 spot on the charts, do that mean anything to you guys? Jason: It’s another one of those thing that you can’t control, if it happens great. When the album came out, in the first week we sold more than anyone else did that week. To us that means something. We have been able to outdo our previous release every time. Chris: Producer Kevin Churko has seemed to become your Bob Rock and a mainstay with you guys. How they come to be? Jason: He is just a guy that knows us. He is a hard working guy. He will stay around the clock working to make sure stuff gets done. We feel good working with him, the albums sound great. The truth is I can’t imagine working with anyone else.

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Chris: So, out on tour with Papa

Jason: No problem, thanks for the

Roach and In This Moment. That

support.

is one eluvia line up. How has that been?

There is a lot to be said about a band that stays the course and

Jason: It’s been so great. Papa

doesn’t change their creative path

Roach has such a huge cata-

for popularity and radio airplay.

logue of hits. Every night I sit and

Got Your Six, like all of FFDP al-

go OMG that song and OMG that

bums is definitely an album they is

song...hit after hit. It is also a good

easily digestible and a really good

feeling to know everyone wants to

listen. All this album is going to do

be here. Everyone is going out and

is add to the countless number of

giving their 100% every night and

loyal followers the band already

that’s what it is all about.

has worldwide. Watch for a show

This is a tour that I can see making

listing in a city near you.

its way up to Canada. Chris: That would be a line-up that wouldn’t have problems selling tickets. Chris: Jason, I am not gonna take up anymore of your time, and again appreciate you doing this. You can be sure that when you guys make it up here. You can count on me being there! Thank you.

www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com www.facebook.com/fivefingerdeathpunch PORTAL MAGAZINE

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AY W E T A G

Monster Magnet MONSTER MAGNET REDUX By: WIll Plummer

Ever since 1997, with the release of the Star Wars: Special Edition, many of us have been left to wonder if re-invention is good thing. But, the debate is nothing new, Socrates, the Ancient Greek (who in 1989 visited San Dimas High with Bill and Ted) in his own time bemoaned the development of writing. He feared that we would become too dependent on the now commonplace skill and lose our memories and by extension our ability to defend ourselves orally. And, in June of 2008, Writer (not the actor), Nicholas Cage, asked readers of The Atlantic if Google is making us stupid. His argument? That we are so dependent on search engines for truth, that it is easy to get things wrong.

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The truth is reimagining is nothing new. As technology grows, our attention spans demand more and more stimuli in a single second and re-imaging art of any kind is nothing new - especially in music. You need only look to the local garage or Honky Tonk cover band to find the good, the bad, and the drunken ugly remake of everyone from Bob Dylan to Poison. And on a professional level, looking to the Beatles (if not further back) whose “Revolution 1” as heard on the White Album, was “too mellow for radio” - in some opinions - to be a single. So it was reimagined by, John Lennon, as the up tempo electric guitar driven B-side to “Hey Jude”. This re-imagined “Revolution” is more easily recognized and played on radio. But, each version of the song, has a place in the Rock N’ Roll Cannon. The reality is remixes are more common than we think. Acoustic albums have come from everyone, from Tesla’s, Five Man Acoustical Jam, to Black Label Society’s, Blackened, and several others in-between. Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” as heard on her 1989 CD isn’t much different from the single, except it is missing a verse or two from Kendrick Lamar, which are featured Single version. In fact, unlike most other things, we have become accustomed to musical re-invention. Growth as an artist is the eventual move of every artist. PORTAL MAGAZINE

The point is success is often re-imagined in music. Some bands like A Perfect Circle - go so far as to rename the re-imagined tracks, (compare “Lullaby” and “Counting Bodies Like Sheep” to “The Rhythm of the War Drum”). But, even though everyone from White Zombie to Justin Timberlake has a remix album, it is rare, outside of the Star Wars trilogy, to re-imagine an entire artifact. Don’t dismiss Monster Magnet’s Cobras and Fire:

“A project like this allows me to keep working on sounds and putting things out there for the fans “

The Mastermind Redux outright. To be fair, fans of the band will be familiar with the songs, almost all of them come from 2010’s Mastermind. But, these new versions - from a gritty, almost Grindhouse movie version of “Watch Me Fade”, the albums lead single, to the more ambient and psychedelic revamp of “Hallucination Bomb” (my favorite off the disc) to an almost Frankenstein cover of The Temptation’s “Ball of Confusion”, Cobra’s… offers something new and primal to the ear, that is worth dropping a few coins on at your local retail outlet or digital music store. Which for Monster Magnet’s seminal front man, Dave Wyndorf, gets right to the heart of the matter—music is evolution and invention or, as he explains it, “When I finished it, [Mastermind 2010 edition] I was right at the edge of beginning this new PORTAL MAGAZINE

thing that I was into…I found myself listening to it and thinking, ‘Man. There’s something more there…the original versions of the songs are more polished - more produced - than anything on the new album.” Will: Why go back and revisit Mastermind over putting something new out? Dave: This is something I can do all the time. I can’t really work on new music while I’m on tour. I can’t devote the time to it. But, a project like this allows me to keep working on sounds and putting things out there for the fans. Will: Some might call that cheating. Dave: Yeah, well some people might

say, ‘Hey, you’re just trying to get me

bands like Black Sabbath…I don’t know

to buy this album again.’ And okay.

that there have been any new sounds for

But, it really isn’t…It’s something we’re

a while now…Music hit a sweet spot in

excited about and that I’m proud of,

about 1965 to about 1974…and some

so we put it out for everyone to hear.

people will [read] that and say ‘Hey, what about Metallica or whatever?” [He pauses

Will: “Cobras and Fire…” has an al-

to shrug through the phone.] It’s my opin-

most throwback sound, is that where

ion, beyond that I’ve seen sounds be la-

you see music going to in the near

beled as ‘new’ but I don’t know if you can

future - the past?

call it that.“ [He pauses again.] “It’s really about the

Dave: You can call it what you want…

fans, and how they hear the music. They

Do I call it throwback or do I call it

either like it or they don’t.

me? It’s the music that excites me. It’s the sounds of my youth…and PORTAL MAGAZINE

“I’m happy living in the fringes”

Will: So would you go back and redux “Dopes to the Infinity” [Monster Magnet’s first album and my indoctrination to the band? Dave: No. I’m pretty happy with that album and I think it would be a disservice to myself…There are others I could go back to…we’ll see. Will: The press for the album is all about your love of “Watch Me Fade’s”, Organ and Fuzz-box guitar sound. Why do you think the combination strikes such a strong chord with you? Dave: The organ has such a rich and unique sound to it…Then when you throw in this little thing into the mix. You’d think it wouldn’t work…but there’s just a nice compliment to the frequencies there…It’s always fascinated me. And there are just…these kinds of surprises that come out of the studio…When you hear them it’s a sweet spot and think, ‘That’s it!’ Will: What inspired you to cover the Temptations; it seems almost out of place?

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Dave: “I was sitting in the studio one day and [we] were just play[ing] this jam session kind of a thing. So when I went back to those [sessions]…I found the track. And when I was listening to it, I just kept hearing the lyrics to Ball of Confusion”…which is odd, because the Bass [line] was all over the place. [But] I kept hearing it in my head, so I was like, ‘Okay, this is it.” Will: So I hear you’re a fan of home recording? Dave: Yeah, well I do a lot of different things. But it’s nice to just go around the corner from my house, and work on music…There’s a freedom there, to experiment…that may not be other places. It helps keeps things interesting… And, when I’m on a break,…it’s easy to do.

Will: After like twenty years in the business, what’s it like working in mu-

People live in this illusion, that there’s a lot of money in music…

sic today?

because there was a time there

Dave: I wouldn’t know. I tried the

name…you’re not making millions

whole cooperate Rock thing, and it just wasn’t me. There are too many distractions…to many people involved…and too much going on. But, I’m glad to have a place, and to be doing what I do…Honestly, as long as I don’t have to have a day job…I’ve made it. Music is my job…I’m satis-

was. But unless you’re a big of dollars on an album. You’re touring and playing small venues, to small crowds. There used to be money in music… But for now there isn’t. I think it may come back at some point…to where we’re paying the songwriter…and he’s making a living for his craft.

fied.

But, the way things are…we hav-

Will: What would you say to an up

get yourself out there and survive…

and coming act? Maybe someone who hears what’s on the radio - or see’s American Idol - and says, ‘That’s just not me’? Dave: If you’re driven to do music, you’ll find a place…If you can’t do the work…maybe it’s not for you. You gotta get out there…I’m not in the main rock thing…I couldn’t handle it. I don’t give them [record companies] what they’re looking for. I’m happy liv-

en’t figured it out. But, the key is to while some of the greatest shit we’ve ever heard is making millions of dollars right now. Will: Your media presence online is all kinds of dated. Where should we go to hear the latest Monster Magnet news? Dave: Yeah. I really am bad about the 21st Century stuff…but probably Facebook.

ing in the fringes. Doing what I like… that’s the most important thing. You have to be true to yourself, and your music. Especially today when…everyone can go on the internet and find what they want.

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We Hunt Buffalo

Going The Professional Route By: Alex Cliche It speaks a lot of someone’s character to work in trades. Labouring outdoors in minus forty weather and persevering through the bleak unpleasant cold. Building a house from the ground up, having a child and in this case, establishing an image and sound with enough presence to gain backing. We Hunt Buffalo, a trio from Vancouver including Ryan Forsythe, (vocals/guitar) Brenden Simpson, (vocals/bass) and Brandon Carter (vocals/drums). Chasing a dream through relentless effort and trials. Psychedelic fuzz rock. What does that mean to simpletons? “Like alternative?” Sure… PORTAL MAGAZINE

By doing things authentically and organically WHB went through the grind to release their first full self-titled LP. Through local acclaim and doing local shows around Vancouver, their fan base grew with every show. With local support the three decided to put

“You fight to be heard, you put on the war paint and prove it”

themselves in a radio station contest where they won among 400 bands, which bought them a ticket to the renowned Commodore Ballroom. Playing nine shows there over three years, to one thousand fresh ears each time, it’s no surprise WHB caught the attention of labels. Leading up to the release of their most current album, they dropped the Blood From A Stone EP. The difficulty with building a brand in a local city is to be careful to not overdue it. Like taxes, if you tax someone 100% of their wage, you make nothing because that person won’t work, but if you tax them nothing, you still make zilch. Finding a balance where civilians don’t lose their incentive to work is key in making tax dollars. Similar circumstance for playing shows, if you play every month or so, people won’t attend

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because a) they either just saw you perform or b) they can go to another performance a month down the road. Keeping hype while continuing to promote your brand, but also maintaining a living is an intricate thing. With their second full length LP Living Ghosts, the draw bridge is down and the gates are opened.

“We had an idea of exactly what we wanted to do, even down to how we wanted the vinyl done”

The collection, the group is most proud of is full of dirty, grimy, muddy and psychedelic notes. Now being repped by a label, a division of Dine Alone Records, New Damage in Canada and Fuzzorama for the rest of the world. Heading into studio this time around, it was booked well in advance. Jesse Gander produced the album. Brendan said “It took us ten days to put the album together. It was a first as we did a lot of pre-production demos and writing.” “We had an idea of exactly what we wanted to do, even down to how we wanted the vinyl done. Side A to be really, bang in your face where side B chills out and is more psychedelic.” added Ryan. PORTAL MAGAZINE

“We went into studio with Jesse Gander, a genius behind the controls and he made our vision a reality.” Now on the rare occasion labels can do harm to a band as seen through artists who have been under Epitaph or Victory Records. After being signed to a label however, things for WHB are so far, so good. “It feels great to (air quotes) do it professionally. It’s nice to get press or shows, with a proper PR campaign before the record came out and to be in magazines with bands we idolize is very humbling.” said Ryan.

Now quickly transitioning to the concert experience…Norwegian Icebreaker, Crooked Spies and headliner WHB. Let’s just skip NI. Crooked Spies being a Calgary band had some local support turn out and they performed very well, but in terms of musical aspects, WHB came out with a stellar instrumental which was groovy. It was everything expressed above. Spiritual, full of mud and passion. Playing a lot of new tunes and the reception went well. The vinyl, a beautiful shiny orange tint. Ryan, Brenden and Brandon, just very genuine and kind, hung around to have a beer and speak with fans. It was a smaller venue but it was very intimate. Which is where you must decide what you prefer. Paying money for a meet and greet for an arena band or grabbing a Pilsner with the crew afterwards. Pilsner, cigarettes, Brenden’s ZZ Top-esque beard, performing with Night Seeker. The Fubar lifestyle, rock n’ roll. We Hunt Buffalo has a lot of potential and a muddy groove that can connect with the lifestyle of many Canadians. Their Canadian tour dates have wrapped up, but you’ll have another chance to see them down the road. In the mean time, they’ll be exploring Europe, spreading their charismatic trippy surf rock. wehuntbuffalo.com www.facebook.com/wehuntbuffalo PORTAL MAGAZINE

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Bad Seed Rising Music’s Next Generation By: Michelle Gunderson

Bad Seed Rising... probably a name you haven’t heard before but it will be a name you hear again and again. You’ll start to love and recognize the name Bad Seed Rising because they are music’s next generation and they’re coming with full force. They hale from Frederick, Maryland and are the youngest group to ever to be signed by RoadRunner Records. Come along and let me introduce you to the next generation of music that is BAD SEED RISING. I had a chance to speak with the ever awesome lead singer Franceaska Pastor, who has got to be one of the most laid-back chicks I’ve had the opportunity to chat with...even when she’s on the road with the guys. PORTAL MAGAZINE

“I just want to make good music “ “I feel at home on the road.” I can hear her smile through the phone, “these guys, they’re my brothers.” I could hear the guys joking around in the background, which is nice because it gave me a glimpse into a little bit more of what makes

them through tough times. I just want people to be happy, to be positive and look for the good things in life.” She continues, “Aspire to inspire. Don’t give up, that’s really important people need to know just because it’s different doesn’t mean it’s wrong. My difficulties have made me who I am today. Never give in to something you don’t want to and ignore the negativity. I wouldn’t

them so special.

change anything.”

I actually got a feel for the way

As for the guys they say “ life’s a gar-

these bandmates work, live and play together. With Francheska being the only female she is constantly surrounded by three males Aiden “IRON” Marcerson (13yrs old) their drummer, Louey Peraza (17yrs) their bassist and Mason Gainer(15yrs) on guitar. This doesn’t bother her... in fact it doesn’t both-

den, dig it.” and to quote Mr.Gump “life’s a box of chocolates.” I would say they remind me of a younger version of Paramore, with strong lead female vocals and exceptional sound, but make no mistake, they definitely have a sound of their own. Earlier this year, they released

er any of them. They are a family.

the EP, A Place Call Home, with one

Francheska is wise beyond her

on the Soundtrack for the recently re-

years, she knows what she wants and she’s very mindful of the rest of her bandmates. “I just want to make good music. I want to make

of the tracks, “Carry On” chosen to be leased movie “SPY” featuring Melissa McCarthy and many other Hollywood A-Listers, these youngins, are well on their way.

music that inspires people or helps PORTAL MAGAZINE

But that’s just my opinion what do I know about music,? right. You can find them and their music on iTunes, Spotify on Facebook and all over the web. I highly suggest you catch one of their upcoming shows and if you can’t do that go get their music it’s pretty freaking awesome.

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“These guys, they’re my brothers”

badseedrisingband.com www.facebook.com/badseedrisingband PORTAL MAGAZINE

NEXT ISSUE COMING JANUARY 2016