|
|
:: |
[November Featured Interviews] |
| |
A Life Once lost is currently on break, but that didn't keep me from getting a word in with bassist Nick Frasca. Here's what I dug up:
Thanks for sparing some time - please introduce yourself.
I'm Nick. I play bass in A Life Once Lost, and sometimes I get to scream.
How did you come to join A Life Once Lost?
I knew all the dudes from being in other bands and playing shows with them. I was "singing" in a band that Bob Carpenter played guitar in, who plays guitar for ALOL. One day I got a call from Doug.. Rich, their original bass player, had quit. It was a week before they had to leave for tour. I agreed to fill in. What followed was a night of cramming. I learned a handful of the old songs. My head actually hurt. So I went on tour and I guess it all worked out because I just stayed in.
What did you do before joining the band?
I mostly played in bands. Too many bands actually. The list is long. Other than that I pulled random jobs. I was training to be a piercer for a while. That didn't exactly work out.
You guys were a featured band on the Sounds of the Underground Tour this past summer - how did that go for you?
That tour was crazy. It was a huge honor to be playing with those bands. We had a lot of friends on the tour already and made many more. Everyone was so down to earth and would hang out. Sometimes it was a party. Other than that it was great to get to play in front of so many people. Most of the time we had a great reaction, which is good considering not too many people knew who we were. I think we gained a lot of fans in the end though.
From gaining that experience, where do you enjoy playing more - at smaller venues or larger stages, like SOTU?
They both have their ups and downs. I guess if I could have a happy medium....the closeness and intimacy of a small club crowd....but on a huge stage. It is a lot of fun being able to run around. It isn't fun playing directly in front of the drums and almost getting knocked through them all the time.
You were currently touring with the Black Dahlia Murder, Behemoth & The End.. the tour was cancelled due to the parting of a couple of Dahlia's members. Do you have any input on that?
It kinda sucks. We were all really looking forward to that tour. BDM and The End are good friends of ours, and we love playing with them. That was going to be a sick tour. I guess we'll never know. I'm not gonna bitch about having some time off though. It sucks too that BDM lost members. Hopefully they'll get right back on the ball.
When do you start up touring again and who is featured?
Once December hits we start up with As I Lay Dying, Norma Jean, and Madball. Should be incredible. We're headlining some shows on the way to meet up with the tour as well.
What has been your best touring experience so far? And worst?
Our European tour with Every Time I Die and Twelve Tribes was pretty amazing. It was great to finally go overseas and have that many kids stoked on you. I love the U.K. We've done some really good ones in the states too. The tour we just did with Unearth and Dillinger and Zao was incredible. As far as worst tours....most of the tours we did back in the day were kinda rough. Not many people knew us at all. And you don't get the same kind of promotion that you do for bigger shows. That's rough when you're trying to get your name out there.
Your debut album Hunter was released on Ferret Records this past summer as well - how was it recording the album?
It was a little bit of a long process. It was cool seeing it come along though. Paul, who owns Millbrook Studios, had his own bar. Two actually...one in the studio, and one in the town. I learned a lot about beer. I also got pretty good at video games. I think my band hates me.
What was the general reaction to it's release? What kind of feedback did you get?
I get a lot of people at shows coming up and telling me how much they love the new one. It's doing real good. It's crazy to see something you're a part of doing so well.
Taking a slight turn here - when did you start playing music?
I started in the third grade, playing trumpet. I started playing bass in sixth. Played in the school jazz band. I didn't play in any bands until my senior year though.
What are some of your biggest musical influences?
Well everyone in the band is completely different from the next. So we have a wide variety of things we listen too. Most of the time I don't listen to anything heavy really. I have to hear it all the time. It got old. As far as the influences of the whole band....I guess Meshuggah, Pantera, Sabbath. Those are the ones you'd hear the most.
If you could create your very own dream tour, who would play?
Superjoint, High on Fire, The Red Chord, Us, and t.A.t.U. In no particular order.
Any last words?
I'm always bad at this part.. I don't know.. Skate or Die?
Big thanks to Nick for answering so quick and giving some awesome answers! Check out A Life Once Lost HERE and HERE.
Norma Jean is up-rooting the U.S. with brutal hardcore one state at a time - we checked up with vocalist Cory Brandan to talk about recording, touring, and, of course, BBQ.
First off, thanks for doing this. Please introduce yourself.
I am Cory, the vocalist for Norma Jean.
How did you come to front Norma Jean?
I have been friends with the dudes for a long time. I was in bands before and we played some shows together etc... They called me when they needed me... and I joined. Yep.
What did you do before joining Norma Jean?
I played guitar briefly for a band called Living Sacrifice, before that I was in other smaller heavy bands,
What element do you think you brought to the band?
I don't really know the answer to that. But it is a common question that I get... I am just here doing what I love.
How was the writing process for "O'God the Aftermath"?
We were shacked up in a dungeon-like room in a place called the Blackbox in Atlanta. A lot of other bands practiced there too at the time. It was hot most of the time and cramped. We had a lot of fun writing that record though. We experimented with a lot of different elements of music. There were a lot of expectations for that record but we tried to just do what we felt was natural to us.
What were some of your main influences while writing the album, both lyrically and musically?
I was reading a lot of CS Lewis at the time, mainly the Abolition Of Man. Insane book. Really deep though... A lot of inspiration came from that. Musically, we listen to so much music that it would be hard to name it all... We are inspired by so many musicians.
What was the reaction of the fans after its release?
We got mixed reviews, but it was mostly really positive despite its lack for "breakdowns" and typical hardcore elements. We were really happy with the outcome of it.
Norma Jean was a featured band on the Sounds of the Underground tour this past summer - how was that experience?
It was great, we made so many good friends on the tour and had a great time. It was amazing... We'd do it again for sure.
Who are you touring with now and how is that going?
Right now we are doing a headlining tour with Darkest Hour, Haste the Day, The Handshake Murders, and Still Remains. It's been awesome... Next up we are out with As I Lay Dying... Looking forward to it.
What are your plans for the rest of this year?
Doing that tour with AILD and taking the rest of the year off during the holidays... Next year we'll start writing the next record.
What's your view on Christian hardcore and metal, and how do you think it influences the fans?
We consider ourselves christians... But we believe that we are equal with our peers in that we sing about what we believe in... Just like any other band does. I would definitely hope that we are influencing our fans. God is good for sure.
A question from a fan - how do you manage the vocals you do onstage without constantly losing your voice? Did you ever take classes or have you just developed it over the years?
Also a really common question that I don't know how to answer... I just do. That's all.
What are your top 3 favorite albums at the moment?
The Toadies - Stars Above Hell Below
Fugazi - In On the Kil Taker
The Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
How was it shooting "Absentimental"?
SO fun... One of the best shows ever... Can't say much more than that... Just a really good time.
What has been your best touring experience so far?
This year we did a world tour with Atreyu, we got to go to Austalia and Japan... Going to those places for the very first time and seeing kids sing along to our songs was insane... It was one of the best times ever for sure.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I am really hungry right now and I am seriously about to eat some BBQ... and lambs are real.
I would like to thank Cory for taking time to do this interview and wish them the best of luck on the road these coming months! Check out NORMA JEAN at their MYSPACE and OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
The Agony Scene is one of the biggest names in the current metal word - guitarist Brian Hodge spared us a couple minutes and let us take a glimpse at what they've been up to.
Please introduce yourself.
I'm Brian and I play guitar in The Agony Scene.
How did the Agony Scene get signed to Roadrunner and when did you join the band?
We had played some festivals where Mike Gitter (Roadtunner A&R) had seen us. After we parted ways with Solid State, we started talking with Roadrunner and it pretty much went from there. I've been in the band since May 2004.
What did you do before joining the group?
I was in a few different local bands in Tulsa and worked at Dish Network.
What are your plans for the rest of this year and how has touring been?
We start a 3 week headlining tour November 6 with Nodes of Ranvier, Scarlet, and Becoming the Archetype. After that, we are heading to the UK and Europe for the first time where we will be playing with Lamb of God and Devildriver. As for previous tours, they have all been a lot of fun. We just got of the Blackest of the Black tour with Danzig and Doyle, Chimaira, Behemoth, Himsa, and Mortiis which was a very successful and fun tour.
When did you start playing bass?
I've actually been playing the guitar since I was about 8 or 9. I didn't really have much experience playing bass until I joined The Agony Scene. When our guitarist Stephen left the band in early September, I made the switch to guitar.
Personally, who is your biggest musical influence?
I would have to say Pantera or Metallica. I've been listening to those bands since I was really young. I had all of their tapes...yes, I said tapes. CD's hadn't taken over yet.
What are the biggest musical influences to you as a band?
A lot of European metal like At The Gates, Arch Enemy, Carcass, etc...as well as American metal/trash like Metallica, Slayer, Pantera and so on...
What do your lyrics reflect on this album?
Beer, titties, and fast cars...the way metal should be..I'm just kidding haha. Our singer, Mike, is really good at being metaphorical and all that so that's a question that could only be answered by him.
Where you satisfied with the finished product of The Darkest Red?
Of course. Our producer Rob Caggiano did an amazing job on the record. He had a lot of good ideas for what we were doing. The band has really progressed a lot since the self-titled album came out in 2003. I think The Darkest Red really established us as a band and defined the way we wanted to sound.
What is your favorite song off The Darkest Red and your favorite song to play live, and why?
My favorite song on the record is probably "Scars Of Your Disease" because it hits hard immediately and doesn't have one weak point from start to finish. That song is also my favorite song to play live off the album.
Desrcribe The Agony Scene's sound in three words.
Heavy Fucking Metal
What albums have you been listening to a lot lately?
Arch Enemy "Doomsday Machine," Chimaira "Chimaira," As I Lay Dying "Shadows Are Security." Also, I've been listening to a lot of non-metal records such as The Sisters of Mercy "Floodlands," H.I.M. "Dark Light," and Interpol "Antics."
What's your favorite thing about touring? Least favorite?
Favorite thing is obviously playing the shows. I also love hanging out the the other bands. We've been very fortunate in touring with very cool people. My least favorite thing is the bad luck we seem to have all the time with tire blow-outs and shit like that.
Is there anything else you would like add?
Thanks to everyone who has picked up our new record and make sure you get the new Himsa record "Hail Horror" when it comes out in February!!!!
Thanks to Brian for his cooperation and kindness! Check out the Agony Scene HERE and HERE.
|
|
:: |
[October Featured Interviews] |
| |
A Static Lullaby has slowly but surely etched themselves a slot in the more mainstream world of rock and emo, bashing peoples ears at the winter Taste of Chaos tour at the beginning of this year which corraled a whole new group of fans that push them head-and-shoulders above most cliche acts. The Chicago Cord recently got a chance to perform an odd yet entertaining interview with bassist Phil Pirrone who had quite a lot to say:
CC : To start this up, please introduce yourself :)
Phil Pirrone : I am Phil Pirrone. I play bass guitar. I sing songs. I'm in A Static Lullaby. It's a pleasure to talk to you through the internet.
CC : How did A Static Lullaby form and get signed to Columbia Records?
PP : We formed because we all wanted to play so bad. Every day. And travel and make records and make music. That's why we formed in my opinion. We signed to Columbia in April 2003, we thought it would be a good idea to spread our music to the world. Seeing that Columbia, and Sony is a huge world wide record label. Definately able to promote a band around the globe in huge ways. They came to us at a show in Kansas City, Mo. They flew in from New York and LA. They approached us and the neccesary process followed and some months later we were on Columbia and were thinking about making Faso Latido. We didn't do it for money or any bullshit like that. We did it because we wanted to take that step. In a way, we wanted to be put into that picture to make the whole situation better. What I mean is.....we wanted to be on the radio and MTV because, in that case at least it would be better than the bullshit that is on there now. It's not all bullshit, but most of it is. And I happen to like our band. And I think it would make the whole radio situation a lot better if we were on there. But, if were not, it's all good. Whatever. I'd play music with or without radio or MTV, I'd play music without a label. I'll play music without a band. I'll play music without limbs, my friend. It's the only thing I got. Music. It may sound a little cliche, but I'm serious. I'm in this for making music.
CC : How did you pick the band name? Or was it random?
PP : It was thought of in a dream. The dream was had by a friend. The friend's name is Freddie. He used to be in a band called Lost North Dtar when we were teenagers...(16).... He played guitar with us for a week before he decided he didn't wanna be in the band. Then Nate joined the band.
CC : What was the writing process for Faso Latido?
PP : We wrote most of it in a practice space in Santa Ana, CA (a 30 minute drive without traffic, but we sat in 2 hours of traffic everyday) over the summer of 2004. The practice space was small and sounded like hell in there. We made demos there, at my parents house, at friends houses.... My apartment even was subjected to guitar tracking and mixing sessions. My neighbors didn't really like it. We wrote the songs without Brett on the drums, it was different. The drummer that was in the band while we were writing the songs left the band during pre-production with Lou Giordano in October of 2004, in Los Angeles. Sammy Seigler of the band Nightmare of You (he used to be in Glassjaw and Rival Schools and a bunch of other great bands) came in and recorded the album with us. Brett returned to the band shortly after the record was done.
CC : I hear you guys's style changed on this record from the last one. What is your input on that?
PP : Yeah, it changed. We changed. We grew up. We lived 2 years of life on the road. We didn't change to piss anyone off or to please anyone at all. We wrote the record to please ourselves. I like the record. But I'm ready to move on. The new record is gonna be nothing like it. And probably nothing like And Don't Forget To Breathe. Who knows.
CC : What are your plans for the rest of this year?
PP : We have a headlining tour in November. Those shows will be with Haste the Day, Halifax, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, and Bedlight for Blue Eyes. Then in Drcember were doing a tour with Funeral for a Friend, Hopesfall, Receiving End of Sirens, Lovehatehero and before those tours were writing for our new record.
CC : I have a question from a fan - do you guys get along when you're touring?
PP : Good question...... Sometimes.
CC : Who are your influences musically?
PP : I'd say that we have been influenced by the following bands over the years..... Poison the Well, Glassjaw, Hot Water Music, Jimmy Eat World, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Tool, Silverchair, Nirvana, Cave In, Mike Patton, Refused, Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, and I could go on and on but that would take a long time.
CC : What would your band's dream tour be?
PP : Original Beatles lineup, Radiohead, Refused, Pink Floyd, The Police, Bob Marley, A Static Lullaby, The Bled, Vendetta Red, Vaux, Every Time I Die, Head Automatica, Jimmy Eat World, Cave In, Tomahawk, Tool, Killswitch Engage, Auditory Aphasia, and a bunch more. It would a festival tour... haha.
CC : What has been your favorite tour experience so far?
PP : Probably the Finch, RX Bandits, The Exit tour in August of 2005. Taste of Chaos, winter 2005. And others, but those yeah.
CC : Is there anything else you would like to add?
PP : Thanks again, you're awesome :)
A huge thank you to Phil again for taking time out of their currently hectic planning schedules to fill in the fans! Check the band out at www.astaticlullaby.com or www.mypace.com/astaticlullaby
Once caught in the indie underground of kids trying to make it, I Am The Avalanche are picking themselves out with a spoon due to their brand new debut release "I Am The Avalanche". Catching the ear of drummer Brett Romnes, The Chicago Cord questioned the rhythm man about the new release, his favorite albums, and what's going on this year:
CC: For starters, please introduce yourself :)
Brett Romnes : Hello, my name is Brett Romnes and I play drums from I am the avalanche.
CC : How did I Am The Avalanche come together?
BR : We formed the band in October of 2004 after a few chance meetings. Vinnie had started writing songs after the breakup of his prior band, The Movielife, and started working on solidifying a lineup. Kellen and Brandon were in bands that had toured with Vinnie in the past and Mike was a good friends with both Vinnie and
CC : Where did the name come from?
BR : The name came from a lyric in a song that actually never surfaced.
CC : How did you get signed to Drive-Thru Records?
BR : Richard and Stephanie, the owners of Drive-Thru Records, kept it contact with Vinnie after his split with The Movielife, whom were also signed to Drive-Thru. They supported his decision to start a new band and when the lineup solidified we had a meeting. We all came to the decision that continuing to release records with them would be great considering they have been huge supporters of our music since day one.
CC : How long have you been drumming?
BR : I've been drumming since I was 12 years old.
CC : Who are your biggest influences, musically and generally?
BR : My biggest influences musically would be The Cardigans, Nada Surf, Green Day, The Streets, Clutch, Bob Marley... Not that they are related at all. Generally, I'd have to say I am influenced by honesty and love.
CC : Describe your band's sound in three words.
BR : I have no idea.. been working on this for a while now.
CC : Your band just released your debut album, which is self-titled. What was the writing process like?
BR : We basically wrote all of the songs in the dungeon which was the basement that we all lived in while writing. Vinn usually creates a skeleton of the song with acoustic guitars with all the rest of the instrumentation in mind. Then we go are hack it out at our rehersal spot which is small and hot. Sound like fun?
CC : Who are you touring with now and what are your plans for the rest of the year?
BR : Right now we are on the road with Bayside, June and the Forecast. Next we are doing a headline tour with The Black Maria and a tour with The Honorary Title and Koufax to end out the year.
CC : What are your three favorites albums at the moment?
BR : Nada Surf - Weight is a Gift, Clutch - Exodus / Robot Hive, The Beatles - Norwegian Wood
CC : What was the first album you ever purchased?
BR : Michael Jackson - Bad
CC : Who is your favorite band to tour with, by far? Why?
BR : Head Automatica, they are like family to us.
CC : Is there anything else you would like to add?
BR : Big up Brooklyn
Thank you to Brett for taking the time to fill us in! Be sure to check them out whent they come to your town and check out their links - www.iamtheavalanche.com - www.myspace.com/iamtheavalanche
|
|
:: |
[September Featured Interview] |
| |
Massachusett's metalcore heroes Unearth have been extremely busy lately with their continual follow-up touring for their third album The Oncoming Storm - which included 2004's OzzFest and this year's first Sounds of the Underground Festival. The Chicago Cord recently got the oppritunity of an email interview with Unearth drummer Mike Justian where he filled us in on fall touring and summer releases, all of it spilled here:
For starters, please introduce yourself :)
Hello, my name is Michael James Justian from the band Unearth.
When did you start drumming and what did you do before you joined Unearth?
I was drumming out of the womb, but before Unearth I worked and played in a band called The Red Chord.
3.) So when did you join Unearth?
I joined about 2 years ago.
4.) You've practically been on the road since the release of The Oncoming Storm over a year ago.. how has that experience been?
Triumphant, exhausting.Good times, bad times and a whole lot of times in between. Touring is a very surreal experience, because you're constantly moving and conastantly bombarded by new scenes, but the more you do it, the more it all bleeds together and morphs into this long droning day comprised of several days.
5.) How was Sounds of the Underground?
Good, not so good for me, but the fest itself was a success.
6.) So who are you touring with next and what are your plans for the rest of the year?
We start a tour with Dillinger Escape Plan, A Life Once Lost and Zao in 2 days, then a tour with Slipknot and As I Lay Dying immediately after.
7.) Do you have any plans for a new record anytime soon?
After those tours, we'll be taking 5 months off from touring to write and record a new album to be released in the summer of 2k6.
8.) Which do you prefer playing - bigger arena shows like SOTU or smaller venues?
Smaller venues. I like to connect with the people and truly share in the experience.
9.) What was the first album you ever purchased?
Weird Al Yankorvic - "Polka Party"
10.) What are your top five favorite albums at the moment?
5] Burst "Prey on Life"
4] Envy "Dead Sinking Story"
3] Interpol "Antics"
2] Ocean Size "Effloresce"
1] Kings Of Convenience "Riot on an Empty Street"
11.) Thank you so much for doing this interview, is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for the interview, cheers.
We would like to thank Mike Justian for taking the time to answer our boring question! And all the best to Unearth on their mind-boggling amount of hard work the rest of this year! Looking forward to the new album!
Check out UNEARTH here - www.unearth.tv
And here - www.myspace.com/unearth
Our full Sounds of the Underground review here - www.freewebs.com/midwestcc/reviews.html
Pictures from the Chicago SOTU & Full Review here - www.fourteeng.net
|
|
:: |
[August Interview] |
| |
The Massachusetts metal/rock band Seemless is quickly ripping it's way through the underground of the surburban venues, fueled by vocalist Jesse Leach, bassist Jeff Fultz, guitarist Pete Cortese and drummer Derek Kerswill with moody guitar riffs and hauntingly familiar vocals. Fortunetly enough, with his busy schedule of tearing up the east coast with the group, Leach took the time to answer an email interview for CC :
CC: For those who weren't aware, part of the reason you left Killswitch was due to a throat problem, what happened there?
JL: Ha, yeah in reality my voice was getting hoarse after like 5 shows, I was not trained in how to control my voice. I have since been training quite a bit. That whole rumor got blown up way to much. That was not the main reason at all. I had creative differences with the band, I was not diggin' touring at the time. I was on the verge of a depression it just kind of snowballed from there. All things happen for a reason though & I am glad it all worked out for all involved.
CC: What did you do in your off-time between Killswitch and Seemless?
JL: Worked like a dog 2 jobs back to back. I worked at a bakery from 6-3 then restored antique windows from 5-9. Yeah, that was fun, if anything it really inspired me to write though.
CC: How did Seemless get started?
JL: I got a phone call from Pete, the guitarist for Seemless who was an old friend from the past. He told me about it. I got of a CD they were working on with no vocals. (They were formally a band called Medium and they lost their singer). I was floored it was real close to what I wanted to start doing more roots rock heavy metal stuff. I showed up to a practice & we all locked so good musically & personality wise. Now here we are still kickin' after 2 years.
CC: I know there's a bit of difference between Killswitch's style and the style you're doing now, was that an enjoyable transition to make?
JL: Oh yeah, definatly!
CC: How did people react to your re-appearance?
JL: Mixed, very mixed but people who really know me & knew my situation were so supportive & excited for me. Every one else either didn't understand or wanted me back in KSE.
CC: I know you're a very spiritual person, is there referance to that in Seemless's lyrics?
JL: Yes I am a Christian man. I write with an open end I don't like to say this song is exactly this or that. I like to leave the interpretation up to the listener. I write about my view of the world through my eyes i.e. the struggle of good vs. evil, politics, emotion etc.
CC: How was recording 'Seemless'?
JL: A great & liberating experience.
CC: What was it like filming the 'Lay My Burden Down' video?
JL: A looong, dirty, dust day we played the song 33 times, then we played an hour set for eveyone who was there. After playing the night before, driving through the night on 3 hours of sleep...
CC: What are your views on the current metal/metalcore scene?
JL: I am really not into it so much it is kind of stale in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I still love metal, but I am real picky with the new stuff.
CC: What future plans do you guys have?
JL: Record a new album early next year, see what happens with that, & maintain!
CC: Is there anything else you'd like to add, say to the fans?
JL: To all of you who have supported Seemless I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. For all the positive words of encouragement that helped me through hard times & made me never give up, I thank you. For anyone who supported me in KSE & now in Seemless, that is huge. I give you respect for having an open mind to music. To me it has always been about the passion, honest & feel of music, not what style it was & if this is to you, you are my brothers & sisters. God Bless all of you - massive thanks! Oh & the new Seemless is going to make big noise & silence any of the naysayers out there, we are bringin' the rock a thousand times more than our first album!!!
Absolutely endless thanks to Jesse Leach for doing the interview, and good luck to Seemless!
Check out SEEMELESS'S self-titled, debut album and the Lay My Burden Down video!
Links : www.myspace.com/seemless - www.seemlessband.com
|
|