Richard ‘Stitch’ Thomas is a man of many faces (literally?) as he’s known for being a member of masked bands, Mushroomhead and VentanA. That, while simultaneously being a glorious freak and a creative mind in the Haunt business with his most recent venture being the opening of Nightmare Cleveland Haunted House. So, here on The Metal Phone Podcast, we discussed what he does best – music and horror.
Watch the interview here:
Happy Friday, everyone! It’s time to kick off the weekend – the Metal way. To do that, Metal Southern Belles Media brings you an interview with a kickass Metal musician, yet again! For this one, we have Israel Carrillo of Psychotrauma, based out of Ecuador. As the band’s bassist, Israel shares his long history with the instrument and Metal music, what impact the genre has on Ecuador, the story of Psychotrauma, and what badassery is in store…
MSBM: Hey, Israel! When did you start playing bass? Was there a particular bassist or sound that attracted you to the instrument?
Israel: I have been playing the bass for 20 years now. I have played in various bands and musical groups, of various styles. My favorite bassists who I admire and have been my biggest influences are: Jaco Pastorius, Flea, Cliff Burton, Steve Harris, Les Claypool, Rex Brown, among others…
MSBM: Wow, you’ve been playing bass for a very long time! And you were certainly influenced by some of the best in the business. Also, what bands inspired you to pursue Metal music as a career?
Israel: I am fascinated by styles like Hardcore, Thrash, Death, and Grind. The bands that are a direct influence for my music are: Slayer, D.R.I., Death, Carcass, S.O.D., Sepultura, Cryptic Slaughter, Agnostic Front, Ramones, CroMags, ProPain, Sacred Reich, Metallica (old works), Anthrax, Megadeth, Brujeria, Impetigo, Napalm Death, Testament, Benediction, etc…
MSBM: Hell yeah! Can you briefly walk me through your own history with the band life?
Israel: I formed my first band in school time; it was a band that covered songs from the bands that reigned at the time. Then, together with two friends, we formed a band where we made our first compositions and we began to have a musical identity. The band was called M-amen, a pun on the name…
Then, the following years, I was in some temporary projects until we formed the current band; in which I feel very comfortable.
MSBM: Can you provide me some details on Psychotrauma?
Israel: The current band, Psychotrauma, was formed in 2008 after the union of two sister bands that shared the stage. We had interests and musical tastes in common, we shared the same drummer, and we decided to form a project where we would shape our musical proposal. We formed Psychotrauma and from the beginning, we thought of leaning towards the creation of our own material. Although, in each presentation, we play one or two versions of other bands that we like. We have released two EP’s and a Split with local bands and a 7-track CD called “Antinuclear”. With this work, we have toured a lot throughout the country and we were invited to be part of the band lineup at the Cali Undergroud Festival in the sister Republic of Colombia. This being our first international experience and where we gained a lot of experience sharing the stage with bands from all of South America.
MSBM: What can be expected from Psychotrauma throughout 2023?
Israel: The pandemic and personal projects of the members delayed the songwriting process for the next album. But in the following weeks, we will continue to focus on creating the themes for a release tentatively planned for the end of this year… At the moment, we have participated with some songs in some compilation albums.
MSBM: Good luck on the upcoming music creation! I’m sure you guys will make something totally badass! Now, let’s focus on the live shows. What do you enjoy the most about them?
Israel: The best thing about a live performance is feeling that outburst of strength and the intensity of people’s dedication; that is something really gratifying and motivates you to give 100% of your performance… Due to the style of our music, we always have a very active, wild, and energetic crowd.
MSBM: Great answer! Concerts bring on one of the best feelings in the world, no doubt about it. So, you’re based out of Ecuador. What is the Metal scene like there?
Israel: The Metal scene in Ecuador is intense. Now big bands visit us, which didn’t happen before. That motivates the appearance of new bands in all styles. I think the scene has grown a lot; bands emerge daily, some of great quality in many cities, and many massive events are organized. Plus, the clubs are always full and there is a lot of dedication and intensity in the shows.
MSBM: That’s awesome! What is the best Metal show you’ve ever been to?
Israel: As an assistant, without a doubt being able to see Slayer in 2019, D.R.I. in 2012, and Sepultura with its classic formation in 2004 have been unforgettable events. Although, shows like Ozzy, Anthrax, Megadeth, Misfits, Lamb of God, Hatebreed, Exodus, and others were also spectacular.
MSBM: You’ve seen so many of the Metal greats! Which is really damn cool! Also, what are your favorite Metal albums of all time?
Israel: My favorite albums of all time are: ‘Abbey Road’ by The Beatles, ‘Reig’n in Blood’ by Slayer, ‘Thrash Zone’ by D.R.I., and ‘Arise’ by Sepultura; the ones that really blew me away.
MSBM: Great! Now, back to your band! Is there anything else you would like to share about Psychotrauma? Does the group have any social media profiles or music on streaming platforms?
Israel: We have some visual material from presentations on YouTube… It has been a true privilege to chat with you and I can only thank you for the opportunity and congratulate you on your initiative and greet Metal fans around the world… Long life to the Metal…
** Tune in every Friday for a new interview. Interested in an interview for your band? Contact us on Facebook or Instagram! ***
Hello again! I’m pleased to share a second interview with you on this fine Friday. For this go around, I’m joined by solo artist, Grady Kukovich. Having walked away from the band life to be a lone wolf, Grady explains that decision, what it’s like to create music on his own, and what is next for him on this new journey…
MSBM: Let’s get into this! What is your history as a vocalist, Grady? Are you self-taught, from a musically-inclined family, or anything like that? Who influenced you?
Grady: My mom was a competitive vocalist in high school, and my dad was a vocalist/musician throughout the 80’s. I am self taught; I believe the ability to sing is inherited. When I heard Dimebag playing the guitar, I knew I wanted to be a Rockstar. I’ve never been influenced by anyone vocally.
MSBM: You mentioned before the interview that you used to be in a band. What is your experience with that and what made you decide being a solo artist is the right path for you?
Grady: My experience of being in a band personally was a waste of time. I decided that being a solo artist was a better option for me because I did all of the writing, and I had a vision of what I wanted to do in music and the message I was trying to convey was completely opposite of what the other band members wanted to do. I felt like I was carrying the weight of the other band members, and I thought why stay in a band when I can do it all by myself and better.
MSBM: So, I assume when it comes to the music creation process, you find this new path to be more personalized and self-controlled?
Grady: It actually comes a lot easier for me. It is more personalized and I can mold songs into what I want with a personal message without having someone with an opposing idea.
MSBM: And what kinds of things do you write about?
Grady: Generally everything relevant in the world and life at the time.
MSBM: That definitely brings about a variety of topics, emotions, and events that I’m sure many, many people could relate to. So, what projects are you working on currently?
Grady: I am currently writing new solo singles and plan to do collaborations with other artists as well.
MSBM: I can’t wait to see what you cook up and who you will be doing that “cooking” with! I noticed that you seem to prefer using TikTok to promote your music, as most artists seemingly do now. How are things going on there for you?
Grady: Actually, I have wasted a year on promoting my music on Facebook, Instagram. I have done on TikTok in a week organically, what I couldn’t do on Facebook or Instagram in a year.
MSBM: Well, I’m glad you found a platform that works for you! Your music deserves to be heard. Since you mentioned future collaborations, I have to ask, if you could pick any artist to feature on one of your tracks, who would it be?
Grady: Sadly, the artist I would prefer to do a collaboration with are gone, but things are brewing that will involve more well-known artist being featured with me.
MSBM: I understand what you mean. We’ve lost so many great and talented musicians. But there’s still many here with us for you to make music magic with! Do you perform shows as a solo artist or are you more of a studio/recording artist at the moment?
Grady: I haven’t performed a show as a solo artist yet; I am brand new to being a solo artist but shows will be getting booked soon.
MSBM: Awesome! What do you hope to accomplish within the year?
Grady: I hope to put out music that other people can relate to, and love to listen to-and if I have done that, then I have done my job as an artist.
MSBM: Love it! Any additional details you’d like for the audience to know?
Grady: Good music coming from guys who stay true to their Metal roots.
Follow Grady Kukovich on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialgradykukovich?_t=8Zzq2E5d29W&_r=1
** Tune in every Friday for a new interview. Interested in an interview for your band? Contact us on Facebook or Instagram! ***
Welcome, welcome! It’s Friday, which means it’s time for another interview! So, for today’s badass conversation, I’m sharing my chat with the insanely talented guitarist, Carlos Lobo. Here, we discuss Carlos’ lengthy history with Metal music, his decision to go solo, his recent collaborations, what is next, and more. Now, let’s sink our teeth into this one because it’s too good to waste another second!
MSBM: Firstly, I have to say that you’re a phenomenal guitarist! You make it look easy because you’re so seamlessly skilled with your work. You’re a virtuoso, without a doubt. But how did you harness that talent? Where did it all begin?
Carlos: Thank you so much! I started playing guitar when I was about 13 years old. My older brother influenced me to listen to Metal since an early age and ever since I watched Metallica play “Master of Puppets” on S&M, I started dreaming of playing that song live one day. So, my brother taught me a lot of music theory and different techniques on guitar and I kept building my knowledge from there. I played in three different bands: Dark Fire, The Rising Flames, and Within Hell. When I belonged to The Rising Flames during my teenage years, I was so addicted to playing guitar that I would practice for hours everyday nonstop. But it was only when I was playing in the band Within Hell that my playing took a step to the next level. The complexity of some songs was so demanding that I needed to get better and better in order to keep up.
MSBM: Your dedication to your craft has definitely rewarded you! Since we are on the topic of guitar playing, what is your preferred gear to record and to perform with?
Carlos: I’m not too picky when it comes to gear as long as I’m able to produce my own sound with it. So, a nice distortion pedal will do. I’m not really using any wah pedals these days because even though they’re cool and some guitarists use them to perfection, I don’t identify too much with the sound. To record stuff at home, I use Line 6 Gear Box and Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio Interface. When working on my songs, my producer and I use all sorts of different hardware and software to achieve the sound that fits the concept of the song better. We try tons of different things at the studio and it’s a fun process. When playing live, I use a Blackstar LT Metal distortion pedal. When it comes to amps, I’ve used Marshall, Randall, Crate, Boss, and many more, and they’ve all worked great for the performance. I have a lot of guitars but the ones I use the most are Dean Guitars because they not only sound great, but they also look very intimidating.
MSBM: Very, very cool! I took notice that you’re also a vocalist. Who influenced you to start singing, along with playing the guitar?
Carlos: I actually started to sing before I learned how to play guitar. With most of the projects I’ve been involved with over the years, I did the singing because no one else in the band could do it better, even though singing is clearly not my biggest quality. It also helped that I had the coordination to play guitar and sing at the same time. Legends like James Heftield and Dave Mustaine were among the musicians I was trying to mimic by doing so. When I started a career as a solo musician, I was planning to perform only instrumental songs but the audience kept asking for vocals, so that’s why I currently include singing in my solo performances.
MSBM: So, do you prefer the solo gig over being with a band full-time?
Carlos: Yes, I played full-time in all three bands I mentioned. I didn’t have any side gigs and was fully committed to those bands at the time. Later, I decided to go alone in a solo career and I prefer that because I’m able to have total control over any decisions, which helps me create the songs according to my vision. I played many gigs alone on stage, but sometimes I have really good session musicians with me that deliver exactly what is needed. Right now, I’m casting members to play for me live on a regular basis. This is the way I prefer, but I wouldn’t say “no” to occasionally play live with other bands in the future as a guest.
MSBM: Still on the topic of gigs, what is performing and touring like for you?
Carlos: It’s a lot of work but I enjoy it for the most part. It takes a lot of preparation and rehearsal which can be a bit boring and annoying at times, but it pays off in the end. It’s a great feeling when the crowd is chanting your name or when everyone goes crazy when you’re playing. It makes all the effort worthwhile. Some of the best gigs I played were in South America, because people breathe Heavy Metal there. I always get a bit nervous right before I go on stage no matter how many concerts I played. But that feeling always goes away when I start playing and bonding with the crowd. I have to say that playing live is what I enjoy the most as a musician.
MSBM: As a music lover, I think the live experience is what I enjoy most. Even though I’ve only been an audience member, I can imagine that being a performer is top-tier when it comes to euphoria. Despite of the hardships and moments of boredom that you experience, I see how your career choice pays off with every show. Now, on to the next question. If you could pick any other band or artist to collaborate with (on stage or in the studio), who would you choose?
Carlos: I’m glad you asked that question because lately collaborations have played a major role in my career. I love gathering musicians from all over the world to play together with me in a single song or project. I’m really proud of the collabs I did so far and I’m planning a lot more. I am lucky to be able to say that I played in a song with my favorite guitarist of all time and my biggest inspiration in music. I’m talking about Michael Angelo Batio, who is currently in Manowar. Soon I will be collaborating with two talented guitarists from Chile, a great vocalist from the US, and many more. If I could choose a band to play with I would probably go with Iron Maiden, which doesn’t seem very likely to happen. Some successful guitarists I would probably try to get in touch with for a collaboration would be John Petrucci (who is a huge influence on my playing), Herman Li (who is another legendary player and seems to be very down to earth), Peruvian guitarist Charlie Parra, or YouTuber Stevie T. I have no high expectations of ever playing a song with any of them, but if MAB played a guitar solo on my song, you never know. It doesn’t hurt to dream.
MSBM: Keep dreaming big and shooting for the stars; you may find some surprises one day! You got to play with your favorite guitarist, so let me ask you a question pertaining to “favorites”. What are your favorite albums of all time?
Carlos: My favorite albums are Metallica – ‘…And Justice For All’, Megadeth – ‘Rust In Peace’, Opeth – ‘Ghost Reveries’, Dream Theater – ‘Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory’, Machine Head – ‘The Blackening’, Iron Maiden – ‘Powerslave’, Pantera – ‘Cowboys From Hell’, Megadeth – ‘Endgame’. I could probably make a bigger list than this, but all of these are albums I always listened from beginning to end whenever I listened to them.
MSBM: Absolutely fantastic choices. Now, what do you consider to be the best guitar solo ever recorded?
Carlos: This is a really difficult question. Over the years, I kept trying to select which song or guitar solo I considered to be the best ever, but I’ve come to the conclusion that there is no such thing. I’ve heard so many mind-blowing solos filled with technical ability and feeling by Marty Friedman, Yngwie Malmsteen, Guthrie Govan, John Petrucci, Joe Satriani, Michael Angelo Batio, Tom Hess, Dimebag Darrell, Chris Broderick, Shawn Lane, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert… I’m not able to pick only one.
MSBM: That’s understandable! Now, I must know, what are your plans for this year?
Carlos: This year I will finish recording my album entitled ‘Annoyances’ and all the music videos I have left to record. I will have the album available on as many platforms as possible. I will try to dedicate more time to my YouTube channel, which has some of my music videos, but it’s a little bit abandoned in comparison to my other social media pages and doesn’t have nearly as many followers. Apart from music videos, I will also make some videos where I analyse controversial album releases. When I have all of this under control, I will eventually schedule live performances more regularly. I will also continue to create more medleys of songs from different bands. It’s great to see people react to those medleys live when they recognize a riff of one of their favorite songs.
MSBM: Well, you definitely have a lot of awesome things to bring us here in 2023! I can’t wait to see you accomplish it all, Carlos! Lastly, where can anyone interested go to listen to your work or reach out to you for a gig opportunity?
Carlos: I have most of my work available on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Anyone can contact me or the admins through those pages to request or schedule a gig.
Follow or contact Carlos Lobo on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarlosLoboOfficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_lobo_official
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/CarlosLoboOfficial
** Tune in every Friday for a new interview. Interested in an interview for your band? Contact us on Facebook or Instagram! ***
Greetings! It’s Taylor Ayers (AKA Renee Revolver) with Metal Southern Belles Media. My interviewing ventures are about to level up with my upcoming podcast, The Metal Phone. The conversations with Rock and Metal musicians will live on – in the form of phone calls. But firstly, I have a few more written interviews to bring to you. The one for this week is with Power Metal band, Vulpecula. From the world of a far off star, Noah, Fridolf, and Jack descend to discuss the band’s latest single, the to-be-released EP, and the magic that powers Vulpecula…
MSBM: Hey, guys! Let’s get right into it! How did you get started as a Power Metal vocalist, Noah?
Noah: Hi, Taylor! Thanks so much for giving us the opportunity to answer some burning questions! So, I really only started singing Power Metal 2 years ago. I sang pop-styled music for many years, but I’ve always been jealous of Power Metal singers; so I took it upon myself to learn how they get that range!
MSBM: In my opinion, your pop-esque, Power Metal would be perfect for an anime soundtrack! Maybe there IS some anime influence? Regardless, what exactly made you want to go with this particular sound?
Fridolf: I used to work on a lot of anime projects as a songwriter. I’m not a huge fan of anime, but the experience has definitely affected our music.
MSBM: That’s pretty damn cool, actually! I knew I was getting some anime vibes. Also, what does “Vulpecula” mean?
Noah: So, Vulpecula is latin for “Little Fox”. Though, we named the band after the little-known star system! We like space stuff!
MSBM: Love it! This may be irrelevant, but as a big Star Fox fan, I appreciate the fox and space combo, haha! Anyways, what bands contribute to influencing Vulpecula?
Noah: Oh, I’m sure we will have multiple answers to this, haha! For me, I like to take inspiration in my vocals from Northtale, Majestica, and of course, Twilight Force.
MSBM: Very nice! So, your band recently released a single entitled, “Crystallite Dream”. What can you tell me about this song?
Noah: “Crystallite Dream” was actually intended to be part of a professional anime project that Fridolf was working on. He sent me the song one night, and I told him that we needed to turn it into Power Metal, and so it was!
MSBM: That’s awesome! Since unleashing this anime, Power Metal conflated tune, what is next for Vulpecula?
Noah: Next up for us is releasing our upcoming EP, ‘Under The Starlit Sky’! Comprised of 3 songs, the EP will take the listener through a magical journey, filled with soaring vocals and impressive solos with plenty of Japanese goodness!
MSBM: Since we are on the topic of this magical EP that’s approaching, where does Vulpecula’s lyrical inspiration stem from? What does the band write about? I assume it’s pretty space-y!
Noah: So, we have started building a story for our album that we have planned that our upcoming EP is part of. The story involves two lovers that are seperated and sent to a magical land in the stars. The couple lost their memories and are trying to find their way back to each other. There’s plenty of magic, dragons, and creatures as well though! We joke around and call it romance metal sometimes, haha!
MSBM: That sounds absolutely fantastic! And I think “romance metal” might have a ring to it, haha! Now, on to the next question. If you could collaborate with any other artist, who would it be?
Jack: If I could collaborate with any artist it would be Twilight Force, but I’d be happy to do stuff with anyone whose music I like!
MSBM: There’s so many awesome artists out there to choose from. The possibilities are truly endless! But it would be amazing for Vulpecula and Twilight Force to link up! Before we wrap things up, I want to ask something a little silly. Referring back to the debut single, what anime do you think it would be the perfect theme for?
Fridolf: I love Biohazard! So, why not that one!
MSBM: Great choice! Lastly, What platforms can the readers visit to follow Vulpecula’s journey?
Noah: Anybody can listen and follow us on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Music, Facebook, and Instagram!
Follow Vulpecula on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vulpeculametal?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Instagram: https://instagram.com/vulpecula_metal?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7L2nKIjqq2T8B24xTcLBWu?si=Chth7YoyReKqV3eTvD4YFA
*** Tune in every Friday for a new interview. Interested in an interview for your band? Contact us on Facebook or Instagram! ***
Metal Southern Belles Media welcomes you to another interview with the badass musicians who live and breathe Metal music. For this week’s conversation, we are joined by Andrew Southwell of VICIOUS NATURE. Southwell, with decades of experience on his guitar and the stage, reveals what you need to know about this group of UK based rockers; including their success with radio play and tours throughout the UK and Europe, details on their latest album, and plans on what is to come…
MSBM: Hello, Andrew! As always, we have to talk about the basics first. So, can you discuss your beginnings in music and the formation of VICIOUS NATURE?
AS: Mark Culley (former bassist) and I started the band in 2012. I left Marshall Law in 2006 after cutting my finger badly in an accident. I couldn’t play for about 5 years, had physiotherapy, and managed to play in a fashion. We asked Andy Pyke, who sang in Marshall law, to join and he brought Jon Brown, who played drums for Cloven Hoof.
MSBM: Still on the subject of the VICIOUS NATURE itself, what is the meaning or significance of the band name? Is there anything in particular that inspired it?
AS: We were going to call ourselves “13th Fire”, but somehow we called ourselves “Vicious Nature”. I can’t remember who came up with it, but it seemed to fit.
MSBM: I think it’s fitting as well! Speaking of inspiration, who are your influences?
AS: We all have different influences. I don’t tend to listen to other bands much. I like older stuff.
MSBM: It’s to my understanding that VICIOUS NATURE has several EPs. Can you walk me through the music creation process?
AS: I write the music and then send it to the guys in the band. They do their thing, Matt Gore (our new singer) writes the words and melodys mostly. But I do help sometimes.
MSBM: And what inspires the band’s lyrical content?
AS: Matt tends to write the lyrics. He’s influenced by what’s going on in his life and the world in general.
MSBM: The most recent release is ‘Moment of Impact’. How has the band grown with this one? What sets it apart from the previous releases?
AS: ‘Moment’ is the first release with Matt singing. It’s a different animal now; we have more scope to try new keys. It’s been played all over the world, in many countries, and has had some awesome reviews and we are happy with it.
MSBM: VICIOUS NATURE has played shows throughout the UK and Europe. What is the Metal scene like in those areas and how does an audience react to your live performances?
AS: We have been lucky enough to play some great shows and headline our own shows in Europe. The last 2 shows in Belgium were great and sold out. We have played Bloodstock and other festivals in Great Britain and have headlined festivals in Europe. We always enjoy playing live.
MSBM: You guys obviously have a successful reach; which is so awesome! Speaking of that, the band has also had some radio play in the UK, Europe, and even the US! How did that come about and how did you guys react to this widespread airplay?
AS: We have been lucky enough to be on over 70 stations all over the world in many countries, including Kerrang, and have done many interviews with stations too. It helps spread the band’s music and growth.
MSBM: Wow, congratulations on that exposure and support! May it continue to grow! I’m sure that it will while bringing on more shows! With that being mentioned, where do you hope to play in the near future?
AS: We just love playing live. We will be going to Belgium, Holland, and Germany later in the year as well as Wales, Scotland, and many more gigs in England.
MSBM: Hell yeah! Good luck with those shows! What else can we expect from VICIOUS NATURE in this new year? And where can all info, updates, and music be found?
AS: We hope to go back into the studio in July to do more recording and just play as many shows as possible. The music can be found on all platforms. The band has a website, http://www.viciousnature.co.uk.
Follow VICIOUS NATURE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ViciousNature?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Listen to VICIOUS NATURE on Spotify (or any other streaming platform): https://open.spotify.com/artist/3V13OgqR7NresOhpRIQnmc?si=f2pyeACORkS9sU3K9E0gJA
*** Tune in every Friday for a new interview. Interested in an interview for your band? Contact us on Facebook or Instagram! ***
2023 is off to an amazing start for Metal Southern Belles Media. We are keeping the ball rockin’ and rollin’ with weekly interviews and we are happy to have you here with us. For our second badass discussion of the new year, we have a chat with Dave Frost of THE RED MOUNTAIN. This Mississippi based band is powered by a Heavy Metal heart and a fearless drive to experiment with the genre. Their vocalist, Dave, tells us all about this Metal fusion along with their freely interpreted lyrics and killer live performances. He also discusses the band’s latest release, ‘Alpha’, and teases us on what is to come. Let’s get to climbing up THE RED MOUNTAIN to explore the mysterious, but exciting, peak…
MSBM: Hey, Dave! Can you tell me about how you got started with music and THE RED MOUNTAIN in particular?
DF: I began being in bands back around 2005 with some friends from my hometown. THE RED MOUNTAIN came together in 2015 in a friend’s damp basement. Cody (bass) and Goph (guitar) had been in bands together in the past, and Adam (drums) and I were also in a band together at one point previously. In 2015, Cody, Goph, and I formed the band and went through a plethora of different drummers before (Adam) Smith was able to join up and really solidify the lineup.
MSBM: Now, that we’ve established how the band formed and who the members are, let’s really dive in. What combination of influences molded THE RED MOUNTAIN’s music and lyrical content?
DF: As far as the instrumentation part goes, we’re all avid fans of Heavy Metal. So, I’d wager that’s where our hearts are. We each love all different genres of music though, and we’re never afraid to experiment with anything. When it comes to lyrics, I like the listener to make their own interpretations.
MSBM: Heavy Metal has my heart as well, but like you guys, I enjoy other stuff too. So, I think it’s cool to fuse genres together. With the lyrics being left up to individual interpretation, what about your band name? Every band name has an origin! Who came up with your band’s name and what significance does it have?
DF: Some say no one knows. I read a story once about a man who jumped from the pinnacle.
MSBM: I guess we can leave that up to interpretation as well, huh? Don’t we all enjoy a good mystery! So, TRM recorded a 3 song demo in 2019. What was the writing and studio process like during this period?
DF: Most of those songs had been written a couple years prior and performed multiple times live, so we really knew exactly what we wanted when we entered the studio. We love to let our songs audibly develop and mature live a lot of the time before recording. Also, in our home studio, we did a great deal of pre-production for the songs. At American Recording Studio in Memphis, we were able to lay down the tracks for that demo fairly quick. Shout out to Jason Gillespie for being such an awesome engineer for us.
MSBM: The debut, full-length album, ‘ALPHA’, was then released in May of 2022. How did the creation of this album differ from that previous demo?
DF: We had a pretty decent amount of songs built up after the demo and we really wanted to go all in and do a full record. During the covid-19 horseshit debacle, we spent a great deal of time tightening up songs and writing new things, but it was also a perfect time to record. We had worked with Michael Babb at Babbylon Sound in Memphis prior when we recorded and released “Blood Poison,” and we really felt that he understood our sound, so that’s who we went to for the album.
MSBM: With ‘ALPHA’ unleashed on the world, what has the band been doing off the heels of that release?
DF: Several shows. Lots of promoting the album around. We still have a few tricks up our sleeves with ‘ALPHA’. We’re already writing new material for the next one too.
MSBM: Before we get into detail about the new material and such, can you describe what shows are like for TRM?
DF: They’re our lifeblood. We feed off of energy, and we emit pure energy as well. It’s meant to be “experienced,” not just seen and heard.
MSBM: I agree that a concert just has to be experienced. It’s not easily put into words, but there’s truly nothing like it. It’s the “lifeblood” for many and that’s so profound! Now, what details can you give us about your band’s 2023 plans?
DF: As in the aforementioned, we’re planning to put out more music for sure. Maybe some visual treats… Also, to play as many shows as possible.
MSBM: That sounds absolutely exciting! So no one misses out, where is the best place to go to stay updated with TRM? And where can your music be found?
DF: We’re on all the social b.s., but our Linktree is a good way to pick your own favorite distractive destiny. The music can be found on all major streaming services, ‘ALPHA’ can be purchased and shipped via our Facebook store, but most importantly, our music can be EXPERIENCED live!!! We implore you, come to a show.
All of THE RED MOUNTAIN’s links: https://linktr.ee/theredmountain
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Happy New Year from Metal Southern Belles Media! Let’s get down to business and hop right into the first interview of 2023. This week, we are joined by Justin Mirarck, drummer of Progressive Metal band, Source. During this conversation, Justin discusses his longtime love of music, joining Source, the inspiration behind the band and their deep lyrics, the concert experience, and more…
MSBM: Hey, Justin! Before we get into our conversation about Source, can you tell us a little about yourself as a musician? How did you get into playing music and decide that it was something you wanted to seriously pursue?
JM: I’ve always had a deep passion for music as far back as I can remember. I started taking private clarinet lessons when I was eight. A few years later, drums took over my life once I saw my older brother’s friends marching in the high school band. Drumline-drums looked like so much fun! At the age of 16, I started playing in clubs with a group of guys about 10 years older than me, and had a handful of other bands up through college and beyond. After about a decade as an electrical engineer, I found and joined Source right before recording ‘Totality’ and eventually ran out of time off options from work for touring. So, I made the leap and left the day job. Now, when I’m not spending time with Source, I freelance as an audio engineer for live events as well as record bands and session drums out of my studio.
MSBM: I think it’s great that you’re able to do what you love full-time now. Whether it’s recoding or touring, you get to dedicate your time to your passion: music. So, I don’t have the largest amount of knowledge when it comes to “gear”, but I know that many people are very interested in that stuff. Which leads me to ask, what is your preferred equipment?
JM: I have a couple of amazing Tama drum kits, a 2001 Starclassic Maple and a 2017 Starclassic Performer Bubinga/Birch, both 5-piece (4 toms and a kick). Tama SLP Black Brass snare drum and a Pearl free-floating snare drum with a wood hoop and custom Padauk shell. Paiste cymbals, Evans drumheads, Gibraltar hardware, Vic Firth sticks, Tama Speed Cobra kick pedals, a Nord Drum 3p, and Alclair in-ear monitors.
MSBM: Very nice! Now, let’s talk about Source directly. How did the band come to be? How did you guys as individuals and as a group decide on what musical direction to take? Who/what influenced you?
JM: The band started with guitarist/vocalist, Benjamin Gleason back in 2014. He had a different drummer and bassist at the time and they recorded the album ‘Return to Nothing’ under the Pavement Music label. After a few tours, they parted ways with the original drummer. I caught wind of the vacancy and auditioned for the band. After joining, we then recorded the follow up album ‘Totality’, and then shortly afterward had to find a new bassist. A few fill-ins later, and we’ve found our current and hopefully last bassist to complete the lineup, Pascal Faurie. The music has evolved with the various different members of the band with Ben being the only common thread. The earlier music was largely written by Ben, where he’d bring songs about 50-70% complete and we’d collaborate to finish them. But with the more recent stuff, we often write as a group or in pairs starting with simple ideas and building from there. We just write the music that we wanna hear and is fun for us to play. We all have quite different influences with some overlap. But some of my favorites are Frank Zappa, Led Zeppelin, Tool, Between the Buried and Me, Protest the Hero, Snarky Puppy, Dave Weckl, Mark Giuliana, Animals as Leaders, Plini, and so many more.
MSBM: Now that we’ve established everyone’s influences and how the music is created, let’s go in a little deeper. Your band’s music is described as “conscious-based”. How does the band name and lyrical content tie into that?
JM: The band name comes from the question of: what’s the source of our experiences? And as we always say, “we are Source and so are you.” The lyrics are derived from the human experience, always questioning reality and breaking free of embedded control structures to be as true to oneself as possible.
MSBM: That’s interesting and very profound! What kind of impact has it had on your listeners?
JM: The best feeling is to inspire people and it’s always wonderful to hear and see what people can do. For example, the artwork for our new single “Emergence” was painted by our friend, Mike Gamble, and he did so while listening to our rough demo recording of the song on repeat. After he finished the piece, he told us that it was the easiest time he had working on a painting and that everything just flowed for him. We really love the concept he came up with and his work is just incredible. Then we took his art even further and our friend, Misha George, animated Mike’s painting so that with an augmented reality app, you can see the artwork move and a hidden audio track plays, all inspired by the music. Most of the ‘Ethereal Self’ art also has augmented reality capable artwork.
MSBM: The augmented reality and concepts with your band’s artwork is quite fascinating! Now, since you’ve mentioned Source’s albums by name, it’s the perfect time for my next question. At this moment, Source has three albums out. They are entitled, ‘Return to Nothing’, ‘Totality’, and ‘Ethereal Self’. How has the band progressed since that first release, in your opinion?
JM: Aside from the lineup changes, there’s been lots of ups and some downs. The first two albums were done under Pavement Music, and we’ve since gone independent, not feeling like the record label was adding any value. The first album, ‘Return to Nothing’, was recorded before I joined, and like most other modern Metal, the drums were quantized and sample replaced, and the vocals were auto-tuned. For ‘Totality’, we had the fortune to work with producer, Ulrich Wild, where we took a more organic approach to recording, focusing on getting great performances so we didn’t have to use the editing tricks allowed by modern tech. Without a label and a strong desire to have control over the full process, we wrote, recorded, and mixed ‘Ethereal Self’ ourselves during covid. Since then, we’ve continued to refine our writing and recording process.
MSBM: In 2022, Source released a new single called “Emergence”. What can you tell us about this song? And what does it mean for the future of the band?
JM: “Emergence” and its opening movement, “Crack in the Shell”, are really just the continuation of “Pupa,” the last track off ‘Ethereal Self’. This is the first song that we wrote and recorded with Pascal Faurie, and we’re super thrilled with how it turned out. The band lineup finally has the right chemistry and we’re happily working on new music with plans to record early next year. We’re also in the process of booking a tour across the Midwest and Northeast in April 2023.
MSBM: It sounds like you guys are on the right track and have some great plans coming into fruition! Since tour dates are to be expected, what are Source’s shows like? How’s the energy and crowd response?
JM: Our goal is to make each of our shows a unique experience. We choose a different set list for every show, which keeps us on our toes. Both Ben and I have a love for jazz and improvisation, so we’ve added a jam section to the song “Totality” where we loop a section so we each get an opportunity to improvise a solo. The music is really proggy and psychedelic, with heavy breakdowns interspersed so crowds usually oscillate between rocking out and being mesmerized. The fans we have are amazing and always bring a great, positive energy.
MSBM: Fantastic! If you could put together the “ultimate” show/tour lineup right now, who would you choose? Why?
JM: Tool, Between The Buried and Me, Source, Crater. This would be an incredible, and very long night of music and I would pay top dollar to see it.
MSBM: I agree, that would be incredible! Lastly, where can all Source’s information and music be found?
JM: You can find links to our website, Spotify, YouTube, and everything else at: https://solo.to/listentosource. Thank you! ~ We are Source and so are you. ~
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Metal Southern Belles Media welcomes you to join us as we continue on our journey of badass interviews. Every week, we have a conversation about Metal music with those who create and LIVE it. For the last interview of 2022, we have Micah Murphy of As Tides Rise. This Metalcore vocalist tells us about the band’s tough beginnings, the deep purpose behind the music, details about the upcoming EP, and more…
MSBM: Hi, Micah! I’m happy to be given the opportunity to chat with you about As Tides Rise. Your band formed during the late 2020 and early 2021 period. As we all know, those were trying times for the music industry and the world, in general. So, how did the band get started?
MM: With the outbreak of covid, it really did put the music world on hold for quite some time. The whole world pretty much shut down, making it difficult to get any projects going. For me, the decision to start a band was right before covid, and so it really put a damper on setting up auditions or jam sessions at all. The attempt at getting potential members didn’t come easy because no one wanted to leave the house, which was completely understandable. So, we had to make sure we were going through the proper precautions, as well as making sure everyone was comfortable meeting up due to the outbreak. Eventually, enough of the guys stuck around and we were able to put together the members of As Tides Rise today!
MSBM: You guys truly persevered! Despite of the difficulties in the music industry during and post pandemic, the band released a couple of songs in 2021. Can you walk me through your process of song writing and recording during this time?
MM: Even after we established the members, meeting up was still rough. If one of us got sick then we didn’t practice, so it delayed song writing alot. But when we were able to meet, I think like most bands, the first few practices consisted of us just hanging out and playing random stuff. Our drummer, Alex, would lay a simple beat, then Tristan, Austin, and Brandon on guitars would throw a riff over it, then I’d just scream and sing stuff that made no sense at all. We continued that until things started to stick, and we actually started to structure songs. Probably a few months later, we had written “Break the Waves” and “Yours Truly”. We were fortunate enough to find a studio that was allowing bands to still come in and record during these times. The recording process was so much fun in my opinion; this is my very first band and it was my first time getting to do anything like that. So, I thought it was so cool to see and experience the whole process. I learned so much and it was really interesting.
MSBM: Since we’re on the subject of song creation, where does your band typically find influence for lyrical content and the music itself? Who and what are your biggest influences?
MM: From a lyrical standpoint, I try to incorporate the everyday struggles of mental health. It’s a big thing for me, and I think it’s very important. I feel over the years the discussion about it is being brought to light more and more everyday, and that’s great to see. But there are still so many people everyday that are taking their own lives, feeling too embarrassed to talk about issues going on in their lives. I believe everyone deserves to have someone to talk to. When people listen to our music, my hope is that they not only relate to what I’m saying, but they take something away from it that helps them hold on for another day. Everyone is fighting demons, but we’re here to say you don’t have to fight them alone. Our musical influence is hard to narrow down, in my opinion. We all come from different backgrounds of music that we enjoy. Personally, Metalcore has my heart. I love jamming old Asking Alexandria, Of Mice and Men, Crown the Empire, and so many more. I’ve always liked when bands have that balance of melodic and heavy. It’s like a roller coaster throughout the songs, and I think that’s transferred into the way we write.
MSBM: That’s some powerful stuff, Micah. I think being open about mental health and giving space to others to not feel so alone is admirable and vital. This being spoken through music is a lifeline for some people, literally. So, you’re doing a good thing. The influential bands that you mentioned were a big part of my teenage years and their balance of melodic and heavy appealed to me as well. Comparing it to a roller coaster is an accurate way to put it. Now, that I have an idea of what your music means to you, what about your band name? What does “As Tides Rise” mean to you?
MM: To me, the name “As Tides Rise” represents how life can constantly make you feel like no matter how hard you try to stay afloat, the tides of life continue to rise higher and higher, making it hard to keep your head above water. I think everyone has felt like that at some point in their lives. I think our name hopefully furthers our connection with our listeners because that’s the most important part to us.
MSBM: Great answer. That feeling is definitely relatable and I think your listeners can find some comfort in knowing that your band understands those “tides”. So, I was told that there is a new EP on the way. What can you tell me about that?
MM: We are super excited about the release of our debut EP; we’ve titled it ‘Losing Myself’. It will have 5 songs on it that we can’t wait to share with the world. We don’t have a release day set just yet. We’re still cooking up some things behind the scenes that we’re really excited about. We’ve been working really hard and we’re continuing to work hard to make sure this is our best release yet.
MSBM: Awesome! I have a feeling that it’s going to be great… So, how will this new music differ from the previous releases?
MM: I think the really cool thing about this EP is that the songs all have something about them that’s unique in their own way. I think it will show how we’ve grown so far as a band. We’ve taken a lot of things we’ve learned from our last releases and applied it into this EP. Hopefully, people will really be able to see the growth we’ve made with our music over the past year since we dropped “Yours Truly”. Also, we’ve played loads of shows over the past year, so some of the songs people have already heard if they’ve been to one of our shows. So, it’ll be cool to have actual recorded versions of them that people can listen to whenever they want! Plus, we have a couple of brand new ones that we’ve never played before. So, I’m excited for people to hear those. I think as a band we’re still kind of finding our sound, and the direction we want to go, so we tried to fill the songs with a little bit of everything. The songs are heavy, light, fast, and slow. I think they all have something that people can gravitate towards.
MSBM: My interest is piqued! I’m definitely looking forward to the EP. You mentioned that the band has played some shows as of late, how has that been going for you?
MM: Throughout 2022, we did play quite a few shows with TONS of really cool bands, all over the Omaha and Lincoln area. We also got the chance to play our first out of town show in Kearney, Nebraska last July with Attack Attack! It was so cool! We’ve opened for some really cool regional and national acts. Some of the fun ones I remember, we’ve played with Kingdom Collapse a couple times now, Saving Abel, Hinder, Blacktop Mojo, Convictions, and Like Moths to Flames most recently. We always have a blast at our shows. We love getting up on stage watching people vibe with us to the music; there’s nothing like it.
MSBM: It sounds like the band has had quite the year when it comes to shows. Which is always awesome! Now, along with the upcoming EP, what else can be expected from As Tides Rise as we move into 2023?
MM: I think what people can expect from us next year aside from the EP, would be a bigger and better show. This past year for us has really been about playing lots of shows and getting our name out there as much as we can. Just to kind of let people know we exist. Now, we want to take that next step. So, when we go out there, people are getting a good show. I don’t want people to just like our songs; I want them to have as much fun as possible while we have their attention for those 30 minutes.
MSBM: The performance and entertainment aspects of concerts are very important because people want to have a good time. You know this, so I think you’ll only improve from here! By the way, what’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
MM: The best concert I’ve ever been to, I’d have to say, was probably when I saw Asking Alexandria with We Came As Romans, Bless the Fall, and The Word Alive. At the Sokol Auditorium in Omaha. The energy in the room was insane; everyone looked like they were lost in the music, just having the most amazing time. I’ve been to a lot of really cool shows, but I have yet to go to one that tops that one.
MSBM: Shows with crazy energy that affect everyone in the room are the best, no doubt about it. Obviously, you’ve seen and played with some really cool bands. But what would be the dream lineup for you?
MM: My dream lineup is such a hard question; there’s so many bands that I’d love to get the chance to play with. So, I guess I’d say it’d be us with Hollow Front, Wage War, Our Last Night, maybe throw Fit For a King in there too. No particular order of course, but that sounds like such a crazy show and would be a lot of fun!
MSBM: That would be a good one for sure! I think it SHOULD happen. To conclude, where can As Tides Rise be kept up to date with and listened to?
MM: If you’d like to keep up with the band and all our upcoming content, we would appreciate it so much! We do have accounts on most all main social media sites. I’d say we’re probably the most active on Facebook! We also have a couple of songs “Break the Waves” and “Yours Truly” available on all streaming platforms. As well as a music video for “Break the Waves” out on YouTube! So make sure to give us a follow on your prefered platform and get ready for the EP when it drops!
Follow As Tides Rise on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsTidesRiseOfficial?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Instagram: https://instagram.com/astidesrise_official?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=
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The heavy music locomotive continues on as Metal Southern Belles Media brings you to another badass interview. Our second and last rockin’ discussion of the week is with the band, FRACTURED. This group takes pride in performing pure Rock ‘N Roll that “cuts through time as it cuts through your soul”. So, let’s cut right into the bones of their music, chat about it’s appeal, and everything FRACTURED…
MSBM: Hello! It’s my pleasure to have a moment with you to talk about your band, FRACTURED. We have much to discuss; let’s dive right in. So, the band found its beginnings during the pandemic. Can you explain how the formation came about during such difficult times?
F: Three of the members, Robert Brooks (singer), Dave Farris (guitarist), and Brian Smith (guitarist) had been getting together on the weekends and working on material. It wasn’t a serious project at the time, just a jam project. But they soon starting writting some great material. A couple of years went by and we soon find ourselves on lockdown with nothing to do but play music. They had been searching for a bass player for sometime when Phil Witz answerd the call. They soon found themselves a drummer to round out the project.
MSBM: The band is described as “hard driving, melt your face Rock and Roll”. Where did you draw influence for that particular sound? Also, how does that contribute to FRACTURED standing out from the rest?
F: We all have different influences. From Black Sabbath to Alice in chains. Motley Crue. Metallica. Winger. Blackberry Smoke. We all write and bring in different riffs that are very diverse, which adds to FRACTURED’s over all sound and helps us stand out.
MSBM: Having a diverse set of influences and different “ears” when it comes to music can create something truly unique. I love that the Rock and Metal genres are still managing to stay so fresh. I have to give it to bands like yours for that! So, an EP entitled ‘Alive’ was released in 2021. How did that whole process go especially with the world still being very chaotic at that time?
F: It was well received. “Alive” was just featured on Atlanta’s Rock radio station, Rock100.5 FM, all week. “Maybe Tomorrow” made it on the charts in Australia. “Burn it Down” has been featured on too many internet radio stations to mention. I mean, we would like to see more Spotify followers, but that will come with time and our record label pushing our music.
MSBM: It’s so awesome that your band’s music has a reach like that. I hope it continues to expand as your music touches more people around the globe… Piggybacking on my previous question, can you go into detail about some of the songs on the ‘Alive’ EP? What experiences and influences factored into their creation?
F: Well, “Alive” was written about Rob’s experiences and relationships. He sustained major injuries from a roofing accident years ago. “Burn it Down” is of course a song about smoking Pot. Which all of us in the band know a little something about, as you can see in our music video for “Burn it Down”. We also pay tribute to Cheech and Chong in the video. “More” is on the darker side. The riffs are very influenced by Black Sabbath. The lyrics are about making bad decisions and selling one’s soul, literally as well as metaphorically in the sense that writting music and lyrics somtimes is very personal and it does come from life lessons and experiences. Selling that feels very much like selling a piece of my soul.
MSBM: Very interesting. Especially with your description of “More”. Putting deeply personal music out there to be bought, I suppose, could be viewed as selling a fragment of your soul. Definitely a thought provoking perspective. So, FRACTURED prides itself on using “no bells, synthesizers, or whistles” when it comes to performances. It’s just pure, in your face Rock ‘N Roll like we discussed earlier. How does your audience react to that? What are shows like for your band?
F: We have been fortunate enough to have a loyal following that buy tickets and come out to our shows. We appreciate every one of them. Our shows are very high energy. We don’t just stand there. We move all over the place. I headbang a lot and try to interact with the crowd. The crowds are very high energy too. Usually jumping up and down, singing along, or dancing. We always want to give you your money’s worth and give our fans the best show possible. We have been told we sound like our album live. I think that’s because we don’t use synths or a lot of FX.
MSBM: Your band seems to be the real deal. Judging by some things that I’ve read, you guys are very genuine individuals as well. I saw the band formed the “Hometown Heroes Events”, which benefits veterans and sick children. I think that’s absolutely fantastic. Can you give me some details on this organization?
F: It was very difficult during the pandemic. No one would let us play anywhere. So, our manager, Cheri Belfiore-Kane came up with the Hometown Heroes fundraiser. We partnered with Xtreme Rider Motorcycles Shop in Warm Springs, GA. There, they let us hold concerts to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. We have played with a lot of great bands. We finally got to play and for a great cause. We have been doing it for over 2 years now and have raised a lot of money for the foundation.
MSBM: That’s a great thing to be a part of. Good on you guys. You mentioned finally getting to perform live. Can we be expecting some shows in upcoming 2023?
F: Definitely, we are booking our tour for the spring and summer as we speak. We will try to hit most of the south and southeast. We will also be featured on VH2’s TV show, ‘ELEVATED’, which premieres this January on VH2. We will also be selling a DVD of the show. So, people can get a taste of what our shows are like before we come to their town.
MSBM: Awesome! Are there any plans for fresh music in the new year as well?
F: Yes, we are playing our last local show on New Year’s Eve. After that, we go back into the studio for a while to add a few more songs and make it a complete album. Which, will be released on IrongateRecords later in the year. We will even be recording a song in Nashville with Greg Upchurch. Very exciting things coming this year!
MSBM: Exciting things, for sure! Where can everyone go to keep up with all of this and listen to FRACTURED’s music?
F: Our Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram are all under “FRACTURED Official Page”. You can also find links to our Spotify and all of our social media on our website, FRACTUREDBand.com. We are on every streaming platform worldwide. Just search FRACTURED – ‘Alive’ and our album will come up. Thank you for your time!
Follow FRACTURED on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FracturedOfficialPage?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Instagram: https://instagram.com/fracturedofficialpage?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=
Check out FRACTURED’s website: https://www.fracturedband.com
Listen to FRACTURED on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5qADoynfhe7o2mwuyBkNhM?si=EaSDw2T3RLmNOOLKlHfWpQ
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