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.
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 Lobo (Credit to photographer)
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.
(Credit to photographer)
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.
(Credit to photographer)
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.
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…
Dave Frost (Photo by: Bryan Huff)
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.
(From left to right) Goph, Dave, Adam, Cody. (Photo by: Bryan Huff)
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.
THE RED MOUNTAIN’s newest album, ‘ALPHA’.
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.
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!
Micah Murphy (Credit to Asian Flare Photography)
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!
Welcome back to Metal Southern Belles Media! We are pleased to share another interview with you. This week, we are joined by Larry Forman of Jackpipe. Coming from New York with “catchy riffs, delicious hooks, and good humor”, a wild ride is guaranteed. Forman, vocalist and jokester, has quite the story to tell about how “four knuckleheads who like to eat, drink, and play stupid music” combine heavy with funny and keep crowds hungry for more…
MSBM: Hey, Larry! It’s great to be speaking with you today. I hope you are doing well. Since you’re a vocalist I have to ask, how long have you been singing? Where did you get the inspiration to do so?
LF: I have to be honest, I really can’t sing… People reading this are saying, “no shit”! I actually am a guitarist turned singer out of necessity. A looooong time ago, a friend and I put together a band, kind of SOD/MOD meets GWAR, and I figured since I was a wise ass and I like making people laugh, I’d give it a go as a front-man.
Larry Forman (Credit to photographer)
MSBM: That is definitely the most unique response I’ve gotten to that question haha! At least you’re having a good time, am I right? Your band, Jackpipe, is quite unique as well. It’s not too often that you encounter a combination of heavy riffs and tongue in cheek humor. What prompted the idea to fuse Heavy Metal and comedy together?
LF: Growing up on Long Island, the land of Death Metal, Hardcore, and Prog-Metal legends; bands are way too serious. How many songs can you write about war and Satan? I want to write what I know and like. I like things like food and sex and movies. Combine that with those riffs that make you nod your head and make that face like, “that’s brutal”, and I’m in Heaven…
MSBM: So, you wanted to do something different while staying true to yourself. You march to the beat of your own drum and I respect that. But let’s dig into it a bit. Some of your comedic titled songs include “Green Mist of Death”, “Thanks for the Mammaries”, and “Big and Beautiful”. How do these songs usually come about? How do you find inspiration to write something funny and heavy?
LF: A lot of our songs come out of real situations or actual conversations that we have. Like the idea for “Big and Beautiful” came from an old comedy bit where a comedian is trying to tempt larger ladies with food because bigger girls is what he is into. “Thanks for the Mammaries” came from a conversation about what type of boobs are considered the most attractive and I was explaining that I love them all! “Green Mist” was the result of a late night, drive-thru run to Taco Bell…
MSBM: Pretty self-explanatory stuff right there, huh? So, Jackpipe’s first album, ‘Welcome to New York’ came out in 2018, correct? What is the band’s process on creating and recording music?
LF: We write most of our music as a collaboration at rehearsal. Usually either Dom (guitar) or Rich (bass) come to practice with ideas, and we jam on them until we have something the four of us are happy to move forward with. Then we jam on them until I have a set of lyrics that just feel right for the riffs. We have recorded all of our material with the master at Full Force Studios, Joe Cincotta. He has a great sense for layering brutal guitar, bass, and drums where they blend into a sonic onslaught, but each has their own identity. He is almost a fifth member of the band as we bounce ideas off him when we are working. He’s helped with lyrics, song pre-production, and even was in on the brainstorming session for ‘Layin’ the Pipe’s artwork.
MSBM: It sounds like the band’s formula and process is one that works very well for you guys. Now, speaking of ‘Layin’ the Pipe’, how does this 2021 release differ from the previous one? And how did the fans react to it?
LF: Writing ‘Layin the Pipe’ was a little different as we parted ways with our original drummer, Chris, and were lucky enough our buddy, Gregg, was into joining. Chris had a crazy work schedule and there were times when he couldn’t make a show or wouldn’t be able to rehearse for weeks as he would be off on work sites. Gregg, who we knew through his old band, ‘This Life We Live’, would help us out and sub for Chris. When it came time to part ways with Chris, Gregg was the obvious choice. Gregg plays and writes a bit differently as he has more of a modern Metal influence and plays a little guitar as well. I think that can be heard in the newer material. Things came out a little more Hardcore/Metalcore and less Thrash/old school. Based on the response, the people seem to like it a lot.
MSBM: I’m glad that you guys got the band member situation sorted out and the fans have really taken to the new material… Judging by the content and genre of your music, I feel that live shows would be very fun. Would you say that’s true? What are shows like and what kind of reaction do you get from crowds?
LF: We absolutely have a blast onstage and I think that bleeds out into the crowd. Like most bands, we want to play tight AF, but we want to enjoy the show and not be mechanical or fake. We want the crowd to have as good of a time as we do. I’ve had people come up and tell me how they really aren’t fans of the type of music, but they had a great time and will be at the next show. We try to include the crowd with group sing-along parts and banter between songs. We also, if the club allows, encourage movement during the music and have had some pretty crazy pits; some people jumping onstage to sing along and now and then, thanks to wireless technology, have had our guitarist take a trip around the club. Before or after the insanity, I am usually at the merch table because I love interacting with everyone and meeting new fans. Like a few months ago, we opened for Prong and a bunch of our friends and fans came to support us and buy merch; but most of the people I dealt with were new fans that had no idea who we were and now we are their favorite new band…
MSBM: Having a good time and connecting with people is what live music is all about. It really does wonders for the soul. Since we are on the subject of concerts, what bands would you choose to put on the best show/tour with you?
LF: This is tough. If it was a big national tour, I think Slipknot, Anthrax, Obituary, and Jackpipe. I would fanboy out and I think the crowd would appreciate how heavy we are as well as our little lyrical twist. If it was a bigger club/small arena tour, then I’d go Prong, Life of Agony, Soulfly, and Jackpipe…I don’t know!
MSBM: Both sound like pretty solid lineups to me! It would be awesome to see something like it in the future! Speaking of the future, that brings me to my next question. What should we expect from Jackpipe in 2023?
LF: We are really looking forward to continuing the mayhem into 2023. We aren’t going to stray from our formula of heavy riffs and tongue in cheek lyrics, but there may be a left turn here and there… In 2023, we are planning on recording some new material and maybe a cover or a re-do of an old Jackpipe song. We are definitely looking to get out and promote more with interviews, radio spots, and maybe even a few videos. We are going to be out hitting the stages, both locally and around the US, with a few things already lined up for February and March.
MSBM: Fantastic! And lastly, where can everyone go to keep “in the know” about Jackpipe? And on what platforms is your music available?
LF: We have the usual, like Facebook and Instagram. Our music is available to stream or download on every platform I could think to get it on. Apple, Spotify, Amazon, ReverbNation, Bandcamp, etc. We have our own page that I update randomly at https://www.jackpipeny.com. There you can find out about shows, buy merch, get updates, and listen to or download music, as long as I remember to update things!
Hello, it’s a pleasure to have you here at Metal Southern Belles Media. We are excited to share another interview with you. Today, we are joined by Chris Bell, drummer and vocalist of the rockin’ three-piece band, Perceived. This trio has some really big things coming your way. Big, like their home state of Texas…
MSBM: Hi, Chris! Let’s talk about you first. How did you get your start as a drummer?
CB: I guess I owe me being a drummer to my parents. Apparently by age two, I was beating on everything in sight, so they bought me a pair of drumsticks. I remember beating on the carpet along to the drummers on MTV. I was in my first band at age 5 called The Tiggers (pronounced “Tigers”) with my friends that lived next door. I played an old tape case for a drum and sang. We did all the instrument sounds with our mouths. In the beginning, I was influenced by the Hair Metal bands in the 80’s and whatever my parents had in their vinyl collection; mostly Beatles, Monkees, and 70’s Rock. That all changed when Nirvana came out. I remember wanting to start my own band for real.
Chris Bell (Photo by: Director Parada)
MSBM: Wow, you practically came out of the womb rockin’ and rollin’! That’s pretty damn cool. So, from my understanding, your three-piece band was formed by close friends. When did you realize that “musical spark” together?
CB: I met Charlie back in high-school while playing baseball. After the game, he came over to my house and saw an acoustic guitar that I had in the corner of my room. He picked it up and started playing “Come As You Are” by Nirvana and I was blown away. I had written my own music but never played anyone else’s, so I thought it was really cool. He came over the next day and we just started jamming. I was beating on buckets and Charlie was on an acoustic guitar. We’d later call ourselves “Decipher”. That was where it all started. I met Kevin years later after the passing of his first wife. We hung out all night jamming and it just clicked. I was getting an old band back together and we needed a bassist and guitarist, so I reached out to Charlie and Kevin to see if they’d be interested in joining the band. That’s when we first started playing together. That band would break up but Charlie, Kevin, and myself would later start jamming again and that would become Perceived.
MSBM: It sounds like the three of you are simply meant to create and play music together. As you said, the band formed by your trio is called “Perceived”. Which of you came up with that name and does it have a particular meaning as to why it was chosen?
CB: I had been searching for band names for about two weeks and every name I came up with that I liked, someone else already had it. So, when I came up with Perceived and nobody had it, I reached out to the guys to see what they thought. They hated it. Kevin actually said, “Name one other good band that begins with the letter P”. To which I responded, “Pantera, Pink Floyd, Primus” and we had a good laugh. The name eventually grew on them and I’m glad it did. It really fits our sound well, I think.
MSBM: Well, that’s a unique story! I’m glad the name caught on and your music meshed with it! Speaking of music, the band’s first EP was released in 2020. Can you talk a little bit about it’s creation?
CB: Yes, and we’re very excited. We have finished the writing process for the next album and we’re planning on beginning pre-production after the holidays. Once that’s completed, we’ll be hitting the studio and hope to have a full length record finished sometime next year.
MSBM: Fantastic! How would you say the new music differs from previous releases? Are there different influences and circumstances playing into it?
CB: I think the new material is just our natural progression as a band. There’s some heavier songs as well as some softer songs on this one. We still have those peaks and valleys in our music. If you’ve been to our live shows recently, you’ve already heard a bunch of the new stuff.
MSBM: Sounds good! I’ll be looking forward to hearing the new tunes! I saw that you guys have a show coming up at Trees Dallas on November 26th. Will there be more to come after that? A tour, possibly?
CB: We are super stoked about our show at Trees on November 26th! That’s gonna be an amazing night! We have a few more shows lined up to finish the year. O’Riley’s (December 3rd) and two shows on the west side of DFW (December 9th and 10th). You can get tickets and more info for all of these shows at Perceivedband.com.
MSBM: I hope you have an awesome time at those shows! Since we are on that topic, what are Perceived shows like?
CB: I’m not sure how to describe our live shows, really. The music definitely takes you on a journey. You just have to come out to a show and see for yourself.
MSBM: I see what you mean. Live music is something that is easier felt than described. There’s truly nothing like the experience. What is your favorite venue/city to play in so far?
CB: There’s a lot really. O’Riley’s in Dallas is probably my personal favorite just because it feels like home. I played one of my very first shows there back in ’05, so it holds a special place. The Haltom Theater in Haltom City, Six Springs Tavern in Richardson, Come and Take It Live in Austin, and of course, Trees in Deep Ellum are all fantastic venues.
MSBM: A couple of those names are familiar to me. They seem to be popular and enjoyed by bands and fans alike. Lastly, can you reiterate what is expected of Perceived for the rest of the year and in the near future? Also, where can the readers find out more information about Perceived and listen to the band’s music?
CB: We’re actually about to release our first music video very soon. Subscribe to our YouTube channel if you’d like to catch its world premiere. We do have a few shows left around DFW to finish off the year. After those, we’ll be taking time off from gigging to record the new album. You can get free music as well as purchase tickets to any of our upcoming shows at Perceivedband.com. Thank you so much for the interview and your time.
Welcome! If you’re looking for the hottest insight on today’s Rock and Metal bands, then you’ve found it! Here at Metal Southern Belles Media, we specialize in badass interviews with badass musicians. We’re already creating quite the catalog, but there’s so much more in store. That brings us to our latest interview. Here with us is William Anthony, frontman of A Beautiful War. What is the story behind this band with a name that’s seemingly a poetic oxymoron? And what alluring darkness are they offering to your ears? This Rockin’ Metal train isn’t stopping, so hop aboard and let’s go…
MSBM: Hey, William! It’s an honor to speak with you. Here’s one of those “did the chicken or the egg come first” questions. Which came first, the singing or the songwriting? And what got you into that?
WA: Diving right into things, I wasn’t originally a singer at first. I was actually a drummer, who decided to make the switch to singing. I had a really cool life experience where during my high school years, I became friends with Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit because of gaming. Fast forward to about a year later, I was finally able to see them in concert. He brought me on stage and it was right there that I knew what I wanted to do. My mind at that very moment told me, “pursue this and see what happens”. If I had to pick my top 3 influences as far as who influenced my direction change into singing, it would be Fred Durst obviously, Dave Williams of Drowning Pool, and Brent Smith of Shinedown. As far as writing, I was always a writer. But my writing took time to evolve to the point where I felt comfortable creating my own material.
William Anthony (Photo by: Tomi Solano-Szostek, 2022)
MSBM: That’s quite the story! I recall seeing a post about you being buddies with Fred Durst, which is pretty cool! Not everyone can say they’re friends with the dude himself! He definitely made an impact on your life when he brought you on stage that day. He set you in the right direction, I’d say. Also, as a fan of Drowning Pool and Shinedown, I love that they are influences for you. Dave Williams, especially! Now, after you realized your passion for singing, how did you form A Beautiful War?
WA: The A Beautiful War story goes back about five years maybe; I have been in the local scene for quite some time now. My previous band had played a show with another band and shortly after both bands had broken up, but certain members had stayed in touch from both bands. Eventually, we got to jamming and it fit like a glove from the moment we started writing music. We have had a few lineup changes over the years. Which funny enough, our current drummer, who was the individual who booked our first show, has now been a part of the band since we picked things back up after Covid.
MSBM: Sometimes, bands have to switch things up to find the right combination, so to speak. Referring back to the song writing and applying it to A Beautiful War, what influences and inspires you? As a writer myself, I find this to be an interesting topic.
WA: The beautiful thing about music and about art itself, is it’s open to interpretation. When it comes to writing, while a song may mean one thing to me, someone else may find a different meaning in it. I tend to find that for my creative purposes and for my own therapeutic purposes, writing about reality, and the things I’ve been through, is the most sincere and honest way to write. If someone can listen to a song and have that feeling as if someone knows what they’ve been through and is listening to them just like the music I grew up listening to and love, then I did my job and I conveyed myself the way that I wanted to.
MSBM: Great response. It is true that the meaning of a song can vary from person to person. As long as there’s a connection felt towards it and it brings something positive into someone’s life, then that’s what matters. It’s about the impact. So, the band dropped a single entitled, “Save Yourself” back in 2019. Can you talk a little bit about that song in particular?
WA: We actually dropped two singles in 2019 with “Save Yourself” being the second, and most recent. “Save Yourself”, to me, is one of the most honest songs I’ve ever written and it’s truly from the heart. I went through a very dark period in my life and I’m one of those people that is constantly writing. Certain situations happened, which inspired that song and that song was my way of getting closure for what happened during that period of my life.
MSBM: Songs written from the heart are the most powerful. I’m sure that song spoke to some people, which is a great thing like we were just discussing. I’m glad you found healing in creating it. You mentioned to me before this interview that there’s a new single coming soon. Fill us in on those details.
WA: We do have a new single coming soon. The single should be out before the end of this year. December, to be exact. If you have seen us live recently, you have heard the song and it’s a song that has seemed to go over very well, no matter the crowd we play to. The song is called “Public Apology”. I feel as if we’ve retained our sound, while pushing ourselves to really do something different at the same time. I am very excited, as are the rest of the band to put this out for the world to hear.
MSBM: I’m looking forward to it! When can we expect an EP or full length album?
WA: In regards to an EP / Album, I can say that an announcement in regards to that can be expected soon and we are hoping for a mid 2023 release. There’s obvious factors that could either push it forward or push it back, but mid 2023 is the timeframe we are hoping for.
MSBM: Well, I’ll be keeping an eye out for it! Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later! As a Twiztid fan, I have to mention this. I saw A Beautiful War played with them and Attila. How was that experience?
WA: This year has been incredible for us as a band. We kicked it off opening for Drowning Pool, ill Nino, and Hed Pe. As I stated previously in the interview, Drowning Pool is a huge inspiration for me. So, being able to have that one under our belt was incredible, and a wonderful experience in itself. We capped this year off with Twiztid and Attila and that show was so much fun. The crowd was wonderful. The Twiztid guys are super cool and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about them. Dreams come true.
MSBM: I’m happy that you got to have those awesome experiences! They were great opportunities for your band as well, no doubt about it. Keep making those dreams come true! Are there any other shows we should be looking out for? Particularly for the coming year?
WA: In regards to any upcoming shows, we don’t have anything on the books for the rest of this year, due to to us currently being in the studio. To stay ontop of show announcements though and all other things, you can follow us on Instagram or find us on Facebook.
MSBM: You got that, everyone? Make sure you give A Beautiful War a follow! You don’t want to miss what’s coming next! Since you’ve obviously played with some pretty cool bands before, what are some others you’d like to play with in the future?
WA: You’re 100% right when you say that we’ve been able to play with some really cool bands. We’ve been very fortunate and I’m very very thankful for that. We have a wonderful support system and without that, none of it would be possible. In regards to other bands that we would love to play with, there’s a laundry list. Limp Bizkit, Shinedown, 10 Years, Saliva, Josey Scott, Alborn, Scowl, to name a few.
MSBM: Fantastic! In the near future, I hope to see you add those bands to your list of cool bands you’ve played with. Now, the last thing I have to ask is where can the interested readers go to get a taste of A Beautiful War’s music?
WA: For anyone interested in listening to our music, you can find A Beautiful War on Spotify, Apple Music, and pretty much any digital retailer that carries music. I just wanted to say thank you so much for your time, thank you so much for taking the time to interview me. I very, very much appreciate anyone that gives this band the time of day. Thank you so much and I hope to see you at a show soon!
Hello, and welcome to Metal Southern Belles Media! Here, you’re guaranteed to find awesome interviews with awesome musicians in the Rock and Metal atmosphere. Let’s get to rockin’ and rollin’! Today, MSBM is joined by Energema vocalist, Ryan Thomson! (We also get a little insight from guitarist and main songwriter, Nico Waldo!) This Melodic Power Metal band consists of members from Scotland and Columbia, a unique combination, making a unique sound. When you hear their songs, you get an indescribable sensation of a strength so intense that you want to march straight into an ancient battle for a mythical world. Now, let’s advance forward and get into the mystic details behind Energema!
MSBM: Hey, Ryan! I hope you’re doing well today. Since we are on the subject of you, how did you become a singer? (Are you self-taught, does someone in your family sing, was there a particular vocalist that stood out to you and influenced you?)
RT: First off, thanks for giving me the opportunity to do this interview! I got started singing around 5 years ago or so, but I’ve always been into playing music and playing various instruments. I’ve been playing guitar for 17 years now, but I’ve made the change to become more of a singer. I was really inspired by the Power and Symphonic Metal singers like Fabio Lione, Daniel Heiman, Roy Khan, Yiannis Papadopolous, etc. All of the really hard, crazy high, powerful vocals is what excites me about singing the most. Sadly, no one else in my family is really a musician, so becoming a musician was mainly self-motivated.
MSBM: You’re welcome! I’m honored to be given the chance to speak with you! To have only been singing for a few short years, you’re really good! You must be a natural. So, you are a “newer” member of Energema, correct? How did you join?
RT: Yes, that’s right. I officially joined Energema on September 5th, so it’s still pretty fresh. They had an audition call for a new vocalist some time in August, but I found out about it on the last day of the deadline. So, I didn’t have time to audition, but I sent one of my covers in and they liked it so much they decided to extend the deadline for me, which I was super happy about haha. So, when I sent my audition in I got the part.
MSBM: That’s awesome! It’s like it was meant to be. By the way, Energema is an interesting word. Is there a significance to it?
NW: “Energema” is a Greek word and refers to the energy of creation or creative force. We think that our universe is very big and complex and behind it, there must be an architect…. Nothing is a product of chance.
RT: I find it very interesting. Although I personally don’t hold any religious beliefs, I fully respect it. And as musicians, we create our own magical worlds. A lot of our lyrics are influenced by stories from the Bible, Narnia, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, etc.
MSBM: Love it! So, Energema has several albums. The latest being ‘Promised Land’, that dropped in 2020. It’s from my understanding that there’s a new EP in the works. What can we expect from it?
RT: That’s right, we have 6 full length albums and 3 EPs out. We originally had another EP coming later this year titled, ‘Hunter of Immortals’, but we have extended it to be a full album; which will drop before the end of the year. The album basically tells the story of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, all of the events that unfolded and Van Helsing’s part in it all. It’s still very much Power Metal as you can expect from earlier albums. It was recorded at Meggido Records Studio and mastered by Trinity Records. We are with the label, Metalism Records, who will also publish this album.
Energema’s upcoming album, ‘Hunter of Immortals’.
MSBM: I find stories about characters such as Dracula and Van Helsing to be very interesting, so I’m intrigued! As a vocalist, are you a song writer as well?
RT: Yes, I am a songwriter too. Being a guitarist first, I’ve written many songs and I usually use that to compose everything, and keyboards to try out different sounds and virtual instruments. With Energema, I have only written 1 song for the new album, just due to the time I joined. But maybe they will allow me to write more music for future albums, who knows! It’s an Accapella piece about Dracula’s final moments with Mina, when he realizes how wrong he’s been and all the torment he caused her. Then he is forgiven and let into Heaven, the song is called, “Ascension”.
MSBM: Speaking of making music, what’s the studio process like for you and your band? Is it easy and “natural” to bounce ideas off of your band mates?
RT: For now, the studio process is done online for me. Nico sends me the backing tracks and lyrics with some guide melodies and I record my parts and send back them to him. Then, it gets mixed and sent off to a studio for mastering. Sounds complicated, but it’s actually pretty seamless.
MSBM: I’m glad the creative process is a smooth one for you guys! So, when the “making music” part concludes , it typically means live shows and tours! Is Energema planning any shows for the near future?
RT: Yes, once this album is out, we plan to promote it everywhere and get in touch with new labels and promoters and really push to make an impact in Europe, the UK, and the States. I heard Japan is a great market for Power Metal too.
MSBM: That’s great! I hope to catch Energema here in the States sometime! Still on the subject of shows, what are live performances like for you?
NW: I think our best shows have been sharing with legendary bands of the gen…We have been an opening act for different well-known bands like Freedom Call (Germany), Edu Falaschi ex-Angra (Brazil), and Grave Digger (Germany).
MSBM: Very cool! And what other bands would you like to play with?
RT: It would be a dream to tour with bands like Hammerfall, Rhapsody of fire, Beast in Black, Kamelot, Avantasia, etc. It is pretty hard to set up tours being a smaller band for now, but we’ve been in the process of getting in touch with as many festivals and venues as possible, labels, etc. If anyone out there reading would like to help with that we’d be very happy actually!
MSBM: You read that right, everyone! If you’ve got the hookup with any festivals, venues, and labels, let these guys know! Now, there’s something the readers must know. Where can they listen to Energema’s music?
RT: You can find our music on the major streaming platforms like Spotify, Bandcamp, Amazon music, etc. You can also find a full list of our discography on The Metal Archives website.
Hello, everyone! Welcome to Metal Southern Belles Media, where we have a passion for badass music and getting into the minds of those who create it. To start off our first round of killer interviews is Kevin Fate, vocalist and guitarist of Atomic Fate. This band emerges from the pits of “Holy Hell” with Fate at the fiery helm. With their punk, “fuck around and find out” attitude, fast-paced and gnarly sound, they drop on you like a BOMB. But let’s allow the main man to speak on it for himself!
MSBM: Hey, Kevin! I hope you’re doing well today. Let’s get into talking about your band, Atomic Fate. How did your band get started? Who/what influenced you?
KF: We first met at a house party where another band was suppose to play, but they had to cancel for some reason. They already had a drum set there, so the party host asked if anyone wanted to do an open jam and I was like “hell yeah” and went home quickly and got my guitar and amp. After I was jamming out for a while, these twin brothers joined in and we started playing some Black Sabbath, Pantera, and White Zombie songs. Then later on, the cops showed up and broke up the party. Following that, we all went to my house and then we decided we were starting a band. I previously had the name “Atomic Fate” picked out as a band name and then we started writing and rehearsing some songs to get ready to set up our first gig a few months later. As far as our influences go, I would say Pantera, White Zombie, Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth, Mudvayne, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Motley Crue, to name a few.
MSBM: Rocking out until the cops come! That’s some very Metal beginnings for a band. Atomic Fate is quite the explosive name, but fitting! Where did it come from?
KF: The origin of the name really started back when as a kid. I had a few nightmares involving a nuclear war that scared the shit out of me. Then during my teens, I had the idea of starting a band, so I thought of Atomic Fate and it stuck.
MSBM: That’s a really scary thing to be dreaming of as a kid! But you did get a cool band name out of it. So, you guys gained momentum after releasing your debut album, “Welcome to Holy Hell”. Can you talk about it’s creation and the feedback you received from it?
KF: Before we released that album, we only had a few demos of our music and weren’t playing many shows. But once we recorded our debut, then not only did we have a better sounding version of our music, but we also attracted the attention of different venues who were now interested in booking us for more gigs. We also released our debut music video for the song, “Atomic Fate” around that time too.
MSBM: After dropping that first album bomb, what was the band’s next move? Tours? More music? How did you guys keep fans hungry for Atomic Fate?
KF: We were now playing gigs in more remote parts of Florida, instead of just in our local area and that helped get a lot more people interested in us. After a year or two of gigging, we knew we had to put out some more music. So, we recorded our second album, ‘This Is Only The Beginning’. We also released a couple more music videos for the songs, “Reborn” and “DopeHouse”. Plus, the advancement of social media helped a lot in increasing our connections and network. It also made it easier to deliver music directly to the fan worldwide.
MSBM: Nice! Now, let’s discuss the more recent years. There was a release in 2020, correct? That was quite the year, as we all know. It brought many challenges to the music industry. But did your band find some advantages and success in it with new music?
KF: The year 2020 was Hell for many people, but especially for those in the music industry. On a major scale, the whole industry pretty much grinded to a halt with not only music artists affected, but road crews, venue staff, and others severely affected. But on a personal scale, even though we weren’t able/allowed to play any gigs, we still were able to record an EP titled, ‘MMXX’, which is roman numerals for ‘2020’. Luckily, we reside in Florida because I know in certain other states/countries the travel restrictions were more severe. We did play a New Year’s Eve gig that year, so we at least ended that year with a bang.
MSBM: Yeah, at least that year had a good ending for you. That must count for something! Now, with all of that discussed, we’ve reached 2022. This year, Atomic Fate released songs such as “Scamdemic” and “My Summer (Come With Me)”. Are these songs just a taste of what is to come?
KF: We are in the process now of recording another full length album, but we wanted to give our audience some new music, so we decided to release a couple of singles first. Both those songs are coincidentally our shortest and our longest songs ever. “Scamdemic” is practically a punk song that we all wrote together during one jam session and “My Summer (Come With Me)” has way more happening during the recording such as extra percussion, vocals, and keys, to name a few. Also, it may be our only song that does not deal with death, war, or other negative themes. Both of those songs will be included on our upcoming release ‘Try It… You Might Like It’, which is slated for an early 2023 release date.
MSBM: I definitely felt the punk vibes with “Scamdemic”. I think it would be a fun one to hear live. Speaking of live music, what are Atomic Fate performances like? What is your favorite part of it? Do you have a favorite song to perform?
KF: For me, live shows are what it’s all about because in the studio you can usually take as much time and takes as you need, but during a live gig you have to lay it on the line. Being on stage and getting loud for the audience, who are also getting loud for you, is a great experience that’s hard to match. At most of our shows, there’s usually a mosh pit, people up front, and the chillers in the back. But sometimes it varies, depending on the venue or event. My favorite part is the overall experience especially when everything sounds good and tight. I don’t really have a certain favorite song that we perform, but I do dig playing a cover of the White Zombie song, “Black Sunshine”. That’s always a crowd pleaser!
MSBM: Sounds like one big party! So, are there any live shows (or tours) planned for you guys?
KF: No tours in the works or anything, but we hope to set up a gig in December to close out the year. We were just discussing it during our last jam session. Plus, we are aiming to gig during the early part of 2023 as well.
MSBM: Awesome! Still on the topic of live shows and tours, what is your dream lineup to play with?
KF: A dream lineup for me would be Atomic Fate, Black Sabbath, Pantera, Slayer, and White Zombie. I could come up with countless more variations, but that lineup is solid. Or also we’d love to play Ozzfest, Lollapalooza, Knotfest, or any of the other badass festivals/tours.
MSBM: Fantastic choices! I hope your dream to play those festivals comes true! Now, to bring this interview to a close, can you remind everyone about Atomic Fate’s upcoming plans and where to find your music?
KF: Be on the look out for more new music coming your way very soon and you can also check out our recent and past releases on Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, to name a few. Plus, we’re on Facebook, Instagram, and trying to get back on Twitter! We’ll also be gigging around Florida, so anyone feel welcome to come out and jam with us if we hit up your area. There is No Escape from the Atomic Fate. Thank you for doing the interview!
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