Chad Bowar: Give us a brief history of the band.
Nick Baranov: We started sometime between 2003 and 2004, just a bunch of kids with nothing to do really, we felt like playing bad ass music. Over the years, most of the original members didn’t show a drive big enough to make it in today’s business, so we had a few replacements, and ended up with the strongest lineup to date, which has been going solid for 3-4 years now. We focused on starting out as a thrash band, but naturally ended up blending aspects of speed metal, progressive, classic rock, etc. to come up with a sound of our own that sticks, and still sounds new.
Describe the sound of your latest CD Tales From The Gutter.
The sound of the new album is a lot more mature and refined than anything else we’ve ever done. At the same time, the songs are a lot more bizarre and insane in content and playing. We maxed out on writing the most absurd lyrics, about our tour stories and random happenings over the years, while the guitar work is completely over the top, thanks to the work of Francis Ausley. We definitely were fortunate enough to work with a great producer by the name of John Ugarte, who shared a similar vision for this record, and along with his help, we achieved a recording that is far better in production, performance, and writing.
Are you looking for a label deal, or does the current state of the industry allow you to just as effectively release it yourself?
We are definitely looking for a label at this time, because no matter how much a band can do DIY, there is always that not so easily accessible worldwide distribution, marketing, touring, etc. that plays a part. We’ve been going DIY for this long because we just haven’t had an appropriate deal presented to us, but we believe that with this record, we should be able to turn some heads with the record industry. Lets see what happens, I suppose.
How is the Thrashed And Detoured Tour going?
The tour is going great! We are just about 2/3 of the way done right now. As I am writing this, I am taking a break from the afterparty in Milwaukee, WI. We’ve had good shows, bad shows, insane stories, video footage for years to come, and memories to last us a lifetime. I hope everyone can check out the tour updates we post on YouTube, as that is pretty much the best way to see what actually happens when we hit the road. Overall, this is by far the best tour we have been on so far, and for this I am really excited.
What are the largest and smallest crowds you've played in front of?
As with every tour and every band, we have played everything from a dozen people at a bar on a weeknight, to hundreds of people in cities like Chicago, Boston, or Austin. There are definitely some places in the U.S. that will draw great crowds no matter of the day of the week, or what band it is. People are just hungry for it, I suppose. The thing about us is that no matter the size of the crowd, we pull off a ridiculous show, to make sure that everyone will remember it and next time hopefully bring their friends and so forth. We have a lot of fun with it, and don’t let it discourage us if its not what we expect.
Any tour horror stories?
We can write a series of books about all the ridiculous tour stories that we have. Well, I suppose were on the right track, as the new album has 2-3 songs based on tour stories. Pretty much everything from touring bands with us going insane, losing their minds, getting checked into mental institutions, fistfights in the drive-through to Taco Bell, drunken maniacs jumping on stage and falling over into our equipment, very dangerous driving situations to and from afterparties, and so forth. Fortunately (and I’m knocking on wood) our RattleBus hasn’t broken down, even after the quarter million miles it has endured. I think that’s the biggest chunk of luck that’s ever been handed to us.
What’s the worst injury you’ve suffered on stage?
Surprisingly enough, stage injuries aren’t that common with us.. Obviously there are the sprained necks and ankles and so forth. There was a time back in ’09 when we were on stage, and seemingly under the influence of our friend Jim Beam. If I can remember correctly, I walked up behind Francis or Shadow in the middle of a song, just as one of them swung their head back, and capped me right in the face, busting my lip open right on the spot. We ended up finishing the setlist with me pulling off a Gene Simmons bloody face, except it wasn’t the fake blood stuff. Pretty exciting.
What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you on the road?
By far the craziest thing to this day, which we even dedicated a song to on the record, called “Walk with the Dead,” is back in 2009 in New Orleans. One of the members of the band opening for us on tour decided to go crazy. When I say crazy, I mean he was checked into the mental asylum for a psychotic breakdown caused by malnutrition, dehydration, tour anxiety and so forth. He literally snapped, beat the (crap) out of a couple of his band mates, ran off in the New Orleans ghetto, shirtless. We caught him and had the most bizarre police interrogation. Once again, this is one of those things, where I can write a separate book on this occasion – or you can listen to the new album and get the gist of it.
How did you get started in music?
My dad is an avid rock n roll fan, so I got my start from him. Since day one, he had the record collections, then started collecting CDs, VHS tapes and so forth. Back in ’98 or so, I decided to explore his VHS collection, and ended up discovering Deep Purple's Live with the London Orchestra, Metallica’s S&M, Yes Live at the House of Blues and Zeppelin’s Song Remains The Same. I distinctly remember the four of those videos just slapping me in the face as I popped them in. After that, I pretty much decided that I had to be on that stage, playing for that crowd, just like they were.
What was the first concert you attended as a fan?
A lot of people can’t proudly admit to their first concert, being we are the kids of the '90s, and knowing that some of the worst music had come out in those years, but my first show was an anniversary show of Misfits, Ramones and Black Flag at the Key Club, sometime in 1998. I lied to my parents and told them it ended at 10 PM, which it obviously didn’t, and I got into a whole lot of trouble for that, but I didn’t care, because I walked out of the club with an awesome signed Jerry Only vest, which I still have to this day. I don’t think I have been to a show since then that’s had that insane of a mosh pit – no matter what anyone may say.
How is the SoCal metal scene these days?
In my opinion, it is way over-saturated. There are millions of bands playing millions of genres, and every time you decide to play a show somewhere in town, there are a dozen other bands performing in bars and venues across the street. The competition is fierce, the people are pretentious, and everyone thinks of himself or herself as a rock star, when in reality, it isn’t really the case. I personally find it very refreshing to escape from SoCal and tour the country every year – keeps my head straight, knowing there are normal people out there in the world
Are you able to make a living playing music, or do you have a day job?
Nowadays its obviously hard to make a living playing music, but we are definitely all striving for it. We all have side gigs that keep us on our feet, anything ranging from guitar lessons to movie extras to packing boxes, office work and all that nonsense. We personally can’t wait to be able to permanently quit our day jobs and burn our desks on our way out.
Anything else you'd like to mention or promote?
Any fans and friends that have met up with us on the road and supported us in any way – thank you a million! If you haven’t seen us live, definitely do yourself the favor and go out and see us, buy us a drink, buy us a dozen drinks, and we will thrash for your enjoyment. We’ll see you guys soon, and thanks.
