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Monday, February 14, 2011
CWMAs: Ravings Of A Madman, Killbot
Posted By Gavin Sheehan on February 14, 2011, 11:37 PM
Coming
into the second week of the City Weekly Music Awards, there were a
lot of close matchups from the showcases. Taking a peek at some
of the results was quite surprising, but the overall vibe coming out
of it was supportive. A lot of these bands have never played with
even one of the other groups on the bill, or in most cases everyone
involved. The meshing of styles and the audience turnout made last
weekend a pretty sweet event in whole.
--- The metal showcase was... something to behold. Words don't really do this one justice considering everything that happened, but we're gonna attempt it anyway. The audience didn't really give a damn about the awards end of the night, more on the actual lineup itself. Kicking things off with Ravings Of A Madman who dived right into their set with little pause. “Automatic 45” and “SOS blared over the sound system, stirring up an old fashion mosh pit in the center of Burt's. We haven't seen a good pit in a few years. But it didn't last long. A lot of guys realizing they're not 27, they're 37, and insurance doesn't cover self-induced mayhem. Our own Bill Frost gave ROAM his personal stamp of approval with the comment “...yeah, they're alright.” INVDRS pulled in next, deafening the crowd with their long enthralling tracks and “don't give a fuck” attitude over the whole night. They came in with their wall of sound, did their thing, and took off leaving the crowd demanding more. The rest of the night to Killbot who immediately said “we're taking requests!” Cranking out songs like “Beware The Moon” and “Kill The Priest” while banging and causing another pit to erupt. Not everyone there may have loved it (beer in the voting box and a couple thrown punches) but that was one of the better metal showcases we've had in years. Today we have interviews with the opening and closing acts of the night. One mildly serious and the other is... well, just read it and enjoy, along with over 200 pictures for you to check out here. For both interviews, the groups chose to answer as a band.
Ravings
Of A Madman
http://www.myspace.com/ravingsofamadman
Gavin: Hey guys, first off, tell us a little about yourselves.
ROAM: Well we all have ADD and don't have any friends so you got your boots on for this? It’s gonna get deep... ever watch ancient aliens?
Gavin: What got you interested in music, and who were some of your favorite acts and musical influences growing up?
ROAM: We have a vast array of influences from many different styles and eras. The most important thing when it comes to music is if it moves you… that’s what we are all about. Being as passionate about music as we are, we feel you cant judge any one genre or band, as you get older you become more exposed to different styles that take you on many different roads; always changing directions. Life is a musical journey that never ends… until death. Blah blah blah… titties and beer.
Gavin: How did you all get together to form Ravings Of A Madman?
ROAM: Beer… but really it was the tunes.
Gavin: What was it like for the three of you finding your sound and playing harder rock as a trio?
ROAM: The journey of finding your sound is never really over, tie those boots up.
[image-x]
Gavin: You've maintained yourselves as one of the most frequent venue acts in the state. It seems like you're playing at least one show every week. Why do you schedule yourselves so heavily, both locally and touring?
ROAM: We just love to rock, we take any gig we can no matter how big or small, every show is an opportunity to do something great one fan at a time. And tits... Those are nice too.
Gavin: A couple years ago you released your self-titled debut. What was the recording process for that like, and what difficulties did you deal with along the way?
ROAM: We don’t think our drummer was sober except for the thirteen hours to record his drums... it was a good time. No, but seriously, it took a lot of work and a lot of patience on everyone’s end, we recorded it at our friends studio up in Bozeman, Montana where we are from, and it was done within the last couple months we lived there. Something that should have taken three weeks to do took us three months, booze will have that effect... we feel bad for Jeremiah who was nominated the designated driver for the entire recording and had to sober up other individuals on a daily basis. If you have ever dealt with us when were drunk, you would feel his pain.
[image-x]
Gavin: What made you decide to go the DIY route rather than find a proper label?
ROAM: We actually did have a proper label once, there was constant struggle and it was a good thing the battles didn't go to court... always get a lawyer. But we are not opposed to signing with anyone else as long as the deal is right. It seems like bands get screwed more then most people realize, it is the nature of the beast it seems, and if you don't end up watching out for yourself and the music you can get seriously screwed over, musically and financially. We didn't want to go that route. We are not the kind of guys who like to pick up the soap in a prison shower.
Gavin: When it finally came out, what was the public reaction to the album upon its release?
ROAM: We got a great response from it, that was right when we first moved down here. The great metal heads of Salt Lake treated us very well when we first got here and dug the tunes.
[image-x]
Gavin: You barely put out a follow-up EP, In The Time It Takes To Hate. What was it like putting that together, and how has it been received lately?
ROAM: Hardest thing we have ever done, we recorded it at Boho Studios, we highly recommend recording there. It taught us a lot and it was a great challenge for us. So far the response has been incredible and we thank everyone for their support.
Gavin: Are you looking to head out on tour anytime soon, or are you mainly sticking to Utah for now?
ROAM: Looking for touring this summer, we are way excited about it. You should see our van.
[image-x]
Gavin: What's your reaction to being a part of the CWMAs this year, and the overall experience of receiving that kind of recognition for your work?
ROAM: It honestly is a huge honor and we couldn't be more excited, we are in great company and it is an awesome opportunity for all involved. City Weekly rocks! It’s also been fun for the fans who have been getting involved. Lets be honest without them without them none of us would be here.
Gavin: Going state-wide, what are your thoughts on the local music scene, both good and bad?
ROAM: The scene has its up and downs, roundabouts, and left hooks every now and then. But screw it, we love what we do and love being with the people around us who do what they do too. We would like to see more unity between bands and less egotism with rivalries and such. If we all come together we all benefit more. Its just a fact, and those people that run around and try to ruin something great because they think their band is better and they have a right to act that way... well they just suck.
[image-x]
Gavin: Is there anything you believe could be done to make it more prominent?
ROAM: Get more people to shows, that’s why it hurts a scene so much when bands fight, because that just brings less people to shows. The more new faces in a crowd the better, especially with people who are like minded.
Gavin: Not including yourselves, who are your favorite acts in the scene right now?
ROAM: That’s a really tough question, because we have played so many shows with so many cool bands we cant just pin point a few. We feel lucky enough that we make friends with almost every band we play with. Every show is an opportunity for us to vibe with people who feel similar as we do about playing music. It’s been great and we love hanging out with people like that.
[image-x]
Gavin: What's your opinion on the current airplay on community radio and how its affects local musicians?
ROAM: Local artists do not get enough credit... with the same 16 song rotation that you hear everyday, who has time for a little local musician? The people that are most likely to support local musicians are the ones rockin' out at the shows anyways. But it’s hard to hear about bands in your city if they don't get any airplay in the city. However there are a few exceptions and we have had some airplay on a few shows, Metal Head Murphy on KBER 101, “KAOS” with Darby on 94.9 ZROCK, and “Maximum Distortion” are big supporters of the local music scene. That is very cool.
Gavin: What do you think of file sharing these days, both as musicians and a music lovers?
ROAM: Have you ever seen that “South Park” where the musicians spent more time protesting that instead of creating music? Its kind of like that, the bottom line is people are always going to find a way to get music for free, remember when you could just record songs on a tape? We personally give out a lot of free music to bring peoples attention to our band in hopes that they will eventually purchase our product and come to shows and have a good time with us. Personally we love new faces at shows.
[image-x]
Gavin: What can we expect from you guys over the rest of this year?
ROAM: We are recording again as we speak, so expect lots of new tunes from us. We also are going to continue to keep playing shows and trying to come up with more ideas on how to get more people out and about in this city.
Gavin: Is there anything you'd like to plug or promote?
ROAM: One thing we cannot emphasize enough, is that when it comes to our music we are very serious. Ya, we make bad jokes about drinking and titties but every show we play we are one hundred percent sober because as entertainers we realize that people are paying hard earned money to come out and watch a band perform, not to watch drunks flopping around on a stage. We want to give you one hundred percent every show. We also have our single "Take" available online for 99 cents on Reverb Nation. Our album In The Time It Takes To Hate is for sale at every show and at The Heavy Metal shop for five bucks. We also have Booty shorts for the ladies. So come to a show and check out our merch booth. Now seriously... let’s talk more about titties and beer.
Killbot
[image-x]
http://www.myspace.com/killbotmetal
Gavin: Hey guys, first off, tell us a little about yourselves.
KB: Well, first off: Devin is a Capricorn. Paul has decided to do this interview with nods and hand gestures. Smelly asked "Do I have to Sit next to Paul?" And Mikey T... can he just email you the answers?
Gavin: What got you interested in music, and who were some of your favorite acts and musical influences growing up?
KB: Sluts, beer, bitches, and Richard James. Devin and Smelly were interested with guitars, Mikey was interested with the drums and Paul... well, he's just an idiot.
[image-x]
Gavin: How did you all get together to form Killbot?
KB: One day in the year of our lord, Mikey T was driving down the road with his girlfriend at the time, saw Devin and Corey (our original bass player) on the side of the road thought to himself, "what swell looking fellos, I should stop and say hello." Turns out they were headed to Las Vegas to see the almighty Judas Priest. We decided to join them and the rest, as they say, is history. Paul later joined via cellular device.
Gavin: What really influenced you into playing thrash metal, and how was it for all of you putting your own spin on the genre?
KB: We have decided as of right now, that we are not "Thrash Metal" but an eclectic form of all metals thrashing. As for putting our own spin on it, we do not know how to answer that question so... Beer bitches and sluts.
[image-x]
Gavin: Back in late 2009 you released Welcome To The Cemetery. What was the recording process for that like, and what difficulties did you deal with along the way?
KB: Well were glad you asked, maybe you could tell us, because we don't remember. Think it came out okay... we haven't heard it yet.
Gavin: Why did you choose to go the DIY route rather than find a label?
KB: Were holding out for MJ to come back and sign us posthumously.
[image-x]
Gavin: What was the public reaction to the album upon its release?
KB: Good, but Mikey T got his throat slit after it dropped and he is convinced it was an angry fan with a vendetta against his drumming.
Gavin: I've read in other interviews that you're “prone to mayhem”, and its cost you some opportunities and lineup changes along the way. How have you managed to stay together as a group through the chaos?
KB: The lord works through mysterious ways, Amen. In that sense I mean, we have no fucking clue. Shit gets crazy, we either play or don't, cops show up, shit goes down, but we live to play another day. This usually only happens at all ages shows, them younger kids be crazy, dog!
[image-x]
Gavin: You followed up the album a few months ago with The Horror EP. What was it like putting that together, and how has it been received lately?
KB: We watched a bitch ton of horror movies and decided what songs we wanted to base the EP on. It was fun. Wrote some licks, structured the sumbitch and... viola. Album done. Its been received as "good".
Gavin: Are there any plans to head out on tour or possibly record a new album, or are you sticking to playing around town for now?
KB: Yes, yes, no and maybe. To be more specific, our rhythm section will field this question.
Mikey T: We leave next month for a west coast tour and we'll be back next month. The next album will be called The Return of the Horror and it will be a part deux of a trilogy of horror based albums. (Paul nods yes while wiggles arms in air.)
[image-x]
Gavin: What's your reaction to being a part of the CWMAs this year, and the overall experience of receiving that kind of recognition for your work?
KB: In all seriousness we're pretty stoked on this. We've worked really hard in a scene that isn’t as well recognized in SLC as some. Were definitely honored to say the least.
Gavin: Going state-wide, what are your thoughts on the local music scene, both good and bad?
KB: Its good if you know the right places to go, it sucks if you don’t.... This question is hard. That's what she said.
[image-x]
Gavin: Is there anything you believe could be done to make it more prominent?
KB: THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE LIGIT ALL AGES VENUES!!!!
Gavin: Not including yourselves, who are your favorite acts in the scene right now?
KB: Killbob, Choclate Toast (Toxic Dose), Apple Cider (Speitre), Endless Snuggle (Endless Struggle), Hole Reamer (Old Timer), Blunt Fork (Brute Force), Led Pencil (Dead Vessel) Truce (Truce) and Pencil it (Desolate).
[image-x]
Gavin: What's your opinion on the current airplay on community radio and how its affects local musicians?
KB: Three words. Maximum Distortion.
Gavin: What do you think of file sharing these days, both as musicians and a music lovers?
KB: Hell yes for file sharing. Mikey got busted twice though, one more time and hes banned from the internet. True story. Check us out on iTunes. Jokes. Piratebay bitches!
[image-x]
Gavin: What can we expect from you guys over the rest of this year?
KB: A second installment of "The Horror" trilogy, extensive west coast touring right near the beach, BOY. (Paul nods yes, twice.)
Gavin: Is there anything you'd like to plug or promote?
KB: Don't forget to spay and nuder your pets. --Bob Barker.
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