Features / One Question Interviews

Galen (Infera Bruo)

SPB: Do you have a favorite type of van or bus?

Galen: One that doesn't break down is preferable. We generally end up renting a van so it's typically not a problem. Sometimes if there's a back-line we'll drive cars, which feels pretty stupid but can save a few dollars. We've never been in a …

Jackson Heath (Lycus, guitar/vocals)

SPB: You manage to build an impressive atmosphere in your records which also enhances your lyrical themes. What inspires your lyrics?

Heath: Having done politically-tinged lyrics in the past, we nowadays are focusing on looking inward and writing based on personal experiences. There’s something special when you write about depression or tough times you’ve …

Adam Dyson (Withdrawal)

SPB: How do you choose your album art?

Dyson: I've always felt that the artwork and presentation of a record is just as crucial as the music contained on it. It's important because it immediately sets a mood, and the recorded music itself fulfils the pre-conceived feelings you'd get looking at the cover. We're lucky …

Sims

SPB: If you could get any producer you haven’t worked with to provide beats for a song, who would you pick?

Sims: If I could work with anyone I suppose it'd be Kanye West. I think he's one of the most talented composers in the world. His vision for how songs should build, layer, and decay is …

Hank III

SPB: Who has the best “metal voice” of all time?

Williams: To me Oderus Urungus because of his approach was a bit more unique and different and he is for sure in my top 5 singers of all time....

Frances (Hop Along)

SPB: What was your best subject in grade school?

Frances: My best subjects in grade school were English and Art, though I think that really depends on the teachers a lot of the time. History was amazing when the teachers were good. One history teacher almost ruined it for me because she used to bust …

T (Vegas)

SPB: How do you vary your songwriting approach between your different projects?

T: Most of the songs I've written blast through wounds and articulate a sense of longing and loss. I tend to become obsessed with a theme and it haunts me for years until eventually it is penned down. I do not believe in the …

Hank Williams III

SPB: When did you first decide that you want to make music for a living?

Williams: For me I got into music at a very young age.1st time I was on stage I was 10 years old backing up a band for a few songs. Playing drums and guitar was something I would always do …

Brendon Small (Metalocalypse/Dethklok)

SPB: Who has the best “metal voice” of all time?

Small (Nathan Explosion): He's not a metal singer but he happens to have a very brutal voice: Harvey Fierestein. It's between him and Louis Armstrong. Easy. 

Matt (Animal Style Records)

SPB: What was the first punk show you attended?

Matt: Does this count? Mayfest in ‘98 at the University of Redlands: Blink 182, The Aquabats, Home Grown, Assorted Jelly Beans

Chris (PureGrainAudio.com)

SPB: Who is a band that’s taking seemingly forever to release their next album?

Chris: This is a cheeky response, but I’d have to go with Rage Against The Machine. If there’s any one band who, while technically not currently together, has taken forever to release new music, it has to be RATM. A …

Dying Sea

SPB: How did your adviser enjoy the 7” you created for your internship?

Dying Sea: Haha, hilarious. She was horrified, yet gave me an A. Possibly out of intimidation.

Michael Yonkers

SPB: How does it feel to revisit music from so long ago? Are you the type of musician that enjoys playing and listening to a full back catalog or are you the type who tends to release an album and move on to the next project?

Yonkers: It is a very odd feeling, to say the …

Andy Lefton (War//Plague)

SPB: Minneapolis seems very engrained in your sound. How much of that is conscious? Is it purposeful, or does is just sort of happen through osmosis? Do you find the TC scene to be fairly supportive and/or conducive? Are their limitations or frustrations that come with being labeled a Minneapolis band?

Lefton: It's completely organic. …

Big Dick

SPB: What do your parents think of your band name?

Johnny: My parents believe I haven't left my basement since 1997. I really have them going.
Dave: I tell my parents the band is called Big Richard…they have a very uncertain and vague idea of my hobbies anyway.

Itai (Sweatshop Boys)

SPB: If you had your choice, which band would you love to tour with? 

Itai: Touring with another band is a complex matter, which makes this question a bit difficult to answer. Should we choose a band that we really love or people that we know that we'll surely get along with? Our problem is …

Steven Rathbone (Lair of the Minotaur)

SPB: Since your lyrical themes are also rooted in Greek mythology, what was it that attracted you on the subject? 

Rathbone: I have always been into mythology, also horror and science fiction. The Greek myths were once passed on through storytelling around the campfire. Now the campfire has been replaced with the …

Chris Brokaw (solo, Wreckmeister Harmonies, The New Year, The Empty House Collective, ex-Codeine)

SPB: Rank these listening formats: cd, vinyl, cassette, digital, (other?)

Brokaw: 1) Vinyl. For so many reasons. But I guess the best is that I recently concluded that this is the best piece of art that exists. I consider music to be the most …

Dan (True Widow)

SPB: Are genre labels important to assign to music? 

Dan: I don't think genre labels are important. I do think they are helpful. When I get asked what kind of music we play I always say rock music. Not very helpful. Then I start saying things like 'it's heavy and slow. But not aggressive heavy. …

Karl Hartwig (Hope Drone)

SPB: What is the feeling of the current Australian black metal climate? It seems that Brisbane is shaping up to be a kind of epicentre for the genre, and it would be interesting to hear thoughts from a band of that area. 

Hartwig: I can’t really comment on the Australian black metal climate, as …