Archive for February, 2008

Interview with Sight Unscene

Friday, February 22nd, 2008

 

1. 1st off is there anything you would like to say about the band?
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Mike: Definitely, to all of those who have never heard of us, we are Sight Unscene from San Diego, CA. We’re a 4 piece hard rock / metal band, started in 04, w/ this current lineup for 2 yrs. I’d like to introduce the band: Anthony Dedrick on vocals / bass, Tony (NoTime) LaMarra on lead guitar, John Jackson on drums, & myself Mike Halsdorff on guitar.
2. What are your favorite bands and how have they influenced your music?
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Anthony: If anyone has ever seen my right arm they would know Metallica is #1 in my book, Killswitch Engage is right up there, System, Pantera, Avenged 7X, Trivium, Mastodon, & Mudvayne. Chad Gray is one of my bigger singing influences. After I heard the first 2 Mudvayne CD’s I always wanted to be able to sing & scream like him. But it was Metallica that made me want to pick up a guitar. James Hetfield is right up there next to that one guy in my books, what’s his name…OH YEAH, God.
Tony: Lots of metal bands including: Metallica, Pantera, Staind, Avenged 7X, All that Remains, AIC, System, Slayer, Bullet for My Valentine, Thrice…any guitar driven music interests me. Dimebag got me to start playing & influenced my style the most; both Hetfield & Hammett, Hendrix, SRV, and some newer ones like Dragonforce have impacted me as well.
John: First and foremost Mudvayne, As I Lay Dying, Metallica, Bullet for My Valentine, Killswitch, Deftones. A lot of those bands have technical drummers and I strive to play at the same level as they do while trying to keep a sense of originality.
Mike: No question about it, Metallica, but lots of others are very close: Staind, Stone Sour, Flaw, System, AIC, Killswitch, GNR, Mudvayne, maybe some Phil Collins. Metallica is the reason I picked up a guitar but when I write, I play what sounds good to my ears, I really try to not sound too much like the bands I like, but subconsciously those influences come through in my style, sometimes when I’m stuck I think, what would Hetfield or Mushok or Cantrell write for this part.

3. What got you into music, how long you’ve been writing music?
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Tony:
My dad got me to start playing the piano when I was 6, guitar wise I was 18, that’s when I started writing my own shit, even though it might not have been very good at the time….
Mike: Metallica’s black album was what got me into harder music when I was younger, then it was those 1st and 2nd records by Staind, Godsmack, & SOAD, those blew me away. I’ve been writing my own stuff for about 7yrs now, the very first song I ever finished back in 01′ called Neglect actually ended up on our first record.

4. How has being a music artist improved your life?
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Anthony:
I have always been pretty shy and reserved and being a musician has really helped me to come out of my shell. I feel like I get to express myself in a way I was never able to before joining a band. When you get on stage you get to become another person. I’m still pretty shy offstage but I’m working on that!

5. Did you start playing music with any other instruments?
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Anthony: I started off playing guitar in Jr. High. I was actually looking for a band to play guitar in when I met these guys. They needed a bass player, I really liked their sound, we had a lot of the same musical influences so I figured “Hey, it’s 2 less strings, how hard could it be?” A year into it I started singing, so there have been a few changes for me.
Mike: I started out by attempting to play the drums while I was in college, turned out to be just too much of a hassle lugging gear around, plus I lived in an apt. so it just didn’t make much sense, I picked up my roommate’s guitar one day & seemed to get better at it in a few months than I was at playing drums & I had been playing those damn things for 2 years…….

6. Is there a story behind the band name?
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Mike:
We had a few different names for awhile in 04′-05′, but we weren’t satisfied with them. I heard on a TV show or radio about someone being sold on something sight unseen, thought that would be a cool name, looked it up, no one else had it, changed the spelling slightly, & everyone liked it, plus it was kind of tongue in cheek cause at that time we were sight unseen, no one knew who we were.

7. Whats the biggest show you’ve played?
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Tony: The Roxy in Hollywood for nostalgia sake, our CD release show cause it has sentimental value…
John: The Roxy because it was the most energy I’ve felt coming from the crowd, a packed house, it was the most fun I’ve personally ever had playing a live show.
Anthony: Our CD release show or the Roxy, both shows were packed & the crowd response was sensational. I remember the Roxy show being one of the 1st times the crowd was singing louder than I was, most amazing feeling ever.
Mike: The Roxy was it, never had an audience go nuts like that before we ever played a note, that shit was incredible, CD release show close 2nd, just because of what it meant, we finally finished that damn CD…

9. OK, because Im a car guy as well, I gotta ask whats your dream car and what do you drive now?
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Tony:
Current: Toyota Tacoma, dream car…I would build my own dream car from the ground up….. show room car would a McClaren F1…

10. Whats your favorite movie/ tv show?
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Anthony:
My all time favorite movie is Happy Gilmore, that movie was comedic gold! If you don’t think that was the best movie ever, I will fight you!
John: My favorite TV show is CSI, the original one, no Miami bullshit….

11. What are some of your favorite foods and drinks?
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John: For food, Lasagna hands down…
Mike: As far as a drink goes I think I can speak for all of us when I say that Jagermiester is our alcoholic beverage of choice, maybe some Jameson as well for me but only on special occasions, if that shit doesn’t get you drunk I don’t know what will…

12. Have you or your fans gotten hurt in a mosh pit?
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Anthony: I’m getting hurt every 5 minutes, never at one of our shows but I’ve had my fair share of beatings in the pits. I got punched in the face at a Flaw show, got kicked in the back of the knee & stomped on at a Trivium show, awesome show though, almost worth it! As for our fans I don’t think anyone has been hurt bad. We must not rock hard enough!!!
Tony: I shattered my arm in a mosh pit at Ozzfest in 05.

13. What is something that you think everyone should try?
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Make an attempt to play a musical instrument, doesn’t matter what it is….

14. Now I gotta ask, how did you find our site and what do you like about it?
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Mike:
I found out about your site from Eli on myspace, decided to check it out, & thought it might be a good way to promote the band, so I registered, uploaded a few songs, it was very easy to use & the whole process of setting up our band page only took a few minutes. I hope it continues to grow and helps support and spread the word about unsigned bands and their music.

15. What other bands have you played with?
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John: We’ve played with Diecast, Mower, Ekotren, Evolocity, & plenty of great San Diego bands including Etched in Red & Discord…..

16. What is the greatest experience you’ve had so far?
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John: Shooting the video for Atrium was a really good experience and an exciting time for the band.

17. What is one of the biggest challenge you’ve had to face?
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Mike: Recording & producing our first album was a huge challenge, we were all new to the studio & due to $$$ constraints, we recorded it piecemeal over the course of 2 years, became this fucking huge ordeal, way over budget, way behind schedule, it was one of the most frustrating yet at the same time rewarding experiences of my life.

18. Have you ever forgotten lines to a song during a show? How did you cope?
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Anthony: I haven’t ever really forgotten the lyrics, per say, but on several occasions I’ve sang the 2nd verse in place of the 1st one or vise-versa. I don’t know if anyone else noticed so I’m ok with it. Lol. If I ever do forget I’ll just throw in a “WOO!!!” and that seems to work just fine!

19. Who is the craziest fan you’ve had?
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Tony: My girlfriend….but in a crazy good way….
John: This guy who contacted us on myspace…he sent us a bunch of messages everyday telling us how to do business with our band, change our logo, and make us his logo, etc.

20. Do you have any hobbies outside of playing music?
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John: I do love some video games……
Mike: After music it’s definitely snowboarding……
Tony: Outside of playing the guitar I really only play video games…
Anthony: Watching sports and tattoos…….

21. Do you have plans to tour in the future?
John:
I would really enjoy that and if we can get something planned I would be more than willing to drop everything and go out on tour….
Tony: I sure as hell hope so, I would love to go on tour…that would definitely rank pretty high up there for me.

22. How about an album?
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Mike: We got one!!! We released our first full length album last August, it’s titled Devils in the Details, has 13 songs on it including Atrium, Until Forever, & Disarray, it’s available at any of our live shows and for download on our myspace music store www.myspace.com/sightunscene . We also just finished a video for Atrium, you can check it out on our site or on youtube. As for future recordings, we are almost finished writing the songs for our 2nd record, looking to get into the studio this summer to begin work on it

Now that you’ve read what they have to say Check Em’ out Here

Daily Music Video: Static-X- The Only

Friday, February 22nd, 2008

Daily Music Video: DevilDriver- I Could Care Less

Thursday, February 21st, 2008

Interview With Vegas Masquerade

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

 

Tell us a bit about each of you and what got you into music?
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                   My name is Andy and I play lead guitar in Vegas Masquerade. As a kid i always wanted to play some kind of instrument. Then one day at a fair I saw my first guitar. It was a Bass signed by some famous bass player. Soon as i saw it I knew I wanted one and wanted to play music. My mom not knowing better bought me a regular guitar and I stuck with it.
                   Hey my name is Adam. I play drums for Vegas Masquerade, I’ve been playing drums since I was a lil kid. I use to set in my room and watch headbangers ball and drink beer with my dad out of a sippie cup.
                   My name is Matt and I play bass in Vegas Maquerade. I’ve been playing bass since my early teens. What got me into music was watching Guns and Roses, Motley Crue and all the 90’s hair metal bands on tv. They were always was with hot chicks and drinking Budwieser. I thought that was bad ass, so I started playing bass.
                    Hey my name is Patrick and I’m the frontman for Vegas Masquerade. I’ve been singing since I was lil kid. I guess what got me into singing was knowing that I had a good voice and I always wanted to be in a band. I joined Vegas Masquerade last year and we’ve been kickin ass ever since.
                    Hey my name is Bryan and I play rythem guitar for Vegas Masquerade. I’ve been playing guitar since I was a lil kid. I like all types of music so I cant say what influences me. I love jamming with my band and playing on stage is one of the biggest highs you will ever have. I dont know what would do without music and Vegas Masquerade.

Who is in the line up of Vegas Masquerade and how did you meet?
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Well it started with Matt and Adam but they soon found me (Andy) through a friend and kept me ever since. Patick and Bryan came along after their band split up. We all were in former bands and we joined forces after previous bands split. We all have grown tight as friends and hang out all the time.

How long have each of you been playing and how did you get into metal?
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We all have been playing our instruments and singing since we were kids but we’ve been in the band together for a year. We have always loved metal growing up.

What has been your greatest experience as a band?
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The show at Hooligans when we walked out on stage in front of 500 people cheering for us.

What other bands have you played with?
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Way to many to mention but we always like jamming with our boys A.S.G.

Who in the band writes the songs, or is it a group effort?
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Well I (Andy) usually come up with the guitar licks and Adam pieces it in with drums and Matt adds his touch. Then later come back and finalize it.

What plans do you have in the future for Vegas Masquerade?
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Stay on the road as much as possible.

Do you guys have other hobbies other than music?
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Drinking, Hunting, we love to Party!!!!!

Who has been your craziest fan?
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Adams dad

What is something that you think everyone should try?
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People need to try to do stuff out of the norm. That makes for good coversation.

Now I gotta ask, how did you find our site and what do you like about it?
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We found out through myspace. We like your sit b/c it based around getting musicians heard. That in its self is bad ass

Something that I ask everyone is do you have a dream car, what is it?
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87 Trans Am

What do you think was your biggest mosh pit?
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About 250 kids going at it

Anybody ever get hurt at one of your shows? Have one of you ever got hurt at one of your shows?
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 Yea people somtimes get hurt. We haven’t gotten hurt yet but we would like too. lol

Is there anything you would like your fans to know about that I havent asked?
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We want our fans to know that we love them and that The South Is Coming!!!!!

Daily Music Video: Disturbed- Stricken

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

The IBand

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

This is cool

Musical Default Noises

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Music using nothing but the default windows sounds. As much as I hate em, it is kinda neat

Daily Music Video: Machine Head- Ten Ton Hammer

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Interview With Bomb Beatz

Monday, February 18th, 2008

1.) What bought you guys into music and how long have you been writing
songs?
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We always wanted to make our own CD. When we started rapping together, everybody told us we sounded better than some people on the radio. We have been into music our whole life. Yung Reek and J-Zilla have been writing music all their life. Revanew has been rapping for two
years, and making beats his whole life.

2.) What challenges are you up against being a Hip Hop artists, How does
writing beats differ from writing guitar riffs?
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The challenges we face are trying to get into the rap game. Then once we’re
there, keeping our spot in Hip Hop. Even if it means being number 1, or
being number 100. (Revanew says) I think making beats and making guitar
riffs are not so different. It’s like you have a blank puzzle and you have
to make the pieces and put them together in a perfect fit.
3.) How has being a music artist improved your life?
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We have learned to appreciate all aspects of making a song. The time, people, the equipment, and the rite ideas. Now, instead of us just thinking of the artist on TV or in the spot light. We think about the people in the background that you don’t see.
4.) What kind of experience did you have while writing your album?
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We did live performances at San Diego Job Corps in California. We did Showtime at the Apollo in Downtown San Diego’s Lyceum Theater. We met the head GM of PCM Records. There is so much more people that we met that gave us advice on our album, we just can’t name them all.

5.) What has been your greatest experience as an artist?
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Being on stage performing and people liking us.

6.) What other bands have you played with?
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We have played with Junkyard the dance crew. They have a couple of Hip Hop artists in there dance crew that we have done music with.

7.) What plans do you have in the future for Bomb Beatz?
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Whatever the future holds for us. As much as we want to get out there. The sky is not the limit for us. It’s the things above the sky that we are reaching for. The stars.

8.) Do you have other hobbies other than music?
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Yes we do. Yung Reek is a good basketball player and a good dancer. Revanew is a good Basketball and football player. And J-Zilla is a football player and a good wrestler.

9.) Who has been your craziest fan?
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We have. Everywhere we go we tell people about us. If we had more money we would give out copies of our album to people. We are worried more about getting discovered than getting paid, right now. That’s why when we sell the album, its only $2.00.

10.) Before you got into Hip-Hop, did you start or do you still play
instruments?
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Well, J-Zill and Revanew don’t play any instruments.
Yung Reek plays the drum very good

11.) What do you see in the future for yourselves?
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We see us in the position to give the undiscovered bands of the future a chance to be famous.

12.) What do you do when your not practicing do you, work? Drink? TV?
Games? Etc
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We all work. Revanew and Yung Reek are both security guards and bouncers. J-Zilla is a electrician and a plumber.

13.) What is something that you think everyone should try?
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We think everyone should try San Diego Job Corps in California. It is a experiences that will either make you or break you.

14.) Now I got to ask, how did you find our site and what do you like
about it?
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We heard about your site (moshable.com) on myspace. Some one left us a message and told us to check it out. So we did. The thing that we like moshable.com is that there not just for a siren crowd of music. Moshable.com is not just a place where you only hear rock or pop or hip-hop. The way the times and the music is now days. All the styles and trend are mixing to form something completely new.

15.) What don’t you like, or something you would change?
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Nothing. You guys over at moshable.com are doing a good job. Keep it up. We tell everybody that we know to check us out at three places on the web.
www.myspace.com, www.wemix.com, www.bandfortheday.com, and www.moshable.com.* * 16.) Something that I ask everyone is do you have a dream car, what is
it?
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Yung Reek’s dream car is a hooked up 2008 Chrysler 300C.
Revanew’s dream car is a hooked up 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT.
J-Zilla’s dream car is a tricked out modified 2008 scion XB.
17.) What do you think was your biggest mosh pit?
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Even thou we are a Hip-Hop group. We still like to party like a rockstar every now and then. When we go to house partys in East San Diego or go to the clubs in Downtown San Diego. The DJ plays Party Like A Rockstar, and we all lose it! Jumping, pushing, and yelling. Now that’s a mosh pit. But we have a good time.

18.) Anybody ever get hurt at one of your shows?
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Come to think of it. There was one time. We (Bomb Beatz) were about to do the Apollo in Downtown San Diego. (Now we are trying to get out of the ghetto) Where we stay, there are a lot of gangbangers. We were out side of the Apollo waiting to get in and perform. We knew, there were two rival gangs at the Apollo. One gang had about 120 people and the
other gang had about 30 people. So a big fight broke out. The fight lasted
for about 10 minutes. A lot of people were hurt, but nobody died.

19.) Is there anything you would like your fans to know about that I
haven’t asked?
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Yes. Bomb Beatz is forever. There is no breaking up this group. Revanew and Yung Reek are cousins, and we all have known J-Zilla sence we can remember. We all know each others familys and everybody knows everybody. In the future, look out for some solo albums for Revanew, J-Zilla, and Yung Reek. Know matters what happens. It Bomb Beatz forever.

Daily Music Video: Slipknot- Spit It Out

Monday, February 18th, 2008