It was only a few months ago that our very own Jacki Spencer had the privilege of interviewing Jason from Bullet for My Valentine. Since their extensive U.S. tour, which is currently ongoing,  it was my turn to ask the guys from Bullet a few questions.

After a short break from writing for SHOUT! I was contacted  by the editors and asked if I had any interest in doing a phone interview with the guitarist, Micheal Padget. Although I’d never listened to more than one song from the band, I had heard so much from friends about them that I jumped on the opportunity to find out a little more about these Wales rockers. 

SHOUT!: We should start with a little bit of background. The sites I’ve read have a couple different histories for you guys, so what’s the real story?

Padge: We started out when we were 16 or 17 and still in high school. We played local shows for about 7 years, and then our bass player left. After he left we decided to write a bunch of new songs that  had a new vibe, and eventually we got signed.

S!: I read that you’re touring the U.S. Where are you today?

P: We’re in Murtle Beach, which is a really nice place.

S!: Do you find that there is a difference between touring the US and touring at home in Wales?

P: Not really. The only difference is the amount of time we have to spend here, because the place is so big, it’s not like we can do it in a week — it takes a good month or two. As for the shows, they’re pretty much the same. We have great fans everywhere we go, and they just go nuts at our shows. 

S!: You guys have …  Continued »

When I got word that The A.K.A.’s were coming, I freaked. Then when I realized that I couldn’t make their live show, I had to find a way to ask them the questions that have been on my mind for a while now. Luckily I didn’t have to rely too much on my begging skills, as they were just as stoked to talk with us as I was with them! If you haven’t yet comprehended why I am in total lust with them and you aren’t quite following the situation I’ve come into, you really should keep reading (like you’d stop now!) The A.K.A.’s are a one of a kind band on a mission. Vocalist Mike Ski, was nice enough to chat us up on that misson, the industry, and how they plan to take over your town during Warped Tour…

Shout!: Can you shed some light on the background of the band?

Mike Ski: We started The A.K.A.s in 2003 in New York City with a mission in mind to create an ongoing musical reaction that would evolve as music, culture, and society evolved around it. Music, art, and history are a series of actions and reactions. We were tired of popular music and the way underground music was heading down a similar road, so we started a band with the freedom to do and say  what we felt was missing in the world around us. However idealistic it was, we’ve been equally successful making people stoked and keeping others pissed.

We’ve since released 2 full length albums and played over 400 shows all around  the US, UK and Europe. We’re still trucking and on a mission to empower listeners and create an open forum of discussion and debate. We’re impassioned about …  Continued »

I hear people say “music is my life” day in and day out. It got me wondering to what lengths will music push someone? It can affect everybody in many different ways. Some hold it more true to their hearts than others it seems. One person I can say that truly lives for music is Richard Patrick of Filter. Since being a part of Filter, Richard has created something that has lasted over 15 years, been to rehab, and is still going strong today. That, my friends, is living for music. But I don’t have to try and convince you, I’ll let him tell you himself…

Shout!: Most bands break up within the first five years of forming. What is it like to be a part of something for over 15 years?

Richard Patrick: Filter has been around for about 15 years but the members of the band have changed during that time. The only constant is me. By alternating members, I have been able to keep it fresh and I allow the new guys to bring in ideas as well. The current lineup – Mitchell Marlow on guitar, John Spiker on bass and Mika Fineo on drums – is perhaps the most talented I’ve ever had. These guys were hired strictly for their talent, which is a first for this band.
 
S!: 15 years have passed now, but where do you see yourself in the next 15?

Richard: I see myself continuing my music career. I don’t think I will ever stop making music. I have had a lot of success writing music for films so I can see myself branching out into that arena as well.
 
S!: Some newer bands on the scene are being compared to you. Who do you think you would compare yourself to?

Richard: I come …  Continued »

It was just shy of a year ago that our very own staff writer, Vanessa, got to do the first of many interviews with the as she said “soon-to-be-huge” band, Alesana. I must say that it’s always fun to do multiple interviews with a band from when they first start out. It’s like watching them grow right before your very eyes, and you always have so much to talk about as time passes.

If you marked Vanessa’s words, you see now that she was right. Alesana is going back this year on Warped Tour as veterans and dates are being sold out by the minute. They’ve already accomplished their headlining tour where I got a chance to meet bus-side with guitarist Shawn Milke right before he went to get a new tattoo! 

S!: I promise not to take up too much of your time, seeing as you all are quite busy!

Shawn Milke: Oh, it’s not a problem. I’m just going to get another tattoo here on my arm when we’re done here.

S!: Awesome! So, Wikipedia dubs the band as “post-hardcore” What does that term mean to you and do you think it applies to your music?

Shawn: I think that “post-hardcore” is an earlier in the decade term. I don’t think they really even exist anymore. It’s been innovated into a more melodic state. I’m not a really big fan of genre terms anyways and we call ourselves “sweet-core” just because we think it is funny. [Laughs] I don’t get it when kids call us screamo, or emo or anything else. It’s just to pigeonhole bands and we don’t like it when they do it to us.

S!: It’s always interesting to see how bands feel about it. Wikipedia has been claiming every other band as “post-hardcore” and half of …  Continued »

Cobra Starship…you might be thinking “aren’t they that one band who did that one song for that one movie with Samuel L. Jackson?” You might even be thinking “I didn’t know they were actually a band…I thought it was just that guy from that one band, that other guy from that other band, and that chick from that Swedish band getting together for a one off.” Well, my friend, you’d be wrong; very, very wrong.

Just read their Fueled By Ramen band bio, and you’ll soon see that not only are Cobra Starship real, but they are here on a mission: to take over the world. Guitarist Alex Suarez talked a bit to Shout! recently about the new album, hardcore bands, and family secrets…

S!: You guys have done loads of festival tours. What’s been your favorite band to share the bill with?

Alex: Well, over the summer, we did a world tour, and we did a tour with The Academy Is…, and we ended up doing a bunch of festivals with them all over, like Germany, the UK, Belgium…it was awesome!  We had a great time!  It was awesome that we got to do the same tent as those guys, but we got to do some really sweet festivals like Reading and Leeds, and one in Germany, and we got to see The Arcade Fire, and Smashing Pumpkins played, it was awesome!  It was truly an incredible thing to see and watch and be a part of. It was just really cool because every night it would be somebody different…like a whole mix of scenes, depending on the festival.  I got to see Mellencollin play!  I had never seen them, but I really liked their record when I was in like, middle school, so I was like …  Continued »

“Everybody has to get over being wounded.”  Bayside, a New York band named for their own hometown, is defintely a band with experience enough to talk about wounds.  Playing their music their way, signed to Victory Records, everything seemed to be going well until a van accident on tour took the life of drummer and friend John Holohan.  The rest of the group were declared “walking wounded” and treated, but things are never the same after something like that.

But the wounded have continued walking, and are carrying on stronger than ever, supporting a new album, working on another, and staying true to themselves in that magical way that only rockstars can.  Shout! recently sat down with guitarist Jack O’Shea, and even got a word or two from lead Anthony Raneri…

S!: With regard to Walking Wounded and the meaning behind it, Anthony has been quoted as saying “everyone gets wounded at some point or another as they go through life”, what are some of the ‘wounds’ that you guys have had to overcome and draw from?

Jack O’Shea (guitar): Well “walking wounded” actually is specifically a term that was used in the ambulance after our accident.  It was used to describe the surviving members of the band and crew…they were saying that they had one that was dead and six walking wounded, so it’s an actual medical term to describe people who are going to the hospital who at least can stand and get into the hospital.  In terms of like, emotional wounding, I’d say that it defintely played an important role in the development of us, not only personally, but as a band.  Other than that, I think everyone has failed relationships and has issues from home, whether they be small or large, it’s just a …  Continued »

Even if you don’t happen to like or approve of the legendary GWAR, you know the name. They’ve crept through the music industry for the past 25 years so it is quite hard not to remember hearing them from somewhere. They’ve not only swept the music side of things, but television, movies and games throughout the years can not get enough GWAR!

One could compare this band to a bad car accident in the sense that you don’t know what you’re looking at but you just can’t seem to pull your eyes away. Admit it, they’re attention grabbers and it is what they do best. With in-your-face lyrics and theatrics on stage, there is only one band that can do what they do. Their twisted sense of humor makes for a great show from the costumes and props, to the lyrics and “metallic madness” as described by Oderus’ better half, Dave Brockie.

Face facts, you just can’t get enough GWAR! Anyone who tells you differently is lying.

Fake Voice: This is Mr. Brockies’ secretary, would you like to talk to him or Oderus?

Shout!: I have a few questions for both but if I could speak to Mr. Brockie, that would be excellent.

Voice: Hold please. [Random Noises]

Dave Brockie: This is Dave, what’s up!?

S!: Hello Mr. Brockie, how are you today?

Dave: Damnit, please don’t call me that. My secretary is always calling me that, trying to make me sound professional because I’m so old. I’m 84 today though. Who would have thought that this firm, round, fine ass that I have is 84!

S!: It looks damn good too. So, you’ve been in the band since 1985. What is it like to be apart of something for over 20 years?

Dave: Wow. Surprised. I mean, it’s truly become a way of life for …  Continued »