As promised, here is part two of my interview with Ludicra / Impaled bassist, Ross Sewage. In Part 2, Sewage fills us in on the upcoming Impaled tours and what else the mighty Oakland “Death Metaleers” have in store for 2010.
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An Interview with Ludicra / Impaled Bassist, Ross Sewage: Part 2
Posted March 5th, 2010 by DS InterviewsAn Interview with Ludicra / Impaled Bassist, Ross Sewage: Part 1
Posted March 4th, 2010 by DS Interviews
As far as Ludicra and Impaled bassist Ross Sewage is concerned – shit is going down this year! In a good way – of course. A veteran of the Bay Area metal scene, Sewage pulls double-duty bass jobs in at least two separate Bay Area metal bands, both of which are playing monsterous metal festivals in 2010. The highly-anticipated new album from Ludicra called The Tenant came out this week (order the new album here) and the band is preparing to head out for the Scion Rock Fest later next week. On the other side, Impaled are getting ready to depart on a Central American tour in support of Nile before they gear-up for the 2010 Maryland Deathfest.
I had a chance to exchange a few letters with The Boss over the past weeks and decided to break up the interview into two parts. In part 1, Mr. Sewage lays out the status (in true well-written and comedic metal-viking fashion) with Ludicra’s upcoming shows and talks a little bit about what fans can expect from their new album. In part two, he fills us in on the upcoming Impaled tours and what else the mighty Oakland “Death Metaleers” have in store for 2010.
BAMS Interviews Chris Broderick of Megadeth
Posted March 1st, 2010 by DS Interviews
Photos from Megadeth myspace page (no credits listed).
It’s been about 5 years since I first met Megadeth guitar player Chris Broderick. Newly transplanted to Los Angeles from Colorado, he was just a man with his guitar and a hope in his pocket, educating whoever he could in the art of shred. Well, at least teaching aspiring guitar players like myself whatever we could absorb.
At the time, Broderick was tearing it up in the legendary power metal band, Jag Panzer. Anyone who listened to Jag at the time knew how much of a beast Broderick was on the 7-string (and in real-life), and when a friend played Casting the Stones for me one day, I knew that this was someone that I had to learn from. That album is still one of my all-time favorite metal albums.
I think most people know the story by now, how Nevermore needed a tour replacement for Steve Smyth, which eventually led to Dave Mustaine discovering him and ultimately “approving” of Broderick after watching his YouTube videos. There appears to be no limit for the newly-appointed lead axe-man.
I talked with Chris this weekend about the upcoming Megadeth tour, guitar playing and music. He told me about a few things that help to make him be a better player and gave some advice on how you can be in a band like Megadeth.
Getting Low: An Interview With Renowned Bassist Steve DiGiorgio
Posted February 3rd, 2010 by DS InterviewsAsk any metal-head to name the first bass player that comes to mind and 99% of the time you’ll get one of two Steves: Harris or DiGiorgio. Both are great, but only one of them is considered the de-facto go-to person for bands in need of someone that can dominate the low-end of the audio spectrum.
DiGiorgio has worked with countless legendary metal bands like Death, Testament and Sadus, and continues today with his new bands Charred Walls of the Damned and Future’s End. Picking up the bass wherever he is needed, DiGiorgio is renowned for playing fast and for bringing the fretless bass into metal.
I met Mr. DiGiorgio outside of the Cynic show last month and, after a brief update, I knew that I had to find out more about what the bass phenom was up to. I was fortunate enough to speak with the man about his bands, his bass playing and his inspiration. He also opens up about the final days of Death and the meaning of completing a new Control Denied record with Chuck Schuldiner’s final work on it.
Spitting Venom: An Update From Black Cobra’s Rafa Martinez
Posted February 2nd, 2010 by DS InterviewsIt’s been 8 years since Jason Landrian (guitars, vocals) and Rafa Martinez (drums) started making noise together as Black Cobra. The two-piece sludge metal band, having just released their 4th CD Chronomega last year (check out our review), are getting ready to unleash their fangs on tour in 2010. Before they hit the road, I was able to exchange a few quick emails with Rafa to get the scoop on what he thought about their recent successes and what they had in store for us this year.
Steve Smyth Is Taking Over In 2010: A BAMS Exclusive Interview.
Posted January 7th, 2010 by DS InterviewsIt’s fair to say that Steve Smyth is going to do more in 2010 than most musicians do in their life time. He already has an impressive resume that I touched upon in a post a few weeks ago, and now it sounds like he’ll be building that resume up even more in 2010. This year is going to be a multi-faceted year for one of metal’s most versatile guitar players.
Over the past few weeks I’ve been emailing Smyth and getting the scoop on what the future has in store for him. Aside from teaching guitar and pulling double-duty as lead axe man in Forbidden and The EssenEss Project, he’s working on a hush-hush metal project featuring Mikkel Sandager of Mercenary. I also ask Smyth where he stands with Nevermore, now that they’re back down to one guitar player and looking to tour.
Exclusive Interview with Cannabis Corpse
Posted October 27th, 2009 by DS InterviewsThe definition of Stoner Rock might have to be broadened these days. Forget the slow, un-polished sounds that you’re accustomed to knowing, because Virginia death metal band Cannabis Corpse is taking the genre and making it louder, faster and yes, “stonier”. With songs like “Blunted at Birth” and “Mummified in Bongwater”, well, you know you’re going to be in for a good time.
First, a little disclaimer: Obviously this band sings about smoking weed, and weed happens to be fairly illegal in most places. Here in California, it’s mostly tolerated and accepted. Does that mean we think it’s okay for everyone in all ages to get baked? No. But, let’s be real here – everyone in the band is an adult, everyone at the show was an adult, and just like any other area in life, when you’re an adult you can choose to live your life how you like, as long as you know the consequences. So for all you kids out there, sorry, you have to wait until you’re older before you have an excuse for doing stupid things.
Now that that’s out of the way…
Meet Kowloon Walled City
Posted October 26th, 2009 by DS InterviewsCall it “noise rock”, call it “metal”, or call it neither. San Francisco’s Kowloon Walled City is pushing noise around and getting recognized. I was lucky enough to meet up with front man Scott Evans and guitar player Jason Pace at their record release show in the city. They seemed like a couple of down-to-earth guys that were quite modest in their approach to music, metal and the industry.
Interview with Skinlab Frontman Steev Esquivel: New Album, New Metal and Old Times.
Posted September 19th, 2009 by DS InterviewsIf you’ve been around the Bay Area metal scene for the past decade you’ve probably heard of and/or seen the band Skinlab. Discovered in the late 90’s by veteran metal band Machine Head, Skinlab has made a name for themselves in the groove/hardcore genre over the past 12 years and built a broad base of loyal fans. Their new album, “The Scars Between Us” came out on Tuesday and marks their first album in 3 years. (I saw copies of it next to Megadeth’s new album at Rasputin’s here in Berkeley).
