Category: Interviews

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Interviews

PALMS: An Interview with Aaron Harris & Jeff Caxide

Given the names involved, it’s no surprise that Palms have attracted a bunch of attention since the release of their self-titled debut album last year. The band that features Deftones frontman Chino Moreno with former members of Isis garnered endless praise with their first record, captivating a legion of fans since their formation just a few years ago. Impressive for a part-time project that took off when Moreno and drummer Aaron Harris began meeting up for hikes at Runyon Canyon. Who would’ve guessed that a stroll to Inspiration Point would have led to a 46-minute opus and a gig at the Hollywood Bowl?

According to Harris and bassist Jeff Caxide, working with Moreno is something they’ve always wanted to do. Today we talk with Harris and Caxide about their time in Isis, their journey with Palms, and advice they’d give to their 20-year-old selves.

Key takeaways:

  • One of the band’s most memorable moments was playing the Hollywood Bowl opening for System of a Down. “I didn’t even think there would be a possibility I’d get to play there sometime,” Aaron said.
  • When Isis went on their first US tour in 1999, Cave In’s van caught on fire. The gear they were able to salvage reeked like smoke for days.
  • Some advice to young musicians: save your money and don’t focus on getting a manager or getting signed. Focus on the process of writing good music.
  • On every tour with Isis there was at least one moment when they felt discouraged and thought about giving up. “It comes with the territory.”
  • Too many bands go into it with the wrong idea. “If you really love playing music, start with that.” It’s good to have dreams but start slow.
  • When Isis was recording In the Absence of Truth you could feel it was the beginning of the end for the band. Jeff said, “It wasn’t exactly said out loud, but that was felt it in the room between the five of us.”
  • Aaron was handling drum tech duties for Tool on their recent tour this year, and during “Push It” Danny Carey’s snare head broke. Aaron was able to change it in the middle of the song and the crowd went nuts.
  • Isis toured with Tool in 2006. Right before that tour Aaron got stuck at Heathrow Airport in London because of the gel bomb scare. He wasn’t sure he’d make it home in time for the tour, but ended up getting back right before they had to leave.
  • A couple months ago Isis made national news when people started confusing them with the terrorist group. “I thought it would happen a lot sooner to tell you the truth,” Jeff said.
  • People had already made up their minds about Palms when the initial announcement was made — before hearing any music.
  • “It’s a treat” to be able to work with Chino. It’s a vocalist they had always looked up to and wanted to do something with.
  • Aaron gets a lot of his song ideas while doing yoga; Jeff gets his while driving.

Links from this interview:

More about Palms:

  • Palms recently wrapped up a West Coast/Southwest tour with Boyfrndz
  • They’re currently writing new material but don’t know when they’ll hit the studio because the members have crazy schedules and live in different parts of the US.

If you’ve got feedback about this interview, what you liked about it or suggestions on how we could have done it better, we’d love to hear it. Send an email to ryan@ryansrockshow.com.

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Interviews

SILVER SNAKES Interview with Alex Estrada on Year of the Snake

We’ve been talking about Silver Snakes for a few years now, and if you’re already familiar with what they do you’re ahead of the learning curve. Featuring members of Horse The Band, the SoCal rock group have made quite an impression on the music scene with the 90s-inspired jams captured on their latest album Year of The Snake.

Having shared the stage with acts like Coheed and Cambria, Defeater, and Scale The Summit, Silver Snakes have been infecting crowds with their toxic venom, awing spectators across the nation with a compelling stage performance that affects the nervous system for weeks.

In this interview frontman Alex Estrada talks to us about the band’s latest record, what it was like playing with Coheed, and running his own recording studio. If you don’t already know him by name, you likely know his work — he’s produced some rad records, like the first Touche Amore album.

Oh and how could we forget? If you’re in the LA area, SS will be doing a show with Intronaut on November 4th at the Roxy and on December 18th with United Nations at Los Globos.

Here’s what’s covered:

  • 00:04 Deadhead (feat. members of Touche Amore)
  • 01:43 his relationship with Touche & recording their first album
  • 03:31 his old band Cathedrals
  • 04:19 the first Silver Snakes show ever
  • 05:08 working with Steve Choi of RX Bandits
  • 06:29 opening for Coheed and Cambria
  • 07:27 being held hostage by strippers in New Orleans
  • 08:46 why he started his own recording studio
  • 09:30 recording Year of the Snake
  • 11:11 advice to young engineers/producers/musicians

Bands mentioned in this interview:

  1. Deadhead
  2. Touche Amore
  3. Cathedrals
  4. Polygraph
  5. The CafFiends
  6. Coalesce
  7. Jesuit
  8. Tragedy
  9. His Hero is Gone
  10. Dear Life
  11. RX Bandits
  12. Shiner
  13. HUM
  14. Failure
  15. Peace’d Out
  16. Coheed and Cambria
  17. Iron Maiden
  18. Aeges
  19. Smashing Pumpkins

And here’s a stream of Year of the Snake in its entirety:

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Features Interviews

An Interview with TOUCHE AMORE’s Jeremy Bolm

We interviewed Touche Amore once before, back in the day when they were supporting the release of their 2009 debut album …To the Beat of a Dead Horse. At the time the young post-hardcore band from Burbank, CA were just starting to make a splash in the music scene, and they were doing shows with bands like Thursday and The Fall of Troy.

A lot’s changed since then. Today you know Touche Amore as the massive international touring band that’s put out three successful full-lengths, toured with household names like AFI and Rise Against, and rejuvenated an entire genre almost single-handedly.

In this interview we’ll chat with frontman Jeremy Bolm about the band’s rise to fame, the early days of TA, and some interesting advice for young musicians looking to make their mark.

Here’s what’s covered:

  • 00:04 Glassjaw
  • 02:35 how Earth Crisis inspired him to be straight edge
  • 03:53 Inner Strength (Far, Crosses) & his vinyl collection
  • 06:00 The first Touche Amore show ever
  • 07:13 how he’s grown as a musician
  • 08:33 turning 30 & changes in perspective
  • 09:10 that one time he went to Warped Tour
  • 10:26 his label Secret Voice
  • 11:42 what he looks for in bands that he signs
  • 13:11 advice to young musicians

Bands mentioned in this interview:

  1. Deftones
  2. Quicksand
  3. Earth Crisis
  4. Strife
  5. Drowning Man
  6. Inner Strength (ex-Crosses, Far)
  7. Incubus
  8. Korn
  9. The Urge
  10. Broken Needle
  11. American Nightmare
  12. Thursday
  13. Single Mothers
  14. Weezer

Touche Amore tour dates w/ Tigers Jaw:

Jul 10 Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
Jul 11 Charlotte, NC @ Amos’ Southend
Jul 12 Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry
Jul 13 Baltimore, MD @ Otto Bar
Jul 15 Long Island, NY @ Revolution Bar & Music Hall
Jul 16 Providence, RI @ Met Café
Jul 17 Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall
Jul 18 Quebec City, QC @ L’Agitée
Jul 19 Montréal, QC @ Il Motore
Jul 20 Ottawa, ON @ Ritual
Jul 21 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
Jul 22 Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar
Jul 23 Milwaukee, WI @ Rave II
Jul 24 Minneapolis, MN @ The Garage
Jul 25 Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s
Jul 26 St. Louis, MO @ Firebird

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Features Interviews

Animals As Leaders Interview: Javier Reyes on The Joy of Motion

There’s no doubt that Animals As Leaders have taken heavy music to a new plateau. What started out as Tosin Abasi’s outlet to express his creativity has turned into a global sensation, resonating in the bloodstream of today’s youth. But the road to fame and success hasn’t come without its trials and tribulations. As guitarist Javier Reyes points out, the journey thus far has been full of surprises.

Since our last interview with AAL a few years ago, the band have hit numerous road blocks on the highway to prominence. We invited Reyes over to our Haus to talk about what they’ve been through over the years — the Boston case, the time their home got burglarized, and everything that went into to making their chart-topping new album The Joy of Motion.

Here’s what’s covered:

  • 00:04 playing a burnt down church w/ Deftones
  • 01:20 Thrice’s farewell tour
  • 02:23 the Boston case
  • 03:03 getting their house burglarized
  • 04:06 producing hip hop
  • 05:02 evolving as a musician
  • 05:49 The Joy of Motion
  • 07:55 on mastery
  • 08:54 T.R.A.M. & Mestis
  • 09:53 how AAL’s fame affects creativity
  • 11:14 advice to young musicians
Categories
Features Interviews

Deafheaven Interview: George Clarke & Kerry McCoy on their Success & The World of Blogging

It’s hard to imagine that Deafheaven’s success all spawned off the release of their 2010 demo. Even frontman George Clarke and guitarist Kerry McCoy are among the disbelievers, especially since they recorded the four-track effort out of boredom.

Since then it’s been a whirlwind of events for the San Francisco black metal/post rock phenomenon. Praised by the press, hated by black metal purists — you either love ’em or you don’t. And according to McCoy, that’s the way they like it.

We sat down with Clarke and McCoy to talk about the band’s seemingly overnight rise to prominence, how the world of blogging impacts bands today, and how the desire for success can often be detrimental to success itself.

We know you’re busy. Here’s what’s covered:

  • 00:03 Memorable intimate shows
  • 00:58 Lessons learned from Russian Circles
  • 01:51 Rules of shows/venues
  • 02:33 Critical praise
  • 03:18 How blogging affects success of bands
  • 05:02 Dealing with haters & internet trolls
  • 06:00 Previous jobs
  • 06:18 The writing process
  • 07:20 How desire for success can be detrimental
  • 08:01 Advice to young musicians
  • 09:47 Thoughts on their own success