Tag: video interviews

Categories
Interviews

From First To Last Interview – Matt Manning, Blake Steiner – ‘Throne to the Wolves’

It has been quite some time since I last sat down with the From First To Last gentlemen. In fact, my previous interview with the band was about Sonny Moore quitting the group, working with Ross Robinson on “Heroine”, and Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit filling in on bass for a few tours. Things have since changed.

In the past year alone, From First To Last has put out a new album, signed to a new label, had a lineup adjustment.

I caught up with Matt Manning and Blake Steiner to catch up on the past few years, talk about the band’s latest release, “Throne to the Wolves”, and find out what exactly happened to Travis Richter.

Beginning with Steiner discussing when he joined the band, here is From First To Last on Ryan’s Rock Show:

 

Categories
Interviews

Dark Tranquillity Interview: The 90’s Gothenburg Music Scene

Ryan Minic interviewing Mikael Stanne of Dark Tranquillity at Bonnerhaus in North Hollywood in 2010

They are one of the bands credited for pioneering the Gothenburg metal scene — a Swedish music community from the early 90s that influenced generations of heavy musicians worldwide. In fact, Dark Tranquillity is perhaps the longest standing band from the Gothenburg era. They were one of the first groups, alongside At The Gates and In Flames, to combine elements of progressive melodies with traditional death metal — and they’ve been doing it for nearly 20 years.

So how does a small group of kids playing metal in Sweden go on to influence the world of heavy music? Whom better to ask than Dark Tranquillity frontman Mikael Stanne.

I sat down with Stanne recently to better understand the Gothenburg community, to discuss the band’s new album “We Are The Void”, and to find out what motivates them to continually push the boundaries of the death metal genre.

Beginning with the early days of Gothenburg, here’s Mikael Stanne in his own words:

Categories
Interviews

Ontronik Interview: Ex-System of a Down Drummer Returns

Ryan Minic interviewing Ontronik Andy Khachaturian at Bonnerhaus in North Hollywood in 2010

If you want to hear a crazy rock story, meet Andy Khachaturian. He was original drummer for System Of A Down and frontman for the now defunct Armenian-American quartet The Apex Theory — ever wonder what happened to those guys?

If you were born after 1990, you may not be too familiar with The Apex Theory. But back in the day (circa 2002) they used to tour with bands like Glassjaw, Alien Ant Farm, do stints on Warped Tour and Ozzfest — they also had videos in constant rotation on MTV2. Then they just kinda vanished.

I was able to catch up with Khachaturian to get the scoop on what went down with The Apex Theory — to find out what caused the band to split, and to see what he’s doing now. His story begins in 1993.

From 1993 to 1997, Khachaturian was the original drummer for System Of A Down. Just as things with the band were picking up, there was an unexpected turn of events — a severe hand injury that forced him to quit the band two weeks before they were to showcase for producer Rick Rubin (Slayer, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica).

Beginning with discussing the early days of System, here’s Khachaturian in his own words:

Categories
Interviews

Doomriders Interview – Nate Newton – The Beginnings, No Expectations, Converge

When Nate Newton is not on tour playing bass for Converge, he lends his guitar and vocal skills to Doomriders, a metal band that has released two full length albums and a handful of splits – they’ve even played a few shows with Danzig.

There are no goals or expectations with the band. Newton, Chris Pupecki (Cast Iron Hike), JR Conners (Cave In), Jebb Riley (Disappearer) are just friends in a band playing music. And these friends go many years back.

Continue reading “Doomriders Interview – Nate Newton – The Beginnings, No Expectations, Converge”
Categories
Interviews

Agnostic Front Interview – Roger Miret, Vinnie Stigma – 25 Years of ‘Victim in Pain’

If you are unfamiliar with Roger Miret and Vinnie Stigma of Agnostic Front, you don’t know shit about hardcore. The Village Voice recently claimed that the band’s 1984 record, “Victim in Pain”, is as important and influential to New York music as any classic Velvet Underground or Ramones album. In fact, Agnostic Front is the band that spearheaded the New York hardcore scene of the 80s.

Continue reading “Agnostic Front Interview – Roger Miret, Vinnie Stigma – 25 Years of ‘Victim in Pain’”