Interview with Joey Roxx

So here's the second complete interview from Ghostchant, I'll admit I'm still pretty green so bear with me haha.
With this one, again I’m ecstatic; never would I have ever imagined that I’d be asking questions to the guitarist of one of my favourite current bands, Joey Roxx of Burn Halo.
Sadly Burn Halo are one of America’s hidden gems, the sad part being the ‘hidden’ part, these guys’ records are both killer, and frankly do what bands such as Nickelback and Papa Roach have been doing for over a decade but do it better.  With any new band Burn have had their fair share of line-up changes, however the two core members have always been James Hart and Joey.

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With being a massive Eighteen Visions fan, when I heard that James had gotten a new band together and that people were saying they picked up from where Eighteen left off, I had to check you guys out.  And man was I glad I did, Burn Halo meld together so many aspects of rock; you have the swagger of the glam/hair metal bands of the 80s, you have the ferocity of 90s grunge yet a huge variety of song type, ranging from pure radio-rock to border-line metal.


Questions;

Having grown up in the 80’s and 90’s, which bands do you feel influenced you the most?  Are there any records or bands that made you decide that touring in a band was the thing for you.
For me the first time I saw AFI’s "Days of the Phoenix" video it literally made me say "whatever that is, that's what I want to do!!!" The bands that influenced me the most are AFI, Metallica, and Avril Lavigne lol

You guys as a band have been known for having insane interactivity with your fans (you just have to look through your Facebook photos to see the vast amount of fan/band images).  Is this something you feel is needed for a band to get over with the fans, and is it something maybe lacking with some bands?
I think social media has definitely made it easier for fans to connect with their favorite artists... I don’t think it is a necessity, but I enjoy hearing the good and even the bad. I wish it was around when I was a kid because it would have been cool to pick the brains of my favorite bands growing up... I still think the element of waiting outside a bus or van to meet your favorite band is a really cool thing and I hope that never becomes any less special.

Staying with interactivity, the sound of Burn Halo is very ‘big’, suited for the huge venues among the likes of Avenged Sevenfold and even Guns N’ Roses, yet you guys really haven’t broken out of the club/theatre circuit.  Do you prefer the smaller shows or are the big stages beckoning for Burn?
Well actually we have toured with bands like A7x, Korn, Papa Roach, and the Used... Obiously I would loved to be able the play arenas every night.. but that doesn't mean clubs aren't getting the same quality of show... I've always been a DIY type of dude and enjoy seeing bands at intimate venues and knowing that they work their butts off... so I hope people think of us in that light.

With the new album being teased so much, is this the album that will finally break Burn Halo into the world (and see you tour UK haha)?
LOL you'll have to ask our label about the UK but I really would love to go... we just want people to know we ARE working on a new record, and that we took our time writing it to make sure it was the best it can be!!! Keep posted with the bands Facebook and we will release more info very soon.

Through the two albums so far Burn have released, both have been drastically different in sound.  The first was nearly a pure radio-rock album which seemed to fit in well with the likes of Nickelback and Drowning Pool, whereas ‘Up From The Ashes’ was verging on metal at times.  Does the new album continue this trend of a maturing of sound and even going heavier?
Well James and I from day one connected as friends with our mutual love of metal... especially a bands like at the gates and inflames.. the new album is heavier and much more mature. We've gotten heavier because since we've toured and been writing the heavier songs are just more fun. LOL

On the first album there were a number of different guests on it (Syn Gates of Avenged Sevenfold and Keith Barney of Eighteen Visions).  Is there anyone you’d love to come over and collab on a track on the new album?
Yelawolf, M. Shadows, Syn again, or Jacoby Shaddix would be amazing

What’s been your favourite track to play live, and are there any songs that you just hate playing but are fan or band favourites?  Are there any tracks you wish you could cover live?
My fave track is either Save Me, or Threw It All Away... in Threw the lyrics are amazing and it’s a very real/personal song for me and Hart... Least fave is probably Shine... don't know why lol I want to cover Kiss From A Rose by Seal again

Last question; is there any information at all that you could give us about the new album, like an exclusive titbit?  A track title?  Release date?
Sorry man, not allowed to drop any info yet, but keep posted on the Facebook!!!!

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I'm so happy with how this can't out, Joey was so nice and chill with it and was super quick with getting back to me.  So nice and I really do hope that the new album is the one that Burn finally start getting the recognition that they deserve.
If marketed properly and to the right people, I seriously think these dudes could be the next Guns 'N' Roses, and take over the world!!

Hit these guys up on their Facebook page, and keep posted for new info on Burn the forthcoming album!

https://www.facebook.com/burnhalo?fref=ts

The Deth Of A Legend

On June 2^nd 2013 the world sadly lost Mick Morris, most known for his time as the bassist for Eighteen Visions and xClearx.  Mick had also served time in Bleeding Through (recording ‘Portrait Of The Goddess’) as well as being a founding member of the small Misfits tribute band Die Die My Darling.

Now what’s to follow is MY own opinion, so don’t get your panties in a twist if you don’t agree, heck let me know if you don’t and why not.
In the genre of metalcore he had no peers, yet he has gone relatively unknown and in effect has become so underrated.

Without Mick I am more than 100% sure that what is “in” today in the world of hard rock music would be VERY different, there would be no Black Veil Brides, nor would there be any Motionless In White.  Mick (and 18V) helped create not only a sound but just as importantly they created a look which has not only now became the template of literally every band out there, but it’s also become something of a larger, more commercially accepted look.

As Mick joined 18V, the term and phrase of “Fashoncore” (or “xfashioncorex” if your awesome and Militant) was just starting to build steam, the term basically described how they wore the black skinny jeans and the tight graphic tee’s and had the styled, coloured hair, they were seen as pretty boys of metal and did Mick fit in with it all!
For his first show the band dressed up in drag, an act that for any other band at the time would have seemed so wrong and out of this world; for 18V and Mick, it seemed normal and almost natural.

Mick’s first release with 18V was on the (sarcastically titled) ‘Best Of Eighteen Visions’ released in 2001, it was a collection of previous 18V tracks re-recorded along with one new track, “Motionless And White”.  This album showed how different Mick was to previous bassist Javier Van Huss; the tracks were heavier, more stylised (like the band) and was just more balls to the wall, and a lot of people attribute this to the inclusion of Mick.  Then the new track “Motionless And White”, a piece of art, lyrically one of James Hart’s (singer) best, and overall just an amazing sounding track that foreshadowed what was to come on the next release, ‘Vanity’.

On ‘Vanity’ we got an incredible sounding effort and is my own personal favourite, with each track being something different and the album as a whole including possibly every genre of music possible.  The progression was there, and as recording continued, the progression continued with the next step, ‘Obsession’ being just as massive as a leap that was there with before and after Mick had joined.
After a decade 18 recorded their last album, the self-titled Arena Rawk inspired album, was when I personally feel Mick was a home, watching live shows back he seems so in his element, and this was greatly enhanced with his appearance, starting to wear more make-up and dye his hair regularly and dressing ‘glamier’.
This was the Mick Morris that inspired so many young musicians, including the ones mentioned at the beginning, and this was the Mick Morris that most will think of.

After the end of 18Visions, Mick stayed close to music, touring as a guitar tech for Hatebreed among other music related jobs.

It wasn’t until last year that he entered the element of ‘band’ again, forming Minerva, who went on to play multiple shows in Mick’s home town Salt Lake City.

In the last months of his life it was clear via his Twitter and Instagram pages that he was bummed out at times, and was really reflecting on his time in 18V along with his time with his son and wife.

In the end, the world lost an amazing man, someone who I never knew or even met, but was fortunate enough to get to email for a time last December, and I feel so bad for his friends, his former band mates and most importantly his family.



Rest In Peace Mick ‘MickDeth’ Morris

Interview with Trevor Friedrich

Starting this blog project I had the wild idea that I could maybe even try getting some band members to do small, email interviews.  However never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be lucky enough to actually get to do it, never mind having my first interview be with Trevor Friedrich who is literally one of my idols and was a member of my favourite band ever (Eighteen Visions) and a member of another one of my top bands Monkeys Are Machine Guns!

Enough with the intro, let’s get to the interview!

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I am a huge fan, and have been ever since I first heard “Victim” and saw the video for “I Let Go”. I will admit that I’m a huge Eighteen Visions fan, frankly your music helped me through a really hard time last year, so I just want to say thank you so much for that.
Since then I’ve followed your career and I have to say I LOVED Monkeys Are Machine Guns, I honestly had never heard anything so amazingly brutal.
Again, thanks for letting me do this and helping me get this music blog project off the ground.
Thanks a lot man. I'm glad to be a positive thing in your life


Questions;


What are some of the bands/music, past and present, that you listen(ed) to and feel have influenced your musical style?
Way too many to list but to name a few key players: depeche mode, nine inch nails, the cure, afi, iamx, pig destroyer, pet shop boys, himsa, placebo, prince, madonna, at the gates, bauhaus, new order, crystal castles, tears for fears, sade, portishead, nero, noisia, from ashes rise, and all of the bands I have played in and still play for are a huge inspiration to me

Your first major band was when you joined Eighteen Visions in 2004, how did this come about, and how did you feel joining a band that had already been established for nearly a decade at that point?
It’s funny to hear that the first major band I joined was eighteen visions because to me it was my 2 high school bands loftus and tire iron. These two band in my mind at that time were the greatest so to me those still stick out in the forefront of my music career (I can't wait for people to look those 2 bands up and realize how ridiculous that is haha). Back to the 18v question - when I was in high school eighteen visions was one of my favorite bands so naturally I was at every show and the hardcore community in Orange County at that time was amazing so I became good friends w some of the members. When the time came to find a drummer they asked if I could quit school (I was 2 yrs in to my art major at Loyola Marymount) to tour full time. I was ecstatic! then the bad news of "cool you have 4 days to quit school, learn the whole set, move out of your apt, store all your shit somewhere, tell your family that you are quitting college to join some band, aaaaaand leave for tour" - most hectic 4 days ever but I loved it


Do you feel that your inclusion helped steer Eighteen into that ‘Arena Rawk!’ sound on their last record? Or was it more of a natural, “it just happened” sort of thing?
Well I was always a fan of the weird/artsy/heavy shit I grew up with but being a part of a band like that and helping it progress into something a lot bigger was a great experience for me


Last Eighteen Visions question (haha), which was your favourite song to play live, and which song from their back catalogue do you wish you had the chance to play live?
I loved playing vanity and john lennon.
I always wanted to play flowers for Ingrid

Having been a member of a good few music/band projects, working with a variety of different folks, which one do you feel you learned the most from? Which one was/is the most true to your ideal sound?
I most definitely learned everrrrrything from touring w 18v - I was a 19 yr old kid that knew nothing about touring at that point. The most true to my sound would be monkeys are machine-guns and the witch was right since I write all of it


It’s the nature of underground metal and harder types of music for members to be in multiple bands at once, something that’s pretty much unheard of in any other genre and form of music. Do you feel this helps the individual and allows them to explore more avenues of work or does it hinder them with way too much work?
I think it’s great - never have I ever seen a more insestual scene than the industrial/electronic world. You pretty much get to pic and chose which people are the best at each thing and who you get along w the most


You recently leant vocals to Motionless In White with the track “Sick From The Melt”, which is amazing btw, how did this come about and are there any current bands that you’d want to work with
Thanks I really like how that song came out and love all the positive feedback I'm getting from that song. Chris has always been a big 18v fan (hence the MIW band name) so naturally I've become friends w him and the band was kind enough to have the witch was right open their first ever headline tour. we got along great and did some songs together live so I think thats where the idea came from. it was cool of Chris to let me write my parts on the song as well =)

As well as music your obviously into tattoo’s (both getting them and actually giving them too) and art in general, has this been something that you’ve always had a passion towards?
Yes definitely. Ever since I was little I was obsessed with tattoos, wanted to be covered, and wanted to do them. When 18v broke up I finally had time to pursue that passion. I wanted this to be a hobby vs a job but still take it very seriously. I just bought everything and taught myself (I was fortunate to have a lot of friends that were covered already who didn't mind a fucked up "learning" tattoo from me haha)


What is your favourite tattoo that you have, and which is favourite that you’ve given to someone?
My favorite tattoos I have are actually the ones friends or family members have given me (they look terrible but mean the most). Here r some of my favorite tattoos that I have done:

 

Last question, what can we expect from the future, whether it be music or it be more art-based projects?
I will always tattoo, paint, shoot, and write monkeys are machineguns/the witch was right albums =)

Thanks so much again Trevor, its much appreciated, good luck with everything you’re doing whether its music or art-related, and I'll keep on rocking out to Eighteen Visions :)
Thank you so much

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I can't put into words just how nice and genuine Trevor came across, really hope I get to see him perform live someday.
Thanks for reading people, hope you all enjoyed :)



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The Notes Of My Reflection

The beginning; why now?

Having been a self-professed master of music for years now, why have I waited so long to start this?
Simple answer is the events of the first week of June this year.

Three major happenings changed something for me; something clicked inside and made doing this blog necessary for me.  It was time to start showing the love that had been building up inside of me for years, ever since I heard Ash’s “Goldfinger” and realised the power of music.

The three events; the sad passing of Mick Morris, the release of the new Nine Inch Nails single and the break-up of Last Witness.

Each of these brought on a different emotion for me, and all in one week, it showed me what can happen in a ‘music-week’, and how it happens each week if you’re looking hard enough.

The passing of Mick Morris will be covered later on in another piece, but to be blunt, he was an idol of mine, one of very few people I looked-up to and was part of what has become the most important band to my life: Eighteen Visions.
This news on June 2^nd saddened me greatly, such an under-appreciated legend gone way too soon, with much of his music being hidden away in the old cardboard boxes of middle-aged-former hardcore fanatics.  I will say for anyone that hasn’t heard of his talents, please please PLEASE listen to the Eighteen Visions albums ‘Vanity’, ‘Obsession’ and the self-titled 2006 release.  You will not regret it.

With this news I was reeling, but then came the second event being the release of “Came Back Haunted” (and release of information on the new album, out September) .
Having only ‘gotten into’ the band in the last six months I didn’t have to suffer through the hiatus too much, but for the life-long fans of NIN this had to be an early Christmas!
A great track that melds a return to their early years (‘Pretty Hate Machine’) together with the maturity and skill of ‘The Slip’, if the rest of the new album is anything like “Came Back Haunted”, its sure to justify the five year absence.

Two days after I learned that Last Witness, an English based metalcore band, were calling it a day after this years Download Festival.  Now I’m not going to claim to be their biggest fan, but I did enjoy their music style, taking lessons from the current greats of American metalcore like Every Time I Die and The Chariot.  Being a British band too, their sound was an interesting departure from the normal heavy British band where its either a clone of Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden or it’s a rip of Bring Me The Horizon and similar “screamy” bands.  They weren’t just trying this sound out either, they were SMASHING it!!
I saw a lot in their future and thought they could help usher in more metalcore bands in the UK rock music scene.

So like I said, these three things led me to understand that literally anything can and does happen in a week in music, and they can all evoke a different emotion.

To some, myself included, music is more than just a past-time or background sound, no to some music is the most important thing in the world, people grow attached to bands and their members (not in a fan girl, “SIGN MAH BEWBS!” kind of way) and to the songs, albums and lyrics.

This blog is OUR love letter to music.