1) Russ, please describe for our readers how music by SCORCH is
enhanced by percussive elements.
By adding 2 extra percussionists, it adds another dimension
to the music. When you listen to the CD, you will hear underlying
rhythms which compound a new layer of heaviness within the already
powerful grooves. When all the drummers come together during the
simpler and/or faster guitar riffs, it makes it that much more intense.
The extra percussion definitely makes this CD one that you can listen to
over and over and catch a new instrument that you didn't notice the time
before.
2) What skills and talent do other musicians bring to
Scorch?
Let me begin with Big Daddy Dave: our diabolical drummer. Dave
and I have telepathy when it comes to original material. When I write
new guitar riffs on my own, I usually envision what kind of drum beat
would go with it in my head. Normally, within five minutes of jamming
with Dave, he hits the nail right on the head, and then some. We'll be
playing a series of riffs for the first time for 5 or 10 minutes in a row,
and he'll miraculously stop at the same time as me. He never ceases to amaze
me with complex rhythms and innovative imagination. Unlike most drummers who
write normal grooves, blast beats or typical straight-up double-bass, Dave
takes metal drumming to a new level. He never goes so out there that it just
sounds weird or just doesn't work. He always finds an interesting way to
still make it groove and adds the double-bass in the just the right spots to
make it just that much more powerful with devastating dynamics.
Shawn (percussionist) adds an element of raw power to the band. Many
times when Dave is doing complex fills and interesting beats, Shawn keeps
things simple to effectively keep the groove going. Shawn is amazing on stage.
He uses his drum stands as launch pads to catapult himself into the air. He
also lifts his sticks over his head and really loves to let out his aggression
by attacking his drums! Shawn has also been my partner working on all elements
of artwork for the band. He literally spent over 100 hours with me last year
critiquing all of the artwork for our CD cover, CD art/lyrics booklet, posters,
shirts and stickers. We also teamed up to build the Scorch merchandise display.
Shawn has a very detailed eye for art and presentation for the band. The band's
professional look would not be the same without him.
Todd (percussionist) brings a technical and schooled approach of drumming
to the band. Todd plays many drum solos when Dave is doing normal grooves. It's
quite unique to hear a drum solo (versus a guitar solo) while the main drum groove
is still going. He knows exactly how to add the off-time kind of beats to enhance
and change the feel of the song. In addition to his technical drumming, Todd is
a wizard when it comes to computers. He helps design and maintain our web site, as
well as solve computer problems in and out of the recording studio.
Aaron (bass) has a very excellent ear for critiquing our songs while recording
and during live performance. If something doesn't sound quite right, he always
points it out. Aaron has also been a real team player. After many months of not
being able to find a bassist, he volunteered to switch from guitar to bass guitar
because he knew that the parts were technical enough that a normal bassist wouldn't
be able to play them. This really helped us out because we were finally able to
play out as a 6-piece. During live performances, Aaron keeps things interesting by
flying around the stage on his wireless while most everyone else is tied to drum
sets or mic stands.
Kevin (guitar) is one of the most talented musicians that I've ever jammed
with. Not only does he catch on to almost every guitar riff almost instantaneously,
he can play advanced Cradle of Filfth keyboard parts and old skool Slayer drums with
ease. Even more amazing is that he is this musically advanced and is nearly ten
years younger the rest of the band.
3) What sector of new music enthusiasts does SCORCH appeal to most?
(What genres does your music fall into / get labeled most often?)
Metal in its purest form. It's not alterna-metal, black metal, industrial
metal, gothic metal or any other metal sub-genre. If it had to labeled, I would
call it a mixture of speed/groove metal.
4) What styles of music, and perhaps which music artists, have had
the most influence upon SCORCH?
Our music falls into the same category as bands like Pantera, Sepultura,
Slayer, Machine Head with a hints of Fear Factory and Cradle of Filfth.
5) Please describe for us background insights for songs such as
"Remember", "Face", and "Psycho".
- Remember: As an older family member passes away, childhood memories
are triggered. Looking decades back on the guidance and influence provided by
this loved one, a hole once filled suddenly becomes empty. Infuriated by this
passing of life, only regrets are recollected. Eventually nothing is left but
the reality of death and the inevitable past.
- Face: If you listen closely, you will see that this masterpiece's
sections are arranged in the form of a mirror with the beginning and end of the
song imitating each other. This plays on the theme of the song: When a frozen
spirit becomes lost in his own world of disillusionment, he can no longer
reflect on the truth and is blinded by his own thoughts. Continuing forth
alone, lost between the clouds above and the underworld, he continues on his
quest for answers. This nine minute title track off of the debut CD includes
over a half dozen riffs, multiple dueling solos and drastic tempo changes,
fulfilling all of your metal needs!
- Psycho: Sculpted by an unforgiving society, a normal man becomes
institutionalized in his own mind. Attempting to keep his sanity, a 'never say
die' voice comes from inside of him and takes over his subconscious. When no
one can feel what he feels and all his words seem to go unnoticed, eventually
an unparalleled mind takes a turn for the worse. Despite his capacity to think
clearly and his internal organs deteriorating, his unprecedented state of mind
is feared by all.
6) When & where can readers plan on picking up copies of your
new CD, FACES?
Our CD release date is February 10, 2003. We are setting up consignment
with several stores in Detroit. We are also arranging consignment at independent
record stores in the other cities that we will be touring in the midwest.
On the web, you can find our material on www.scorchedmetal.com, www.cdbaby
.com, www.garageband.com
7) On which compilations does SCORCH plan on making appearances?
1) Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles (Canada)
2) Epitaph (Detroit, Michigan)
3) Meathead Records (Canada)
4) Making our own Scorched Metal Productions Compilation CD with other
midwest metal bands.
8) When does SCORCH plan on hitting the road to perform for the
masses of metal maniacs?
We plan on touring regionally immediately after the release of our CD.
We aim to play in several major cities through Michigan as well as Chicago,
Milwaukie, Pittsburgh, and Cincinatti (just to name a few) within the first
couple of months of our CD release.
9) Describe memorable features from past live SCORCH performances.
At Paychecks, when I jumped off of the Stage and was in the middle of
the mosh-pit while singing the song "Explode".
10) What may readers expect next from SCORCH during live shows?
We recently hired a lighting company (who has worked for such acts as
Slayer & Alice in Chains) to do lights, fog, lasers, etc at our bigger shows.
Adding these lights/effects to the wall of 15 toms, 2 snares, 2 bass drums, and
our custom made 6-foot metal Scorch sign across the back of the stage will surely
be a sight to see!!! Plus I try to keep things interesting by having a few songs
where I play guitar for only a portion of the song or not at all. This keeps
things more diverse (versus being tied to the mic stand at all times).
11) Please entice us with descriptions about any special features
available on the SCORCH website, www.scorchedmetal.com
All merchandise on our web site has free shipping! We are throwing in a
free poster and sticker for anyone who buys a shirt directly through us! We also
have the meanings behind all of our songs (insights) on our web site as well as
a few MP3's. In addition, we have maps to all of the venues that we perform at.
12) What would SCORCH like to accomplish next via performing and
unleashing music now recorded on FACES?
We plan on opening up for national bands in Michigan and neighboring states
in the near future. Also, we are actively involved in cross promoting and forming
metal alliances not only in Michigan but with other regional metal bands as well.
Our first break is opening up for Kittie at Harpos in Detroit in January 2003!
13) How may our readers learn more and reach out to communicate
with SCORCH?
SCORCH
P. O. Box 669
Royal Oak, MI 48068-0669
Phone: 586.447.2275
Web: www.scorchedmetal.com
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