My "partner in crime" Evangeline had mentioned some interest in submitting some interviews for D-Day's Revenge and certainly shows that she is quite the professional. Her first interview is with the band Skumlove and is an entertaining read. She did a great job and DB from Skumlove gave some great answers. Read on...
I'm very pleased to do an interview with DB from skumlove he has been a great friend of mine for almost 2 years and has a great passion in his music
(Evangeline) What’s the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name? Have you changed the band’s name before?
DB: The band is called Skumlove and to get the exact oigin of the name you're going to have to ask the main man Skummy for that. I do know that Danzig had something to do with it and that Skum called Skumlove something else before.
We haven't changed the band name no, but there was a time I think about a year ago when we were considering it. The idea got nixed because changing the name would mean starting the band over from the ground up. Not only that, we would have to email all our fans letting them know that the name is changed, which can be a very time consuming task. But when we were considering changing the name one of the new ones was Devil's Union.
(Evangeline) Please list the name, and respective instrument of each band member.
DB: I'm db and handle the bass guitar. Skum is on vocals, Gina plays guitar, and Rattan plays the drums.
(Evangeline) What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
DB: Personally I think that Skumlove is more of a rock n roll band with a few electronics thrown in there. BUT, if you went to a record store or on the internet it will probably be placed under the gothic/industrial catagory.
As far as influences go, everyone in the band has their own set of influences. From what I have observed from being in this band is that the influences musically seem to swing towards the more harder edged stuff be it metal, rock, dance, electronic, etc. Lyrically, I believe sex, religion, perversion, hedonism are the subjects of the day.
(Evangeline) How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?
DB: I've pretty much known Rattan all my life. If you ask Gina he would say that he met me years ago, but since I don't remember that I'll say I've known him on and off from about 4 to 5 years ago when he tried out for my previous band Heroes Of The F.E.D.E.R.A.T.I.O.N.. I didn't know Skum personally but I knew of his band. In fact when he put on his 666 show at The Whiskey A Go Go in Hollywood I tried to get Heroes to play on that bill. I was able to get on but declined because we had a shit time slot, I think it was 7:00 or 7:30.
I formally met Skum when he was looking for people to join his band. And if you want to be detailed, it was at the Jack In The Box on Sunset and Cahuenga right across the street from Amoeba Music in Hollywood. My first impression of Skum was that he looked like a redneck dad haha. The only images I saw of him were band shots so I was expecting that. Instead he came in like red sweats and a baseball cap or some shit like that.
(Evangeline) When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
DB: Skum formed his band years ago, but what got me in the band was just that he was looking for members. I didn't even know about it until Rattan told me he was trying out for some band that needed pretty much everybody. I figured I'd try it out.
(Evangeline) Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any music organizations?
DB: Music organization, no. We are on a label called Misfortune Records which is based in Canada. They released our first album "Songs Of Lust And Corrosion" and will be releasing our second album (which we are in the midst of recording right now). As far as domestic representation, not at the moment. BUT we do have a few that are interested.You'll most likely hear about it on our myspace profile www. myspace. com/skumlove.
(Evangeline) What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever’s available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference?
DB: I play the bass and it handles the low end and the groove of the song. I originally tried out for rhythm guitar but since Skum was finding a lot of guitar players and no bass players, I moved to the instrument. Now I really enjoy playing the bass guitar because every band needs it but it's not too hard to play, well for Skumlove anyway. Playing funk music would actually be hard.
I have a few bass guitars but my favorite is the Epiphone Thunderbird that I have. It's a really afforadable guitar but sounds really fuckin good, maybe even as good as a Gibson. I chose to buy and Epiphone because I'm not much of a gear head and because they are really good sounding guitars at an affordable price. I was also attracted to the shape and color, it just says rock n roll! Since I'm not much of a gear head, I'll just pick up any old thing and play it. True, good gear equals good sounds, but I'm more of a songwriter and I believe that if you have a good song with good melodies it'll sound good no matter what you play.
As far as brand representation, we have an endorsement deal with Schecter Guitars. They are a really good guitar company as well and seem like they cater more to the hard edged side of music because most of the bands endorsed are of that nature. I can be wrong though because The Cure uses Schecter, so who knows. In my opinion, there are a few pros and cons about being endorsed, but I don't know if I'm at liberty to list any of them out.
(Evangeline) Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
DB: Well during my time in the band we have played all over the Los Angeles area, AZ, and Canada. My favorite place to play is hands down The Key Club in Hollywood (so far). The sound crew is amazing, they can make any band sound good there AND they are very very friendly/professional. The stage is big too and just the vibe of the environment there. I've played there many times when I was in Heroes Of The F.E.D.E.R.A.T.I.O.N. and each time I was never disappointed.
Least favorite, there's a place called The Joint in Hollywood that I'm not too fond of hahah.
As far as shows, there are couple in Feb that have come up. That's pretty much all I'll say about that because nothing has been confirmed just yet.If you want more info on it, check back at www. myspace. com/skumlove! hahah
(Evangeline) Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?
DB: We try to come up with different set lists for each show we do. There have been times when we have used the same set list because we're playing in two different cities that will have two different crowds. But yeah, we pretty much switch things up to keep the shows interesting. Of course there are a few staples like "I Am Your God," "My Machine," as well as the new tracks (which will be on the next album) "Dig You Like A Grave" and "Anti-American Idol."
As far as covers, we did Danzig's "Coming Down" a couple of time and we played Ministry's "Stigmata" at one show.
(Evangeline) Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
DB: Before I joined the band, and from I have heard, is that Skum wrote the majority of the music with a few ideas here and there from band members. This time around for this next album everybody in the band has written parts. I've written a few things and so has Gina. As far as lyrics go, Skum has got that down with maybe some input from the rest of us.
Like I said in one of your other questions, the themes revolve around sex, religion, perversion, hedonism, etc. The subjects that are only bad because society has frowned upon them, but that we all know that people has dipped their finger in at one time or another.
Will the themes change? As of right now I don't think so haha.
(Evangeline) Could you briefly describe the music-making process?
DB: For this album that we are working on the writing process has been people bringing in ideas. Sometimes these ideas can come into the form of a riff, a bass line, or maybe a vocal melody. And sometimes these ideas can come in as already formed songs. As soon as we get these ideas we rehearse them, try different arrangements, maybe come up with new ideas, etc. There have also been times when an original idea comes in and by the time it gets out it sounds totally different. Things like this happen and I'm sure they will continue to happen when they get into the actual studio/recording sessions.
(Evangeline) What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
DB: Aside from the songwriting part of rehearsing, there is the other side of rehearsal when we prepare for a show. This is the side where we play all the songs and then narrow them down to a working set list that we feel comfortable with. Sometimes we'll try a cover and sometimes we'll add stuff to songs like outros, maybe strecth a song a little bit longer.
We don't have a set time and day, but we try to come in as much as three to four times a week. If a show comes up all of a sudden, and if we have enough time, we'll do a spontaneous rehearsal session. There have been times though when we got a show and didn't go to rehearsal because we know the songs inside and out.
(Evangeline) How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
DB: You'll be hearing how the music of Skumlove has revolved with this new album!! All I can say is that it's going to be harder, louder, faster, heavier. More guitars and a little less on the electronics. Don't worry, it will still sound like Skumlove. It will definitely NOT disappoint our old fans or new fans for that matter. If anything, it will open the door up wider!
(Evangeline) What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
DB: I think the biggest challenge for this band is getting the chemistry between band members. Some bands usually consists of friends, and because they are friends they already have that bond between each other. This version of Skumlove is the opposite of that. We didn't start as friends we all came in because Skum needed new band members. So basically we're just four strangers in a room playing songs and because of that, we have to build up some sort of chemistry between us.
There have been times when we did pull together and came through, a good example of that is the now infamous Canadian tour where the band was in Canada sans Skummy. We pulled together and made the shows work. Another example are the the writing sessions for this new album that we're doing. And there are the times when we're playing live on stage when we just lock in together, and then there are the times when just don't feel anything. It's a work in progress. It is what it is.
(Evangeline) What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
DB: For Skumlove, I guess the ultimate goal is to get as big as it can get, and after that even bigger! hahah Speaking for myself though, I would like to be able to work on music 24 hours and not have to worry about anything else in terms of jobs. Also i would like to be able to reach as many people is possible with music and be respected artistically. The whole fame/fortune thing is great, and if it came with the package of course I would indulge, but really it's not a necessity.
(Evangeline) What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
DB: There are so many things I would like to say but overall, be true to yourself and what you want to do. The moment you feel uncomfortable with something it's probably not the right thing to do. Also, don't be afraid to listen to other styles of music and try new things. Having an identity is key but take that identity to another level to keep things fresh and new. Staying in one place only makes things dull, boring, and predictable.
(Evangeline) How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
DB: Fans can get more information about Skumlove at www. myspace. com/skumlove. And even more information if they add us to their list!
(Evangeline) Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
DB: All the people I have met through this band, Brian at Schecter, Chris at Misfortune Records, Monster Energy Drinks, Coffin Case.
(Evangeline) what can everyone expect from skumlove in the future?
DB: Right now we're in the middle of recording a new album. The way things are going with the songs, it's going to be a much much more rock oriented album as opposed to the direction that Songs Of Lust & Corrosion went in. Before SKum would write all the music and lyrics, this time around each member has brought something to the table. We also have Tommy Victor from Prong/Ministry/Danzig coming in as well so it's going to be really cool. Fans will not be disappointed at all.
(Evangeline) discribe skumlove live?
DB: Listening to Skumlove on CD is very different from seeing Skumlove live. On CD it's like listening to an industrial rock band, live it's like going to a full blown rock n roll show. It really captures the energy and true essence of what Skumlove is about.
(Evangeline) Lets talk a little about heros. Give everyone a little detail on heros (influences,where you can be seen at,and new projects....ect)
DB: Heroes Of The F.E.D.E.R.A.T.I.O.N. is a band that Rattan and I had before joining Skumlove. Rattan played the drums and I was the frontman. We described the music as "a thousand derailed trains smashing into you," and if you listen, which you can at www. myspace. com/hotf, you'll see why. It's really hard, really fast, really loud, just no holds barred speed rock! We had a guitars/bass/drums set up as well as a percussion section that was made up of any metal object we can find. We had a huge metal sink, some long pipes, metal shelves, chains, etc. No keyboards or electronics were used in Heroes. A lot of our influences ranged from old thrash metal bands like Megadeth and Metallica, to stuff like Ministry and Einsturzende Neubauten, and also stuff like Primal Scream. I just wanted to have a band that took everything to the max/extreme, and Heroes did.
There have been many line ups, the definitive being Me on vocals, Rattan on drums, Patrick Allan on guitar, and Rob Grover on bass. No slant to other members, but there was just a particular chemistry that can't be duplicated that was present when the four of us were together.
Heroes ended around March 2007 when I told Rattan that I didn't want to do it anymore. Without going into specific detail, Heroes just wasn't fun anymore and there really wasn't any point to go on. That statement still holds true, at least for me because when we did our reunion show for Skumlove's Valentine's Day Massacre in 2008 I wasn't having any fun. You would never guess from my performance but I was just going through the motions and waiting for the whole thing to be done.
As far as any new music from Heroes, absolutely nothing haha. I don't know if Heroes will ever come back again. At the moment I don't really have any interest, BUT at the same time I'm not going to say it'll never happen again. What I can say is that the new music we were working on was pretty damn awesome.
(Evangeline) i really want to take the time to say thank you D for taking your time out to have this interview. i wish you the best of luck and just want to let you know how lucky iam to have you as a friend........ Everyone go check out skumlove and HEROS...........
Be sure to hit the links mentioned above to keep up with Skumlove!
