Interview with Death Angel

From their first gig at a sandwich stand to a sold tour of Japan, Rob from Death Angel tells of a life where there was no option other than the heaviest metal around. At the age of twelve and eight, Rob and his cousin Andy decided a career as Thrash Metal musicians might be ‘a cool thing to do’. “It was the place and the time we were at, we just somehow gravitated to that music. We were influenced by our parents, they listened to a lot of music like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. We kept digging further and further into music. It kept getting heavier and heavier. We were drawn to the heaviness.” This dream, fueled by a disarming confidence led to the band’s regular gigs around California while most of it’s members where in their early teens. “It was very strange to everyone else around us. To us it seemed like the thing to do. We were just stubborn kids looking for a life of rock and roll. We just wanted to rock and play and rock out... do our thing.” Each performance was typically preceded by skeptical bouncers and nervous bar managers hiding the band backstage. “We had a hard time getting into clubs to. It was really really fun.”

In time the thriving Californian Metal scene realised confidence wasn’t the only thing Death Angel had in abundance. Their talent was intoxicating. From what seemed like innocent beginnings the band (comprising of Rob’s close family) was a regular fixture on the Metal circuit. Kirk Hammett and Cliff Burton, from Metallica, being two of their bands biggest fans. “Kirk produced our demo that got us signed. They were in the scene so we knew each other. Especially Cliff. He was the one that was closest with us.”



Unlike some bickering siblings the close familial ties of the band only gave them a tighter dynamic on and off stage. “ It was the coolest thing. That’s how we lived it form day one. I’m very used to the comfort zone. We know we each like brothers and we fight like brothers at the same time. There is so much mutual respect between us.”

In 1990 tragedy struck as the band’s tour bus crashed, critically injuring drummer Andy Galeon and prompting lead singer Mark Osegueda to pursue a life outside of music. “There was a moment of devastation. Death’s Angel’s not Death Angel without Marc.” In the subsequent down time the rest of the band continued to produce music under various side projects. Eleven years later the band reformed for a one-off performance in 2001. “It was very very interesting. It was also totally amazing. We just didn’t know what to expect. What we had before was so intense. It is like being married to 5 people at the same time. It was strange and we didn’t know what to think. When we hit the stage the crowd just lit up. It was one of the most memorable moments of all time.” Since that gig Death Angel has been performing and producing music without a break.

Now coming to Australia (with Armored Saint in March) Rob finds it hard to contain his excitement at exploring a new frontier. “Going to Australia for the first time ever in our whole lives. This is very very big for us. It’s definitely one of our dreams.” And that extremely confident aura will certainly be part of the show. “Expect a full on Death Angel experience, which means we are coming to delivery the goods. We are very energetic and very into it. You will get no less than you have ever hear of. They will be super charged shows.”

Interview with Forever the Sickest Kids

As their name might suggest Forever the Sickest Kids are no conventional powerpop band. Although guitarist Marc Stuart insists “we do our own art and write all our own songs, we have the final say in everything we do,” the band did not start its meteoric rise with such calculated precision. After forming in 2006 from two separate groups losing their creative steam, Forever the sickest kids can thank their discovery and subsequent popularity to a sloppy mistake. Some five days after officially forming lead singer Jonathan Cook accidentally placed an add for a front page song placement. Rather than ruing the investment of $350 they didn’t have the band went into action writing and recording their first major hit ‘Hey Brittany.’

The playfulness and spontaneity of this amazing rise to fame is certainly carried on by the band, in it’s image and philosophy. Marc makes no hesitation in describing the band’s motivation to produce and perform music. “ We are doing this because its really fun. we’re just here to have fun. We are a happy go lucky band.” It only took one look and the band’s photo shoots to see they enjoy poking fun at convention. Despite this trend Marc is adamant Forever the Sickest Kids aren’t planning to supplant popular culture, they are just letting their personalities through. The band’s myspace proudly announces “Voted “1 Worst Band Name of 2008" by AP Magazine,” but the endless criticism and flaming has no effect on morale. “ It’s our attitude to announce things like that, it’s funny that they make awards for those things.”

With this comic exterior one would be forgiven for assuming the band is in it just for fun. This assumption, however, couldn’t be farther from the truth. When commenting on the band’s endless touring schedule Marc comments, “we make the best of it all, the touring, the interviews. We like to do as many interview as possible. This is our work and we might as well be working.” When playing live Forever the Sickest Kids feel truly at home. “It gives me such a rush to perform. Expect really high energy stuff.” Australian fans will have their first chance to see Forever the Sickest Kids at Soundwave Festival, which will be touring the country in February and March with one of the most carefully constructed line ups in years.

Published @ www.onthebarrier.com
Link: http://www.onthebarrier.com/feature-interviews/forever-the-sickest-kids.html