Sunday, January 12, 2014

Sulaco Interview


1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days? Currently we're on hiatus, working on some other projects. We've been offered some shows for Spring 2014, which will roust us from our break and hopefully get us writing and playing more.
2.How would you describe your current musical sound and also how would you describe your progress as musicians over the years? We're a metal band first and foremost but our influences come from all over the place. I guess the best description is, we're a "kind of" band musically speaking. Meaning we're kind of tech, kind of grind, kind of prog, kind of doom, kind of melodic, etc. We don't really have any written rules for what goes into the songs. Regarding progress as musicians, thats a tough one to answer. I've always liked that our songs have a sense of technicality without really sounding like your typical "tech" bands. We don't really incorporate guitar solos, sweep arpeggios, etc... into our music. Our songs are more focused on feel than flash or guitar hero type playing. Our riffs tend to be quirky and rarely in 4/4, so they have a different feel to them. I think each with recording we've done there has been some sort of progression from the previous recording. Whether that progression is good or bad is up to the individual listening. It's like the old adage goes, you're "damned if you do, and damned if you don't." If you change or "progress" too much from your previous sound, there are people that won't like it, and if you don't change or "progress" there are peope that will blame you of just regurgitating the same old thing over and over again. So we just write for ourselves, as long as we're happy with it that's all that really matters to us.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored over the years with your music and song writing? Erik's lyrics are pretty much about everyday life and occurances, with the occasional nonsense thrown in for good measure. In this band vocals are more like another instrument, so they need the proper phrasing and timing. The words don't really matter, we're not trying to get any sort of message out.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Sulaco'? We had recorded the first four songs we wrote but didn't have a name for the band yet, and someone at Relapse heard it and wanted to release the EP. So we were pressed for time to come up with a name. We couldn't come up with anything we liked, so one of our friends (Aaron Nichols, ex-Kalibas, ex-Defeatist) had a list of possible bands names and was gracious enough to let us use a name from his list. The Sulaco is the space ship from the movie Aliens.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance? To pick a "best" seems pointless, I mean whether we're playing to a thousand people or ten, we're just happy to be playing. To be honest I prefer basement / house shows or small clubs to bigger venues. It feels better and seems to make for a better show when it's more up close and personal.
7.A couple of years back you put out an album on Handshake Inc, do you feel they did a lot for getting your music out there heard? I think so, he put our name out there in a few bigger magazines and put our MDF live performance on the Maryland Deathfest: The Movie 2 DVD.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of death metal and grindcore? Judging from all the reviews I've read, surprisingly well. Only one or two reviewers had any sort of negative feedback which I find hard to believe.
9.Are any of the band members involved with any other musical projects these days? Burke has a few new projects he's working on, including a new BCT (his solo project) recording in February. Crif has been playing with a band called Burn Everything, but I think they're going to revamp the lineup or start something new from that. Spoth is kicking around a few ideas for a solo project. Brian recently left Sulaco to put more time into his band BML.
10.When can we expect another release and also what direction will it be heading into music wise? Not sure on either count, time will tell. We've been talking with the guys in Tellusian (ex-Crowpath) for a couple years now about doing a split release, so hopefully we'll get that rolling.
12.Outside of music what are some of your interests? Well we all enjoy drinking beer, especially Victory beer. Erik spends a lot of time making goofy posters on his Ipad, hanging with his son, and playing video games. Crif also loves playing video games, and hanging with his three sons. Spoth likes to ride and wrench on his motorcyle.
13.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview? Thanks for the interest and the interview. Here's to a great 2014...

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