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 SM: Hey how are you guys doing? What's the latest? DT: Doing great! Thank you for asking. The latest news from the Destrophy camp is basically we're finishing up the record and we're looking at a fall release providing everything falls into place as expected. We're taking July off to focus on those things, and then we'll be doing a hand full of dates in the fall to support the release. SM: You have been on tour now for quite awhile and you still have some shows coming up, how's the tour been so far? DT: Playing for our fans is what we feed on. We have the greatest fans and we appreciate all of their support. All of the shows have been great and we're really excited about the upcoming shows. SM: What was it like when you guys first started doing shows, did you guys ever have any doubt about the band? DT: We started as a cover band, because we loved playing metal, but also because the people going to shows really wanted to hear stuff that they already knew. That was a frustrating position to be in, but it helped us to learn what was great about the cover songs we were playing and apply that to our own material and stage show. SM: The songs are awesome "brutal metal, but very melodic..." Has it been that way since the conception of the band, or had the music gone through changes throughout? DT: As the songwriter, my tastes are really all over the place, but most of what I like has very strong melody and musicality, and that is evident in our material. I'm also interested in music with power and intensity, so the marriage of those is pretty much what we are. We have gotten more and more extreme with both ends of that spectrum as the years have gone by, and that progression isn't stopping anytime soon. SM: I noticed you have done some interviews in the past on live radio, what was that like? DT: Personally, I enjoy doing interviews. Whether it's for internet podcasts, local radio, or any other national media outlet, we appreciate that the media is paying attention to Destrophy and has taken an interest. SM: With the way music is now a days, and the way people stereo type it, where do you guys see yourselves in say, 5 years from now? DT: Celebrating the fifth anniversary of you asking us this question! Seriously, the market and technology have changed drastically in the last 5 to 10 years and had extreme effects on the labels and the artists, so I'm kind of hoping for something REALLY extreme to happen in the next 5. SM: I love going out to shows and seeing some of my favorite bands play.. bands who have influenced me throughout the years. Have you guys gotten a chance to play with some of the bands that have influenced you and the way you play? DT: Playing with Strapping Young Lad was incredible, and meeting those guys, talking with Gene and hearing his encouragement- that's the type of thing that keeps you going in the tough times. Prior to joining Destrophy, I had played in bands such as Stone Sour, and downthesun, and during that time, I was fortunate enough to share the stage with Slayer, Soulfly, Inflames, etc… That was an awesome experience, to say the least. SM: When you guys first came out with "Chrysalis" back in "04" did you have as good a response from the fans as you were hoping for? DT: People really took to it, which was satisfying because it was a bit of a departure from what we released before- but it represented a huge step up in production quality and that makes Mr. Producer very happy! In addition, there were some anthem type songs on there that are still fun to play, like "Why I Hate Goodbye" and "Let It Go". SM: But just recently you had another album come out, "'The Pray EP" what did you guys like best about working on this recording? DT: That was a more intense album, in terms of musical aggression, and also in terms of my singing. I've learned a bit more how to channel certain things into the vocals, lyrically and performance-wise, and I was very happy about figuring out how to tap into that. Finally figured out my guitar sound too, which is always a plus! SM: Along with touring all over the US, do you guys hope to possibly do a European tour? DT: There are quite a few things that need to fall into place after the release of this album, but primarily, the emphasis will be on distribution. We would love nothing more than to spend some time in Europe and Japan, but if we can't get our album distributed over there, it really wouldn't benefit us enough to justify the expense that we would incur. I honestly think that we could do really well in the European market, so we have discussed going there in 2008 regardless of distribution. There's already quite a buzz over there for Destrophy, and we'd love to play for our fans over there. I was just contacted by a fan in Slovenia and he said he saw our video for "This Is Not My Life" on Headbangers Ball, so that was cool to hear. SM: I ask this question to all my bands, after the show what's your guys' favorite thing to do? DT: Immediately after every show, we like to make ourselves as accessible as possible for our fans. We'll talk to anybody…take pictures…sign autographs…..etc. But after that, it's breakfast time!!! IHOP!!! SM: Do all of you put bits and pieces into the lyric writing or is that all left up to "Ari"? DT: This project has always been mine through the years, and though I've always written everything, I've been very influenced by the people who are in the band, and this particular group is responsible for my favorite material so far. My drummer, Joe, can pretty much play anything I can imagine, and some things I haven't yet, and we'll be pushing him on this album pretty hard! SM: "This Is not My life," I would have to say is my favorite song by far, "Pray" is an awesome song as well. You made a video for "This is not my life". What was that like? And where was the video shot? DT: I love shooting videos. The idea behind it is fascinating to me. We have this song, and then there's a director that takes the meaning of the song, and their artistic interpretation of that song, and creates a direction for a visual interpretation of the song. I love to watch them create THEIR art, while working with ours. SM: So what type of new material, as in videos, merchandise, all that good stuff, is available now? DT: New stuff to come!!! We have an incredible artist working on some new designs for shirts to coincide with the new album, so please keep checking back. SM: Aright, I'm done with this mess! [haha] and I hope you guys enjoyed yourself, and come to Michigan for a show possibly this summer, that would definately be a show I wouldn't miss. DT: I have some old friends from being on the Slayer tour and I'm really looking forward to getting back to Detroit, so we'll definitely be making a trip to Michigan!! |
