Rock Music Critic Interview with Sworn Enemy
- Details
- Published on Monday, 25 July 2011 10:39
- Written by George Washburn
- Hits: 397
Q: Your last album, “Total World Domination” was released in 2009. What have you been up to since then? I heard the lineup has changed? Do you have any updates on a new album/tour?
A: Sal- The band never really stopped touring since the release, but the line-up has been evolving. Last summer we bought in Dan Lamagna on drums. And a fill in guitar player for the summer tour while new guitar player Jeff Cummings finished up some obligations before he could join the band on the road. A 2nd guitar player Matt Garzilli, and bass player Anthony Paganini came on board pretty recently. We will tour throughout the summer in Europe, and hope to demo out some new material when we return in September. The new blood is all pretty serious about the music and it seems like we have like minds.
Q: From your perspective, how has the music industry changed since you first started? Have the changes brought about by digital music and downloading caused you to approach things any differently?
A: Danny – It’s all about bringing people to the shows now. Record deals don’t offer a lot of money up front anymore, and Sales don’t really equal a paycheck. Tickets Sales usually translate into merch and that is how bands survive these days.
A: Matt - It’s a different world. To me it puts more emphasis on the live performance. A lot of bands can't pull off what they record, so to me it now comes down to how you play live. If you can't play well live, fans will stop coming to shows. And since more money is made from playing on the road, it means you better play good live because album Sales are not a main source of income.
Q: How do you feel about the state of heavy music right now? Do you think the package tours like Mayhem festival help or hurt the scene?
A: Danny - I think they are great, and they usually have some local bands playing during the day. Anything that brings fans and musicians together is a good thing in my eyes.
Q: What would you change about the music business if you could?
A: Danny - Get rid of the greed! Get labels back to nurturing artists instead of trying to clone what is popular to make a quick buck.
Q: Who are some of the bands you’ve most enjoyed touring with, and who have you not toured with yet that you would like to?
A: Danny- Agnostic Front are always a good time. The Biohazard guys as well. I toured with a lot of bands that aren’t metal and Sworn Enemy would really ever fit with, like Mindless Self Indulgence and Taking Back Sunday, both whom I love very much as people and as bands. The bands I’d like to tour with aren’t around anymore. Pantera, Type O Negative. maybe Megadeth?
A: Matt - I’d personally love to tour with Slayer, I've been a huge fan of theirs since I was a little kid.
Q: What drives Sworn Enemy to continue making music? What has the band not yet achieved that you would like to achieve?
A: Sal - We love what we do. Getting out there and playing live is what keeps me going.
A: Danny - I haven’t been around the camp as a player long, but as a fan and a member, I’d like to see the band get their due in the US. We get skipped on a lot for US tours with bands that it seems had gotten their start by touring with SE earlier on in their careers.
Q: Growing up, what music inspired you to play the style of music you play? Was there a song or an album that got into your head and made you think “This is what I have to do”?
A: Matt - I've been into music since I was 4 or 5 years old. Playing guitar and music in general is pretty much the only thing I've been into since a young age. Metal has always been there for me. I've grown into other forms of music, but I never grew out of metal. I still listen to the same thrash records I bought when I was in 4th grade.
A: Danny - For me it was Guns N Roses to start off. I heard “Welcome to the Jungle” and immediately wanted to play drums. From there Slayer and Sepultura made me want to play metal.
Q: Say you are trapped on a desert island for the foreseeable future, what three albums would you like to have with you to pass the time and why?
A: Danny - Alice in Chains “DIRT”. Nuff said on that one! Avenged Sevenfold’s “Nightmare”, I really enjoy the song writing and that each player gets to PLAY and not really be in the background all of the time. Miles Davis Filles de Kilmanjaro, because I can study Tony Williams drumming for years.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to talk about?
A: Danny - Go to shows, buy t-shirts and CDs from the bands you love. Otherwise they will not be able to come back and play for you. If you are a musician or artist create something, anything. Even if everyone around you tells you it’s shit, it’s YOUR shit, be proud of it.