AXEMEN GUITAR INTERVIEW : Wade Kindel / ROT

1.Tell us your name and the band you play for

Wade Kindel ROT

  

2.Who made you want to pick up the guitar

Wanted to be a Rockstar make lots of money and get hot women.  Then started playing and just fell in in love with performing and writing.  The money and women did not compare anymore.

3.Are you self taught or did you take lessons?

Self-taught took a couple lessons early on.

4. Can you read music, Can you read tab?

A little bit, but mostly ear. I can read Tab

5.Do you feel like you have your own sound / tone ?

  

Sometimes but it is hard when so many have come before me.

6.Tell us about your guitar ( brand ,model . year , color )

I have been loving my D’Haitre Black Flying V.  Created 2019 custom built for me Model WK Shred

  

7.What about pickups? Passive or active ? Tell us about them

Active EMG Screamers

8.Lets get into amplification, Same drill brand , model , speakers etc

Randall Tube Head/4/12 cab play with a Marshall stack at home as well

9.Do you have a pedal board? Tell us about that badboy

I only use a Wah Pedal and not all the time

10..Now tell us your Dream Rig in detail…..

Not sure I am happy with my current guitars and set up

11.What guitarist can you not stand?

I like most of them do not really hate anybody

12. Is tone more important or is technique?

Both

   

13. Name your top 5 guitarist

Randy Rhoads, Eddie van Halen, Joe Satriani, Dime bag Darrell, Adrian Smith, and Glen Tipton

14.Who is the most overrated guitarist

Blues Traveler

15.Who would you like a one hour private sit down lessons with anyone dead or alive?

Randy Rhodes

BATTERY DRUMMER INTERVIEW : Patch Haley / ROT

1.What is your name and what band do you play for?

My name is Patch Haley and I play drums for ROT

  

2.Who made you want to play drums and why?

A lot of kids at my middle school picked up guitar and bass, so I decided to be a drummer. Ultimately, I would credit John Bonham with inspiring me to hop behind a kit.

3.When did you get your first kit? Tell us about it…

I got my first kit for Christmas when I was in 6th grade.

4.Where your parents supportive of you and your loud / expensive new habit?

My parents were incredibly supportive and paid for drum lessons.  I did have to use rubber silencing pads most of the time

5.What drum performance on an album is perfection to you?

I would say Dave Grohl’s performance on Song for the Deaf, specifically “No One Knows”.

6.Tell us about your current kit and set up in DETAIL.

  

I have two kits, my favorite is a Yamaha Beech Wood Custom, 14” rack tom, 18” floor tom and kick drum is 22x20.  I just bought a vintage 1969 Ludwig Supraphonic snare, it’s my baby.  I rock all Zildjian cymbals, 13” K Custom Dark hi-hats, 16” K Custom Dark Thin Crash, 21” A Custom Sweet Ride, and 18” A Custom Crash.  My other kit is a vintage blue sparkle Ludwig Kit.  I only have the original kick drum and rack tom.

  

7.If you could have a dream kit tell us about it in DETAIL

My dream kit is a custom Ludwig Vistalite kit, completely clear.

8.Name your top 5 drummers excluding Neil Peart and Mike Portnoy

1) John Bonham 2) Dave Grohl 3) Ginger Baker 4) Jason McGerr 5) Tony Royster Jr 

9. Do you prefer Live or Studio?

    

I play a lot of both and studio time is super fun, but nothing compares with the live energy.

10.Do drummers really get all the chicks and if so how do we convince the guitarist?

Ha! Lead singers always get the chicks, no matter what anybody tells you.

NEW ALBUM INTERVIEW WITH ROT

1. Thanks for taking the time to talk to The Grinder! You have a new album out, Tell us about it!

New album Triple Black. Eight songs that take you on a journey through metal rock and punk. Music to skate, cruise, thrash, and rock out to. 

2.  Where was it recorded? Is all the material new?

Recorded at The Spot Studio, Evergreen CO. All new material.

3.  What is the biggest difference between your last release and the new one?

Life has changed so different emotions have led me to write in emotions that are constantly evolving.

4.  Are you signed to a label? , If so which one and how did they help or support the process?

Not signed

5. What has been going on with the band between albums? Did you tour?

Not touring, running a business, and writing for the studio

6. Do you have any new members?

Playing with Studio musicians and writing a lot on my own

7. Who produced the new album and how did they effect the album?

I produced it with a carefree attitude, to just write, it was fun, and I try to come up with original compositions.

8. Some like to record naked or in the dark with candles, did you have any strange studio practices?

No not really.  I have used candles though for mood changing.

9. Of course, tell us where to pick up your album and how to learn more about you.

Buy iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Discos, band comp, Apple music. Trying to get the band to as many record stores in the US as possible.

10. What is your plans now that the new album is out?

Promote the album and get it to as many stores as possible.

RUMBLE BASS INTERVIEW WITH ROT

Why Bass?

Starting out as a guitar player I never realized the magic, depth and power of the low end.  I was asked by chance to just come out and give the bass a try for my buddy’s band. Well I found my home and a new awareness of where my strengths lie. The bass is the bomb and a blast playing live.
  

 Do you think it is unfair or just lack of knowledge bass gets so little credit?

I think it's just lack of knowledge. Playing bass has opened up a whole new world and all my old albums sound fresh listening to them through bass ears.

What kind of bass do you use? Model, color, year, And why

  I have a Glen Burton Machine Gun bass, a neon green Ibanez. (These two-look great for live shows.) I primarily have always played Jackson Instruments. I have a black Chris Beattle signature series, but my favorite bass was a pawnshop fine covered in dust and it's a burgundy Jackson PS-5. Sounds amazing (year unknown.)
  

Tell us about your amplification

I started with a pawnshop Gallien Krueger 700RB-2 head a Peavey cab.  I am waiting on a new GK fusion 550 Hybrid head and I just received my two NEO 412           cabinets. I can't wait to hear the new setup.

With all of that being said do you feel tone is an important thing for bass?
Oh absolutely. It can define the sound of a band and different styles of music.

Do you prefer 5 strings over 4 string?
I only own 4 string basses but would totally dig a 5 string. It would bring in more opportunities so yeah it would be cool.

Who is your favorite bassist?
Geezer Butler is a beast. He is true bass player, Awesome..!

 Who is your least favorite bassist?
I wouldn’t say I have a least favorite, who am I to judge...!

Why do you think women seem to be attracted to playing bass?

Definitely the groove and rhythm.
    

 What bassist dead or alive would you like a private lesson with?
I was a early KISS and early Motley Crue kid and think a sit down with Nikki Sixx would be awesome. I love BIG SHOWS and Theatrics, fire, lights, etc..,.!  He is         a great live performer.

 Bonus question: Bobby Doll , Nikki Sixx , Les Claypool , Billy Sheehan  which is more ridiculous and why

Les Claypool is more ridiculous because not only is a ridiculously great player but he has his own style and comedy fun with his performances.

Roulette speaks to The Grinder

1.Introduce yourself and your band and tell us why we should listen to you. 

We are Roulette. You should listen to us because you want to.
  

2.What do you classify your sound as, Who do you tell people you sound like? 

We have been described by our audience as being metal, but with a punk “edge”. We’d say we take most of our influence from bands like Alice in Chains, Periphery, Avenged Sevenfold, and Trivium.

3.With digital music in today's world would you vote to keep or eliminate physical media?

We wouldn’t eliminate physical media completely. We understand that many people still enjoy having physical editions to both listen to and collect. We also enjoy physical copies for the same reasons.

4.What is the reason you decided to be a musician and has that reason paid off? 

Music is way more fun when you can perform with others, especially your friends. You can learn a lot from each other while having  a good time. We still have fun, after about 10 years, so it’s definitely paid off.

5.How do you feel about females in metal getting special attention? Do you feel it is fair? 

We don’t really see that. If they are great at what they do, then they deserve the attention they receive. Sometimes, they get attention for the wrong reasons, but not enough for it to put us down.

6.In the world climate with hatred being at an all time high and metal being an “angry” music. Do you think your music contributes to anger and hatred? 

Personally, we don’t think of metal as being an “angry” type of music. It CAN be hateful, but so can other styles of music. Metal is misunderstood and has been since its creation. We don’t write music to be hateful or spread violence. Songs can sound violent and chaotic in nature, but that is to ask the listener to empathize with a point of view or understand what the emotion of the song is trying to convey. Metal (in our opinion) is the most cathartic and healing form of music. 
   

7.Are you opposed to religious beliefs or politics being used in music? 

No, we believe that music is a great platform to express our beliefs, no matter if they are controversial or not. There has been of late a disturbing rise in “cancel-culture” and lack of communication. When we communicate controversial or sensitive ideas, that's how we grow to understand each other's perspective.

8.We have dive into some pretty deep issues here do you think your music sends a message and if so what is it?

Each of our songs have their own message, targeted at different issues. People interpret our songs in different and sometimes personal ways. Overall, our songs tend to focus more on our personal experiences, and less on social & political issues.

9.The market has changed and many bands believe that record labels are a thing of the past, with many labels now charging bands to “sign” how do you think a band can make it in todays scene?
   

It’s not enough to “just” be a band now. You need to be a source of entertainment on multiple fronts. Social media is a double edged sword. While it’s entirely oversaturated, it can also be the most effective platform for reaching potential fans. Realistically what you need is a bottomless bank account or rich parent who can buy your way into the spotlight. That’s unfortunately the nature of the beast. Just look at Greta Van Fleet. Have you ever seen them play a local show? Nope. 

10.Why with the thousands of options including netflix , sporting events everything on demand. Why do you think people should take the time to listen to what you have to say in your music? 

Our music is real. Real thoughts, real people, real lives. It’s not corporately funded or made without purpose.

11.How do you feel about pay to play? Do you think it is fair for a band to have to pay money to play?
  

Pay-to-play is what you get when promoters don’t know how to do their job. The only acceptable instance of pay-to-play is if your band is relatively unknown, and buying its way on to a bill with well-known/successful artists.

12.It is fact that you are the talent and the entertainment explain what you think is the most important key to success?

There’s two keys: “Who You Know” and “How Big is Your Wallet”.

13.In country music and even in some cases rock music is written and performed by different people would your band perform a song written by someone else?

We occasionally enjoy playing covers if we can add our own style to it. However, we write 100% of our own original material. We wouldn’t be opposed to working with other artists. But, would not be comfortable claiming a song as our own, if it were written by another artist.

14.If you are pro female in music are you pro using sex to sell your music? 

We are pro-freedom. We don’t label ourselves. If people want to use sex to sell something, that’s up to them. We let our music speak for itself.

15.What is your view on the lawsuits against people saying lewd or unprofessional things to women or men and how does that affect an art described as sex drugs and rock n roll ? 

As long as you aren’t inciting harm to others, you should have the freedom to say whatever you like.

16. Ok lets lighten up a bit. What is your favorite band of all time and why?

Depends on the day. That, and it’s hard for five people to agree on one favorite band between all of us.

17.What would you be doing if you were not in a band? 

Having money. And being a functioning adult in society… whatever that means.

18. Do you have a favorite sports team? 

What are sports?
  

19.If you could get on stage with anyone dead or alive who would it be? 

Gojira or Trivium.

20.This is your shot to let loose, Throw down your biggest complaint about the music biz

The Music Industry is not about music anymore. It’s about money.

THE RUMBLE BASS INTERVIEW / POWERHOUSE

1. Why bass?

 Originally I didn't wanna play the bass. I wanted to play guitar in a metal band but, POWERHOUSE didn't need a guitar player and so I bought my first bass and practice amp off my grandfather for 100 bucks and just started learning bass and grew to love it and found a HUGE appreciation for many bassist.
  

2. Do you think its unfair or just lack of knowledge bass gets so little credit?

 I think it comes down to How unique a bass player performs on and off the stage. If your a bass player that just kind of stands off in front of your amp in hide behind the drums I don't really think you get much credit. But when you're a bass player like Lemmy or Cliff Burton, thrashing around and head banging your head, then you get the credit you deserve especially like how Cliff Burton was very much of a classical influence even with his bass and you go outside of your comfort zone. 

3. What kind of bass do you use?   Model, color, year, and why.

 I started off with a  Black Yamaha. I don't know what year  it was but that's the bass I bought off my grandfather and I still used to this day. Then i got a Satin black 2018 Jackson JS2 JS Series Concert mainly because David Eliffson uses Jackson and I've always LOVED Jackson. Then most recently I bought a 2019 Sunburst Epiphone Thunderbird IV Bass Vintage. I got this for the unique vintage tone. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this bass! Definitely my go to bass!
  

4. Tell us about  your amplification.

For my head i use a Mesa Boogie Big Block 750 tube head. It gives me a variety of tones and mids. I use big deep bass and a little bite with it. Cab amplification is a little weird. Have a GK GLX 4x10" cab with various 10" speakers in it. My Frankenstein amp in some words. I see an Ampeg 8x10" cab in my possession very soon though.

5. With all that being said do you feel tone is of an important thing for bass?

Absolutely! As bass tone, you have figure out do you want an active or passive tone. Big fat beefy bass tone or wire thin cut through anything bass tone. Or anywhere in between. But it also has to mix well with the guitars.

6. Do you prefer 5 strings over 4 strings?

No, 4 is enough for me to get the job done. I do plan on experimenting with 5string though eventually.

7. Who's your favorite bassist?

Cliff Burton by far. So unique with his classical writing style and also having a cut throat, "Pulling Teeth", gigantic sound!

8. Who's your least favorite bassist?

Les Claypool. Just becasue his music isnt really my style. Too much weirdness. GREAT MUSICIAN! But not my cup of whiskey.

9. Why do you think women seem to be attracted to playing bass?
  

Now women know what's right! Ha ha ha! But I think its just because its the same for all musicians, gay straight, white, black, Asian, male female or whatever, they all appreciate everything about music making.

10. What bassist dead or alive would you like a private lesson with?

Tim Commerford from Rage Against The Machine for sure! Metal/ rap music with a funky bass. Greatest lesson ever!

11. Bonus question
Bobby Doll, Nikki Sixx, Les Claypool, Billy Sheehan which is more ridiculous and why?

Most ridiculous things in they're life, Nikki Sixx for sure. Lighting himself on fire, full blown heroin junky, dies, writes a song about it, slamming Jack onstage, and has a god damm flamethrower attached to his bass! Hands down! Bass solo wise, Billy Sheehan! Dude shreds!

KRANION INTERVIEW

1- Tell us who you are and what you’ve been up to in 2020 so far:

We are ¨KRANION”, a Mexican band of MONDO ROCK (a direct Rock without any taboos. It ranges from Rock to Pop-Rock fusing 80’s sounds, classic Rock and much more). We have the purpose to entertain and make consciousness. 

The band just tuned 3 years of playing together, with 2 released albums. From our second album, we already enjoy 2 official video-clips in YouTube (Brinca, Corre and La Procesión). And we have 2 new ones already in production process, so they will be available very soon! (Endless Rider and Digan lo que digan)

2- What plans have the virus changed for the band?

Our plans haven’t really changed yet, unless our participation in the Metal in the Mountain Festival. We still hope to be able to maintain a concert we have planned for the end of June. In the meantime we are making a lot of noise in social media’s. 

3- Do you think the virus in the big picture is help or hindrance for bands?

In our case, it is helping to develop our fan base, and make them more interactive. It’s a matter of choice. 

4- Are you doing live streams or special videos / releases for your fans stuck at home?

Yes we are making videos, we just had a production for a new video-Clíp, which material is helping us to make new publications every day. 

5- What are you doing in quarantine that would surprise people??

We use this time increasing our levels of consciousness, creativity and performance. 

6- What has been your mainstay music or Netflix?

Music definitely, some TV at night (before sex, jajajjaa)

7- Will you think differently about touring? And about groupies?

Definitely not, it’s not an issue for us. 

8- Do you know anyone personally affected?

Thankfully not

9- Do you think it’s more important to blame someone for the virus or to get it solved?

To get it solved with a positive mind and proactive attitude. 

10- Would you rather cover yourself with honey and throw yourself into a bees nest, or see your bassist naked?

We already are use to rehearse naked!! Jauja ja