NIGHTMARE TOYS

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Halothane Interview

HALOTHANE INTERVIEW
With Guitarist Nicholas Alan

1. Please tell us about the about the band and its members. 
We’re just a bunch of dudes from Rochester who like to play metal. The band consists of Brian Jackson (vocals), Nicholas Alan (guitars), Joe Tash (guitars), Joe Lionti (drums), and John Malone (bass). 

2. Who does the majority of the writing? Is it a group thing or does someone handle the writing duties?
Joe Tash and myself (Nicholas Alan) did most of the writing for the latest album “A False Reality,” with Brian contributing to the lyrics and Joe Lionti contributing to the arrangements. Now that the lineup has solidified and we’ve established the chemistry, we’re working on some new stuff together as a band. 

3. Where is the band based out of? Where did you want to the band to end up? What was the dream city to have as your home base once you got out of your scene?
We’re from Rochester, NY. Our local scene is like our family so no matter where we go I think we’ll always maintain our connection. We’ll end up wherever this whole thing takes us. We’re talking about hitting the road for a couple weeks next year and it’ll be great to meet new fans from new places!

4. What is your genre? What bands do you use to explain to people what you sound like?
We’re a metal band. Pigeonhole us however you want! Some of our biggest influences are Opeth, Dark Tranquillity, Katatonia, Edge of Sanity, Dissection, and Insomnium. Dan Swanö from Edge of Sanity mastered “A False Reality” and we were both impressed with each others’ work!


 5. Can we buy anything from you Cd's shirts etc and where can we buy them?
Our new album “A False Reality” is out this Saturday, September 8, and you will be able to get that as well as T-shirts and stickers at halothanemusic.com when it drops!

6. Do you have studio time lined up anything new coming soon?
We have our own studio and we’re always working on new stuff. Sometimes it’s both a blessing and a curse because we’ve got a ton of unfinished ideas.

7. Have you ever been on tour? If so where and with who?
We haven’t gone on tour yet but some of our other bands have. Joe Lionti, Brian, and John are also in Ancalagon who went out on tour for a week earlier this year and are planning on another one in October. We’re planning on hitting the road sometime next year. 

8. What is your favorite band? Who are the bands who influenced you?
We’re all huge Opeth fans. There are a ton of other bands we’re fans of, but we all have Opeth in common.

9. Do you have a website? And do I have to verify that I am 18 to enter it? 
See number 5 — you can stream our music and buy our stuff at halothanemusic.com — and you don’t have to be 18 to enter. 

10. What about your music do you want people to remember? What is the quality you want to hit people when they hit play?
We want our music to be a little catchy just to grab your attention, then hit you from the other side with something completely different. Dynamics are important!


11. Name a person who is integral to your band that nobody knows about, what person drives your band like they are part of the band? Who is the extra member?
The unofficial “sixth member” of Halothane would be everyone in our local metal community. Our fans and all the bands around here are the best! 

12. Tell nerds like me tell us about your live rig and equipment.
Joe Tash and myself play Paul Reed Smith guitars, Boss effects and Peavey 6505 and Ultra tube amps; John plays Warwick basses through a Tech 21 Sansamp and an Ampeg SVT stack; and Joe Lionti plays Mapex drums, Sabian cymbals, and Axis pedals. Brian sounds great through a Shure SM7B in the studio, but that’s not practical live so he usually just goes with a good old SM58. 

13.What is your musical guilty pleasure that you are ashamed of?
I don’t speak for anyone else but myself for this one and I get a lot of heat for it but I’m a big fan of the early Genesis stuff, especially with Peter Gabriel on vocals. “Foxtrot” and “Selling England by the Pound” are absolute classics!


14.If you could custom build a band who would be the members?
Personally, I’d have Jeff Loomis and Ihsahn on guitar, Martin Lopez on drums, Steve DiGiorgio on bass, and Mikael Åkerfeldt on vocals. 

15.Message to the fans? What is it?
Check out our new album “A False Reality” out September 8! You can pre-order it and stream our singles “Silent Mind” and “Wicked Mask” at halothanemusic.com, and don’t forget to check us out live if you’re in the area! Rock on!

https://www.facebook.com/halothanemusic/




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