Sunday, September 23, 2018

Overt Enemy - Interview

1. Please tell us about the about the band and its members. 

Overt Enemy was formed in 2013 by lifelong Slayer fans after the death of Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman in tribute to Slayer’s music and legacy. Originally the band was created to play a one off Jeff Hanneman tribute show with Jaime on drums, Leo on Bass/vocals and our friends Marcos and Rudy on guitar. People really dug what we were doing and kept asking us to play again. After a couple years we had a lineup change and Leo switched to Guitar/vocals, his wife Laura "Slayerella" took over bass duty.

We were asked to write and record two original pieces of music for a movie called the Blood Tapes in 2016. Those songs were recorded at Rob's home studio and he joined the band full time as our 2nd guitarist in 2017.

Currently we perform our own brand of original Texas Thrash Metal and the best Slayer Tribute in North America.

Leo Ortiz - Guitar/Lead Vocals
Jaime Ayala - Drums
Slayerella - Bass/Vocals

Rob Hahn - Guitar/Vocals


2. Who does the majority of the writing? Is it a group thing or does someone handle the writing duties?

It depends on the song. Leo and Rob come up with the majority of the riffs and and everyone contributes their own ideas to the song. Slayerella writes her basslines and Jaime writes all the drum parts. Leo and Rob collaborate on the lyrics.


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 are based in Mission which is a town in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas USA on the USA/Mexico border. We are proud to represent Texas in the world metal community.


4. What is your genre? What bands do you use to explain  to people what you sound like?

Texas Metal. Our metal influences include Slayer, Sepultura, Megadeth, Pantera, Metallica, Lamb of God, Mastodon and Suicidal Tendencies but we all love and appreciate a wide variety of music from blues to hiphop to classical.


 5. Can we buy anything from you Cd's shirts etc and where can we buy them?

Music, Merch etc www.overtenemy.com


6. Do you have studio time lined up anything new coming soon?

We are currently in the studio working on our second release for Confused Records at Widowmaker Studios in McAllen TX with producer/engineer Joshua Lopez (Immortal Guardian). You can expect a couple original releases from Overt Enemy a year so get ready.


7. Have you ever been on tour? If so where and with who?

We've been a regional band playing shows all over South Texas with bands like Confused, Sons of Texas, Severance, X.I.L and most of the bands in the Texas Border Music scene. We are lining up dates in the rest of Texas for 2019 and look forward to playing shows wherever there is a demand for ass kicking Texas Thrash Metal. 



8. What is your favorite band? Who are the bands who influenced you?

We fkn love Slayer and perform the best Slayer Tribute in North America at some shows. We have a ton of influences that impact the sound and direction of our original music but we set our bar by thrash bands like Slayer/Pantera/Megadeth/Sepultura and extreme metal bands like Amon Amarth/Cannibal Corpse/Gorgos. We strive to write original songs that kick just as much ass as our influences with an original Texas Metal flavor.



9. Do you have a website? And do I have to verify that I am 18 to enter it? 

www.overtenemy.com its all ages.


10. What about your music do you want people to remember? What is the quality you want to hit people when they hit play?

Pure raw against the grain metal with memorable riffs, strong melodies, dynamic drum and bass, face melting guitar solos and lyrics that make you think.


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 ?

Anna Ayala our drummer Jaime's wife. She is definately MVP and constantly helping us at shows with merch. We also have several people that step up and help we call them the "OE Crew" shout out to Ed Garcia, Arnulfo Rodriguez, Omar Cano and Mingo Benavidez.


12. Tell nerds like me tell us about your live rig and equipment.

Currently we use ESP and Jackson Guitars,
Crate, Quilter and Ampeg Amps, Yamaha Drums.

Actively looking for Guitar/Amp/Drum endorsement.


13.What is your musical guilty pleasure that you are ashamed of?

Probably oldies 50s thru the 80s.

14.If you could custom build a band who would be the members?

Jeff Hanneman - Guitar
Dimebag Darrell - Guitar
Vinny Paul - Drums
Lemmy - Bass

And Dio on Vocals



15.Message to the fans? What is it?

Keep supporting rock and metal music. There are a legion of great bands that need your support. Check out whats going on with Texas Border Music and don't forget musicians work hard. Music has value. If you don't support the bands your gonna be stuck with mumble rappers.

16.If you could bring back one metal legend who would it be?

Dimebag or Jeff Hanneman


17. Who in the band has the stinkiest feet?

Leo. He works his ass off in the oilfield all day.

18. What is the worst album by your favorite band?

Any of Pantera's pre-Phil releases, Risk from Megadeth and St. Anger from Metallica.



19. How do you think your band will break up?

Never. We plan to be rocking the retirement home.

20.Last but not least , Zepplin or The Who

Zepplin hands down.






No comments:

Post a Comment