RIPCHAIN INTERVIEW

Buy Music here

Ripchain is:

David Ford: Vocals and guitar

Bobzilla: Bass and backing vocals

Mike Stanley: Lead guitar

Tyler Johnson: Drums

BOOTLEG METAL: So let’s get things started with the name. Who came up with the name and what’s behind it?

RIPCHAIN: No inspired backstory on this one...I wanted a ‘2 syllable’ name, so I came up with it by writing two columns of single syllable words that sounded tough or intimidating in some way. I played mix and match for a few minutes and landed on Rip and Chain. (Ironically, our sound never seemed to match our name until February 2015 when we hired Tyler Johnson on drums).

BOOTLEG METAL:  Where is the band from?

RIPCHAIN: Boise, Idaho

BOOTLEG METAL: Is this the original line up and how did you guys find yourselves in the same band ?

RIPCHAIN: I am the last survivor of the original line up. Members have come and gone over the years, each time changing the dynamic of our sound. Staying ‘style consistent’ was not a strength. It led to catastrophic losses in momentum every time someone was replaced.

BOOTLEG METAL: How long has (the band) been around and how long after your first rehearsal was it before the first show?

RIPCHAIN: The band formed 12 years ago in 2004. We were a mashup of 2 defunct local bands. We pulled songs from each former project and constructed a playable set our first month.

BOOTLEG METAL: Does everyone contribute to the writing process or does someone generally write the lyrics and/or music?

RIPCHAIN: For the most part Mike and I take turns bringing a song (a piece of clay) to the table. We work them out together as a band from there.

For the first 8 years or so, it was all on me. I wrote the songs and the lyrics and presented it to the band. There would be creative tweeks along the way as we learned the material. Although i encouraged input, i rarely received any, so I usually had most of the influence on the creative process.

It wasn’t until Robert Davis stepped in on bass in 2011, that I experienced what it was like to work with a pro. It was both humbling and inspiring. He raised the bar on the whole of the band. It was his skill level and professional expectations that ultimately intimidated and challenged the lead guitarist, (a founding member) to the point where he became frustrated and unfocused. He literally couldn’t keep up. We had no choice but to let him go. It was very difficult and he didn’t take it well. We performed as a functioning 3-piece for a year or so.

It was sometime in 2013 that Mike Stanley was recommended by a local musician. He’d never been in a band. He only had 7 years on the guitar. BUT, he was a ferocious beast that was more than capable and he came packing fully written original songs. For the first time ever, I got to be in the learner’s seat. It was and still is invigorating for me.

I do still write the lyrics but I’m not afraid to borrow from the other dudes if they have an idea.

BOOTLEG METAL: What are your songs about? Fact?  Fiction? Personal experiences?

RIPCHAIN: There are no limits to the topics. Nothing is taboo. I enjoy writing from personal experience and things that piss me off. I also love horror or science-fiction. From politics and religion to werewolves and hillbilly cannibals. Whatever is inspiring to me at the time. Sometimes a melodic passage can inspire a topic.

BOOTLEG METAL: What genre do you feel (the band) fit’s in the best and what influenced your writing to get you there?

RIPCHAIN: We seem to have landed on “groove metal”. We started out as nu-metal/thrash in the early days. (I brought the thrash side) Over time we evolved and collapsed and realigned and evolved again and so on. Because I made an effort to incorporate the influences of each member’s style, it always shaped our sound.

Currently our drummer brings his Chris Adler influence while Mike brings his Pantera influence. My roots are thrash so that element is always there. Bob writes bass lines accordingly. He’s a chameleon that can adapt to whatever style is thrown his way. Although, his rabid Steve Harris influence is always present in our music.

BOOTLEG METAL: What was your latest gig? 

RIPCHAIN: Tomorrow night. haha

BOOTLEG METAL: Where have you played live this year?

RIPCHAIN: Spokane, Portland, Bend, Burley, Reno, Boise...

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a favorite cover that always finds it’s way on your set list and is there a story behind it?

RIPCHAIN: Nothing specific and nothing current. We used to play Prong’s Snap Your Neck a lot. Get to the Gone by Static-X was a fun one too. These days we are digging our new shit pretty hard.

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a past show that stands out from the rest?

RIPCHAIN: The most recent show was a battle of the bands. (Our 4th one in 12 years. We’ve never won one. Popularity at the time is ‘usually’ the dictator of the winner) We had a tremendous response and a great write up. It was one of the funnest, most energetic shows we’ve ever played.

BOOTLEG METAL: So what’s in the works for (the band)?

RIPCHAIN: Writing and performing…over and over again. We are also shooting to film our first “real” video in October.

BOOTLEG METAL: Nice. Definitely share that with us.

BOOTLEG METAL: What are your thoughts on your local music scene?

RIPCHAIN: It varies. If there’s anything I’ve learned about the fans is that aside from the diehard regulars, they can be fickle. They know that if they miss us at one show, they can turn up at another. Many have drifted away altogether while we’ve watched new faces take their place. I’ve watched our crowd change faces a few times.

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a recent album/EP release you’d like to tell us about and where can we get it?

RIPCHAIN: We just released a 4 track Ep called “Eviscerated”. I’m not sure exactly just yet what online outlets have us. I think iTunes and maybe CD Baby. Our favorite way to sell our music is at shows!

BOOTLEG METAL: Do you have merchandise for sale?

RIPCHAIN: At shows.

BOOTLEG METAL: Where can you be found online?

RIPCHAIN: OFFICIAL SITE OR listen at: REVERBNATION

BOOTLEG METAL: As far as videos, sites, merch, ect. Are you guys more of a DIY band or do you hire out?

RIPCHAIN: D.I.Y. Would love to grow beyond that though.

BOOTLEG METAL: Do you have or are you looking for a label/manager?

RIPCHAIN: We are. We will be making official submissions to viable candidates after our video for our song “The Hunt” is completed. I’m hoping for January after the Holidays.

BOOTLEG METAL: One question I like to ask. What song (if any) by another artist do you wish you wrote?

RIPCHAIN: Stairway To Heaven...for the royalties. haha

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there another artist or band that is totally not your genre that you listen to?

RIPCHAIN: Nope. Except maybe some Bobaflex. They’re like a modern day mesh of Allman Brothers, Creedence and Motley Crue. There’s no other band with their recipe.

BOOTLEG METAL: How do you think downloading music whether legal or illegal affected the music community?

RIPCHAIN: The community came out like bandits! (Pun intended!) The artists though...man talk about getting raped. Easy access to music has devalued it. BUT that’s the way it is now. Bands gotta tour and sell tickets and merchandise. The days of the high flyin’ rock star are pretty much over. It’s all good with us. Our dreams are to make a living doing what we love. We don’t need a bazillion dollars.

BOOTLEG METAL: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us and answering the questions. Is there anything you’d like to add?

RIPCHAIN: You only live once. There are no guarantees. Don’t spend a second of your life giving up.

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD INTERVIEW

Nothing Sounds Good is:

Veg 

M. "The Beast" Whoomer 

Jimmy "Six Guns" Ortega 

Chris Pas

Buy music here

BOOTLEG METAL: So let’s get things started with the name. Who came up with the name and what’s behind it?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: Veg (our singer). He was in a number of bands; “Tested On Animals” and “Nothing Sounds Good”  among others. Both bands were made up from various members of each other; eventually they broke up. When we formed, it was a toss up between the two, and Nothing Sounds Good won out.

BOOTLEG METAL:  Where is the band from?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: We are from the Tacoma/Seattle Area in Washington State.

BOOTLEG METAL: Is this the original line up and how did you guys find yourselves in the same band ?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: This is not the original line up. Veg and I (Chris Pas - Guitars) have always been in the band. We have been playing music together for many years now. We were both in a band called Dem Zaing. Eventually, he and I both left that band and eventually we formed a band with Mike & Ann Bisogno. They went their separate ways about a year and half ago. We were on hold for a brief period, but I had know Woomer from a band him and I were in briefly (Saintz of Mayhem) and he was going to be the Bass Player originally for NSG, but at that time he couldn’t commit to it and Ann was available and great on bass. So, Mike & Ann quit and Woomer was finally available so he joined up. We then picked up a drummer from the Dem Zaing days (Damian). He played a couple shows for us; but eventually it didn’t work out with him. Jimmy (our current drummer) played for a band called “Negative Inside” and I noticed that he wasn’t playing many shows. I sent him a message and asked if he wanted to join us. He agreed and we have all been together now for little over a year. 

BOOTLEG METAL: How long has (the band) been around and how long after your first rehearsal was it before the first show?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: We have been around in total for 2 years. The first line up took a few months to get a full setlist of songs. Our first show was November 21, 2014. With the current lineup it didn’t take long to get all of the old songs and to write a few news ones and get tooled up for a show. I think it took 3 to 4 weeks roughly.

BOOTLEG METAL: Does everyone contribute to the writing process or does someone generally write the lyrics and/or music?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: Absolutely, we all contributes to the writing process, however Veg writes all of the lyrics almost exclusively and I write the majority of all of the guitar parts. One song was partially written by our old drummer Mike (We the People) - don’t think we have that song recorded, or ever will; live only.

BOOTLEG METAL: What are your songs about? Fact?  Fiction? Personal experiences?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD:  Everything, politics, a love song about a loss in the family. Almost all of the songs Veg writes have meaning to him. Mostly personal experiences.

BOOTLEG METAL: What genre do you feel (the band) fit’s in the best and what influenced your writing to get you there?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: I think we fit in the “Hard Rock/90’s Grunge” genre. I grew up in the late 80s & early 90s. My early influences were many hair bands, (Poison, Whitesnake, Def Leppard, etc). Grunge era influenced me with Gruntruck, Alice in Chains, Melvins, Sedated Souls, Soundgarden, etc.

I clinged onto guitar players, specifically Steve Clark (Def Leppard) and Randy Rhoads. I don’t think I sound like them, but I liked them a lot. Steve Clark was what made Def Leppard the band they were. He used to layer guitar parts with the other guitar players in the band; I do this on recordings I’ve done with my bands. Phrasing for songs was something that I have learned from band in the 90s. AIC, Gruntruck was big to me and I still love listening to them.

BOOTLEG METAL: What was your latest gig? 

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: Our latest gig was last night...we are booked up from now until late October. Not every weekend, but many. Our show schedule is on our front page of our website at www.nothingsoundsgood.rocks

BOOTLEG METAL: Where have you played live this year?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: Man, lets see-

O’malley’s Irish Pub, Studio 7 (Seattle), McCoy’s Tavern (Olympia), The Y Sports Bar, William Ave Pub, Uncle Sam’s Bar & Grill, The Fun House (Seattle), The Blue Moon Cafe (Seattle), Real Art Tacoma. I think there are others, just can’t remember.

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a favorite cover that always finds it’s way on your set list and is there a story behind it?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: I wouldn’t say it’s our favorite, but when Scott Weiland passed we wanted to pay tribute; my favorite songs by them is “Sex Type Thing.” Veg introduces the song by saying “Get out your spoons and lighters, here is a tribute to Scott Weiland” - we know it’s not tasteful, but we are Nothing Sounds Good, that’s how we are.

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a past show that stands out from the rest?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD:  The Hard Rock Cafe in Seattle. It was the best paying show and it was a “pay to play” - somewhat, you didn’t have to sell tickets to play, but if you wanted to get paid you did. We sold 50 tickets and a bunch of people showed up. It was a fun show.

BOOTLEG METAL: So what’s in the works for (the band)?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD:  We are promoting our new Demo EP called “until you hear it.” So we are filling up the rest of this summer up to around the end of October. Take November and December off to write a new album and see about getting that recorded.

BOOTLEG METAL: What are your thoughts on your local music scene?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: The local scene in the Tacoma/Seattle area is really vibrant. There are not as many good clubs to play, but there are a lot of clubs. Our type of music is hard to get in some places because frankly, we are loud, obnoxious and in your face. There are a bunch of very talented musicians in the area and they make the rounds just like we do; but it is not what it was in Seattle in the 90s. That scene changed, if not disappeared. Those of us still around are trying for a revival of sorts but it’s tough- kids don’t get out like they used to, or they are all attending EDM/raves. I’m not sure. Gigtown picked Tacoma area for their testing area for their app, so that tells you something about the local music scene here.

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a recent album/EP release you’d like to tell us about and where can we get it?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD:  Totally, August 1 we released our first Demo EP called “until you hear it” you can find it on CDBaby, Amazon, iTunes, or you can order one direct from us at our website here: official site

BOOTLEG METAL: Do you have merchandise for sale?

We have the best t-shirts in town! 2 different logos, both kick ass. Those can be found on our website - just click the merchandise tab on the side.

BOOTLEG METAL: Where can you be found online?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD:   official site, facebook, twitter

BOOTLEG METAL: As far as videos, sites, merch, ect. Are you guys more of a DIY band or do you hire out?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: So far we have done almost everything ourselves. Excluding making of our merchandise and the recordings. My first rock concert I went to as a kid I bought a shirt and washed it, the logo nearly washed away; I’ve never bought a shirt at a concert since. So, I never wanted that to happen with our shirts. They are made by a local company and they are the highest quality.

Our Demo was recorded at a local recording studio, the mixing/mastering was done by Veg and CD Baby did the digital distribution. The artwork was also done inhouse by some graphic artists the band knows.

BOOTLEG METAL: Do you have or are you looking for a label/manager?

We are currently not under and record label nor do we have a manager. I would say we would certainly keep an open mind to any management/label if they were interested in us.

BOOTLEG METAL: One question I like to ask. What song (if any) by another artist do you wish you wrote?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: I don’t think there is any one song I wish I wrote, I like the songs I write and I hope someone else likes it too. Maybe I hope another artist hears one of our songs and wishes they wrote it, haha.

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there another artist or band that is totally not your genre that you listen to?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: I listen to Bob Marley occasionally.

BOOTLEG METAL: How do you think downloading music whether legal or illegal affected the music community?

I think that downloading music, legal or illegal has changed music but I think it’s up for debate whether for better or for worse. The MP3 has given an entire generation the easiest access to music; but it also took all of the “pull” that major record companies had. Plus, all of the record stores have closed since then. I think all of those cumulative effects has added to certainly an affect on the music community, but again who’s to say good or bad...

BOOTLEG METAL: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us and answering the questions. Is there anything you’d like to add?

NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: We appreciate you sending us this interview, we enjoyed this a lot. Thank you.

ANOTHER DAY'S ARMOR INTERVIEW

Another Day’s Armor is:

Ace Vincent (vocals)

Nick “Strife” Palma (lead guitar)

Ryan Bicknell (rhythm guitar)

Dave “Bizmo” Goyette (bass)

Alec Keshishian (drums)

Buy Music Here

BOOTLEG METAL: So let’s get things started with the name. Who came up with the name and what’s behind it?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: The name was originally thrown around as an idea when Alec and Nick were first working together in a band. Eventually when the band they were working with split and it was just Alec, Nick, and another artist they decided to use the name Another Day's Armor and it stuck. From there it just evolved to what the band is today.

BOOTLEG METAL:  Where is the band from?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: Ryan, Alec, and Dave are all from Rockland County N.Y., Nick is from Yonkers N.Y., and Ace is originally from Philadelphia P.A. Though we say our hometown is Hudson Valley N.Y.

BOOTLEG METAL: Is this the original line up and how did you guys find yourselves in the same band ?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: Alec is the original member (pretty much before they were even fully named Another Day's Armor), he and older members of the band found Nick through the internet, then down the road they found Ace on the internet as well. Soon after Ace joined one of the guitarists left and eventually was replaced by Ryan who found a flier at a local music store, after a few months of playing without a bassist we were told by some friends about Dave and it all fell into place from there.

BOOTLEG METAL: How long has Another Day's Armor been around and how long after your first rehearsal was it before the first show?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: We'll go from the time we started rehearsing with Ryan and being a 4 piece band. I'd say about 3 months after Ryan's first audition were we playing and booking shows.

BOOTLEG METAL: Does everyone contribute to the writing process or does someone generally write the lyrics and/or music?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: Yes everyone definitely contributes to the songs. We all throw out input for every song from guitars to drums to bass to lyrics.

BOOTLEG METAL: What are your songs about? Fact?  Fiction? Personal experiences?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: A little bit of everything honestly. When Ace joined all the songs that are now on the E.P. already had titles so that helped, and the newer songs Ace writes lyrics on his connection to the songs or what he hears in his head while listening to the song.

BOOTLEG METAL: What genre do you feel Another Day's Armor fit’s in the best and what influenced your writing to get you there?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: I’d say if anything our genre is between melodic metal and hard rock. We all have that common love and respect for bands in those genres that we've all listened too.

BOOTLEG METAL: What was your latest gig? 

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: August 5th was our last gig we opened for Islander and We Came As Romans at The Chance Theatre in Poughkeepsie N.Y.

BOOTLEG METAL: Where have you played live this year?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: So far this year we've played in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a favorite cover that always finds it’s way on your set list and is there a story behind it?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: No cover songs yet, we really try to focus on our originals.

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a past show that stands out from the rest?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: The past show at The Chance definitely stands out. We had an amazing turn out and a great amount of fans and family and friends that came out and just made the show that much better.

BOOTLEG METAL: So what’s in the works for Another Day's Armor?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: We've really been pushing to get signed and jump on a tour while also writing material for a full length album next year.

BOOTLEG METAL: What are your thoughts on your local music scene?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: The local scene is unfortunately dying in our area. A lot of it has to do with the new generation of "music" kids are listening to these days.

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a recent album/EP release you’d like to tell us about and where can we get it?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: So right now we only have our E.P. "Dying Breed" out and it is available for download on Itunes, Spotify, Google Play, Bandcamp, and physical copies can also be bought at our website anotherdaysarmor.com which also has link's to our music including our Pandora and YouTube channels.

BOOTLEG METAL: Do you have merchandise for sale?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: Of course we have 2 shirt designs and a handful of other merch for sale on our official website.

BOOTLEG METAL: Where can you be found online?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR:  Almost every major social media site as well as Google. Or to make life easier all the links are on our website as well.

BOOTLEG METAL: As far as videos, sites, merch, ect. Are you guys more of a DIY band or do you hire out?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: A little bit of both. We've outsourced a lot with our shirt designs to an extent and we're definitely gonna be outsourcing for a video. With stuff like our site and social media we did most of it ourselves.

BOOTLEG METAL: Do you have or are you looking for a label/manager?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: We are looking for a label for sure. We all want to be career musicians and we know it'll happen we just have to keep fighting to stand out and above every other band wanting the same thing we are.

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there another artist or band that is totally not your genre that you listen to?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: Oh yeah we all do. But i think the song that stands out the most (mainly cuz we started a show with it) DMX - X Gon Give It To Ya

BOOTLEG METAL: How do you think downloading music whether legal or illegal affected the music community?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: It took a lot away from music stores such as F.Y.E. and Tower and all the small shops but it definitely helped music spread faster to other countries that weren't as privileged to have stores like that or have store that close. Ultimately building up fans for bands.

BOOTLEG METAL: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us and answering the questions. Is there anything you’d like to add?

ANOTHER DAY’S ARMOR: Thank you for giving us the chance to do an interview and yes we wanna add thank you to all our friends, family, promoters/bookers, and fans for all the support we've had so far and can't wait to keep delivering music and shows.