Interview With Illinois Metal Band Thyateira
March 25th, 2009 by Stephanie Stevens
Do you want metal? Then the IL band THYATEIRA has it for you!! Just one listen to the brutal defining moments on their Myspace page you will be welcomed into their world of swooning guitar attacks, raspy growls and screams, great musicianship with charisma and dark soundscapes.
I had a chance to chit chat to the band and find out a little bit about this unknown asset from IL.
FIRST TELL ME WHAT THE BAND NAME MEANS AND HOW IT GOES WITH YOUR SYLE OF MUSIC?
THYATEIRA was a city in the bible that was the safe haven for the last prayers of the people in the city. It has a dark and mysterious meaning that helps set the tone of our music.
HOW DID THE BAND GET TOGETHER AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT THIS CURRENT MEMBER STATUS?
We formed in the summer of 2007. After months of tryouts and searching, we finally found our new vocalist Chris, who has been in the band for 4 months and counting.
ONCE CHRIS WAS IN THE BAND HOW MUCH DID YOUR SOUND CHANGE AND WHAT DID HE BRING THAT YOUR OLD VOCALIST DIDN’T?
Chris brought the commitment to the band that the old vocalist was not able to give us. He also brought a different vocal and lyrical style into the mix. Also, he got us all hooked on MILK CHUGS.
YOUR MUSIC IS BRUTAL BUT ALSO VERY INTRIQUET AS A BAND WHICH ALREADY ESTABLISHED BAND INFLUENCES YOU OVERALL AND WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WOULD TAKE TO THEM TO BRING INTO YOUR BAND?
We all have several different influences that come together to form our sound. We have elements of melodic death metal, black metal, heavy metal, and thrash. Arch Enemy, The Black Dahlia Murder, Iced Earth Behemoth are a few of our main influences.
HOW HAS THE SCENE IN YOUR HOMETOWN STRENGTHEN YOUR BAND AND DO YOU HAVE ANY GOALS OF MOVING SOMEWHERE ELSE TO FURTHER YOUR CAREER?
We have dedicated fans and friends who support us out here in Mchenry County. They go out of their way to come to our shows and do what they can for us. We plan to go as far as possible and take our music to the next level. We plan on expanding our reach, even overseas, and make this band our first priority.
YOU TALK ABOUT REACHING OVERSEAS. WHY THE IMPORTANCE OR THE WANT TO GET YOUR MUSIC OVER THERE. DO YOU FEEL IT WILL BE EASIER ACEPTED THERE THEN IN THE STATES?
We try to get our music to every single person we can. We love to share our stories with each and every person we meet, so going overseas would give us the opportunity to share our stories and adventures with them. As for being more accepted, we believe that everybody over seas can rock just as hard as our friends over here.
WHATS GOING ON WITH MUSIC, YOU HAVE SONGS UP ON YOUR MYSPACE ARE THOSE ON A CD OR ARE YOU WORKING ON NEW MATERIAL?
All of the songs on our Myspace are from our debut album “Beholder”. We are currently working on a slew of new material.
WITH NEW MUSIC BEING WORKED ON HOW ARE YOU GUYS PROGRESSING AS A BAND?
Since time has passed, we have developed a more mature sound and outlook on the music we create. It flows much better, and at times more fast and intense.
YOU GUYS ARE REALLY BIG IN SUPPORTING YOUR STREET TEAM. WHAT ROLE DOES YOUR FANS PLAY IN THE BAND AND HOW MUCH DO THEY INFLUENCE THE WAY YOU ARE AS A BAND IN THE WRITING PROCESS IF ANY?
Our fans are EVERYTHING to us! They inspire us to become better musicians and push us to the limit. We would be nothing without them.
DO YOU GUYS SET OUT ON AN AGENDA WHEN IT COMES TO LIVE SHOWS OR YOU JUST GO OUT AND DO WHAT YOU DO?
We always have a dedicated plan and goal when it comes to playing shows. We like to come up with crazy fun ideas to spice up our live performances. We do it to separate us from the clutter of so many other local bands, and make every show a memorial one.
THE CRAZIEST LIVE SHOW YOU HAVE HAD SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE BAND AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME?
Our craziest show was definitely a show we played in Cicero, IL at a venue called Klas. We’ve never seen kids go that insane, let alone let us stand on them. It was an unforgettable time. They loved us, we even had a deaf kid pic up one of our CDs!
IF YOU COULD COVER ANY SONG, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Any Chimaira song!! Heavy tunage to the max.
IF YOU COULD ASK THE GUYS IN CHIMAIRA ONE QUESTION ABOUT THE WAY THEY MAKE MUSIC WHAT WOULD IT BE?
What magical land in your brain do you go to be so rad?
HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH STORYLINES FOR SONGS AND WHAT TOPICS DO YOU FEEL WOULDN’T BE COMPLIEMNTARY TO YOUR MUSIC IF ANY?
When writing vocal parts, we always use real life as a base for every song. Writing about personal happenings is the best way to get the emotion flowing so people feel how you we feeling. We steer away from death and destruction, and try to keep things real.
ON THE ALBUM WHAT IS THE SONG THAT GENERATES THE MOST PERSONAL LYRICAL ELEMENTS? AND WHAT IS THE SONG ABOUT?
For What Its Worth is probably the most personal song on the album. Our old singer was going through a painful relationship, and to cut to the chase, he said she was a psycho.
IF YOU COULD LET PEOPLE IN ON THE BAND AND TELL THEM ONE THING ABOUT THE BAND AND MUSIC THAT HASN’T BEEN TALK ABOUT BEFORE ABOUT YOUR BAND WHAT WOULD IT BE??
We would tell everyone that we like to separate ourselves from the local sound by adding in even the smallest details in our music.
SO BY SETTING YOUR SOUND APART FROM THE LOCAL SCENE YOU JUST NEED TO GIVE THE SMALLEST DETAILS…IN YOUR MIND WHAT IS A SMALL DETAIL?
Our Rhythmic style blended with dark melodies, the intensity of thrash, and tasteful breakdowns set us apart from what is now a music scene that now consists of repetitive notes and breakdowns.
ANY LAST COMMENTS?
Thou shall not yield to the danger of the stricken, but seek safety in the tail of the stringed bean.
