Teloch (Gorgoroth, Mayhem)

     Patrick Houtz (PH)--- I would like to thank you for taking time to do this interview. You have been a hero of mine as a guitar player for years, playing in many of my favorite bands such as Mayhem, Gorgoroth, and Nidingr just to name a few. 

     (PH)---The first question I have for you is about being a guitar tech. If I remember right you had a stint as a guitar tech. First of all is this true? If so who do you work with and how was the experience?

     Teloch (T)---Yeah, thats right, I have been playing in bands since i was 16-17, but none worth mentioning. A buddy of mine played in Gorgoroth, and they needed a guitar tech at a point. And I did that for a year or something before joining them on guitars instead.

 

     (PH)---Is it true that you started Nadingr in 1992 and the band at the time was actually called Audr. How did those early years shape you as a musician?

     (T)---92 or 93 don’t remember, I did this audr thing as a solo project thingy, just explored the world of black metal, witch was new to me, I came from the death metal scene before starting with black metal.

     (PH)---I remember first seeing you play on some live footage with Gorgoroth. What was your time as a live guitar player in that band?
 

     (T)---It was cool as fuck, I missed those days, totally insane. Intense and dangerous.

     (PH)---You have played with one of my favorite drummers Frost in both Ov Hell and 1349. How is he to work with as a drummer? I think the lineup you guy's had in the band Ov Hell was incredible. King, Frost, Shagrath, Ice Dale and yourself. What was it like playing with such a talented set of musicians?

     (T)---Didn’t play that many gigs with him, but it was ok. I played mostly with Tony Laureano with my time in 1349. For the ov hell project I think I only played on two riffs on that album. I was supposed to play more, but I never got my ass into the studio to do it.

     (PH)---How did joining the live lineup for such a historic band like Mayhem come about? It must be a real honor to be playing live for them. Was this a band you had always hoped to be on stage with?

     (T)---Not really, I don’t have any bands that I dream about playing in. I just do whatever feels right to me, and things happens. But yes, its good to play in Mayhem.

    (PH)---The last question I have for you Teloch is what kind of live gear are you using with Mayhem? Guitars and Amps? 

    (T)---Ltd ec1000 straight into an Engl amp.

     (PH)---Thank you again for your time. It was honestly a true pleasure and honor to get to interview you. I wish you nothing but the best in your endeavors.

     (T)---Cheers and thanks.

Ryan Sinnott and David Russell (BhorelordE)

BhorelordE is honestly one of the best band's to check out right now. I was impressed after just one listen to their release "Introduction to the Further Perseverance". Every track slays and shows a very talented and tight nit group of musicians. I was able to sit down with vocalist Ryan Sinnott and guitarist David Russell to discuss BhorelordE and what the future for the band has in store. I want to thank both David and Ryan for taking time out to do this interview. Also check out and purchase "Introduction to the Further Perseverance" http://bhorelorde.bandcamp.com/.

     Patrick Houtz (PH)---First of all thank you guys once again. So what was the inspiration behind the formation of Bhorelorde?

     David Russell (DR)---Thanks for having us.

     Ryan Sinnott (RS)---Dave'll have to answer that, they were a band for a year before I came along

     (DR)---In the beginning it was mostly just something to do on Friday night. We were all into heavy music so we wanted to see how heavy and epic we could write. The band was born out of that.

     (RS)---My inspiration with this band lyrically is finding ways to purge experiences, and things I hold onto metaphorically speaking through myths and religions. When we first started talking about me coming along, we were thinking of keeping it instrumental and adding another guitar, just to see how heavy we could go and fill out the sound, but after I went to practice I found a voice in their music

     (PH)---So it sounds like everything came together very organic?

     (DR)---Yes there was not a lot of effort involved with getting everyone together. It just happened and it worked.

     (RS)---Yeah, the other guys would hang out and their other bands would play at a bar I worked at. We'd stand out front and talk about music. That started a friendship that brought this band.

     (PH)---What a great way for everything to come together honestly.

     (PH)---What band's you guy's listen to have influenced Bhorelorde? I personally hear elements of bands like eyehategod, crowbar, and even early 80's hardcore.

     (RS)---There's a lot for me. I listen to a lot of music. I've noticed I tend to listen to more mid tempo, or music with a lot of movement in the structure. Amorphis, Paradise Lost, Meshuggah, Neurosis. A lot of country and Beach Boys too

     (DR)---For riffs I write I get a lot of influence from high on fire, sleep, enslaved and maybe a little from Down. Jesse the bassist is really into thrash metal and early 70s stuff.

     (DR)---He writes about half and I write half as far as riffs go.

     (RS)---It's a very interesting aspect for me with how this band works. I've never been in this position musically. Watching how they write and build songs is quite astounding. It's a very fast process about 90% of the last record was there before I was. I just wrote to their songs and we worked with some arrangement, but it's nice to sort of be able to step back and watch them put it together

     (PH)---Awesome! All those are great places to draw influence from in my opinion.

What a great experience Ryan. That honestly has to be very interesting to you and I’m sure has helped you grow as a musician.

So your album "Induction to the Further Perseverance" is absolutely incredible. One of my favorite releases the last couple years.

     (RS)---Thank you

     (DR)---Wow thanks!

 

     (PH)---My favorite song is probably "Caelus Return" what can you tell me about the writing of the song as well as the lyrical content?

     (RS)---I think that song started with adding some synthesizer. The song was pretty much there when I started writing the lyrics. I was still trying to find my place in everything, so I'd start with keys and look for places to add depth where words or voice weren't necessary

     (RS)---Lyrically it's just my opinion on the advancements of certain ways of thought. The push to see what we can do, instead of if we should. Perhaps what you put credence into is a false path.

     (RS)---I study a lot of myths and old religions and pull a lot from there

     (DR)---That song is one of my favorites as well. I had a couple riffs and Jesse had a couple riffs and somehow we were able to smash them together.

     (RS)---I like the tempo and solidity of it. It becomes droning, but keeps moving you forward

     (PH)---What would you say is each of your favorite song's off the album?

     (RS)---14th & 1st would have to be one, we play it about every practice.

     (RS)---I was really happy with how Arcanum and Gunpowder came to be. I think those were the easiest and most fluent to build for me anyway

     (DR)---I am going to have to go with caelus return. It's creepy and heavy and that's what I love.

     (RS)---I can get stuck on a song for a few weeks, but those came easily, and I like the movement of them

     (PH)---What are the plans for Bhorelorde in 2014?

     (RS)---We've been writing a record over the winter. it's very close to being finished. We'll be recording that soon, and look to play a bit more as that gets closer to release

     (PH)---Any chance of you guys going out on tour this year?

     (RS)---We'd like to make it back out to Terror Fest, and I'd love to get out of the country. I miss Europe. We'l;l just have to see what comes along.

     (RS)---Right now we're just working on finishing these songs and recording.

     (PH)---I honestly can't wait to hear the new material. Thank you guys so much.

     (DR)---Thank you Patrick.

Matt Tarach (Scar the Martyr, Ruled By Reason)

     I was lucky enough to see Matt play keyboards with "Scar the Martyr" this year opening for Rob Zombie and Korn. Scar the Martyr really has blown me away since I first saw them on a short headlining run last year. He also plays guitar in a killer band "Ruled By Reason" as well. Matt was kind enough to do a short interview for me. I want to honestly thank him for agreeing to answer the crazy questions that go threw my brain.

     Patrick Houtz (PH)---First of all Matt, what kind of musical background do you come from? Any particular moments or albums that made you think, hey I want to be a musician for a living?
 
     Matt Tarach (MT)---Well I come from a classical background. I took piano lessons for years when I was younger was in about 4th grade till 9th grade. The entire time I obsessed about learning guitar, Once I hit Highschool It was guitar for me. I think with every note you play especially as a young musician you fantasize about playing in front of crowds and living the "dream". There's no particular album that did it for me. I just try to absorb as much music as possible and all of it as a collective motivated me.
 
     (PH)---How did playing in Scar the Martyr come about? What has the experience been life for you personally? It must be really awesome playing with such fantastic musicians.

     (MT)---This is quite funny actually, Kris and I were both separately hired to produce a record for a band in cleveland at my studio. Through constant long days at the studio and many beers later ha we became friends. He went back to Florida and a few weeks later he called me, asking to come on tour. The experience has been a real eye opener. From one day just working in the studio to the next being flown to LA to be a part of a group of musicians that you have looked up to for years was insane. It's truly an honor.

     
     (PH)---What is a great memory you have from the Korn/Zombie and Scar the Martyr tour? 

     (MT)---The whole thing! With it being my first "real" tour, every experience was amazing and new.

     (PH)---I know you play guitar in "Ruled by Reason" as well. What is going on currently with that project? 

     (MT)---Ruled by Reason has been taking time off because our drummer had surgery, although in our time off we were in the studio constantly (aside from when I was gone) We'll actually be making some announcements via FB and Twitter and begin releasing New music and and videos to accompany them.

     (PH)---What other projects are you currently involved with? What does 2014 have in store for you? 

     (MT)---My only two projects are STM and RbR. Right now all I can say is touring and getting the next record out! Keep an eye out for when we can give details.

Jason Christopher (Sebastian Bach, Black President)

     The first time I found out about or saw Jason play was when he was filling in for the rock group Stone Sour. I remember after the show meeting him outside the venue, what an incredibly not only gifted musician but a super great person. He has been one of my favorite bass players since and provided a really good sense of motivation for me to start playing again at the time. Jason has played with so many great musicians from Corey Taylor to Sebastian Bach. He is the real deal and somebody that should be a household name. Thanks to Jason for agreeing to the interview and thanks to everyone who is checking this interview out as well.

     Patrick Houtz (PH)---What made you realize that being a musician is what you wanted to do? What are some of your first musical memories?

     Jason Christopher (JC)---I was a senior in high school (continuation school) and the music teacher brought in a bunch of little keyboards for us all to play. He played some rock song and asked us if we could just chime in or whatever, and I picked it up right away. He asked me if I played an instrument, and when I said no, he said I should... that was basically it. First musical memories are, finding my stepdads Black Sabbath records, and being kinda bummed when my Mom got my the John Cougar "American Dream" album for my birthday...

     (PH)---Could you tell me about your time playing with "Black President"? What did you learn from that experience?

     (JC)---BlackPresident was an amazing band and a great experience. We started out as a cover band called "Shithead", and would play old punk rock covers to all of our friends in Hollywood. Charlie wrote a bunch of really amazing originals, and that is how it started. It was short lived, and I sometimes miss it, but it was a great experience and I'm grateful it happened.

     (PH)---I remember meeting you briefly after one of your first shows you did with Stone Sour in Springfield MO. You killed it live at that gig. What was it like for you joining Stone Sour as the live bass player in the middle of a tour?

     (JC)---Joining Stone Sour was one of the biggest panic attacks I ever had... only for the sole reason that, I had never been in a band that massive before, and I had to learn their entire set on a plane ride to Lubbock, Texas in 3 hours. I had just joined The Dickies, and was planning to do a european tour with them right after I was done building the main stage at Coachella... Corey called me, told me he needed me on a plane, and the next day, I was playing on the same size stages I was building. It was a fucking trip man...

     (PH)---Corey Taylor is honestly one of the best vocalist on the planet in my opinion. What is it like working with someone that has that kind of vocal ability?

     (JC)---I don't consider playing with Corey work, ever. We've been best friend/ brothers separated at birth going on 12 or 13 years now... I've never really looked at him as my boss, or one of the biggest singers in hard rock/heavy metal of our generation... He's just my brother. Our personalities are very similar, and it comes out when we play together as well. Our acoustic shows are really funny because that's basically how we met. You can yell out any song, and one or both of us will know how to get through at least half, if not all of it...

     (PH)---How did the Sabastian Bach gig come about? What are some of your personal highlights that you experienced playing with him?

     (JC)---I've known Baz about as long as I've known Corey. After the SS gig ended, I was looking for work, saw some of his management who I'm also friends with at a diner, told them I was looking for a gig if they knew of any, and I got a text about Baz the next day... so I texted him, and got the gig on the spot. Haha... I didn't even have to try out or rehearse, I just flew into North Carolina the day of the gig, and went to work... (learned 5 songs in the wrong key and had to relearn them at soundcheck... that was fun!!). My experience with Baz is that, It's always an experience....

     (PH)---Who is your biggest bass influence and who is your biggest guitar influence?

     (JC)---Cliff Burton. Hands down. I've always respected the rhythm hands of James Hetfield, and Scott Ian. 

     (PH)---I just watched the footage of you, Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Scott Ian, and Christian Martucci playing "Rainbow in the Dark" at the Dio tribute. You guys did a great job. How much fun was that show for you?

     (JC)---How much fun would that gig be for anyone!? hanging with Ripper, Duff, Scott, Roy, Christian, Corey, Rob Halford, Rudy Sarzo, Halestorm, and god knows who else... I just kinda stop on the stage at those kind of things, look around and think, "how the fuck did I end up here...."

     (PH)---How did you get involved with SFG12?

     (JC)---The guys that started SFG12 are my homeys for a long time... I really respect what they are doing, coming from that lifestyle myself. I probably would be dead if it wasn't for people willing to help like that...

     (PH)---So final question for the gear nerd in me. What is your favorite live bass rig and guitar rig?

     (JC)---I play through Ampeg classics... that's really all I've ever known. I see dudes with all these rack thingy's with pretty lights and heavy tones, 17 string basses and whatnot... I've always just a plug in and play kinda guy. So Ampeg has always just been the fuck you of bass amps to me.

     (PH)---Thank you so much honestly Jason