Jeff Tuttle (Old Gods, Ex-The Dillinger Escape Plan, Malo Konjche, Horror Movie Expert)

    Jeff Tuttle was the guitar player for one of my favorite bands ever "The Dillinger Escape Plan". Jeff is also really into horror movies, another past time of mine and still stays strong in music playing with his band "Old Gods". He is a musical hero of mine and I want to thank him greatly for allowing me to interview him. ENJOY! 

     Patrick Houtz (PH)---You played guitar in Dillinger Escape Plan for quite awhile. What are some of your best memories of that part of your career?

     Jeff Tuttle (JT)---Getting to travel the world and do what I love was more than I could ever ask for in this world. I met so many amazing people, saw amazing things and performed on stages bigger than I ever thought possible.

     (PH)---I am a huge fan of your band "Old Gods". How did forming that band come about? What do you guys have in store for the future?

     (JT)---We’ve all known each other for a long time, especially Derek and I. We played in band called Heads Will Roll for a number of years prior to my time in Dillinger. We all wanted to do a project together and Old Gods is what we came up with. We’re still spreading the word about our full-length “Stylized Violence” and writing new material for a future release. We’re all involved in video production, so look for more music videos in the coming months.

 

     (PH)---I know you are a huge horror movie fan. What are some really good underground horror films to check out?

     (JT)--Some good underground titles are Stagefright (Soavi), Street Trash (Muro) and Ghost House (Lenzi). If you’re looking for something to turn your stomach, check out Cannibal (Dora) or The Vomit Gore Trilogy (Valentine). You’ve been warned.

    (PH)---Who is your personal favorite horror movie director of all time? Who is your favorite special effects artist for horror films as well?

     (JT)---Some of my favorite directors are David Cronenburg, Joe Dante, John Carpenter, Michele Soavi, Ti West, Lamberto Bava, Mario Bava, Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci... just to name a few. For SFX, I’ve gotta go with dudes like Rick Baker, Rob Bottin, Tom Savini and the KNB FX team.

     (PH)---Do you miss the days that movies were actually filmed instead of using digital equipment?

     (JT)---I used to care about that sort of thing, but nowadays everything comes down to story. If you can hold my attention, I don’t care what you’re shooting on. Digital gore, on the other hand... don’t get me started!

     (PH)---What do you have in store for 2014?

     (JT)---I’m in the process of finishing my first solo effort. I’ve been playing music for over 20 years and it’s taken me this long to do something like this. I’m excited to get it out. Malo Konjche is the name of the project and I’m looking to have it out before summer hits.

Jed Simon (Scar the Martyr, Strapping Young Lad)

     Jed Simon is a guitar playing machine. He has spent time playing with everyone from Devin Townsend in Strapping Young Lad to his band Zimmers Hole. Jed is now playing guitar in Scar the Martyr which features Kris Norris (Darkest Hour) and Joey Jordison (Slipknot). Scar the Martyr is incredible not only on their record but live as well. Jed is a guitar player that should be a household name and Scar the Martyr is a band everyone needs to hear. Check out this interview that Jed was so kind to do for my blog.

     Patrick Houtz (PH)---Jed hope all is well. Thanks for doing this interview for me. It is honestly greatly appreciated.
 
     (PH)---You have been in the metal scene for a number of years. What is one of the greatest memories you have playing live with any of the bands you have been in?
 
     Jed Simon (JS)---Thanks man, I have more great memories than I can count, haha! To pick one I'd have to go with having Happy Birthday sung to me by the entire crowd in Japan. It was an awesome moment I'll never forget.
 
     (PH)---I think you are an incredibly gifted guitar player. How was it playing in Strapping Young Lad with another great player like Devon Townsend? You guys wrote some amazing material together.
 
     (JS)---Devin and I just 'got along' well on guitar, we complimented each other. We both supported each other well on stage and in the studio...and I'd like to think we learned a lot from each other.
 
     (PH)---I have seen you play twice so far with Scar the Martyr once in KC headlining and once opening for Korn and Zombie. I will say right now Scar the Martyr is probably my favorite project you have played with. How did joining them come about?
 
     (JS)---Cool, thanks for coming out and supporting STM! Well I knew Rhys was in Iowa producing so I wrote a note saying hello and what are you working on out there? He said hello back and we talked a bit and that was it. About a month later he wrote me and asked if I'd be interested in doing some leads for this project. They had gotten to the point where they wanted some different flavors on the album and I was called up! I was so excited! They sent me a couple songs to demo out and they seemed to like it, flew me out and the rest is known! An awesome experience.

     (PH)---Kris Norris is also one of my favorite guitar players as well. I think you guys fit really well together playing live. It's honestly a treat seeing so much talent on stage. What is it like playing with Kris?
 
     (JS)---That's great, thanks! Kris is a monster player...just unbelievable. On paper, he and I are more like vinegar and water...our styles are so different, but we gel very well! We have found the formula that works for this band and it's a pleasure to play with him.
 
     (PH)---Random gear question. What is your favorite guitar you are currently playing live when Scar is touring?
 
     (JS)---Oh dude, that's easy! My white Jackson King V! Do me a favor and get one, or 6, haha! Amazing guitars...the best necks I've ever played.

     (PH)---What are the future plans for the band in 2014?
 
     (JS)---Well there have been a lot of recent events, as I'm sure you know. We are writing right now and will be back on the road very, very soon. Many plans are in action, and we just want to make sure we do it right!
 

     (PH)---I want to once again say thank you so so much for your time. I wish you the best of luck in the upcoming year and can't wait to catch you playing live again soon.
 
     (JS)---Thanks dude, many cheers from the House of Simon!

Drew Roulette "A true artist and bass bad ass"

     Drew Roulette is one of my favorite artist on the planet. His work to me is very inspiring. He also plays bass in the band "Dredg". "Dredg" have been one of my favorite band's for about 6 years. Drew is definitely an extremely talented guy.

  

     Patrick Houtz (PH)---Drew you are an incredible artist. How did you first get into art and what age did you really know that it's something you could see yourself doing as a career?

     Drew Roulette (DR)---I started drawing when i was a young child. and my parents and friends started encouraging me, saying "wow, those are great drawings." so i kept at it. When i got into my art class in sixth grade is when i noticed that i was a little more "advanced" then the other students. So i kept drawing and haven't stopped yet.Though i never made a decision to make it a "career" i have always remained passionate about my art and consider it as my favorite pastime.

 

     (PH)---How did Dredg come about, when do you guys know you had something special?

     (DR)--We all met when we were young kids. I met Mark on my Pony baseball team in 8th grade. I met Dino in my Spanish class in high school and Gavin in my art class in high school. we all had similar tastes in music so we started jamming together after school and on the weekends. every summer we would record a couple songs at a local studio. Towards the end of high school we stared playing a lot of shows, local and up and down the west coast. It wasn't until we started gaining a fan base that we started to think, "hmmm, we could maybe make this a regular thing." Though we always knew we were creating unique music.

     (PH)---Do you consider yourself more of an artist or a musician?

     (DR)---I consider myself an artist first. musician second. Though i am always learning something new in both fields. I am more passionate about my art and i get more involved in the creative process, maybe because it is a solo effort. 
 

     (PH)---To answer my own personal curiosity, what gear did you use live when playing with Dredg, I am mostly curious about the basses and amps that you used? 

     (DR)---I have always used ampeg gear when it comes to amplification. A 8 by 10 cab with a SVT 2 head. Mostly using Ernie Ball Music Man 5 string basses over the years. but recently bought a Marcus Miller Jazz 4 string Fender. I also use a Moog Little Fatty onstage and when recording. 

     (PH)---What is your favorite type of art to do?

     (DR)---Recently my favorite art to do has been my "Whimsical Transychedelia" style. i love vibrant colors and dark and iconic imagery.

     (PH)---What does 2014 hold for Dredg as well as your own art?

     (DR)---In 2014 dredg will be doing a short tour overseas playing our older records in full. el cielo and catch without arms. we will be traveling to England, Austria, Russia, Turkey and Germany. that is probably all for 2014. we MIGHT start writing for a new record but no rush for dredg. the time off right now feels good. as for my art, i will do as i always have, and that is to keep painting, keep creating. A lot of canvases. I am also working on a short picture book titled "There was an old lady who smoked some pot." I hope to have that finished by winter. I am also working with my friends at PermaGrin films on Two short films, one stop motion film titled "We are all puzzled" and one about a child's imagination running wild. 

    (DR)---Thanks for the interest Patrick. 

Check out Art Work to buy by Drew Roulette at www.drewroulette.com.

Brian Waddell (Devin Towsend Project)

     Brian Waddell is the amazing bass player for the "Devin Townsend Project". He is a talent that I feel deserves a lot of attention and that I really look up to. Enjoy!

     Patrick Houtz (PH)---So first of all how did you get involved playing with The Devin Townsend Project?

 

     Brian Waddell (BW)---I have known Devin since high school and we were always pretty good friends so we just decided we should start a band just cause it would be fun to play together, and somehow it turned into what it has become. 

     (PH)---He is an incredible guitar player, whats it like playing with him on a musical level?

     (BW)---I was just telling him the other day it's still intimidating at times, with all the guys in the band, they are all top notch players that take it seriously. But it's amazing to be part of something that can really mean something musically. So I would have to say its awesome! 

 

     (PH)---What kind of basses and amps do you use currently live with the The Devin Townsend Project?

     (BW)---Currently I am using Warwick basses, two of the chrome tone streamers and a neck through thumb bass. Very good instruments. And for an amp I am running Gallien Krueger 2001 rb, they are devastating! With a 4 x10 cab. 

     (PH)---Do you have any other musical projects going on currently?

     (BW)---I have a side band called Evenlight but I don't really take it seriously. Hoping to do a new record with that soon though. 

     (PH)---Of everywhere you have toured what are your favorite countries to visit outside the United States?

     (BW)---Well Australia is pretty amazing, and I have a soft spot for the Netherlands as well. Love it there! 

     (PH)---Being a bass player I was curious if you had any advice about really reaching true potential as a player?

     (BW)---Well it's funny because I am originally a guitar player, but switched to bass a couple years ago. I'd say that was a major lesson about how all the instruments truly work together and fit properly. Was very difficult to make the switch actually and I think it's taken until just recently where I feel like a true bass player. I have been getting lessons lately and finding that just doing warm up exercises to a click is a pretty good one that gets overlooked. Plus really paying attention to both left and right hands and make sure that you are really using proper technique. Many years of bad habits I'm trying to overcome at the moment. Hah!

Kyle Sanders (Hellyeah, MonstrO, bloodsimple, Skrew)

     As a bass player not many people have influenced me more than Kyle Sanders. He is an incredibly talented musician from Atlanta. His brother Troy is the man on the low end for Mastodon and his other brother Darren is a well known guitar tech around the music world. It is safe to say that this family has a ton of not only love for music but also a genuine talent for playing music. Right before I did this interview I found out Kyle was going to be joining the band HELLYEAH for the upcoming tour in support of their new record "Blood for Blood". Thank you so much Kyle for taking time for the interview and the new gig with HELLYEAH.

     Patrick Houtz (PH)---Well first off Kyle and up front congratulations on the Hellyeah gig. That is an awesome bass player position to have.

     (PH)---Every band you have played in that I know about has been great. What memories do you have of the skrew days?

     Kyle Sanders (KS)---Skrew was another great time in my life. Played with some great players in that band..and Adam Grossman was / is a good friend to me. Some fun heavy ass music for sure.

     (PH)---What was one the of the best experiencing you gained from playing with Bloodsimple? 

     (KS)---Making both bloodsimple records were great experiences for me. As far as touring goes , we did a lot of great tours…Mudvayne , Slayer , Mastodon , Soulfly , Disturbed,,, Playing through out Europe (and on stage) with Alice in Chains was probably the highlight for me. I met Chad Gray with bloodsimple. He signed us to his label , which then connected us with Warner Bros. And now I'm in a band with him. Crazy how it all works out…. persistence is the key. 

  

     (PH)---MonstrO is incredible. I actually saw you guys open for Hellyeah. What has been going on with MonstrO?

     (KS)---MonstrO is yet another great band in my eyes…more diverse than my previous bands which is great. MonstrO is still a band .. we have each just been doing our own thing. Juan has been focusing on his artwork , Bevan is out doing shows with Static-X , I think Charlie has a band in Miami , and then there's me.

     (PH)---How did the Hellyeah gig happen for you?

     (KS)---I've had a long great relationship with Chad… from touring Mudvayne / bloodsimple to HELLYEAH / bloodsimple and HELLYEAH / MonstrO. Got to know those guys really well and consider them brothers. It was really just a 'meant to be' kind of thing.

     

     (PH)---Being that you are one of my bass heroes. I was just curious what is your favorite touring bass setup rig wise?  

     (KS)---I used to use more effects etc.. in the past but now am a 'less is more' kinda player. Been beating on solely Warwick basses for the past decade and mix up Mesa Boogie and Ampeg heads and cabs. Always have a sans amp in the mix and sometimes play around with other distortion and wah pedals but mainly keep it simple. Solid bass with Ampeg / Boogie combos…can't go wrong!

     

     (PH)---Where is your favorite place to play? Any certain cities or venues that have really stood out to you over the years?

     (KS)--- I love Spain and Australia as far as other countries…. and I like a nice old theatre / church type venue…somewhere kinda beautiful yet creepy. Places with old basements you can roam around. Always been a fan of playing my hometown in Atlanta and then touring thru Texas and the mid-west is always good times.

     (KS)---See ya out there man!

     (PH)---Thank you so much Kyle! Check out the links below to see what his bands are all about.

MonstrO 

bloodsimple  

HELLYEAH   

Connor Garritty (Singer for All Hail the Yeti and Owner/Tattoo artist at Timeless Tattoo in Los Angeles)

     Connor Garritty is the singer for the incredible metal band All Hail The Yeti. AHTY are a band I was introduced to about four years ago and they are still continuing to make waves in the musical community. In the last couple of years AHTY have toured with acts such as "In This Moment" and "Hollywood Undead" and have showed why they are a force to be reckoned with. Connor also is the Owner and a Tattoo artist at Timeless Tattoo. He is one of my favorite metal vocalist as well as tattoo artist, hope you enjoy the interview.

     Patrick Houtz (PH)---Connor I appreciate you taking some time to do this interview for me. I know right now “All Hail the Yeti” is out with In This Moment making waves. How has opening for them been for you guys as a band?

     Connor Garritty (CG)---This tour has been amazing for us. Every night the places are packed and we get to play our music to so many people that have never heard AHTY. Couldn't be happier. Itms (In This Moment’s) whole camp, band and crew are like family to us. They have taken us in and treated us like gold. We love them.

    (PH)---All Hail the Yeti I discovered after talking with Glendon Crain when he was touring with Hollywood Undead a few years ago. I think The EP you did as well as the full length album are purely amazing. What bands influence you in writing for All Hail The Yeti? To me I hear hints of Down, Eyehategod, and even some new Waitain.

     (CG)---There are so many different types of influences for us. When I started the band I wanted to have elements of those southern metal bands, but also add other things in there as well. Obviously it's hard for any band these days to not be influenced by Pantera, Black Sabbath etc. I listen to such a wide spectrum of music that there is probably a bit of everything in there. But definitely, Down, eyehategod, Acid Bath, Watain, Witchcraft, COC, I could go on for hours.

     

     (PH)---What is the future this year for All Hail the Yeti? Any plans of touring after this touring run with In This Moment?

     (CG)---Honestly right now we have a couple different offers for some tours, not sure if they will work for us or not. We have been working on new songs so that is a big priority for us right now. We want to have an arsenal of new music so when it's time to do the new record we are prepared for it.

     (PH)--- Besides music you are an incredible tattoo artist. How long have you been doing tattoos? I imagine it's nice to have more than one creative outlet for yourself but how do you manage to split time between your shop and the road?

     (CG)---I have been tattooing for about 16 years. I really couldn't imagine myself doing anything else. It's been a part if my life for so long now. To be able to be working with my hands as well as being artistic is great. It's a lot like making music really. Sometimes it's nice to take a break from work to go on the road and play music. I end up missing it quickly. Fortunately tattooing and metal go hand in hand.

     (PH)--- My two favorite songs off of your full length are probably "When the Sky Falls" and "After the great Fire". What is behind both of those songs? I honestly really enjoy the lyrics to both as well as the music.

     (CG)---When the sky falls has been interpreted different ways. Some people read it and come up with their own interpretation of what it's about. That was a big reason why we didn't put the lyrics in the booklet. We wanted to give the listener a chance to make their own story. How the song and words make each person feel is always going to be different. Sky falls is definitely a love song. It was written about the day I met my wife in Australia. After the Great Fire is a whole other monster. This is a story about a mental asylum run by catholic nuns. These women have devised a plan to get rid of the problem kids in the children's ward to collect the government money. They lock the children in their ward at night and set it on fire. Well in doing so they end up burning the entire building to the ground. Killing themselves  as well. Many years later the building is alive with the ghosts of vengeful children and guilt ridden women.

     (PH)--- What are your favorite songs to play live

     (CG)---I would say suicide woods and after the great fire. Deep creek is fun as well. Thanks again man! Anytime!!