Wes Geer (Hed P.E., Korn, Rock to Recovery)

     

     I actually conducted this interview in July of 2014. Due to some issues, I was not able to get it out until now. Wes Geer is not only the found member of rock act Hed PE but he also spent several years touring as the live guitar player for the band Korn. Most importantly Wes founded Rock to Recovery. Here is some information from their site for those who don't know anything about the program and I also am gonna post links to check out the website at the end of the interview.

     "Rock to Recovery was created to help sooth the restless souls of those in recovery. We do this by creating a "band" and writing and recording songs together with Rock to Recovery's staff of professional musicians, who are also in recovery. We help bring fun into treatment and recovery by offering a natural escape from the fear-based mind. This helps people grow a sense of belonging and self esteem. We help to vent emotions by writing lyrics and singing together for release, in real-time. We tie a positive theme of hope in recovery throughout the whole process. When the session is done, our "band" members feel a new energy all throughout their minds and spirits."

     Hope everyone enjoys the interview.

     Patrick Houtz (PH)--- First, lets talk about your first band Hed P.E. How did the band come together? What memories really stand out for you during that time of your life?

     Wes Geer (WG)--- Hed P.E. came together when I saw Jahred in a club and he was intense and owning the stage, the crowd. I knew that was the type of singer I wanted to work with. He was much more intense than my prior band, and that's the way I wanted to head. From there he and I just started trying to figure out what direction to go. That was really hard....we pulled in members from both our previous bands, and our bud Chad....but we were looking for our sound. We loved old school music like Al Green, Sly and the Family Stones, but loved heavy shit....and hip hop....then it was gangster rap....we're west coast ya know...but one day we were really lit up and went to see the Beastie Boys, Rage, and Cypress Hill and then it all kind of made sense. We wanted to combine those styles...intense heavy grooves, funkiness (without being RHCP sounding) a little gangster and some punk....at that time no one we knew was doing it...I coined the term G-punk to help describe and market our music early on, coming from P-funk....and I decided to get a DJ to be different and add analog samples...again no one I knew had a DJ. I never heard of Bizkit, Deftones weren't touring w a DJ, we played w Incubus they didn't, Linkin Park wasn't a band yet that I knew of....

     (WG)--- Memories I remember were the first time I ever left the country, and I remember playing Ozzfest in the UK to 80k people and going (humbly) holy shit I wrote this song, we got here, we are fucking playing to the hugest crowd ever and there are about 10k people bouncing up n down....surreal.

     (PH)--- Can you tell me about how you determined you wanted to start "Rock to Recovery"? How much does it mean to you to be able to help out with people battling addiction? 

     (WG)--- As far as Rock to Recovery starting it goes like this....for a long time I was a crazy drunken partier...I had fun, then it started getting really ugly, dangerous, people were getting hurt, I was killing myself...it was bad. So I HAD to get sober or die, or even worse live a hideous miserable life...so once I got sober and life got good, really fucking good man, I got the gig w Korn, I was doing better than ever....I decided I wanted to give back. I didn't want my 'legacy' to be 'Oh yah, Wes Geer, that guy was a MESS, played guitar pretty good though.......I decided I wanted to leave this planet someday knowing I had given back...maybe even leave something that can still give after I'm gone....So I asked God, the Universe, that great big energy we all connect to 'What can I do with 'me', my talents, to help people. Let's see I'm an alkie/drug addict, sober and play music.....and then it came to me...divine inspiration....I will go into treatment centers and write songs with those newly sober because I know what it feels like in those early days....detoxing, hell, no escape....Music is the medicine!

     

     (PH)--- Do you have any music plans coming up in 2014?

     (WG)--- Hmmm 2014 in my head is nearing close. I'm obsessed with R2R, we are really growing and Im stoked...there are some things in the works....some collabs with some of my really cool friends. I actually had JC and Sluggo reach out to me about work with them on Killbot, I really wanted to do it....but I was too friggin busy man....so next phase is I WILL do some more music. I have a goal to do an artist record, of my music for me....and if people listen, cool.

     (PH)--- You have seen a lot over your time in the music industry im sure. What advice do you have for kids and teenagers on how to not go down the wrong road and to just focus on their passions?

     (WG)--- If you go into music, you have to be obsessed. You have to do it 24/7. There are so many talented people out there, but now you have to rules the social media and self marketing is king. You cant do it expecting anything, you need to do it because you cant live without doing it....other wise you probably wont get to far....and don't do it for the money because its harder and harder to make money these day, long term. Im not talking a little money, but lifestyle long term career money, that is hard to sustain.

     (PH)--- This question is strictly for me. What is your ideal live rig for guitars and amps?

     (WG)--- Well the rig depends on for what Im doing....so Korn was a dual rectifier, some TC pedals G system, vintage analog pedals, whammy wah delay for sure....for Hed it was Marshall Jubilees and pedals of course.....now a days believe it or not, I love my little 10w fender with reverb, turn it all the way up, but the gain all the way down, reverb up high and my 69 les paul deluxe with mini humbuckers....im in chill jazzy bluesy mode and loving it...seriously...SO.OVER.METAL. Done it long and hard with the best of 'em, now I like melody a bit more than destruction.....I love AC30TB, vintage boutique pedals, Black keys, Jack white tones....fun shit!

     (PH)--- I want to thank Wes again for agreeing to do this interview. I really respect and back what he is doing with Rock to Recovery. Here is a cool video link for the program and a link for the official website.

Rock to Recovery Official Website

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.