Property are from left to right: Keith Head (drums), Justin Earven (vocals/guitar), Mike Dameron (guitar), and Eddie Holmes (bass)
What can I say, it finally happened! Our first TMS US interview and Property has stepped up to the plate! I was really glad to find these guys because not only do they have a heavy delivery but they couple that with a definite groove that I've found infectious in Virginia based metal.
%nbsp;If you're a fan of Metallica's live performance which added a little 'dirt' to their sound, a fan of Black Sabbath's thick guitar, a touch of Judas Priest's rebel attitude, and would like an element of Danzig's 'tough' then I think Property is going to be your band. But a warning if you're planning on having a few beers on the tailgate with this in your CD player ... you're probably going to start a fight ... they'll just energize you!
While they're themselves, they're also where they have been ... so check 'em out! -Chris (18Apr08)
TMS: This is something entirely new for our TMS crew and I'm glad we we're doing it! It's also only appropriate to start with the Virginia metal scene because you guys have really been ripping it up!! With that, we welcome you and I'd like to start by asking how long you guys have been together in your current line-up?
Keith: Current line-up with Ed is about two years although Mike has been in the band for over five years and Justin and I have been jamming together for more than ten years.
TMS: How did you and Ed meet? Were you friends prior to this?
Mike: We all knew ED as a fan before he got in the band. One night he came to practice and found out we needed a bass player, so he said he would like to jam with us. We looked at him like he was crazy, we knew Ed was a drummer but had no idea he was a bass player. So his girlfriend brought his bass up and we jammed. We were all really impressed and he’s been with us since.
TMS: How was "Redemption" received by your fans? (continued...)
Ed and Justin at Alley Katz March 21, 2008
Mike: I think it was very refreshing for a lot of them.
Keith: Yeah, they seem to be very excited about it and the sales of the CD continue to be great.
TMS: What were some of the themes you covered in that release?
Justin: I tend to write about darker subjects. 'One Shot, One Kill' is obviously about snipers and their inner turmoil. 'Tracks' is about drug abuse. 'Prince of Darkness' is a Vampire song; 'Suffering' is a serial killer’s self-exploration.
TMS: Justin, you're the primary song writer for Property?
Justin: We all contribute musically. Mike or I will bring in a riff or two and the rest will jump in. I do however write all of the lyrics. I don’t feel I can sing someone else’s words with the same conviction as I can my own.
TMS: As far as satisfaction, how did the band feel when it was completed?
Mike: Proud! I think we are all very happy with how everything turned out. The songs are awesome and the CD looks great.
Keith: I agree with Mike. I'm still happy and psyched to be a part of something that turned out as well as "Redemption" did.
TMS: Which points were you most satisfied with and which tracks do you feel really showed everyone what Property was all about?
Justin: My favorite song on the album is 'Bend My Cage'. I think it is where we’re at right now because it is the last one written for the "Redemption" CD. It was actually written in the studio. The newest song always seems to be my favorite. As far as what I’m most satisfied with, I guess it would be our song writing. We have progressed tremendously in the way we put songs together.
TMS: What has the band been up to since "Redemption"?
Justin: We have been playing non-stop trying to promote the album. We have met some of the coolest people and shared the stage with some amazing bands. We have some new material in the works but are concentrating on pushing Redemption for now.
TMS: Who are some of the bands you've staged with?
Justin: We’ve played with Corrosion Of Conformity, Overkill, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, Hell Within and just hundreds of lesser known but just as kick ass bands from around the east coast. There are so many great bands out there and we have truly enjoyed sharing the stage with every one of them.
TMS: When fans come to see you live, what can they expect to see? (continued...)
Justin: We are a live band. We love playing for people. The CD is great but seeing our live show is a whole different thing. We do not fuck around. We go out there to kick ass every time we hit the stage.
TMS: Who and what would you say your primary influences are and those of the rest of the band?
Justin: The Phoenix Metal Scene growing up heavily influenced me. Flotsam And Jetsam, Sacred Reich and the like were my heroes. Of course Slayer, Metallica, Sabbath, Priest and all the mainstays of the metal community that were constantly in my “Tape†Deck.
TMS: (Laughing) I remember the tape decks! Mine were full of Slayer, Iron Maiden, and Mercyful Fate twisted all around the tape heads! What moved you from Phoenix to Virginia? Was that a band decision?
Justin: I think I just needed a change of scenery. I did join the band soon after moving to the east coast but it was not the reason for me coming out here. Things just seem to have worked out.
TMS: Ok, fans of Property and the ones who are going to be hearing you for the first time with "Redemption" ... what do you have to say to them?
Mike: To our fans old and new. We love ya! Thank you for supporting us and digging the shit we do. We are a no bullshit fucking metal band, we play for you guys.
TMS: Is there anything you'd like to add that we haven't covered? Maybe some bands you're digging right now that everyone should check out?
Justin: Like I said, there are shit loads of killer bands out there. Most you’ve never heard of. From your town or area that need your support. This Metal thing is truly a community that needs to look after its own. Go out and support your local scene. The bands you come across might surprise you.
Official Site
Official Myspace
Something Wicked are from left to right: CJ Edens (guitar), John Thompson (bass/backup vocals), Chad Booth (lead guitar), Chris Caldwell (vocals), and Johnny Ross (drums).
TMS: Thanks for taking time from the band's time and yours to answer some questions for us! You guys have taken on a new addition in guitarist CJ Edens earlier this year ... how has the band and CJ adjusted to one another musically?
Chris: The band has adjusted to Cj really well, we have been coming up with new material ever since. He has adjusted like he was always there.
John: CJ has actually had more of an influence on us. Everything we write with him is more technical. Before we would play simple things just to get a good song. He makes us all step up to his level and won't settle for less. On our old songs he actually adds little things that make the song stand out more. Having a rhythm guitarist has actually helped out Chad, Johnny, and me.
Johnny has more of a choice to expand his drum lines. He doesnt have to settle on what goes with Chad. I get to be more bass than a rhythm anymore. He gets to actually make bass lines that seem like bass lines instead of actually just following Chad. Chad gets to be lead now. So the solos he wanted before he can actually do to his
TMS: What's been going on in the studio since that time and will your fans be hearing some new tracks with him or was CJ included in the 2008 demo?
Chris: Yes the fans will be hearing tracks With CJ in them, He went in the studio with us. They will be hearing a new song That CJ wrote with the band as well
John: We are actually only recording one song that CJ has written with us. The track dying to live with be featured but all the others were writting by Chad. CJ was put into all the tracks. We wont let him be left behind. He is part of the SW family now. He's gonna be on the demo.
TMS: How did you find one another? (continued...)
John: Chris and Chad are step brothers. Chris went to school with Johnny. Chad went to school with me. I had met CJ a few times. He was always interested.
TMS: Moving back again to this release, what were some of the influences of the band in the demo's creation?
Chris: We pretty much take all the bands we listen to and put it into our music, if it sounds good we put it all together
John: We are all really influenced by Chad and his riffs. We havent written much with CJ. I am sure he will be that way too. If you want to get down to it though, we are all influenced by alot of different things. If you want a definite answer I guess it'd have to old thrash.
TMS: Who are some of those bands?
John: Chad would most definitely be Metallica. Chris would probably be anything metal or death metal. Like See You next Tuesday, or All That Remains.
John is really influenced by alot. Him being vocals and bass he can pull from alot. Old Atreyu, Bring Me the Horizon, and Beyond All Hope.
Johnny is in love with oldie bands and deathmetal. He is probably most influenced by Cannibal Corpse.
CJ is influenced by Suicide Silence. That's all he ever talks about.
TMS: How have the previews of your demo been received by your fans?
Chris: So far we have got a good reaction on the tracks.
John: Since we are still making it noone has really gone crazy. alot of people want it and ask for it. I think once people hear it more and more will flock for it, might set us off!
TMS: What have some of those reactions been?
John: People just ask for 'em. They expect them to be good. We are still a local band but we are trying to live up to expectations.
TMS: Is the band satisfied with what's been put down so far?
John: Some thigns we are. Somethings we aren't. So far we want to go and record some vocals again. Chris and john were sick.
TMS: Which tracks are you most satisfied with and what can you tell us about them?
John: We dont really all agree on satifaction. We all critique ourselves to a pin.
TMS: Are any members of Something Wicked involved in other projects?
John: Chad and I are both techno artists. It is something we can do on our time. We have fun and it doesnt get in the way. Chris and I were in other bands during Something Wicked but both just got in the way. I was in Random Acts of Kindness from Proctorville, Ohio. Chris was in Missing in Maryland from Huntington, West Virginia. Both got in the way and really weren't worth it.
Chris: Well some of us were, but we mainly stick to Something Wicked.
TMS: So Something Wicked is taking the stance of 'All or Nothing'?
John: ALL! We all put our hearts into this. If someone didn't wanna go on, I think we'd all quit!
TMS: Is there anything you'd like to add that we didn't cover already?
Chris: Yes, we would like to add that we are writing some new stuff at the moment so we want everyone to be ready for it!
TMS: What would like to say to fans of Something Wicked and those who are going to be discovering you in your future shows?
John: Book us there, promise us so we get some gas money and the crowd. We'd love to come! Set us up!!
Official Myspace
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