Built To Kill: Built To Rock
For the people who have never heard you guys, how would you describe your sound?
We have a very unique sound; I think it’s a cross between, metal, hardcore, rock and some southern rock. I would consider the sound “head banging” yet groovy enough to be radio friendly.
What would you consider your core audience? or do you find your audience to be from all walks of life?
I would say hard rock fans and metal fans would like us; we have had some battles with hardcore people about our style. I have had numerous arguments with people about what hardcore is. I personally think that hardcore is something intense that would make a person feel the rage running through your body. Not someone dancing around like a moron swinging around their arms.
Would you say your live sound differs any from your recorded sound? or do you believe you are consistent in both areas?
Our recording and our live show are the exact same; we do nothing different. What you hear on the album is what you hear live. We have always strived to achieve just that. We don’t want to be a studio band that has all this produced crap that some big shot says we need to have to be successful.
What city do you believe is most receptive to your sound?
This is a good question. We have never gotten out of Canada, so we can’t be sure, but as for Canada I think Toronto is where we are most appreciated, yet we haven’t played London yet, so hopefully this interview will get us onto a worthy bill.
When writing songs who in the band contributes the most? or would it be a team effort?
For the most part, Sir Richard Burns writes our music. He had a rough go in the past, [but] the guy is a genius and very dedicated to what he loves. To this day [he] is the one person I most respect more then anyone. The guy wrote 90 percent of our songs lying in a hospital bed after getting a double lung transplant, not once but twice, then playing a show with us three weeks later at the Red Dog Tavern in Peterborough—enough said.
Which bands from the present and past do you guys like?
We all have a huge difference in music, which is, I’m sure, how we get such a unique sound. Myself, I listen to As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage, Disturbed, NIN, Slipknot, Alexisonfire, Beach Boys, et cetera. Brad listens to Metallica, Bad Religion, Green Day, Henry Rollins, et cetera. Mike listens to Pantera, InXS, Slayer, any 80’s hair metal, et cetera. Rick listens to Hate Breed, ThrowDown, Ramones, Lamb of God, et cetera.
Which bands have you worked with? and who do you guys think best complements your shows?
We have worked with many bands, such as Thornley, Cancer Bats, Farenheit, The Gorgeous, Late Fallen, Redeemer, RPO, too many to really jot down.
Are there any bands you hope to work with in the future?
Myself? personally? Much like most of this interview, I speak for myself. I would work with anyone. I am the type of person that loves to play anything rather it be techno to death metal and anything in between. But I would really like to share the stage with Marilyn Manson or Lamb of God, maybe even Slipknot...sheesh! So many!
Could you relate the story behind your guitarist’s surgery and him playing a show only a few weeks later?
To be honest, I think it was a sign from the music gods to stick with this band and work hard. I honestly think it is a miracle, and I almost get teary-eyed thinking about the poor little guy. It inspired me in so many ways, and I will always remember what happened to him and how dedicated this man really is. He is a fighter, and I am honored to play beside him.
I have heard that fire is used frequently during your shows; why is this?
We have been known to set the odd table on fire and a human body and combine them but not always. Myself, I have to be pumped by a crowd as we are not an act; we perform purely on adrenaline and audience participation. Sometimes people will ask me—when I don’t perform the same when there are little people watching—I reply with “I just couldn’t feel it.” I wish I could explain what I’m talking about, but if there are any performers that read this, they will know what I’m talking about. We can say we are not an act; we run through energy from people enjoying us. Basically, the crazier the crowd gets, the more stupid sh*t we do.
Are there any experiences that have made it into your songs by virtue of being either extremely good or extremely bad?
We perform a song called "Break You Down", and we break sh*t down when we play it, so that was a good experience. I’m sure we will try other things in the future that will be bad.
How was Built to Kill formed? How has your sound changed since you started in the business?
We were formed from a tin kit called myspace. Brad and Rick got together after they had successful bands in the 90’s, one being Odin Red—a massive influence in the 90’s alternative—and Shortfall, a well-respected pop punk band that made the headlines on more then one occasion. After they got together and jammed a few songs—one being “Betrayer”, they decided to look for another member leading them to [a] former member of Odin Red—Mike Shaw, a successful guitarist from Odin Red. They have all always liked metal and really had the drive to form a good band. The only thing left was a singer and there was me playing my solo act, Power of One—and playing amongst many indie artists and even Bif Naked. I posted a post on myspace stating I was looking for a metal band. They messaged me, and I met them, and we all clicked and started making music that made us all happy and feeling like "where have you all been my whole life?"
Is there anything else you want to share with our readers about the band that most people do not know?
We wish every Canadian artist luck, and we hope everyone can have as much fun as we have...
What is next for your band in terms of tours, albums, et cetera?
We are releasing our debut album in November with the title Locked and Loaded, and we will be having our CD release party with Farenheit and touring the album like mad...hope to see everyone out!
Login
Create an account
