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INTERVIEWS - 'ETHEREAL VOICES' MAIN MENU
HEMOPTYSIS INTERVIEW - By Fonda
This 4-piece band hailing from US is not just your ordinary death/thrash metal band, they make sure that you will be morphing back to the old days of thrash and death moshpit! With opening acts for Obituary and other great bands, I was glad that I was able to get in touch with them for an interview. So, let us proceed..
'A-C-Z': - Hellish greetings to all of you! How are things with your band? What are the latest updates that we need to be informed about you guys?
MASAKI: - Things are going well. We were awarded the Metal Artist of the Year award at the 2009 Phoenix Music Awards. More news is coming soon, so keep checking us out!
'A-C-Z': - Yeah, I heard about that one! Basic question first (though you might be fed-up hearing it!) How did the band started? Who established it and who’s the decision-maker of the group?
MASAKI: - Travis and I met in March 2007 through our mutual friend and jammed once. A few months later, I called him up and jammed again with a guitarist I found and that’s how we started. We went through several member changes and ended up with our current line up in September 2008. We all discuss things together and make decisions based on everyone’s opinion, so we make decisions based on a vote.
'A-C-Z': - Masaki and Sunao, are you guys Japanese? Ever played in your home country? Or still planning?
MASAKI: - I have not played shows in Japan yet. Sunao has played a couple of shows there with his previous band. I would love to play some shows in Japan. Hope to be able to get a chance soon.
'A-C-Z': - In your Beast logo, you say it’s a combination of the Lion and Satan. What does it symbolizes for you guys as a band? Who made this art concept?
TRAVIS: - It all goes back to the first song we wrote, “Who Needs a Shepherd?” which also became the title track of our debut EP. I was forced to go to church every Sunday growing up, even when I didn't believe in it. I grew to hate Christianity and religion in general. During one sermon over ten years ago, I was in church again and the priest said the words you hear at the beginning of the song where he describes christians as being weak like sheep. He says sheep (christians) were never meant to be the defenders of the universe and they were never meant to be the king of beasts. “In fact,” he said, “Sheep were meant to be the feast of the king of beasts.” It is easy to see in his sermon that the king of beasts is the opposite of the christian, like Satan or athiests. One can also identify the king of beasts in nature as being a lion. Lions also ate christians in the bible. So I put the two together in my head and thought the album artwork should be a lion representing Satan devouring Jesus as his sheep run away. Evil Dave at Incision Tatoo in Glendale Arizona is the one we brought that idea to because he did such great work with Vehemence and a local heavy metal store called Metal Devastation. He took my idea and tweeked it so that the sheep running away were actually countless skulls representing christians killed by the beast pilled up in the backround because that is who the sheep represent is Christians. Besides, skulls look so much better than sheep! Long story short, the sermon I suffered through that Sunday was recorded and given out for free the following Sunday and I picked up a copy knowing it would be the perfect beginning to a heavy metal song.
'A-C-Z': - Wow, that was a great and interesting explanation. So, are you a worshipper also of Satan? I love the lyrics of your “Who Needs A Shepherd”…
TRAVIS: - We are not Satanists. We are athiests. As for the song, “Who Needs a Shepherd?” and the artwork that involves a cross between a lion and Satan, we just hate christianity and the part of the sermon I sat through really stuck with me and empowered me in a non-christian way. Since those words hit home for me so much and I had it on tape, it only seemed fiting to use the Satan/lion character to convey how I felt and how we feel as a band. Obviously Satan is supposed to hate Jesus and Christians. Lions are also the king of beasts that would devour sheep or christains or Jesus if they had they opportunity, so the artwork and symbol seemed like an obvious expression of our feelings. That is how we justify using a cross between Satan and a lion even though we are athiests, not Satanists. It is to express our anger and hatred of Jesus, christianity and, in a looser way, religion in general.
'A-C-Z': - Hell yah, I join you on that belief. Do you think humanity is ignorant for being a slave with the so-called Creator? What’s your stand about religion?
TRAVIS: - There are allot of people that are ignorant about religion and simply do it because that is all they know and they become slaves to it. However there are also allot more people (in my opinion) that maybe aren't ignorant but are just weak like sheep. There are so many people out there that just can't cope with the idea that humans are not any more special than a dog, fish, rat, cockroach, etc. We are all just living creatures. Humans may be smarter than other animals but that doesn't mean humans get to go to some magical paradise in the sky when they die. We rot in the dirt. There are doctors and other intelligent people that are christian or some other religion and it is because they are weak. They have something in them that can't deal with so they use the crutch of religion explain all their problems away. They become slaves to a fantasy world and organized religion capitalizes on that in a big way taking big chunks of their hard earned money. It's sad.
'A-C-Z': - Sad but true! Ok, Lately you won the Metal Artist of the Year there in Phoenix (congrats). Was it a listener’s choice vote system? How was the feeling receiving this recognition?
MASAKI: - It was their choice. There are so many Metal bands in Phoenix and we are all proud of the fact that we were granted this award.
TRAVIS: - I was shocked. There are so many good metal bands in Phoenix that it is hard to imagine that we were chosen as the best of them.
'A-C-Z': - Well, you deserve it guys. You have a classic thrash influences and 80’s style of death metal. Give me 2 bands that made a major impact in your style of music, and 2 bands you are dying to share the stage with?
MASAKI: - I’d say Megadeth and Slayer are the ones who have had a major impact in our style and they are the ones obviously we would love to share the stage with. They are the legends.
TRAVIS: - Slayer and Death had a huge influence on me and I would love to share the stage with Slayer and Hypocrisy.
'A-C-Z': - Great bands you mentioned you guys just mentioned. By the way, how’s the metal UG scene there? Ever had crazy supporters flashing their tits or whatever? (male or female? hehe)
MASAKI: - We definitely have good Metal bands here though there are also some bands that sound just like Lamb of God. It’s hard to be original and unique now days, but we definitely have some talented bands here in Phoenix.
TRAVIS: - I agree with that completely. As far as fans go we haven't had any women flash their tits yet but we are all very open to it!
'A-C-Z': - Ok girls, it has been approved by them to show some flesh! Hehe. If you are given a chance to sign for a major record label , will you take it even if they will ask you to change your music approach depending on the music trend?
TRAVIS: - Hell no! What would be the point of taking a deal like that? We do this because there is a passion within us that needs to be released in the natural creative form that is our music. We won't take orders or change the way we play.
MASAKI: - I’d say no. We are doing this for what we love and feel. Just like we can’t be someone else. Hemoptysis is Hemoptysis.
'A-C-Z': - Fucking great answer! That’s what I’m trying to tell bands here. Fuck sell-outs and capitalist! I’m wondering; how will the world end in your opinion? How’s kumpadre Obama doing by the way? >=)
TRAVIS: - The world will end with a barage of nuclear warfare or humans will become extinct because of overpopulation and the pitfalls that come with it. Obama is working hard. I voted for him. I'm glad the retard (George W. Bush) is out of office. I'm just not too sure about Obama and the government butting into the economy with bailouts. Don't get me wrong, I know that big business and the government are pretty much one in the same, but the only way for an economy to function properly is to not interfere. The financial system is corrupted, permanently damaged, and basically ruined. Also, we need to pull the U.S. Troops out of Iraq now! We never should have been in Iraq in the first place!
'A-C-Z': - I’m glad that you are aware of what’s happening in the society. So, any plans crossing the boarder of Middle East or other parts of the globe?
MASAKI: - I would love to play some shows over there! I know Dubai has a big Metal festival. If I’m right, Megadeth headlined that show a few years ago.
TRAVIS: - That would be awesome! Currently we are focusing on the U.S. But the ultimate goal is to tour the world!
'A-C-Z': - Yes, Megadeth did performed here. Other bands also like Slayer, Motorhead, etc. Now, I would like to give a fucking thank U’s for giving time in answering this! So, give your shout outs to our readers! Horns up!
MASAKI: - Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity! We appreciate it and please spread the word and support us!
TRAVIS: - Look up Evil Dave's artwork online! It's some sick shit! Thank you!
Band websites: http://www.hemoptysismetal.com / http://www.myspace.com/hemoptysismetal
Band Email: contact@hemoptysismetal.com
Discography: Who Needs A Shepherd? EP, September 22, 2009.
BLACK SHEEP PRODUCTION: - by Fonda
'A-C-Z' - Metallic greetings to you Crom! Great show last time! But first off, kindly tell our new readers about the Blacksheep Production, like what is it about and how it started.
'B.S.P.' - Yo! Glad you guys enjoyed the show. Tiring, but at the end all the hard work really paid off! Bands were great. Good job to them!
Blacksheep production is an underground movement of the independent Filipino artist and musician here in Dubai. We had our first gig last July 12, 2008 and the rest is history!
'A-C-Z' - How do you actually run the show? How do you select bandz who will perform, location and budget-wise?
'B.S.P.' - Venue wise, we are very grateful that Alpha Club opens up a new door for the underground scene here in Dubai. We can’t really be picky w/ venues. Were just lucky that we have an awesome venue for the Strong South gigs cause getting venue here in Dubai for a rock show can be a problem. As far as choosing the bands, we are always open for some new talents. I mean that’s why were here. To give platform for the independent artist in Dubai. As long as they are confident with their music then it’s all-good to go.
'A-C-Z' - What can you say about the UG music scene of Pinoys here in UAE? Any plans having the BS Prod in the Phil?
'B.S.P.' - Its young. The Filipino underground scene here is still very young. We’ve only been playing shows for a year now. Hopefully, were planning to release a monthly zine sometime before the Ramadan kicks off.
It’ll be great if the bands can all go together for a semi tour/vacation in Philippines. Hey, if someone’s going to fund it then why not! We can pack our gear and leave this shit hole anytime! Hahahaha
'A-C-Z' - Last time you featured Nervecell in one of your gigs. Any plans getting other foreign acts for BS?
'B.S.P.' - That’s actually the plan for the Strong South gigs after Ramadan. For our first year, we focused more on the bands that don’t get regular gigs. Give them more priorities. But now were planning to get some foreign acts to feature on our future gigs…
'A-C-Z' - Let’s talk about your band. You’ve been busy playing for various bandz. How do you juggle things up? What’s the latest updates fr. your band?
'B.S.P.' - I love playing music. As long as I have the energy to play music, ill play music. I try to balance everything as much as I can with works, family, gigs and bands.
Dangwa is currently busy with our 5th composition. We stop recording our Ep cause all the members are busy at the moment.
Concast is also on the process of finishing our 4th composition. Hopefully we’ll finish it this week together with a new guitarist.
Im also putting up a side project punk band. So yeah that’s about it.
'A-C-Z' - If there is a local band in the Philippines that you want to perform for Blacksheep, who are those bandz? (gimme 3 names).
'B.S.P.' - I want to see Eraserheads. If that is still possible. Then maybe SIN and Urbandub.
'A-C-Z' - Have you ever encountered any hassle from the authorities here? Like Blacksheep getting a complaint or whatever shit.
'B.S.P.' - No, the authorities tolerate whatever shits we give them!
'A-C-Z' - Who are the Shepherds and sheeps behind the success of Blacksheep Production?
'B.S.P.' - Bands, friends and families. It’s not a one-man show. It’s a community. A brotherhood. A family. Now come here and give me a hug.
'A-C-Z' - What are the feature plans of BS Prod? What more can we expect from this?
'B.S.P.' - Expect a monthly zine before Ramadan. A compilation album before the year-end’s that will be distributed in Philippines and in the US, and a lot of gigs!
'A-C-Z' - I guess that’s about it, thanx for your time bro! Any final messages for our ANTI readers? Horns up! See you during gigs!
'B.S.P.' - Thanks and keep supporting the local artist! Kampay!
Email: cromwellojeda@yahoo.com / Websites: blacksheepproject.multiply.com / facebook group: blacksheep
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