Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

Darin J. Moore of

I had a wonderful sitdown online conversation with TheHMD.com's 2 time winner of Guitarist of the Year for 2004 and 2005, Darin J. Moore of the Power-Prog Metal legends from Dayton, Ohio SACRED SOCIETY on Feb. 20th, 2006. Until 2005, the were known as LEGACY. But what's changed but the name and a few members to get this engine running in top form?! Nothing else, except a renewed determination and drive to succeed in the metal world!

Here, Darin will tell us about his band, some side projects and a little history on his development of becoming one of the best guitarists that the "Gem City" has ever produced!

TheHMD: We're here with Sacred Society's axe man, Darin J. Moore!

DJM: Hello Sonny, good to be here!

TheHMD: At what age did you want to learn to play the guitar and then do it?

DJM: Probably about the age of 13 I got my first guitar that Christmas and I believe started taking lessons that January. At that time I was listening to bands like Kiss, Alice Cooper and Judas Priest.

TheHMD: Were you classically trained or did you end up being self taught?

DJM: I began with formal training and have actually had several teachers over the years. All of them taught me something along the way. Most notable was Lion recording artist Michael Harris as well as receiving some correspondence from Jason Becker and Rob Johnson. I picked up alot of instructional tapes along the way also. The playing by ear and self-teaching came later after the theoretical aspects.

TheHMD: Who are your main influences for playing guitar?

DJM: Michael Harris and Jason Becker were two huge influences in my playing. More recently I've been getting into Rob Johnson of Magnitude 9 and Chris Broderick Of Jag Panzer. Many of the Shrapnel Shred guys as well!

TheHMD: When did you start or join your first band?

DJM: My first band was in high school. We use to play parties, etc. It was a start....

TheHMD: How many bands or projects have you been in?

DJM: Besides the High School band, I was in the Middletown-based Fighting The World for a brief time before joining Legacy in 1999, which has now become Sacred Society, I have an instrumental project I'm currently working on , a side project with Sacred Society's keyboardist, Layne Loxley and possibly one more that is under development currently-lots going on right now!

TheHMD: How did Legacy come about and when did they officially form? With you or prior?

DJM: Legacy had done a demo in the mid 1990's with original vocalist Dan Riley, rhythm guitarist turned current vocalist Randy Allen, current bassist Patrick Palmer and another guitarist and drummer - my understanding is that they never did any live shows prior. I met Dan Riley in 1999 thru another project and he introduced me to the Randy and Patrick and we quickly formed Legacy to become a live/recording package.

TheHMD: When did you begin work on the first Legacy album, Slay The Beast?

DJM: Recording/mixing for "Slay The Beast" I believe was done in July/August 2000 at Refraze Studios in Dayton, Ohio and released in mid October of 2000.

TheHMD: What memories stand out for you during those sessions?

DJM: It was awe-inspiring to be in the large/professional studio of Refraze-I definitely remember that. My first time at a studio that nice! I remember the long days as well 12+ days taking us past the midnight hour. The studio is a great learning process. No real stories of decadence-that situation is "time is money" so we tried to be as buisness as possible!

TheHMD: What do you feel are the best cuts on that album?

DJM: "Vampire", "Sometimes I Feel" and "Keeper Of The Game". The guitar solos for "Stoned To The Bone" and "Spirit Rider" are two of my favorite solos of that one.

TheHMD: How long after that album's release before you had some member changes?

DJM: About 4 months ( Feb. of 2001 ) after it's release our drummer, Drew Hughes, decided to leave on his own accord for personal reasons. Brian Amburgey replaced Hugh on drums, however within the next year we parted ways with our vocalist Dan Riley. He now fronts THE KEEP. Great band by the way!

TheHMD: How did you settle on Randy switching to lead vocals? Was it like a Phil Collins/Genesis situation where you said, "Give it a shot and see how it sounds" scenerio?

DJM: After several months of tryouts and searching for lead vocalist to fit our style, we were having no luck in finding anyone, by this time Andy Hall had replaced Brian on drums, so we were aching to get the new line-up out there. Randy decided he would take the lead vocalist spot temporarily until a proper replacement was found-as it turned out-he was the proper replacement!

TheHMD: When and where was your first gig with the new line-up?

DJM: This line-up had it's first show in may of 2002 at McGuffy's House of Draught.......opening for Quiet Riot. What a way to "get your feet wet"!

TheHMD: No kidding! How were you recieved?

DJM: Very well! As with any line-up changes, I think people are unsure til' you prove different, especially with a lead vocalist. We did alot of practicing for this show and I remember it going very smoothly-a great night!

TheHMD: Yet, you went into the studio immediately to work on your follow up, Stand and Conquer. What memories of those sessions do you have?

DJM: Yes, we started the "Stand and Conquer" sessions probably around the first of February. Memories....you can ask anyone in the band and they'll probably give you the same story. Playing The Brewery in Troy the night before, with 4 inchesof snow & ice. Having to use the money we made to get a couple of hotel rooms up there and getting up and making the drive the next morning to Lebanon, Ohio to start the basic tracking. One very tired band struggling to get the 8 basic vocal tunes basic tracked that day-which we did!

TheHMD: The vocals were all done in one day?!!?

DJM: No, scratch vocals were laid, but we got the basic tracking down, drums, bass guitar where future dates we could come back and double-track the rhythm guitar, concentrate on and layer the vocals, add leads, etc.

TheHMD: So, not only did Stand and Conquer win the Album of the Year nods from me, but you also got a lot of press from all over didn't you?

DJM: Yes, "Stand and Conquer" was well recieved. The guitar community picked up well on it as well as The Neterlands with the biggest interest coming from Germany. We actually got a full page interview in Germany's second largest metal magazine, Heavy Oder Was! As well as several distribution deals over there and Lance King's Nightmare Records picking it up domestically. We've also had a line up change with Andy leaving and Brian Amburgey returning and the addition of Layne Loxley on keyboards/backing vocals.

TheHMD: You also personally backed up that with your own instructional video and DVD Building a Sred Arsenal. How did that come about?

DJM: People had approached me to do some lessons and unfortuanately,still with a day job and the busy band promotional/business campaign, I thought that doing a guitar instructional would be a good idea, plus it was a good way to sort of catalog and remember the licks I'd been working on. Had I known that www.CHOPSFROMHELL.com was going tpo pick it up, I would have tried to play a little cleaner ( ha! ). I look forward to improving and showing all my newest licks on a second one that I'm currently preparing for bass and guitar! Late Spring/early summer. I'm currently doing the musical notation on my computer and then will actually sit down and record it. There seems to be the interest there from the first-so, it's time to do another!

TheHMD: How's the writting for the new disc coming?

DJM: Writing is coming alot great! most of the third disc is already written, there's still still some arranging and lyrics to be added on a few songs. right now, it's just a matter of getting the band together to get them down between practices for the live shows. We're knocking them down one at a time working on our fourth new one to be played live at the shows!

TheHMD: What does your gear, or definitely in your case, ARSENAL consist of?

DJM: I've been playing Carvin guitars for the last 16 years ( I have 5 of them ). I'm currently using the Behringer V-amps, Boss Sd-1,NS-2 pedals into a Fender Dual Showman for the the tube power amp and Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet.

TheHMD: What other projects are you persuing?

DJM: Besides Sacred Society keeping me very busy and the work on my second guitar instructional, I've been playing on Layne Loxley's solo project, We've done a cool original vocal tune with lots of keyboard/guitar interplay as well as so some classical/spanish guitar. We're hoping to get this done to be included on the ProgPower VII sampler disc in Atlanta, Ga.. We're also doing a cover of "Heaven & Hell" which I'd like to see end up on a tribute cd. I'm still trying to find the musicians and time to finish an all instrumental disc. I've been contacted regarding another project as well, but it's a little early as of now-will keep you informed. In the coming months, I hope to pursue some endorsement opportunities as well-maybe some clinics along with them!

TheHMD: What are your current fave local acts?

DJM: Probably the hardest question because I'm sure I'll leave somebody out. Danny Voris is great!, Jacob's Dream, 11th Voice, Beautiful Sinner obviously is an all-star line-up with non-formulated songs. Mercury At Zero are great modern radio rock-just to name a few.

TheHMD: Who all has the band shared the stage with? Locals as well as nationals?

DJM: Real Mother, Red Earth, Mercury At Zero, Pownd, Feel, The Michael Harris Tranz-Fusion, LENNON, Penetrator to Quiet Riot-there's been many in our 6+ years!

TheHMD: Older / defunct acts you admired?

DJM: Arch Rival, Madewell, Finale comes to mind.

TheHMD: If you could be signed tomorrow, would you do it and what would be your expectations?

DJM: Definitely, besides my love for music that's why I'm doing this. I would just love to be able to make a living at music-anything above would only be "icing on the cake".

TheHMD: What would be your best advice as a veteran musician for today's young talent?

DJM: Don't cut corners learning your instrument, be the best you can be! Promote, not mant bands are old-school anymore w/ promotion and flyering. And last, you better do this because you love it, the scene has changed alot over the years and it's not easy-don't ride trends and play what's in your heart!

TheHMD: Lastly, what are your thoughts about TheHMD.com? Any suggestions?

DJM: What can I say, obviously TheHMD.com has been great to myself and Sacred Society. These are the people and sites, struggling bands need the support of-it's all so important in spreading the word!

TheHMD: Well Darin, thank you for the coming onto TheHMD.com for an interview.

DJM: Thanks! It was my pleasure. Great questions!

Links:
www.SacredSociety.net

www.DarinJMoore.com

www.MySpace.com/SacredSociety

www.MySpace.com/DarinJMoore

Email: contact@TheHMD.com