Describe your band, telling a little about it.
We are a 5 peice heavy/melodic/power/nu metal band from Pittsburgh. formed in 2018, with a primiary focus of writing hard hitting, driving and melodic originals and playing a few crowd grabbing, yet semi obsucre covers.
What are your member names? / Who plays what?
Kate Aderman - Vocals
Damon Zappa - Guitar
Jimmy Haley - Guitar
Hal Blum - Drums
Terry Blair - Bass
Have members played with any other bands?
Kate -I've only sang with one other band. I did some back up vocals for Fighting Fate. Other than that my musical background is all classical. I went to college for voice and sang in multiple different choirs while I was growing up
Damon - Untamed, East End
Hal - Untamed, Mortal Fear, Fools Errand
Terry - Lestats Illusion, Master Your Demons, Dirtys White Boys, Unfiltered, Fighting Fate
Do you write your own music or perform covers? Has it always been this way? We started out with a handful of covers just to get the ball rolling. and while writing new material has been our primary focus we do keep covers in our set that have become staples and crowd favorites
What year did the band form? 2018
Where is the band's home? We call Pittsburgh home.
What's your style or genre?
Damon - Hard rock/edge of nu metal
Hal - Powermetal
Terry - it seems to be a very 80's metal influenced nu/powermetal mix
What inspires your music?
Hal - The idea that I legally get to beat the shit out of something!
Damon -Good hooks, catchy rhythms that leaves u humming the song.
Kate -The biggest thing that inspires me is the amazing amount of talent in our local music scene.
Terry - for me personally, its just the simple desire to play
How often do you rehearse?
Usually once a week, sometimes twice for upcoming shows
What gear do you guys use?
Damon -cheap guitars. Lol. Bugera head with marshall cab
Terry - Hamer, esp, squire basses, Gk mb800 fusion head, varies cabs, wampler low blow pedal
Do you utilize a booking agency, and what are your thoughts around that?
Damon - No and a good idea. Just watch any percentages they may want to take
Terry - NOt at this time, and while not opposed to it, i dont think we are there yet, we are still in the part of the process where the leg work needs to be done by ourselves
Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that?
Hal - yes and no, If something works out that’s great otherwise will just work as an independent
Damon -Maybe. But we just want to play. If it happens it happens.
Who does the composing and writes the lyrics?
Kate -Terry has written lyrics to most of our originals, but it is definitely a team process. Everyone has input on all of our new songs. We work through writing them together
Damon -Lately it's been Terry and Kate working on the lyrics and Damon with riff ideas. But we have a few more ideas we are working on that Jimmy has come up with.
Hal - Kate and Terry but anyone can get involved
Terry - I think its a true team effort, every one is real receptive to ideas and willing to work through them.
Do you start with the music or the lyrics?
Damon -We have done both. But likes to see what riff there is and maybe build around that. Sometimes the riff sets the tone and mood of the song.
Do you compose in a certain enviroment? Certain life influences?
Kate-Most of the lyrics I have written have been based around my life experiences up to this point. Things that I have gone through and people I have dealt with.
Have you done any covers live?
Yes , right now we have a fairly steady mix of originals and covers. and a few covers have become crowd favorites and will remain in our list for the forseable future.
What are the least/most people to attend one of your gigs?
Damon - As a band...tough to say. But we will play to one or a hundred.
Terry - Personally? anywhere from 20 to 350 i think, but as a band, i would say prob 40 on the light end and over 150 on the high end
What ages are most of your concert attendants?
Varies but mostly +21
Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary?
Damon - As in now yes. But we will be shaking things up a bit for 2019
Terry - for the most part, yes, but as we continue to write more material we are altering and changing our set list
Do you have a regular place you play live often? Anywhere.
What was your first gig like?
Kate -I had never fronted a band before so I was absolutely terrified. The band had total confidence in me and my friends who were there gave great advice and encouragement so it went a lot better than I thought it would.
Damon -A blast. It went over well. Great feedback.
Hal -Good we had A good turnout
Terry - It was a lot of fun, and the recpetion and feedback were better than i think we could have imagined
What was your latest gig?
Kate - Our last gig was a benefit called Mayhem for the Minis. I think it was our best show yet. I have grown a lot since our first show and as a band I think we have really come together well.
Have you had to cancel a gig? no
Where have you played live this year?
We have stretched our legs quite a bit, Fawn tavern in West Deer, Empire CLub in Akron, Peter B's in Sarver, Sub Alpine in Turtle Creek, Rock for life series in Saltzburg Sidebar in Kittaning, Town Tavern in Leechburg, Mousetrap in Bulger etc etc
Where do you plan to gig the coming year?
Anywhere we can ,but i am sure we will be back at a few familiar palces as well
When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale?
Oktoberfest with shirts. Went over very well. Sold almost 25 out of our 50 in the first day.
Where can people buy your merchandise?
At our shows, or contact any band member personally
What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records now a days?
Damon -It's the current technology and you cant fight it.
Hal -I’m good with it. Less clutter
Terry - I miss the old record store days, there was something about the process that was spiritual.
How do you think the music industry have changed because of this?
Hal - things evolve every day kind of have to learn to adapt to it
Damon -Good and bad. With downloading out there you just cant go by CD sales anymore.
Terry - There is def more worldwide accesabitlity, but the money has become harder to make
Do you have any role models or idols?
Kate - Most of my role models come from the local scene. I actually have way too many to mention because I will probably leave some out. There are so many talented singers in our area!
Damon -George Lynch and Disturbed
Hal -just about every drummer out there as my role model
Terry - for me, personally guys like Cliff Willaims, Ian Hill and Fancis Bucholz have always been influential on how i play. But i find myself looking towards the local area as well Guys like Steve Craven, Dan Climo, MIke Ekis Heath Cleek. watching and learning
Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today?
Both, i dont think you can seek out inspiration in any particular area, it is either there or it is not
What have been your biggest obstacles?
Damon -Being an adult, work schedules.
Hal -Being broke and having to work
Kate - I have really struggled with switching musical styles. It is a completely different type of singing than I'm used to. I also don't know most of the music that the rest of the band has been listening to for 30+ years. The guys will just start playing a song that they all know and I usually have no idea what it is.
Terry -Time
What advice would you give other bands or artists?
Damon -Do what you like!!!!
Hal - stay the course, believe in yourself, And hone your craft
Terry - if your not having fun, your doing it wrong
How do you get psyched for a gig?
Kate -I love when we go out to eat as a band before hand but that only happens occasionally. Usually I listen to my favorite music really loud while I get ready for the gig.
Damon -listening to my own music on the way to a show
Do you have any new material?
Yes , we have quite a few ideas we are working on.
How can people reach you?
Social Media is the easiest way
Social media addresses?
What are your plans for the future?
Damon -Play gigs, write new music. Would luv to get out to the west coast
Hal -Rock till I drop
Terry- just enjoy the ride
What do you think of my work?
Damon - very cool. Keep doing what you do. Local music is on the rise again
Hal _it’s awesome always appreciate the help in the music scene
How do you think that this interview could help you in the local music scene and beyond?
Spread the word, bet local bands out in front of people.
What is one thing even your biggest fans don't know about the band?
Damon -Jimmy is actually 6'5".
Hal- We have fans??? Seriously they don’t know how much we appreciate them! Without them we don’t exist!
Terry - We are pretty transparent
Do you have anything to add?
Just a simple thank you for all you do and hope to see everyone at a show soon
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