Let’s start off with your position in Shattered Sun and your age
I’m the vocalist and I’m 26 years old.
You guys are a metalcore band, is that correct?
Yeah, we like to consider ourselves like a hybrid metalcore.
Alright, I want you to describe your band using one word only.
Versatile. We’re a very, very versatile band- something that we strive for a lot in all of our music and that’s definitely something that we try to portray to all of our listeners.
Why is a Shattered Sun show something someone should attend?
I feel we bring a level of passion and intensity to our live show that’s really kind of hard to see nowadays, you know what I mean? The beautiful thing about our shows are that they are very true and everybody up there are really pouring their hearts out on stage.
What do you find more challending, studio or live performance and why?
I think they are both equally challenging, but I’ll say it’s challenging live because one, we’re known for being a great live band, you know, that’s a part of our reputation. We love giving the people that pay money to see us every dollars worth. We’re a working class band so we know that it’s not easy to go shell out $10, $15, $20 for a ticket, so, if you’re coming to see us you’re gonna get your moneys worth.
What are the bests and worsts of being on tour, because you guys are currently on the road now, am I correct?
We’re actually leaving right now, you’re catching us before we head out. We start here in the next few days, but I would say that the hardest part about it is knowing everybodies boundaries, you know what I mean? You gotta be really respectful of the people you’re out on tour with and you gotta understand that everyone has their breaking points and you can’t go around pushing everybodies buttons all the time so it’s just all about respecting everybodies boundaries and stuff like that.
Who would you say are your musical influences?
Oh man, that’s a wide range (laughs). I would say Metallica for, not only just me, but they have a huge influence on all the band members, not only for that reason but we’ve grown up with them here in south Texas. It’s even cooler that we’re working with Jonny Z and Marsha Zazula, they discovered Metallica, so, I would say Metallica, Pantera, Megadeth. For me, Paul Stanley of KISS. He’s a huge, huge influence. Robb Flynn from Machine Head. You know, bands like that.
Well it definitely shows in your music when I was checking you guys out.
Oh, thank you man, I really appreciate it.
How long have you guys been a band and where do you see yourselves in the next 5 years?
We’ve been a band since probably about 2006. But let me rephrase that question, when I say 2006, you know we were all kids back then, so, it really wasn’t serious with this line up that we have today until about 2010. We decided that we’re gonna get a line up, we’re gonna put out, you know, the best product that we possibly can and we’re gonna go out there and make a name for ourselves not just be playing shows around here in our area. As far as 5 years, man I’d say in 2 years I invision ourslves being one of the top acts in the metal scene. I don’t mean to say that to sound cocky but we have an agenda, we have a mission and this is our time right now so we’re out there making a name for ourselves. We’re a very hungry band right now.
Last off, where can our readers find you guys online and listen to your stuff?
All of our music, our first EP, ‘Confessions,’ our new single off our new album ‘Hope Within Hatred,’ they’re all on iTunes, Spotify, CD Baby, I’m pretty sure you just Google it and it’ll pop up and you can find it on all of those sites. Also, we’re on all of the social medias like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, you can find us on all those sites. We’re pretty easy to get a hold of, so, shoot us a message or a comment and we usually get back to you.
Special thanks to guest contributor Eric Gesualdo for this great interview follow him on Twitter @ericgesualdo
