Feature by Andrew - April, 2002
Good local bands kick ass; them being local gives you some sort of personal connection with them, and you feel like you've been with them since the start. After checking out their live show, picking up their newest two-song demo, I have become completely intrigued and couldn't wait to learn more about Nehemiah. Hopefully, you will feel the same way after checking out the interview, links to the band's homepage and mp3's, and more. Check it out.
Andrew: Okay, the typical first question of a band interview: How did Nehemiah come together as a band?
Chad: well...the same way all high school bands come together. we were a bunch of high school kids just getting into the "scene" and we all played the right instruments so we just decided to try it out, without even knowing what kind of stuff we were going to play.
Chad: But, it ended up coming out as flat-out METAL, and also, the response was very good from the first show out. Almost unbelievable. We were and still are very grateful.
Andrew: I see. Did you guys grow up together, or just come together due to common musical tastes?
Chad: Yes, in fact most of us did come together as a band and as friends simply because of music, although a couple of us have known each other for a while, like Logan and Brady, and me and Josh.
Andrew: Cool. I suppose long-time friendship can help keep a band together. Anyway, how long has the band been together?
Chad: Not much longer then a year. It's been about 15 months now...I'd estimate.
Andrew: Wow, that really surprises me.. You sound and perform more experienced than that. How old are the members of the band (generally)?
Chad: Quite a varied range - our youngest member is 17, and our drummer is 24 and married. So on average i'd say 19 is the age to be.
Chad: i guess we're still babies...???
Andrew: Yeah, you're still young enough to rock without breaking your back.. for a little while.
Andrew: So, on to the music now. You guys recently released a new demo cd--how do you feel about the new material?
Chad: we are very satisfied and proud of it, especially compared to the first demo. the songs are just obviously like a few steps above the old material...i would say taking a jump from "metalcore" to "metal".
Andrew: I'd definitely say that you should be proud of it. Everyone I've talked to has pretty much fallen in love with it. Have you gotten a typically positive response from your listeners?
Chad: Wow, yeah, apparently people are liking it even a lot more then any of us ever expected.
Chad: But yeah basically I don't think i've ever really heard a single complaint about it So, hopefully, the big guys at the labels think the same way.
Andrew: That's awesome. It was really great seeing the crowd just go wild during the "Fall to your knees.." part of "The Asphyxiation Process." I'd say that that was some pretty good positive feedback.
Chad: yes, i'd have to agree. there's nothing that feels better then witnessing the kids mosh, dance, and scream along like crazy to your own bands songs. its one of a kind.
Andrew: So, do you think Nehemiah has any direct musical influences? If so, what bands have helped you create your sound?
Chad: Since Logan does most of the writing...I am getting a response to that last question from him right now.
Chad: we don't really have any DIRECT musical influences. but of course we are mostly into what they call the "gothenberg" sound and Logan also likes alot of black metal.
Chad: the best choice for an influence though would definitely be AT THE GATES.
Andrew: I see. I agree with the At The Gates influence, but I'd also say that you do have a pretty unique sound. The dual vocalist attack is really cool and helps to achieve a wider range of sounds. How has having two vocalists worked out?
Chad: its worked out beautifully. i'm surprised there hasn't been more bands with two vocalists get any bigger or well-known.
Chad: yeah its great for range and the live shows just having two guys screaming in your face makes it that much more intense
Andrew: Yeah, it surprises me, too.. its really awesome live, tons of crowd interaction.
Andrew: Also, do the vocalists write the lyrics? They seem pretty dark--are the lyrics commonly pertaining to a certain theme? What has inspired them?
Chad: yes, both vocalists write just about all the lyrics. The lyrics are really about alot of different things. Every song is different. we have songs about girls, songs about society, songs about staying true till death (although we are not a straightedge band, it pertains to certain members and listeners).
Andrew: That's a nice break, considering the number of bands out there that have songs about girls, and nothing but girls.
Andrew: We'll leave it up to the listeners to read into the lyrics and interpret them. That's a part of the listen.
Chad: Yes. That will be one of the fun parts for them. Decipher and make of it what you want.
Andrew: Okay, on to your future plans before finishing up. I understand that you are in search of a label--what hopes does the band have? Are there certain labels that you would really like to be a part of?
Chad: well...of course...you know who's king...CENTURY MEDIA. but obviously before getting anywhere near there we'd need to release plenty of material on other labels. Some labels that seem promising and excite us are for instance Earache, Lifeforce, Goodlife, Robotic Empire, Relapse, Indecision..
Chad: and Eulogy is always great but we don't really seem to fit into their lineup all that well...but anythings possible...?
Andrew: Anything is possible, for sure. They've got quite a few heavier bands on there, and they seem to be pretty open to variety. Any of those labels, though, would be just great for distribution and promotion, we've got to start somewhere.
Chad: definitely.
Andrew: And do you guys plan to wait until you find a label to release further music?
Chad: well...yes, we'd like to get involved with a label before we record anything more, although we are going to begin writing like mad. its going to be our main focus for a good while.
Andrew: That'd probably be logical.
Andrew: Speaking of bigger labels now, I noticed on your website, that you guys have played some shows with bands like Bleeding Through, Spark Lights The Friction, and Throwdown -- how did it feel to play with some of the bigger names in the current metal/hardcore scene?
Chad: What can i say? It just felt great. shows with bigger bands always have a bigger vibe... so then our set is always more fun and powerful as well.
Andrew: Awesome. I can imagine that'd be pretty wild.
Chad: we are trying to possibly get attached to a tour this summer with the likes of Bleeding Through or Between the Buried and Me.
Andrew: That'd be really cool. Have you guys played a lot of out of state shows?
Chad: not really. we've played several times in Wisconsin and Iowa, but that's basically it, although we are scheduled to play with Caliban and The Red Chord in July in Ohio.
Andrew: I see. Well, that would be an awesome opportunity to spread the music to the country.
Chad: and we were supposed to play in Canada a couple times too.
Andrew: Canada, now that'd be a nice adventure.
Chad: yes it would. perhaps kind of scary though.
Andrew: It has potential to be.
Andrew: Alright, this is that ending sort of question: Do you see Nehemiah continuing in any certain direction? Musically, whatever.
Chad: Well, personally, my envisionment would be rising up along with some of the better known metal bands out there today such as Caliban, Bleeding Through, Undying, Martyr A.D., The Haunted, Darkest Hour...just progressing in that scene a lot more. The only thing I can't see us doing anytime soon is completely changing something in the industry or anything like that. But i just want to get it out there to...as far out as we can get it. and have more and more people enjoying it.
Andrew: Sounds like a pretty good plan.. best of luck in achieving your goal, too.
Andrew: I think that about wraps up what we need to know. It was cool talking to you, and hopefully you can pick up some more listeners with all of this.
Andrew: Feel free to give any comments or anything, random thoughts, you know.
Chad: nope. i'm done.. thanks for your time and such.
Andrew: Alright, great.. thanks for your time, too.
Andrew: Now I will proceed to my bed and stop talking like a book.
Chad: me too. goodnight.
|
|
|
|
