Interview with BEEKEEPER
We had a conversation with BEEKEEPER. Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
1. Tell us a few things about BEEKEEPER (Members, Starting Year etc).
Beekeeper is Ally Levine: vocals and guitar, Dylan Marks: drums, and Adam "Wally" Wollach: bass. Our official lineup has been together since 2014.
2. Your last work was the album ''Slaves to the Nothing''. Have you prepared anything new since then?
Yes. We are in pre-production for our new full length album and plan to record in May of this year. We have a few new songs in our current live set.
3. Label or DIY and why?
We have always been self produced but we are looking to join forces with a label for our next album.
4. Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
We all love and collect vinyl. Something about the physicalness of vinyl makes them so special. We actually plan to release our albums on vinyl soon. But don't forget about VHS! Dylan has a prized Sepultura VHS we love to watch.
5. Your music style is Thrash Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
We love thrash, death metal and heavy metal. Slayer, Sepultura, Death, Judas Priest, King Diamond, Iron Maiden, Morbid Angel, Necrophagist, Pantera, Annihilator. We love old school.
6. Which things, do you think, a Band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future of your Band?
You should be willing to sacrifice everything except being a decent person. Each member has made our own sacrifices for Beekeeper; jobs, social life, financial security, we could go on. Every bands situation is different but if you want to succeed in whatever capacity, yes you must make sacrifices and have discipline.
7. Describe your ideal live show as a performance Band. Have you already experienced that?
We've had our share of amazing shows but all we want is to play bigger and better shows. Our ideal show is 20,000 adoring fans in the audience that know all of our songs.
8. Which attributes, do you think, that a new Thrash Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Good songwriting, extremely high energy performances, good musicianship all around. A mediocre Thrash band is 1,000 times harder to watch than a terrible one.
9. Do you believe that Bandcamp and other Digital Platforms help the new Thrash Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a Band to promote its work?
The best way for bands to promote their work is through playing shows, but in this digital age Instagram, Facebook, and Spotify connect so many bands to new fans. Bandcamp is also a great tool for bands to share their music. Social media and streaming services are necessary now to spread awareness for new bands.
10. Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in San Diego, California USA (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
The SD metal scene is strong. We have a great crowd and fans who genuinely care to support the local scene. There are a lot of great bands here that have raised the bar. We have some great clubs and promoters that fully support our local scene and get other great metal bands out here. Some great clubs are Brick by Brick, Soda Bar, and Casbah to name a few.
11. Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
No. But now we are intrigued! Maybe we will perform with some Hellenic Metal bands in Greece one day.
12. What are your future plans?
To release our 2nd album and many more, tour everywhere and TAKE THE WORLD BY SWARM!
13. Thank you very much for your time & Keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thank you for having us! We hope you enjoyed our answers, check out our new music video for our track Vargas from our debut album Slaves to the Nothing and keep a look out for our second album to be released this year! Keep the metal faith alive!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
BEEKEEPER CONTACT:
https://beekeepermetal.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beekeepermetal/
https://www.beekeepermetal.com/