Interview with DEAD KING'S PEACE
We had a conversation with Cody (Vocals) & Aaron (Drums).Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
1. Tell us a few things about DEAD KING'S PEACE (Members, Starting Year etc).
Cody: Aaron Newport and I got together one day in late 2016 to discuss ideas we've been conjuring up about this style of a project. we both brought to the table different ideas just so it's not one style.Aaron had one or two people in mind he was wanting to audition and I knew one one person who would be willing to jump on if he fit. after all the auditions, it was clear that Andy Funk, who Aaron brought on board, and Joe Linville,whom I brought in were both the perfect fit for the project! eventually down the road we found a bassist to fill in that gap while we were writing.He was a good fit at first but eventually creative differences became a huge factor in his departure from us. Just a few months ago while recording our album at Eleven Productions,Victor Jobe, who co operates the studio, decided to join the band as the new bassist.
Aaron: I was basically just looking for a new direction. I’m a lifelong Motörhead fan and I was really in the mood do more gritty heavy rock/metal/black n till type stuff.I didn’t have a crystal clear vision if what I wanted but I knew I’d figure it out. I met Cody and he liked slot of the same bands. It started there.I was just tired of doing the same thing I had been doing basically. We just started writing and went from there.As far as victor replacing our last bass player, I have known him for years and we have played together.We also own Eleven Productions so we work well together. He had ideas that we felt helped elevate us. It just seemed right given the circumstances.
2. Your last work was the song ''Gasoline''.Have you prepared anything new since then?
Cody: We have been recording our debut album since the end of last year and we are gearing up to release a new single from it very soon.
3. Label or DIY and why?
Cody: We are currently DIY. a couple of us a pretty knowledgeable in the department of how to manage and maintain a DIY band, but that isnt exactly the goal. eventually, if a legitimate opportunity arises, then we would probably go with a label.
Aaron: DIY till there is a reason not to. I’m more concerned on making quality music and content that I can stand behind.
If we find a label that respects that and can benefit then great. Till then this is how we do it. We own our studio, we can record whenever we want, we are pretty self sufficient. We just need to keep building our fan base.
4. Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Cody: We enjoy using all platforms, and they have their unique and nostalgic beauty about them, but for us, in the foreseeable future, it will be CD's and digital format. they seem to be the top two in which people lean more towards in purchasing.
Aaron: I don’t have room for vinyl but I see it’s appeal. Digital is pretty much king and I see why as well. Gotta go with the times.Although I’m not opposed to rehearsing vinyl. I mean, when was the last time you honestly saw a CD player besides you car? You know?
5. Your music style is Stoner / Sludge Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Cody: Personally I consider us simply as Heavy Rock. short, sweet and to the point without digging too deep to pin point a certain genre and box us in to just one.Some songs we gravitate towards the sludgy sound, others it's more heavy up tempo stuff. collectively our main influences are: Corrosion of Conformity, Down, Crowbar, Alice in Chains, A Pale Horse Named Death, Kyuss, and Motorhead.
Aaron: I’m not concerned with genre, we just do what we do. We seem to get thrown into the stoner genre.Which is fine too. I have so many influences, even things that showed me what I don’t like was an influence.As far as this band I’d say it’s varied. I pull influences from bands that don’t fit us at all sometimes. That being said, I have “born to lose, live to win” on my leg for a reason. 😂
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?
Cody: I think in order for a band to grow every member should definitely sacrifice their ego. Personally, I have sacrificed plenty of down time to write, keep social media and Youtube presence, share our music, practice, and record. money of course is sacrificed to pay for equipment, recording, gas to shows, artwork, and everything in between. A small price to pay to do something you and the rest of the band are greatly passionate about.
Aaron: Ego for sure. Understand this is a demanding thing if you want to do it well. Mostly money and time will be the biggest ones.Sometimes relationships suffer. As far as what you should sacrifice, basically you have ti decide your level of commitment. I can’t tell you what to sacrifice, that’s gonna be your call.
7. Describe your ideal live show as a performance Band. Have you already experienced that?
Cody: Ideally, I would like to have the show stack with two big name internationally touring bands at a theater, or even an outside amphitheater.I would like the band to have in-ears, a precisely timed light show, maybe a backing track or two and to have a sound guy who can bring out our sound to its maximum potential.We have not yet experienced anything like that but we can always hope!
Aaron: One where the PA isn’t broken and we have room to move onstage! 😂 but I’m all seriousness I’d love to see DKP out hitting bigger venues and reaching more fans.Other than that a show is a show, anyway performing is a good day to me.
8. Which attributes, do you think, that a new Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Cody: It's always a good idea to start with at least having a base idea on what your core sound will be like and what Your target audience will be. steer clear of being "just another rock band, or stoner band"what we did in the beginning is pull in each members biggest influences as an individual artist and the ones that were best suited for the project, we tried to put some of those attributes into our sound,and I believe that worked out really well in the early development stages of Dead King's Peace.
Aaron: Have a unique identity. It’s fine to observe and take notes, but at the end of the day do what you do.
9. Do you believe that Bandcamp and other Digital Platforms help the new Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a Band to promote its work?
Cody: Bandcamp most certainly helps DIY and all underground bands because bands receive almost all revenue from digital sales and the more you sell the higher your band goes up in the searches within your specified genre. Personally I think the best way for bands to promote their music would be Bandcamp, Spotify and YouTube simply because it seems those are the top 3 that people tend to generally use so its easier access for the listener.
Aaron: Some do some actually hurt them. I think you have to do it pretty much. The days of trading tapes are over unfortunately.I still think the best promotion is love touring but that’s my opinion. I’m sure their is a spreadsheet somewhere that says I’m wrong 😂
10. Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Indianapolis, Indiana USA (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Cody: Indiana in general has been booming in the music scene if you compare it to how it was 10-15 years ago. Indianapois seems to be finally getting some traction,especially with the doom, stoner rock scene. so many extremely talented bands that we are friends with are getting noticed with great opportunities.American Bombshell, Void King, Wolftooth, Apostle of Solitude just to name a few. of course right now with the pandemic, all clubs are struggling,but before it the ones I can tell you that are doing amazing things for the scene are Black Circle Brewing, Radio Radio and The Hi-Fi.
Aaron: Well, we definitely have lost some venues, and it’s not like it was a few years ago. But there are some very talented bands here.The venues that are still around are definitely trying to keep it going. But we aren’t a music town so it’s tough.
11. Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Cody & Aaron: I've never heard of it so no. I will definitely look into it though.
12. What are your future plans?
Cody: Currently we are recording our debut full length record, while releasing a couple singles in the mean time.We have been discussing putting out a couple more shirt designs, filming and releasing a music video or two, recording andreleasing a cover song, and hopefully, permitting on how things go in current state of everything, we can get back to playing shows and eventually going on tour!
Aaron: Same as always. Keep producing new material, improving the live show, getting our name out.
13. Thank you very much for your time & Keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Cody: Thank you so much for having us and thank you to everyone for listening, sharing, coming to shows and just supporting us in whatever way you can. it truly means the world to us. we hope to see you all. very soon. cheers!
Aaron: Thanks for having us and thank you to all our fans that support us. We appreciate it all. Please check us out on all the usual social media and streaming outlets. Please check out “Gasoline” at Bandcamp and all other major outlets.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
DEAD KING'S PEACE CONTACT: