Interview with WILD CHARGE
!!!US HEAVY METAL!!!
We had a conversation with Chris & Eddie. Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about WILD CHARGE (Members, Starting Year etc).
Chris: So Wild Charge was started back in 2012 in Hollywood while I was attending Musician's Institute. The original idea was "everyone is trying to go heavier, lets not do that". In terms of original members I (Chris) am the only original member left haha.As of right now I'm auditioning people for certain spots.
Eddie: I joined in around late 2013, it’s been a crazy ride from show to show.
You have in your Youtube Channel 2 songs (Samurai Steel & Honor and Pride). How many songs you have till now ?
Chris: So those songs are from an old Youtube channel that I actually wasn't aware was still up haha. Those were part of an old low budget demo we made way back in like 2014 or 15.Anyway, as of now we have about 15 songs so we will have a few to choose from once we start to put the album together.
Label or DIY and why?
Chris: DIY, I'd love to have the financial backing of a label, but other than booking tours and footing the bill, there's really not much of a need for labels in this day and age.
Eddie: DIY because some things get lost in translation.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Chris: Vinyl all day no question. There's just something about the sound quality of vinyl man. Like, it's not the cleanest or clearest format obviously, but it just breathes and has this warmth to it. Plus, having the big ass album artwork and being able to read the liner notes is something you just can't get with digital and I think that's a big part of being a fan that we don't get to experience anymore.
Eddie: Vinyl! While all formats are great, nothing beats that vinyl feel and sound.
Your music style is Heavy Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Chris: Without a doubt, Thin Lizzy, Motörhead, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Avenger, Racer X, Cacophony, Witchfynde, and above all others LOUDNESS!!!These are the bands we've tried to model our style around, as well as pretty much every band from the NWOBHM. I feel like the sound they created still has a lot to offer in today's world.
Eddie: Black Sabbath, IRON MAIDEN, Dio.
Which things, do you think, a Band should sacrifice in order to succeed?
Chris: It really depends on what your idea of succeeding is. But I for one can speak from experience, let nothing stand in the way of what you want.You only get one chance and time is the one thing you can never get back. So what ever it is that's holding you back, JUST FUCKING SACRIFICE IT!
Eddie: If it’s one thing I know, it’s the meaning of sacrifice. You’ve got to put in the dedication to achieve what you need to, there's nothing else.
Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future of your Band?
Chris: Yes definitely, and I don't regret it. If you want something bad enough you won't even notice the things you sacrificed.
Eddie: You’ve got to be ready for anything.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance Band. Have you already experienced that?
Chris: The ideal live performance should be a performance! I hate when bands go up on stage and just stand there staring at their instruments.That's not performing, that's just practicing in front of people and it's boring as fuck. Whenever Wild Charge performs we make it a point to put some energy out there on the stage (if it's big enough) and interact with the audience.
Eddie: Big venue or small club, doesn’t matter, the biggest energy and output will be coming from us.
Which attributes, do you think, that a new Heavy Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Chris: Just be yourself. You can't be unique if you are trying to be something you aren't so figure out who you are and embrace that.There are so many bands and artists just trying to be clones of their favorite bands, but what you've gotta realize is you'll never be them.There's only one you so you might as well own it and if you do then you'll stand out in the sea of never ending copycat bands.
Eddie: You’ve got to be true to what your passion for making music is. In terms of metal and keeping the faith, there are broad horizons for it all to continue to break shape and grow.
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?
Chris: Honestly we are all lucky to be alive in a time when just anyone with a computer and internet can record and upload their music to the world.Imagine all the amazing bands from the 80s that we will never know about because back then you pretty much had to be on some type of label or record a tape in your garage and hope it gets passed around just to get your music heard.I think the digital platform is under utilized by most metal bands today which is a damn shame because it could literally make any band go from being an unknown garage band to well known in the underground overnight.Plus, if we want metal to stay alive then we have to adjust and take advantage of the opportunity that is social media and online streaming in order to reach other metalheads in a world that's drowning in otherwise bland mainstream music.
Eddie: Support you’re local record shops if you’re lucky enough to be by one! While it is gnarly to find some heavy new music from around the planet through digital streaming, you can’t go wrong with owning a piece of that physical material.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Pedley, CA USA (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Chris: The scene here is great! It's small but true!There isn't much in the way of clubs or venues, but we make up for it with legendary backyard shows! Aside from that, we are lucky enough to be in close proximity to Los Angeles and Orange County so most local bands try to take advantage of those scenes when we can! In terms of local bands, other than us,I highly recommend Parasite and Mechanist! You can find them on IG @mechanist.beastialpunk! @parasite.visceralthrash.
Eddie: Backyard shows are the most primal and rawest of performances.. Always a blast doing those, but we can pretty much play anywhere…
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Chris: I know a little about it actually. You guys have some rad festivals like Up the Hammers, hopefully we can play it one year!I've spent some time in Bulgaria and I'm really good friends with the Bulgarian bands Slave Pit and Axecutor so they've shown me quite a few rad bands from Greece they've played with!I'm not entirely sure they'd be considered Hellenic but my personal favorite is a band from Cyprus called Mirror! Next time I'm in Bulgaria I'm gonna have to make a trip over to Greece and check out the local metal scene and party!
What are your future plans?
Chris: Hopefully once all this virus shit has ended we will have released our debut album, if that's the case then I'd like to get out to Europe and play some festivals!
Eddie: Write.Record.Play.Get out to doing shows out across the seas with new material.
Thank you very much for your time & Keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Chris: Well thanks for the interview! Though we've been around for a little while we are still fairly new given we only just recently released our first official track.We plan to release a new song each month, and eventually we will put out an album, hopefully by fall. I know the sound isn't everyone's taste and that's cool with me man, you can't please everyone,but just know that the first release was just to test the waters and what we have in store for the next songs will definitely not let anyone down!
Eddie: Get ready for some new tracks and hopefully you’ll check out the full album.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
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