Dark Tranquillity at the Grove of Anaheim Jan. 26; Photo By: Daniel Falk

Dark Tranquillity, emerging from the Gothenburg metal scene, is taking on the Grove of Anaheim on Jan. 26. Traveling with a 25-year back story, the band has engrossed audiences from Europe to the U.S. with the raw aggression of death metal matched with the melodic riffs in each song.

The melodic death metal group features members Mikael Stanne (vocals), Niklas Sundin (guitar), Martin Henriksson (guitar), Anders Jivarp (drums) and Martin Brändström (keyboard and programming). With the ability to capture the metal sound of any era, Dark Tranquillity has become timeless.

While on their Insomnium tour, they took a moment to speak with the OC Concert Guide.

OCCG: What’s the story behind Dark Tranquillity’s creation? What was the defining moment that made you start the band?
NS: Our story is pretty much the usual one: Five teenagers heavily into music that arrived to the conclusion that they must form a band of their own. I guess that the odd thing in our case was that no-one actually could play an instrument when we started out. We basically decided to form a band and then went out and bought instruments the next week. Needless to say, it took a while to get things sounding well.

OCCG: What’s the meaning behind the band name?
NS: It’s taken from one of our first songs, “Void of Tranquillity”. In retrospect, it’s not the best monicker since it tends to confuse people “dark what?!?” and also is spelled differently in US and British English.

OCCG: How would you describe your music to someone who has never listened?
NS: Back in the day, this could be a bit tricky. The explanation would differ a lot depending on the person’s musical knowledge in general. “Metal” could mean anything from Bon Jovi to Slayer depending on who you talk to. These days, I just refer people to check the music out online since it’s much easier. Most people probably ask out of politeness than from actual interest anyway.

OCCG: What are you most looking forward to in the Insomnium tour?
NS: A lot of great shows and the chance to catch up with old friends on the road.

OCCG: Since your creation in 1989, what is the most memorable show you’ve played?
NS: Hard to tell. The first time doing something is usually the most memorable, so I would have to say that the very first gig in a small club in Sweden had the most impact. After that, the first show abroad and the first big festival gig are milestones. And of course getting to tour internationally opened up for a ton of new experiences. In recent times, being main support to Iron Maiden in Norway was truly amazing.

OCCG: How does playing in North America differ from playing in Europe?
NS: It’s a bit different, but not that much. Metalheads tend to be similar all over the globe. On the plus side, you meet a lot of very devoted people in North America. They travel for many hours to catch a show and they take great pride in going that extra mile. In Europe (and of course I’m generalizing wildly here), people can be a bit spoiled. If it takes you 30 minutes of travel to get to a venue, you stay at home instead. On the negative side, a lot of North American clubs have pretty substandard sound/light equipment compared to back home, which of course is a shame for the fans.

OCCG: Which venue do you feel fits the bands performance the best?
NS: I think that the diversity makes it worthwhile. A large festival show with a big stage production and all the bells and whistles is great in its own way, but sometimes it’s very liberating to play the small punk rock-ish gigs with no extras and close contact with the audience. Both settings have their pros and cons.

OCCG: Aside from music, what do you guys enjoy doing?
NS: Music is our main focus, and it’s hard to find time for much else. I work as a graphic designer and animator on the side, but this lifestyle doesn’t really leave much room for hobbies.

OCCG: Anything you’d like to add?
NS: Thanks for the interview!

Otherwise plays the Whiskey A Go Go Nov. 8 and Slide Bar in Fullerton Nov. 9

With their mastered ability to romanticize rock while maintaining heavy riffs, Otherwise is flourishing in a genre of its own. The alternative rock quintet is gracing the Whiskey A Go Go on Nov. 8 and at the Slide Bar in Fullerton with 9Electric complimenting their just released new album “Peace at all Costs” that came out Sept. 16.

“A lot of bands suffer from the dreaded soft second album. It comes out and nobody likes it and it tanks, but I am extremely confident in this batch of songs and I feel it’s the best material that people will hear from Otherwise to date,” Adrian Patrick said. “It’s very mature and extremely focused, and it showcases our vision as a band and as artists. Paves a new path for us in the direction we want to go.”

Members Adrian Patrick (Lead Vocals), Ryan Patrick (Guitar/Vocals), Corky Gainsford (Drums/Vocals), Vassilios Metropoulos (Bass/Cardio) and Andrew Pugh (Guitar) worked to create an album drenched in meaning and, as per usual, developed by the importance of family.

“When the Irish side of our family would get a little whiskey in them for sure there would be a big brawl breaking out sometime into the night, so our peace-loving, God-fearing tiny grandma would try and keep the peace,” Adrian said. “That was her mantra, ‘peace at all costs.’ Being such an innocent and loving person that she was, I don’t think she understood the hidden meaning behind that phrase. It’s almost a veiled threat — you give me peace, or I’m going to take it from you.”

The new album, starting strong with the single “Darker Side of the Moon,” uses a rustic guitar sound matched with sultry vocals to give an otherworldly listening experience that still remains relatable among all walks of life.

“Most of the music will originate with my brother’s guitar riffs spearheading the charge,” Adrian said. “I’m lucky I’m the only uneducated guy in my band. All the other guys in my band know music theory… all I know how to do is open my big fat mouth. I’m very fortunate to be in a band with guys that are so talented. The math and the science behind the music really lends itself to the creative process.”

Not only does the new album exceed expectations from song to song, it also comes with a bonus feature; a documentary about the creation of Otherwise.

“In a band life, you have a lot of different guys come and go, and trying to find the right combination of players with the right amount of determination and drive — we were lucky,” Adrian said.

GWAR plays the Observatory Nov. 3 and House Of Blues Sunset Nov. 6

GWAR, the science fiction-based hate metal band that wanders our galaxy, will be performing on Nov. 3 at the Observatory and the House of Blues Sunset on Nov. 6.

Among a new tour and new members, Berserker Blóthar and Vulvatron, the band is launching a new era for themselves — but sticking to their continued vision of sex, violence and intergalactic warfare.

While on their Eternal Tour, the band took a moment to speak with the OC Concert Guide about their changes based on the coming of the new vocalist.

OCCG: What’s the expected highlight of the Eternal Tour?
GWAR: Well, hopefully we can find Oderus so I can get back to sleep. This is bullshit! He still owes me $50 from back when we were using yams as currency. In fact, this tour honors and mourns Oderus Urungus. Fans can expect a GWAR show, a top to bottom fiasco with all the drama and mayhem of any and every GWAR show, with perverted sex, violence, the whole nine, and OF COURSE there will be stupid giant monsters that wander out on stage and get the axe.

OCCG: How has GWAR become the brutal Viking band it is today?
GWAR: GWAR are not Vikings you impertinent turd! Vikings are but one of the many civilizations shaped by GWAR, as we truly were the Ancient Aliens your ridiculous television warns you about. I, in particular, was an influence on the ancient Norseman, and I have had many names in your lore…GWAR are, or at least, they WERE, an elite squad of intergalactic Scumdog warriors from around the cosmos in the Master’s Army. But over time GWAR became somewhat like the cops in Police Academy crossed with Terminator…they could kill anything mercilessly, but they sucked at taking orders. They were so given to their appetites for pleasure and distraction that they were banished to Earth eons ago. They fucked everything up here so much that the Master had them frozen, where their manager Sleazy P. Martini, who realized he could make a buck if he turned them into rock stars, eventually discovered them. So, he sat them in from of television and taught them how to play music.

GWAR

OCCG: How did your album Battle Maximus stand out from past albums?
GWAR: It had a blue cover. No, seriously, the songs mourn the loss of Flattus Maximus, and reveal the sinister plot of Mr. Perfect to take over the galaxy. Musically, it is an aggressive heavy metal sound led by the one of the greatest, most imaginative front men in rock history. I hate it.

OCCG: Having such a different style, aesthetically and musically, where would you place GWAR in the genre spectrum?
GWAR: I would say GWAR is hate rock, or rage metal, no, wait…EMO, yes, GWAR is an Emo band. Art wise, GWAR reminds me of underground comic books I would find stacked by the toilet in their fortress in Antarctica. I know they also liked shitty punk rock music, and punk culture comes out in their visual style and their sound. Over time, the band has started to develop a more metal sound. Who cares? Next question.

OCCG: What’s going to be the biggest difference with Oderus’ disappearance?
GWAR: Well, the crack bill will go down considerably. Right now, there is a nightly struggle to fill the void as lead singer, and so far, I’ve come out on top. GWAR will never be the same. But nothing stays the same. Ever. We will still rock out, make great art, movies, videos, and kill, and fuck everything that moves. We still put on the best show of any band on this or any other planet.

OCCG: What unique qualities does Berserker Blóthar bring to the band?
GWAR: The Berserker Blóthar is me. I am fat, and I like cocaine and morbidly obese women. I want chicks so fat that if three of them show up the place is sold out. I bring udders, filthy disgusting space udders, bursting with putrid space choad. I sing like a bird, a big ugly, nearly extinct bird with irritable bowel syndrome.

Coldcock Whiskey co-sponsors UPROAR Festival play Verizon Amphitheater Sept. 16

Coldcock Whiskey, entering the realm of death walls and mosh pits, will be sponsoring another metal festival joining Rockstar Energy Drink on the UPROAR fest tour with a stop at Verizon Amphitheater Sept. 16.

Along with this opportunity of sponsoring another touring festival this time with headliners that include Godsmack, Seether, Buckcherry and more, CEO and founder of Coldcock Whiskey, Rick Zeiler, changed the game plan in typical advertising by giving metal heads the chance to experience not only a new, herb-infused liquor, but experience it with their icons pouring them the shots.

“What’s cool about our brand is, just imagine yourself in a fan’s position, imagine being a fan and being introduced to a brand for the first time with them (band members) pouring you a shot, basically partying with you,” Zeiler said. “That’s how we’re introducing our brand. We’re going to have Sam from Asking Alexandria and El Nino and a bunch of other bands out there just bar tending for us.”

After having ample experience in touring liquor festivals from working as the director of bar tending for Jägermeister, Zeiler has developed this new form of marketing to meet the needs of the die-hard metal fans.

“You can do traditional advertising or marketing or you can get creative and actually help people in the process and we chose the ladder. I think any time you make an emotional connection with a consumer, you’re ahead of the game, it takes a little longer this way, but our goal is to get local and regional bands out their promoting to their local and regional fans and in return our brand and that band win.”

Coldcock Whiskey continues to sponsor bands, such as Asking Alexandria and Cannibal Corpse, reaching 180 bands around the country. This sponsorship is a joint effort to create a stronger connection with fans and an insane craving for Coldcock.

“Basically when you have eight bands that you sponsor on that festival and being so affiliated with the ownership of Mayhem… that’s what everyone is going to be drinking backstage,” Zeiler said. “Everybody is going to be partying with Coldcock Whiskey and having fun, and that’s what we really want to relay to anyone that’s introduced to the brand that, ‘hey, this is the brand that a lot of us are drinking,’ and hopefully they’ll jump on board as well.”

Seether is one of this year’s headliners at UPROAR Festival at Verizon Amphitheater

The 2014 Rockstar Energy UPROAR Festival is rounding up summer with a set of the top rock bands ranging from veterans of the rock world to fresher, music-breeding blood. This year’s festival has been making appearances throughout the US and will soon be hitting the Verizon Amphitheater on Sept. 16 with artists like headliners Godsmack and Buckcherry.

With an abstract lineup and four years of festival experience under his belt, co-producer John Oakes is aiming to draw in the final festival crowds of summer and give them a little “taste of chaos.” The OC Concert Guide got an opportunity to speak with Oakes about what goes into putting on a hard rock music festival.

OCCG: What expectations do you have set for the Rockstar Energy UPROAR Festival?
John Oakes (JO): I have had the same expectations for the UPROAR Festival since its inception, to bring the best rock bands to audiences around the country and create an experience that the fans won’t forget.

OCCG: How is this festival unique from other summer festivals going on right now?
JO: UPROAR has the biggest rock bands in the country right now, with Godsmack and Seether currently holding the top two slots at active rock radio. That’s not something that happens very often and we’re proud to have these bands as part of this year’s lineup.

OCCG: Since the first UPROAR, how has the festival improved? What kind of changes are you expecting with this year’s?
JO: Every year we strive to bring the best music to the masses. We listen to input from our attendees about what bands they’d like to see and take that into account when booking bands.

OCCG: What was the motivation behind the creation of the festival?
JO: We created UPROAR with the goal of bringing fans a late summer celebration featuring awesome rock bands, lifestyle attractions and activities.

OCCG: What’s the decision making process in choosing bands to play the festival?
JO: It’s a collaborative process with all the partners of the festival. The UPROAR producers include myself and John Reese of Synergy Global Entertainment (SGE), as well as CAA’s Darryl Eaton and Ryan Harlacher.

OCCG: Aside from the music, what other aspects of the festival do fans have to look forward to?
JO: The Rockstar Energy UPROAR Festival will include a full afternoon and evening of music and activities, with a concourse midway featuring band autograph signings, vendors, sponsor activations such as Rockstar tastings, and giveaways.

OCCG: Anything you’d like to add?
JO: We can’t wait to be on tour and share this experience with the bands and, more importantly, the fans.

Stolen Babies play the Roxy July 25

Stolen Babies, capturing the epitome of transformational metal with a hint of theatrical passion, are performing in their Goblin tour on July 25 at the Roxy in West Hollywood.

Always paying homage to their roots of their past band the Fratellis, Stolen Babies has created a group so diverse in sound that the expectations are always surpassed with a bang of horror film-esque melodies and entrancing lyrics.

After having ended the large group of the Fratellis, the core members, Gil Sharone, Rani Sharone, Dominique Leroni Persi, Ben Rico and David Givhan, built a group made for music rather than performances.

“We were so focused around the theater element (in the Fratellis),” Rani said. “When we became a rock band it was a challenge. A lot of trial and error.”

Dominique, the artist of all lyrics Stolen Babies, is helping to create their upcoming EP with a splash of their avant-garde style and unexpected twists.

“The EP is definitely going to be different from the Stolen Babies saga,” Rani said. “It’s all about the vibes. She (Dominique) kind of lets the song dictate what it’s going to be about.”

With an upcoming EP and a full-length in the works, the always-touring Stolen Babies are sure to create an insatiable need for more songs.

“Once a song is done and we can play something from A to Z it’s really gratifying,” Rani said. “To think it started out as a riff, an idea, a drum beat — it always inevitably turns into something that is Stolen Babies.”

Constant touring has become a symbol for the Stolen Babies, regardless of their late nights writing songs, they always have something to pull out of their sleeves for an over-the-top show.

“Touring has really shaped the band. It’s shaping how we write the music, thinking about how it’ll work live,” Rani said. “Touring has been the thing that’s opened my eyes the most. It’s like war.”

Mushroomhead joins Mayhem Fest at San Manuel July 5

With a thrash of industrial metal spilling into the alternative sound of rap and heavy metal, Mushroomhead is set to spark up Mayhem festival on July 5 at the San Manuel Amphitheater.

“This will be our first major tour,” J Mann (vocals) said. “The best part about a festival is there’s less pressure on you.”

Playing in the festival is giving the band a chance to rejoin other bands and appreciate the industry without constantly being behind the instruments.

“At three in the afternoon I’m off work and I just get to be a music fan again,” J Mann said.

Even with a break, however, Mushroomhead has been on a rampage of touring and rejoicing with the return of the vocalist and original member J Mann, along with the introduction of new members Church (guitar) and Dr. F (bass).

With 21 years of music mastery under their belts, Mushroomhead (featuring members J Mann, Jeffrey Nothing, Shmotzs, Skinny, ST1TCH, Waylon, Tommy Church, Dr. F and Roberto Diablo) embraces their new album “The Righteous and the Butterfly.” This album, while still capturing the epitome of metal God status, stands as a tribute to those lost who were important to the band.

“The coolest thing about being in a touring band is the feeling of camaraderie,” J Mann said.

The band came together from close connections and rehearsal areas. Originally being in different bands, the members have created Mushroomhead as the melting pot of metal.

“Music is our mistress.”

Scare Don’t Fear joins Warped Tour at the Pomona Fairplex June 20

Amidst the moshing and heat waves of summer, Scare Don’t Fear is creating a hip-hop metal twist on the typical Warped Tour experience. Playing the Kevin Says Stage on this year’s festival circuit with an L.A. area show at the Pomona Fairplex on June 20. They are ready to round up the crowd with songs off their new album “From the Ground Up.”

Members Chris Jungles (vocals), Frankie Screamz (vocals), Joe Auger (guitar), Larry Ohh (drums/beats) and Ryan Grandmaison (bass) are embracing the diversity of Warped Tour while relishing in the fans overwhelming acceptance of new experiences and new sounds.

With numerous shows behind them and plenty ahead, Scare Don’t Fear vocalist, Jungles, spoke with the OC Concert Guide about the satisfaction of playing in a festival and the motivation behind their lyrics.

OCCG: What’s the inspiration behind the band name Scare Don’t Fear? How does it portray the members as a whole?
CJ: Well originally the name was picked out of a list of names but over the years it grew meaning. Now the name is almost a motto to stand up for what you believe in and to not fear anything that comes your way. We’re all faced with challenges daily and we can’t be scared by them. Me must face them head on.

OCCG: What genre do you pinpoint the band to be?
CJ: To give people an idea we’ll say hip-hop metal but when you listen to us you hear so many more genre’s depending what song you’re listening to. I just like to say we’re a band that loves to make music.

OCCG: What’s the most thrilling part of touring with Warped Tour instead of a typical tour or show?
CJ: So far it’s been exploring the country and meeting tons of people daily. Warped Tour crowds embrace new artists and are less likely to be biased. From morning until night we’re meeting people and that’s been great so far. You don’t really get to do that with a typical tour or show.

OCCG: Do you have a specific venue that has stood out more than the rest?
CJ: It’s still pretty early on this tour but so far Dallas has been the most memorable. We got such an awesome reaction when we performed. It was amazing to see happening.

OCCG: How is your new album, From The Ground Up, unique from past work you’ve done? Who creates the lyrics for your songs and what is the creative process behind doing so?
CJ: We feel this album truly represents our lives. It’s a concept album and not a concept album at the same time. You can listen to each song individually but when you listen to the whole album you’ll see a picture. We felt so comfortable writing this album with the help of Mike Watts over at VuDu Studios. Our past work felt experimental and From The Ground Up just feels right. Frank and write lyrics together or sometimes he’ll have a chorus or verse I can feed off of and vice versa
When it comes to writing a song there is no formula we follow. We do what we want. Joe might have a riff he’s working on and we’ll build off that or Larry Ohh will have a beat made or pattern laid out. We’ve even built songs around lyrics. We like to be versatile.

OCCG: As a band set on scaring instead of fearing, do you have any fears?
CJ: The only thing we fear is not giving 1000 percent when we’ve been given the chance to. We fear not chasing and following our dreams.

OCCG: Anything you’d like to add?
CJ: From The Ground Up is out now available on iTunes, merchnow.com, and Amazon. We hope people take the time to listen and hopefully connect with our work.

Devour The Day will play at M15 in Corona June 20
Photo by: Daniel Mandell

American rock band Devour the Day will be co-headlining with Framing Hanley at a show in Corona on Fri, June 20 at M15. This band is the epitome of “with every end, there is a beginning” since Devour the Day came to light after Egypt Central ended its musical partnership.

“The band was formed out of the ashes of a previous band because our singer left,” Blake Allison said. “We had to reinvent ourselves. We had some anger we needed to make into poetry.”

Starting from members Joey Chicago (Bass, Vocals, Songwriter) and Blake Allison (Lead singer, Guitar, Songwriter and Producer), who had been in Egypt Central, Devour the Day recreated their image and found solace in their music. Touring members of the band include Ronnie Farris (drums) and David Hoffman (guitars).

“We’re lucky our job is therapeutic,” Allison said.

Devour the Day came out with its first album in May 2013, Time and Pressure that was later re-released in Jan. 2014.

“In 2012 it was just an idea — a whisper. We didn’t really start until 2013,” Allison said.

The song “Respect,” from Time and Pressure, captured the band’s angst toward the destruction of Egypt Central.

“It’s a perfect description of the way we felt when the band broke up,” Allison said.

With new music underway, and some songs prepped for later in their career, Devour the Day has created a new band with new sounds, focusing on the importance of music.

“It’s all just rock’n’roll to me… You can call music anything you want to, it’s still all from the same vibe. I think this entity we’ve created is so centered around the musical aspect, not a career.”

Summer festivals are a promising continuation for the bands success, leading to some head-banging shows and more fans.

“Festival part of summer is definitely the most fun. It’s like a giant summer vacation,” Allison said. “We can’t even consider it work.”