Interview with Interrogate Drummer Stephen Brown
Introduce the Interrogate players to the Ball-Buster readers?
Interrogate is lead vocalists Andy Campbell & Mike Parker, bass player Darren Brown, guitarist Mark Johnston & myself (Stephen Brown) on drums
In your own words describe Interrogate sound & influences?
We are a dual-vocalist, hardcore metal band with a wide range of influences old-school & new. We're definitely not "metalcore" though before any thinks that! I like a lot of the bands in the so-called metalcore scene but we definitely don't sound like any of them. I see us as a metal band first & foremost but there's definitely a hardcore vibe in a lot of the songs. Our influences include the likes of Pantera, Slayer, Slipknot, Machine Head & Biohazard to name a few.
How did co-writer Richard Weir become involved with the band?
Richard was the original bass player in the band & helped write a few of the songs though unfortunately had to leave the band to go to University in Scotland. We're still friends though & the split was amicable.
Where & what studio did the production of "Unbroken" take place & how many hours did it take to complete the project?
Unbroken was recorded & engineered at Studio Ferox in Belfast by a guy called Marty Robinson. I'd say roughly it took about 30 hours over the space of 3 weekends to set up, prepare & lay down the tracks. We could only travel down on weekends as we all have full-time jobs.
Which track do you consider the strongest on "Unbroken"?
I love them all but if I had to pick Id probably say the title track Unbroken, its the fastest & heaviest song on the CD. Though my favourite riff is the one at the end of Life's A Bitch - so many people have come up to us and said they fuckin love that riff!
What is the current scene like in your local area & how does Interrogate in?
Northern Ireland is such a small country with a population of only about 1.5 million people but the scene is quite good and there are quite a few really good metal bands about. There aren't any bands that sound anything like us that ive heard but we've gone down really well everywhere we've played, had great reactions from the crowds & sold quite a few cds & had a lot of people compliment us on our live show.
What's the bands long & short term goals as far as touring, recording, writeing ect?
At the minute we intend to keep gigging everywhere and anywhere possible throughout the whole island of Ireland to promote the EP and basically spread the word and we intend to hit the UK mainland later in the year. We're also still practicing hard & have started writing new material but i'd say we'll not record again until early next year. Our main focus this year is definitely gigging and promoting the current EP in every way possible.
What would you say is your biggest gripe about the music industry?
Probably the way that so many bands get shit on by record company's & dropped so suddenly if album sales fall or they no longer fit into the latest trend, although i suppose thats business for you. It also annoys me the way the music industry always grab hold of the latest trend & exploit it to death.
Any label interest to date?
Well, we've only recently released the EP & sent out promos but there have been a couple of interested parties who are keeping an eye on us.
Do all members contribute to the writing process of the band?
Me and Mark our guitarist wrote almost all of the current material and the original bassist wrote some of the music & lyrics on a few tracks. Everyone in the band has contributed to the new material we have written though. Everyone's ideas are taken into consideration.
What do you feel sets Interrogate apart from other Metal Acts?
I feel we that we bring something different to the table because of our many influences. There are variations of many different styles in our songs that make it difficult to pidgeon-hole us and put us in one category and we deliver a very energetic & brutal live show. You have to catch us live to really see & hear what we're all about.
Decribe the Interrogate Fans?
A bunch of hardcore, crazy motherfuckers whose help & loyal support we really appreciate!
Where do you see Interrogate in 5 years?
Hopefully on the road, with an album or 2 under our belts & a nice record deal!!
What is your fan base like?
Loyal, supportive and growing in numbers!
Last words?
Remember the name INTERROGATE you'll be hearing a lot of us in the future and check out our website & myspace sites for the latest news & info on the band - http://www.interrogate13.com
