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Interview
Deutsche VersionInterview mit Daysend (17.12.2004)
HH: Hello and thanks for taking some time and answering some questions. First of all I want to compliment to your album. I did not really expect to find this kind of music in Australia. So, what kind of music influences you personally and why did you choose to play some kind of melodic death metal?
Aaron: Well, in terms of metal and heavier bands, older thrash bands had a big impact on me when i was younger. Bands like Metallica, Slayer, Testament, Kreator, Anthrax, and especially Megadeth, Pantera, and Morbid Angel. I also listen alot to Blues and Jazz music, and even classical, alot of instrumental music. I really like music when it is intense and very musical at the same time, which is why i guess we play what we play.
HH: Many people, myself included, refer to your music as melodic death metal. How would you describe it? Which drawer would you choose?
Aaron: I have heard others describe it as melodic death also, and that's fine, but I don't know if I would. I don't really think too hard about that, I guess I just look at our music as heavy metal. It's hard to say really because we tend to get people that wouldn't normally get into more extreme metal, but they like what we do. So i think we have a somewhat wide appeal.
HH: What were your wishes or perceptions when you startet with the recording?
Aaron: Before we went into record we really worked on making sure all of our parts were down. so we really wanted to make the best album we could on a small budget and a very limited time. Ultimately, I think we got the best results from the resouces that we had. So in the end we were happy with the result. I don't know that any of us had any real expectations of what kind reception it would get. After it was recorded we were pleased with the result, so i guess we just hoped others would enjoy it also.
HH: The reviews and the feedback you got for Severance was stunning and Severance has been voted best album in Australia. Did you expect this reactions when releasing the album?
Aaron: We were obviously very happy with the feedback we got. Although I try not to care too much for reviews, when you hear people are saying good things about your band it feels great.
HH: Severance is in stores in Australia for quite some time now. In Europe it has just been released. Where did this delay come from?
Aaron: We didn't go looking for people to release the album overseas until it was already out here in Australia. So then we had to make sure we were happy with who was releasing it and so on. Then there's things like contracts which take time to sort out.
HH: Do you have any expectations concernig the release in Europe or do you just wait and see what happens?
Aaron: Again there is no expectations really. But we are obviously hoping for the same reaction that we recieved in Australia when it was released.
HH: Talking of Europe: Are there any bands out of Europe you would count to your musical role models?
Aaron: I would say that Iron Maiden, Carcass and Kreator were the main European influences as i was growing up. I remember the first time i heard the song Betrayer, it was so heavy and the clip was really cool also. I have always been a huge fan of the twin guitar thing in Maiden and Thin Lizzy. Bill Steer just rules. Hypocrisy's Fourth Dimension album was a favourite of mine for a while also. I am also a big fan of Scandinavian bands like At The Gates, Arch Enemy, Soilwork etc.
HH: So, let's look back some years. When did you first get in contact with rock and metal?
Aaron: From as young as i can remember there was always rock and blues music in my house. My dad would play things like Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Ray Vaughan etc. And I think also seeing clips on TV of bands like Van Halen, Guns'n'Roses, Poison, and Skid Row. I thought they were the coolest!
HH: What has been the first (metal and non-metal) concert you visited?
Aaron: My first concert was when i was 8years old. My dad took me and my younger brother to see Poison. I loved that flamboyant glam stuff. The band and everyone there seemed to be having so much fun. I had to start a band after that.
HH: When did you start making music?
Aaron: I actually got my first guitar when i was 10. But I kind of messed around for a few years. It wasn't until high school that i really started to get into it. Wayne, our drummer, and I played our first shows together when we were 14, at a pub in Sydney, in a bad death metal band.
HH: As I understand it, you had another band before you started Daysend. What were the reasons for quitting with your old band and starting Daysend?
Aaron: We all had previous bands. As I mentioned Wayne and myself were playing together early on, and Daysend is actually the third band that we have been in together. Meredith and I were also in a band together previously. The whole reason to get Daysend together was to play music of a higher standard that we had previuosly, with people that were capable and dedicated.
HH: In 2, 5 and 10 years from now on, where do you see Daysend then?
Aaron: I just want us to get better and better at what we are doing, becoming better songwriters and performers.
HH: If you had to compare Severance to a movie, which would that be and why?
Aaron: I have no idea. But you should watch the movie 'Crossroads'. Not the one with Britney, the old one with the karate kid. Steve Vai is in it at the end, there is some cool music by Ry Cooder also.
HH: Most of the most dangerous spiders and snakes of the world live in Australia. Did you ever have an encounter with one of them? By what occation? What feeling was this?
Aaron: I don't go outside much so I don't see many of these creatures. You see spiders a fare bit though, and nobody really cares. But if i see a redback or something you stay away. Some people take off their shoes and squash them, i don't though. I saw a snake in my dads garage once, and that scared the shit out of me.
HH: Now I give you a couple of headwords and I ask you to answer with the first thing that comes to mind: Fosters
Aaron: Nobody in Australia drinks that. Drink Coopers.
HH: Wombat
Aaron: Oh shit! I havn't fed mine today.
HH: AC/DC
Aaron: cigarettes and alchohol.
HH: Talkshows
Aaron: Boring.
HH: Sydney Funnel Web
Aaron: I didn't even know there was such a thing as a 'Sydney Funnel Web'. (Wow?!? - JR)
HH: Thanks for the interview. If there is something you want to say to our readers, please feel free. The last words are yours.
Aaron: Thank You.
JR