interview with Seventh Calling

What´s the name off bands? Steve: Seventh Calling
What made you to be baptized to just "Seventh Calling"?  
Steve: After going over many different names...Seventh Calling sounded correct for the style of  heavy metal music.
Who started the band? Steve: Myself (Steve Handel) and old guitarist and good friend Lance Lange who unfortunately had to depart from the group shortly after the release of our first album in 2007.  

Tell us a brief introduction of who you are? Steve: Simply, we are SEVENTH CALLING.  A 3 piece group that writes and performs true heavy metal!  
Where are you from?
Steve: We are currently in Sioux Falls, South Dakota USA

How did you meet? Steve:  Walt (bassist) and I have been friends for many years now, and we have performed together in other bands over the years.  So after changing the lineup when I moved back to Sioux Falls,  South Dakota from Las Vegas,  Nevada Walt was my first pick for the new lineup. Dennis and  I had met through a mutual friend, 'Cory Grosz' whom we both have known also over the years. But, we had never officially met.  When I was just getting done with the Epidemic album touring, Cory knew that I was going to be changing the lineup so he suggested Dennis Pesicka as drummer.  The first time that he and I met was for an 'impromptu' jam back in August of 2012.  The jam went very good as he is now Seventh Calling's drummer.
What is your name?/Who plays what? 
Steve:  My name is Steve Handel.  As I mentioned earlier, we are a 3 piece group.   I am the lead vocalist/lead guitarist.  Walt Basswalker is of course, our bass player.  And Dennis Pesicka is our drummer.  
What was the plan when you started the band?
Steve:  Basically the plan was, and still is to write what we feel is true heavy metal.  

Explain to those who have not heard you, how does your music? Steve:  Our sound is compared to such bands as:  Metal Church, Vicious Rumors, Mercyful Fate, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Firewind, Dream Evil, Wolf.  These are good bands for example of our sound.

Who writes the songs?/Who does the music? Steve:  For the most part I do the writing and guitar riffs for all songs.  On the new record, Walt actually wrote the music line and lyrics for 1 of the songs.  

Who has the best humor? Steve:  That is a good question.  I would say all 3! 

Good and bad sides of the band? Steve:  Honestly, the good side is....It is a good feeling to play as a band and also to perform concerts.  Bad side......just like any business, you have expenses to start.  Those expenses must be paid in order to continue as a band or group.  So it does become a stressful feeling at times also.  

What you drive for music style? Steve:  I don't really know for sure.  I am inspired to write by different subjects for lyrical and musical content.  Hearing a song on the radio or online that I enjoy can inspire me.  Then also, science fiction or current news headlines can inspire me too in regards to lyrics.   Music I approach in a different way than writing lyrics.  I just play what I hear with my thoughts for a guitar line.  No real direction or plan, I just play any riff that I think, and I hope for a song at the end of my playing! HA!

What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Steve:  In the past I have written about werewolves, scientists, Red Baron, Vampires, revenge.  Many topics!  On the new record we have songs that deal with......War,  Senseless violence,  Standing up for your rights,  Fate.....and a few others as well.  

What are your songs about? Steve:  Our song 'Paid in Blood' for example:  Based on a true event from the year 1857 of the brutal slayings of men, women and children.  'The Mountain Meadows Massacre' of The Utah territory.  Then we have the song "Death Dealer' which is a tale of 'roullette' with a man and his magnum.  

Do you own songs or covers? Steve: We are original.  

Have you released any album or single? Steve:  Yes, we have released 2 full length albums so far.

What are they called so, and what years they were released? Steve: MONUMENTS was released in 2007 through Melissa Records and EPIDEMIC was released in 2010 through Heaven and Hell Records

What do you sell for merchendise gadgets? Steve: Right now we have Tshirts and EPIDEMIC albums for sale.  We are getting ready for new merchandise to add along with our new album very soon.  

What does it cost? Steve: The shirts are $15 dollars US  and the Epidemic CDs are $10 Dollars US  www.scmusic.bigcartel.com 

Have you done any music videos? Steve: Only 1 video in the past! HA! Just a plain video of the band jamming.  The song was called 'Blood of the Divine'.
In this fal what drives the songs and the year released the videos?
Steve:  The video was done in....2009 I believe.  This particular song was about a vampire having a nightmare that ALL were vampires and there was no blood left.  
How old were you when you started with music?
Steve:  I was 10 by the time I started playing guitar.

When did you decide to focus on the music? Steve:  Actually getting serious about the industry and music together....2006.

How has your music evolved since you began playing music together? Steve:  It has really been with the musicianship itself of each member.  Over the past year each persons performance live has greatly improved.  It does take some time to learn to perform together as a group. 

What are your dreams with the band? Steve:  To simply continue writing, recording and to expand upon our touring.  

What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Steve:  It is very hard to keep your vision or 'faith' in a band.  Hard to have all members of the same mind.  Or direction.  So that has been my greatest challenge with Seventh Calling.  Keeping the band going.  

What record do you work with? Steve:  Right now we are shopping for a new label for our new record.

Describe your show, visual and musically Steve: Our show is tight, we try to replicate our songs live as best that we can.  And for visual? We are very active on the stage live.
How is it this time of year to get out on the gig?
Steve:  Here it is very good to be out.  Grim Reaper just performed a SOLD OUT concert Saturday night for the Ragnarok Festival in Chicago.  Here where we live people do like to go to concerts any time of the year!
What are your two big favorite songs you done?
Steve:  Right now, I definitely would say with the new lineup and from the new record BATTLE CALL.  The 2 songs would be our title track BATTLE CALL and PERFECT SILENCE.  

What have you participated in the past? Steve:  Nothing major.  For original music, Seventh Calling only.

Have you had any previous bands? Steve:  I have been in a few, yes.  The most recent was a few years ago when I did a 'fill in' position on bass guitar for Kenny 'Rhino' Earl's Angels of Babylon when they toured the US.  Not an official member. That band also had guitar great Ethan Brosh.  It was a fun tour!  Seventh Calling opened that tour and I did double duty as guitarist and singer first and then bassist for them next!  Other than that just local cover music bands.
What do you do besides the band and the music?
Steve:  Well....I enjoy some sports.  Not all sports but some.    When there is time, I enjoy seeing my family and friends.  Most of the time I go as a fan of music to concerts.  It is nice sometimes to be the one in the crowd!

What would you do if the music does not fans? Steve:  I don't know actually.  Keep going and hope it gets fans!  

How important are your fans? Steve:  Fans are the MOST IMPORTANT.  Without fans there would be no crowds,  there would be no market for music.  

What is the best band you live way? Steve:  I have seen so many concerts that were so awesome!  Ok,   GAMMA RAY on their Majestic tour......DESTROYED ME!!!

How old were you at your first concert you saw? Steve:  13 years old

How old were you at your first gig? Steve:  15
What is your goal with your music?
Steve:  To have it heard and enjoyed by fans around the entire world!

How old were you when you were on a stage for the first time? Steve:  Other than a bar stage..16 years old.

Besides your music style you play what do you like the music still enjoy listening to? Steve:  I listen to quite a range of music.  Mellow to thrash and all in between.  

What things are you most afraid of? Steve: HA!  Spiders.

What are you afraid will happen to you in the future? Steve:  I have not thought that far into the future!

What is the biggest fear when you go onstage? Steve:  Breaking a guitar string. 

What drives a band that is not very well known and live on it to continue to play? Steve:  Music is in your blood.  It is part of you.  When you do not have the ability to perform if your are a musician, you become restless, like you are not doing what you are supposed to do.  It feeds you.  It drives you to create and to continue creating.  The music itself drives you.
How often do you repair?
Steve:  I would say about 6 months and I have tech go over my guitars and check all out.  General maintenance.

Where have you played from 2011 to 2014? Steve: In the USA so far. We have played many places over that time.  

Do you always the same songs live or vary it? Steve: We vary.  Some songs we do always perform but not all.  We like to change the list around some times.  

What countries have you played in? Steve: None outside the USA as of yet.  

How do you up for a gig? Steve: Mainly, just mental preparation before the show.  Remembering lyrics, guitar solos,. this sort of thing.

What is your pre-show ritual? Steve: We just gather ahead of time in the dressing room and go over details for our set.  Nothing real major.

Have you had to set up a concert? Steve: I have worked with organizing some concerts in the past. Yes.

Have you toured somewhat over the years 2011 to 2014? Steve: Yes.  

Where do you sleep when you're going on tour? Steve: We usually have hotel rooms when we are out.

How many people usually come to your gig? Steve:  Our crowd keeps growing every time we perform.  Try to do our best so word gets around and also work hard on advertising our shows too.
Where do you plan to play the rest of the year?
Steve:  Tough to say at this point.  First I do know that we will be back out in the California area again in August of this year, and as far as other tours...all is being planned out by management now.
Tell us about your upcoming shows and why we should be there?
Steve:  At this point we have 2 concerts coming up in April.  Not too many shows yet as we are dealing with new merchandise and finishing up business with our new record.  The shows that are on April 24 at Harrisburg SD, USA  and April 26th in Sioux Falls SD USA are going to be the first official shows that we are performing since the completion of our new album BATTLE CALL.  AND You should be there because it is TRUE HEAVY METAL!!  You will leave our concerts begging for MORE!
What do you think of that they go to download music from the internet instead of buying records?
Steve: Either way I am fine with it. I personally choose to buy records. Then I can actually look at the artwork physically instead of just on a computer screen.
What is your outlook on the record industry today?
Steve:  I do not really look at the industry as being much different from the band side.  No matter what, we as a band still have to do what we can to acheive our spot in the sun.  At least that is the hope!
How would you describe your sound in one sentence?
Steve:  Seventh Calling is a TRUE HEAVY METAL band.
What are your favorite substandard instruments?
Steve:  I like the saxophone.

What is the first step to a new song? Steve:  I start with a musical melody line in my thoughts.  Then transpose it to guitar.
Have any of you songs published?
Steve:  Yes, all Seventh Calling music is published.

What image do you think your music conveys? Steve: Classic type image.  Dark clothing, leather, that type of image.
When you do a song where are you going/what inspires your music? Steve:  I travel to the storyline setting of that particular song.  See it, or feel the story emotionally for the right vocal performance.  
What's the best and worst of playing clubs?
Steve:  Clubs have alot of guidelines and rules to follow.  Of course they are to make sure that concerts go as smooth as possible, which is good and bad at the same time.  

What are your web pages?

Steve: www.facebook.com/seventhcalling www.reverbnation.com/seventhcalling www.twitter.com/seventhcalling 

What are your role models before? Steve: The biggest probably Glenn Tipton and KK Downing when it comes to guitar playing.

Is it easier to draw inspiration from older bands than the bands that are active today? Steve:  No I would not say that at all actually. In our genre of music we draw from old and new alike.  

Where is most common that you play? Steve: Right now just the USA.  Hopefully we change that soon. 
What are your plans for the future?
Steve:  We are in preproduction work for our follow up to BATTLE CALL at this time.  So hopefully we will have this one recorded before the end of the year.
What are the main obstacles for the band?
Steve: Just getting this new record out and promoted to the best we can!!  Then getting the proper touring package to begin.
What advice would you give to other bands?
Steve:  No matter what! Keep your focus and stay true and dedicated to the music once you start.  This is a way of life.
Do you have anything to add?I enjoyed the interview very much! Thank you.  Metal fans around the world, we hope to see you all soon.  KEEP THE HEAVY METAL FAITH STRONG!!

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