interview with This Self Punishment
What´s the name of your band? This Self Punishment
What made you call the band "This Self Punishment"? Don & Grant came up with it. it came to us clearly when were having a conversation about the punishment a person puts themselves through to prove what they are in life.
How was the band formed? The fall of 2005 Don & Grant reunited from their former band Pyka, Zeek joined This Self Punishment in 2007
Where are all band members from? The band is from Ohio.
Who does what in the band? Don (guitars & vocals). Zeek (Bass). Grant (Drums). The band also engineers & masters their own music in our studio.
What was the ambitions of the band when you started? Are ambitions are just to make music for people to listen to
Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? Heavy guitars, quick drums and a nice thick bass. vocals kinda sound like Dave Mustaine(Megadeth) & Chuck Schuldner (Death)
Where was your first gig? We don't play any gigs, were more about making music and getting it out on the internet for people to listen to. we played gigs in other bands and it got old pretty quick...
Who writes your songs? Everyone chips in on writing the songs. we all feed off each other. one person could have a idea & we start playing & the next thing we know were done with the song.
Who writes the music who writes lyrics? Don & Zeek pretty much write the music part. Lyrics are all Grant. he sits down with ideas and after he"s done Don goes through it takes what he likes & screams the vocals.
What's good/bad with the band? Don & Grant (Good..we have fun doing what were doing. Bad...the only thing I can think of is not enough time for jamming)
What genre do you feel you are? Metal
Why did you pick that particular style? Its in our blood, we grew up listening to Metal music and now we're lucky enough to create music for the world to listen to.
What are your songs about? Everything from Politics to Religion. this messed up world we live in
Do you write your own material or mainly covers? We did a couple of covers but we mostly write our music
Have you made any albums? We have 3 albums working on our 4th.
If yes what are they? 1st was a self title album,2nd one was called Reality of Dreams & 3rd was The Absence of Human Activity. the 4th is already named The End to All
Do you have any clips on YouTube? We have a youtube site. (http://www.youtube.com/user/thisselfpunishment?feature=mhum) Check out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuveJjwkee0&list=UU0XxzbgRf4JzEFdOEvtcLQw&feature=share&index=1)
How old are you? Our age's ranges from late 30's to early 40's.
What got you started in music? Don (First time I heard Tony Iommi). Grant (Megadeth) Zeek (A good friend taught me bass)
At what age did you start playing? Don (15) Grant (9) Zeek (14)
How old were you guys when you first stood on stage? Don (17) Grant (9) Zeek (15)
What year was the band started? 2005
Where have you played from then till now? Ohio Valley
What are the plans for the rest of the year? (finishing the 4th album)
What are your goals with your music? Don (to get as much music out as possible)
When did you decide to go all in for the music? Don (23) Grant (19) Zeek (14)
Is it easier to get your inspiration from older bands or from bands more modern? Don (kinda of both for me, I'm old school but bands like meshuggah and the drop tuning I'm in love with) Grant (I'm old school but love the new bands doing alot of double kicks. like Chris Adler Zeek (both)
What are your sources of inspiration? Don (watching life everyday going by) Grant (kinda the same everyday life) Zeek (Just making loud music)
What's the first step when making a new song? Don (I get melody's running in my head so I pick up a guitar & away I go) Grant (whoever comes up with the ideas and i work from there) Zeek (Relax)
How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums? Don & Grant (I have no problem with downloading music, all our music you can download for free) Zeek (wish my internet connection was better)
What would be your dreams for the band? Don (being 70 & still making music) Grant (to get noticed) Zeek(keep on going)
Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? Metal music
What do you hold most dear? Don (other then life would be a 87 BC Rich Ironbird my father bought me...my first guitar) Grant (Family) Zeek (Family)
What would be your greatest fears for the future? Don (Losing good friends) Grant (not to worried about things right now)
What songs and what years were they released? All our songs are released on the internet. for more info go to (http://www.reverbnation.com/thisselfpunishmentband)
Have you been part of any other projects? Don & Grant were in PyKA (southern-metal)
Have you been in any other bands? Don (PyKA) Grant (PyKA)
What would you do if there was no music? Don (I would be lonely) Grant(That would be pretty sad)
How important are your fans? Only in them are we Alive
What's the funniest/most memorable thing a fan has done for you? Don (the coolest thing was a fan got onstage and started headbanging in front of me while I was playing) Grant (played the pink panther and walked off people screaming PyKA.. great night)
How often do you rehearse? about every other week
Where do you rehearse? in our home studio
Name 2 of your own songs you like at the moment? Don (And then there were none & Regrets) Grant (Within this Pain & DysFunctional) Zeek (and then there were none & Children born with no eyes)
What do you feel is the best live band you've seen? Don (Trans-Siberian orchestra 2012 & Lamb of God in 2002) Grant (Pantera before Phil got all messed up)
What drives a band that isn't all that famous and renowned to try to make a living on their music and to keep playing? Don & Grant (for me it's just about getting together and having fun)
Do you have any webpages?
http://www.reverbnation.com/thisselfpunishmentband
https://www.facebook.com/pages/This-Self-Punishment/242777759092879
https://soundcloud.com/this-self-punishment
http://thisselfpunishment.bandcamp.com/
https://myspace.com/thisselfpunishmentband
http://www.spirit-of-metal.com/groupe-groupe-This_Self_Punishment-l-en.html
http://www.myxer.com/search/?q=this%20self%20punishment
http://www.purevolume.com/ThisSelfPunishment
http://www.youtube.com/user/thisselfpunishment?feature=mhum
https://plus.google.com/104431427157799321798/posts
http://www.bandmine.com/thisselfpunishmentband
Any pearls of wisdom for all other bands out there? Don (Just stay at it...keep practicing) Grant (Keep doing what you love to do)
How do you view the music industry of today? (Don theirs alot of good metal mainstream & underground floating around) Grant (Good but their still promoting alot of garbage)
What advice would you like to give other bands? Don (Be .original don't follow a trend) Grant (work your ass off to get what you want)
What are the biggest obstacles for a band? (Don) getting noticed even with the internet it's hard to push music. Grant (getting along)
How would you describe your sound in one sentence? Don (Heavy guitars with alot of double bass.) Grant (old school with a touch of new metal) Zeek (Old School)
Do you have anything to add?Thank you Robex Lundgren
