interview with Hemorage
How is it that you started playing music? We we're friends at first and we started sharing music we like to each other and next thing you know we started talking about starting a band together
What are your names? / Who plays what? / How old are you? Jon - Guitar/Bass/Vocals Toby - Guitar/Bass/Vocals Beto - Drums
Have you had other previous members? Yes we have. We had about 3 Singers and 1 Bassist
Did you make music even when you were young? No we didn't we actually taught each other how to play music. We grew together as a band.
Where are you from? San Francisco, CA
What year did the band form? 2007
What's your style of genre? It's weird, A lot of people consider us, crust punk, grind core, hardcore, metal core, thrash, death metal, groove metal, fastcore, thrash punk to name a few. But we just call ourselves metal
What inspires you? everything and everyone around us. Creativity comes from unexpected places. For example, we got one of our riffs by mimicking sounds that we here from the streets.
How often and where do you rehearse? As a band 3 times a day but as an individual everyday
How have you developed since you started with the music? We've develop resistance, positive mental attitude, pushing things to the limit, business, being social, giving back to the community, hard work, creativity, and appreciation to all kinds of music. We we're able to start a screen printing, video production, music, duplication and promotion company with music because we did everything ourselves.
Do you have other interests of work outside the band? Sort of, everything we do always ties up with the band because all the opportunities we had in our lives wouldn't exist if we didn't play music. So music is always our first priority,
Are you looking for a booking agency, and what are your thoughts around that? No we are not. We can book tours and shows ourselves like we've always been doing it. There are a lot of booking agents are there that only cares about making money. I don't want to outsource anything for this band unless we really have to.
Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that? No we are not. We're not here to cater to a label, We are here to cater to people who loves music. The music business is changing and the need for label is no more because they are stuck in their old ways. Plus we already run a business called Savage People where all our needs as a band is being provided.
What made you decide to make this music? Freedom, music is my ultimate escape from everything that's going on with my life.
What are your songs about? My life and everything that is going on around me. Everything is an inspiration.
Who does the composing and writes the lyrics? All of us. We are all creative people and let each other step up to the plate if they have something in their mind.
Do you start with the music or the lyrics? Either way depending on the situation. Sometimes I'm on the bus or driving and I'll start writing
Do you compose in a certain environment? No, we can write songs anywhere anytime
Have you done any covers live? Yes we have. Not a lot of metal though. We've done LMFAO's Shots, Flo Rida and Taylor Swift and also we've done some hatebreed and trivium. We don;t do a lot of covers now because we'd rather write a song.
What language do you sing in? English.
What are the least and most people to attend one of your gigs? We've played shows where the security guard and the bartender are the only ones there. We also played packed shows specially house shows.
What ages are most of your concert attendants? All ages
Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary? No we change our setlist every time. Depends on our mood.
Do you have a regular place you play live often? Not right now because all the places here in San Francisco is closing down. But we are in the planning on building a mobile stage
What was your first gig like? It was pretty bad but fun!
What was your latest gig? It was intimate. Everyone was a part of the show and it was the last metal show in the venue before it closes down and that made it more emotional.
Have you had to cancel a gig? Yes, A long time ago when we we're young, stupid and unprofessional. But now we don't.
Where have you played live this year? Here in the bay area
Where do you plan to gig the comming year? We are mainly focus on building a more solid foundation with the business side of music so next year we can wild out. But we've been helping touring bands with shows here in the bay area.
When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale? Since the beginning really. at the time we didn't know anything about the business so promoters will make us sell tickets. We know that we weren't going to sell tickets so we sold shirts instead.
Where can people buy your merchandise? savagepeople.net
What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records nowadays? I think it's great. As long as there is a way to get your music that's good with me. In the end of the day, its all about the music. That's why we sell special packages with our music.
How do you think the music industry have changed because of this? I think labels and the music industry should be working with the change rather than trying to eliminate it. The labels are just mad because now artists can go directly to the music lovers. I've seen too many unsuccessful signed artist and they label is not even supporting them.
What do you think of my work? I think it's great. It's always good to shine a light on other artists.
Do you have any role models or idols? Yes I do, I don't really look up to a lot of artists in the metal world now I look up to people like eric thomas, les brown, dave grohl, tony robbins, jack white, macklemore, tech n9ne, to name a few.
Why do you think that they exist? They exist because they are inspirational to others and they always give something back to the community and where they came from.
Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today? Inspiration on writing songs on how unprofessional most bands are and the whole BS politics that goes around in the music scene. Really we haven't been inspired by other bands because they are just in here for themselves. They don't help other people and build a community and make this world in a better place. They just like to live the rockstar life style and party.
What have been your biggest obstacles? Surviving as an artist and turning our passions into careers.
What advice would you give other bands or artists? Never give up. If you give up that will stick with you forever.
How do you get psyched for a gig? We're excited on playing all the time. So, I don't really know how.
Do you have any new material? Yes, always.
What are your web sites?
we have a blog that talks about being in an independent band.
http://hemoragesf.wordpress.com
How can people reach you? 415 666 5320. Shoot me a text and I will get back to you and you can add me on Facebook Jon Orc.
What are your plans for the future? The main goal is to travel and play everywhere in the world. But right now our next step is releasing our album and building this mobile stage.
Do you have something to add? For the bands who are starting out or struggling. Learn about the business. It will change your life.
