interview with Anient
Have any of you played in other bands? Yes we all have past and present, Dave (drummer) currently plays for Knightmare which currently signed to Metalapolis Records in Ludwigburg Germany. Mark (bass) plays Septerrus a local metal/thrash band. Deo (Guitar) plays Latin music and session stuff for other bands. Rob (vocals) has also done some session stuff. Ben (Guitar) used to play in a garage band called Rayne.
How is it that you started playing music? Dave (drummer) & Ben (guitar) had a mutual friend who used to be in the band. Both members used to play in other bands which was not metal at all, but formed due to similar interests.
What are your names? / Who plays what? / How old are you? Dave Allen - Drummer age 29. Ben Kirkham - Guitar age 39. Deo F.A Aguanta - Guitar age 36. Robert Allen - Vocals age 34. Mark Dawes - Bass age 38.
Have you had other previous members? Yes, our previous member was Troy Bucknall who played bass and vocals, he left due to other interests.
Where are you from? We are quite i diverse band, majority or us are born in Australia, however Rob & Dave have background or Filipino and Irish and Deo is from Bolivia.
What year did the band form? 2005
What's your style of genre? Death Metal, Thrash metal.
What inspires you? Music namely metal music inspires us.
How often and where do you rehearse? We don't rehearse as much as we like these days due to other commitments but we try to do at least fortnightly. We usually rehearse at a rehearsal studio in Dandenong which is in Melbourne.
How have you developed since you started with the music? We definitely have got faster, Ben and I(dave) usually have a speed competition. HAHA
Do you have other interests of work outside the band? Yes majority of us do. I (Dave) have an interest in gaming, PC's, biking riding(mountain bike) Goat curry and Bavarian Beer. Rob also has a interest in gaming and computers especially in arcade machines. Ben's interest are hunting and taxidermy. Mark also like computers, programming and graphic design. Deo is mostly into music however he does some graphic design.
Are you looking for a booking agency, and what are your thoughts around that? We do our own bookings however a booking agency is welcome. Our thoughts are that we would have to discuss terms first and come to a mutual agreement.
Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that? We are looking to promote our stuff further so if being on a label would help this then yes and label deal would be welcomed.
What made you decide to make this music? I'm sure its just like everyone, you have to be interested in music if you want to make music regardless of the genre you play.
What are your songs about? At the start lyrically it was usually about things we hated and revolting against societal norms. But we usually have a visual theme based on fire, which I say fire is destructive and also renew and start again.
Who does the composing and writes the lyrics? Majority of the lyrics are done by myself (dave) now, however Ben has written lyrics for our earlier songs.
Do you start with the music or the lyrics? We always start with music, I think its easier to write lyrics to the music as the music sings itself, if you know what I mean?
Do you compose in a certain inviroment? No, all at home its not very metal at all really. HAHA
Have you done any covers live? During rehearsals we play parts of cover songs for fun but we really believe if you want to play music you should play your own.
What language do you sing in? All in English but I think some Spanish lyrics would be cool for the future, just depends if Rob can do that.
What are the least and most people to attend one of your gigs? A recent one in December we supported King Parrot and that gig would of least been 200 to 300 people, very good gig. The least... 5 people, but you have to start somewhere. HAHA
What ages are most of your concert attendants? Majority of people would have to be in there 20's and 30's, our age group.
Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary? We go through stages were we play the same songs then we get sick of playing the same set list so we add a song drop a song here and there.
Do you have a regular place you play live often? We have played several times at one venue its a nice small intimate place its always fun.
What was your first gig like? Interesting we were all pretty nervous however it was fun. People who knew us prior to playing had no idea we could play the stuff we could play.
What was your latest gig? Latest was at the Reverence Hotel in Footscray, Melbourne which was not a bad turn out especially that it was only organised 2 weeks before the gig.
Have you had to cancel a gig? Unfortunately yes, we try not too but sometimes emergencies happen.
Where have you played live this year? The Reverence Hotel, Boogie Man Bar & The Brunswick Hotel.
When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale? Our first gig we started selling, we had an EP. Got to start early I say.
Where can people buy your merchandise? You can buy our stuff directly from us either at gigs www.facebook.com/anientmetal, or email us at [email protected]. Our First Album is available online on most online stores such as Itunes.
What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records now a days? I think its fine as long as you support the music whether you downloaded it illegally or legally.
How do you think the music industry have changed because of this? Yes for the best and the worst. I loved going to a music shop and buying a CD/Record you have the music and the booklet and artwork the smell of a new product, its like a whole package. You don't get that with downloaded music, however there is easier access to downloaded music. There has been many times going to a music store and they don't have what you are looking for that element sucks.
What do you think of my work? If your promoting small bands because you love music then you are doing a good deed. I don't always agree with cashing in on small bands who are trying to make it.
How do you think and know that this interview will help you in the music business? There are many ways and many promotional tools for bands/music, so if this interview attracts an executive at a big label then that it good for business.
Do you have any role models or idols? We all do, we always strive to be a good as our idols. Mine (Dave) would have to be George Kollias, Gene Hoglan and more so now is Dan Presland from Ne Obliviscaris a great Melbourne band whom now are touring the world.
Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today? We have our influences when growing up so I would say most of our inspirations are from older bands. Also bands of today that have similar inspirations to us.
What have been your biggest obstacles? Probably supporting King Parrot twice. It's quite a big deal for us to support those guys especially that they are doing really well, plus they are fantastic dudes and are very friendly and down to earth, but on stage they are Beasts. HAHA. What a great Band.
What advice would you give other bands or artists? You have to enjoy the music you play, you also have to listen to music a lot. Follow up every opportunity, and also support other bands especially in your local music scene.
How do you get psyched for a gig? I usually have a couple of beers before hand, I would not say I get psyched but I do need to warm up.
Do you have any new material? Yeh we have lots however its just sitting down and compiling what we have to actually make songs. We have many riffs and many ideas.
What are your web sites? Contact us on www.facebook.com/anientmetal, email - [email protected], youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL8b-SPEyqWy6TmbiorIdqw
How can people reach you? Mostly through facebook, but you can also email us.
What are your plans for the future? More gigs more songs and hopefully tour.
Do you have something to add? Feel free to contact us anytime, any addition questions and merch, we are always happy to answer any questions. Stay Betal stay Brutal.
