interview with INCITE
Have any of you played in other bands? No I’ve only been in Incite, I had some bands when I was really young but those we’re never real o serious. My guitar player has been in Huntress, and Holy Grail. Our bass player came from a band called Autumns End, and our drummer rocked in MOD so we all have had long raging careers
What are your names? / Who plays what?
Richie Cavalera - Vocals
EL - Bass
Eli Santana - Guitar
Lennon Lopez - Drums
Have you had other previous members? Ya the band has a few lineup changes, I think in music it takes time to find the perfect members. I think we have that now and it just feels right in every way. This lineup has been the same for 7 years now so we tight.
Where are you from? The band is based in Phoenix Arizona. But we all live in different cities now.
What year did the band form? The band formed in 2004 but didn’t really become serious in touring and making albums until 2009.
What's your style of genre? We just call heavy metal
What inspires you? Life and the world. Most the lyrics are based off real experiences that we all go through. I like it to be relatable for everyone as we all kinda go through the same things in life.
Are you looking for a booking agency, and what are your thoughts around that? No we have agents that have worked hard and kept the band working constantly. It definitely took time to find the right people. I think agents are the most important part of a bands team. If your agent sucks your band has no chance.
Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that? No we have been very happy with Minushead record for almost 10 years now. They believe in us as we do them. We have built an incredible relationship and Brad Hardie is the coolest label owner on earth. I definitely consider him family.
What are your songs about? Oh wow there about a lot. From drug use, to the planet, debit and struggle, to just life. I’ve had one hell of a life with so many ups and downs and I think we all kinda go through that I’m no different. So I believe there’s a song for everyone and any situation.
Who does the composing and writes the lyrics? Eli, Lennon and El work the music and I work the lyrics. I always want each dude to write his part as it gives each guy the chance to put their feelings into each song and that’s Important for realness and authenticity.
Do you compose in a certain inviroment? No cause you never know when an idea will hit you always gotta be ready for inspiration. But I do enjoy having some whiskey some weed and just write away. It helps to be more open and not hold anything back.
Have you done any covers live? No we’ve actually never played a cover live or on an album. We just never felt like we wanted that to be apart of this band. We always want to be original and our own thing.
What are the least and most people to attend one of your gigs? Hahahah well we played Birmingham UK a few years ago and the only person at the show was the sound engineer and 1 friend we had so 2 people. It was a rager surprisingly. We’ve never cared if there’s 1000’s or 5 we give you the same intense show every single night. The most would have been bloodstock festival last year. There had to of been 10,000 people. It was insane.
What ages are most of your concert attendants? It varies that’s what’s so cool we draw young Metalheads and old Metalheads. Women and men of all music seem to enjoy our style as it’s not to overwhelming or to soft it’s a nice balance for any metalhead to rock out to.
Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary? No we always change the songs up. It’s nice to have 5 albums worth of songs to choose from keeps it fresh and not so repetitive.
Do you have a regular place you play live often? No we tour all over the world. But we’ve probably played The Metro in Salt Lake City more than anywhere else for some reason. The place is always a party.
What was your first gig like? It was horrible we sucked and didn’t sell a single item of merch which was hella disheartening. But it happens.
What was your latest gig? Last night we played Montpellier France at The Secret Place
Where have you played live this year? We played 10 shows in The U.K. and 15 shows all over Europe it’s been a rager. Definitely our most successful headline tour yet.
When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale? We had one shirt at our very first show that just had our logo on it. Haha the shirt sucked but now is 15 years old and I still see people wear them to our shows which is crazy.
Where can people buy your merchandise? Usually at shows or online we have a few stores for people to check out.
What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records now a days? It sucks still cause people have devalued art so much which is unfortunate but at the same time a lot of people that would have never heard you get to cause it’s free and very accessible.
How do you think the music industry have changed because of this?
It’s hard to be a small band starting out as without those sources of income labels don’t want to invest, which makes it hard for any band to grow and become bad ass. We were lucky to start our music at the right time before it became harder.
What do you think of my work? Very cool and much appreciated that you’re helping spread the word for bands and music in general. We need more people like you spreading the word.
How do you think and know that this interview will help you in the music business? Cause you’re readers aren’t all aware of us so anytime you do an interview you have that chance of reaching new Metalheads. Press is everything it’s all about getting your band out to as many people as possible
Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today? We are mostly inspired by older bands as that’s our style of music. I see a lot of amazing up and comers though and that’s a great thing for heavy music.
What have been your biggest obstacles? Oh gosh so many things but I’d say just getting the right band members. That’s been hard but I feel we have found the right guys and this band has no limits now which makes it so exciting to see where we can take this band.
What are your names? / Who plays what?
Richie Cavalera - Vocals
EL - Bass
Eli Santana - Guitar
Lennon Lopez - Drums
Have you had other previous members? Ya the band has a few lineup changes, I think in music it takes time to find the perfect members. I think we have that now and it just feels right in every way. This lineup has been the same for 7 years now so we tight.
Where are you from? The band is based in Phoenix Arizona. But we all live in different cities now.
What year did the band form? The band formed in 2004 but didn’t really become serious in touring and making albums until 2009.
What's your style of genre? We just call heavy metal
What inspires you? Life and the world. Most the lyrics are based off real experiences that we all go through. I like it to be relatable for everyone as we all kinda go through the same things in life.
Are you looking for a booking agency, and what are your thoughts around that? No we have agents that have worked hard and kept the band working constantly. It definitely took time to find the right people. I think agents are the most important part of a bands team. If your agent sucks your band has no chance.
Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that? No we have been very happy with Minushead record for almost 10 years now. They believe in us as we do them. We have built an incredible relationship and Brad Hardie is the coolest label owner on earth. I definitely consider him family.
What are your songs about? Oh wow there about a lot. From drug use, to the planet, debit and struggle, to just life. I’ve had one hell of a life with so many ups and downs and I think we all kinda go through that I’m no different. So I believe there’s a song for everyone and any situation.
Who does the composing and writes the lyrics? Eli, Lennon and El work the music and I work the lyrics. I always want each dude to write his part as it gives each guy the chance to put their feelings into each song and that’s Important for realness and authenticity.
Do you compose in a certain inviroment? No cause you never know when an idea will hit you always gotta be ready for inspiration. But I do enjoy having some whiskey some weed and just write away. It helps to be more open and not hold anything back.
Have you done any covers live? No we’ve actually never played a cover live or on an album. We just never felt like we wanted that to be apart of this band. We always want to be original and our own thing.
What are the least and most people to attend one of your gigs? Hahahah well we played Birmingham UK a few years ago and the only person at the show was the sound engineer and 1 friend we had so 2 people. It was a rager surprisingly. We’ve never cared if there’s 1000’s or 5 we give you the same intense show every single night. The most would have been bloodstock festival last year. There had to of been 10,000 people. It was insane.
What ages are most of your concert attendants? It varies that’s what’s so cool we draw young Metalheads and old Metalheads. Women and men of all music seem to enjoy our style as it’s not to overwhelming or to soft it’s a nice balance for any metalhead to rock out to.
Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary? No we always change the songs up. It’s nice to have 5 albums worth of songs to choose from keeps it fresh and not so repetitive.
Do you have a regular place you play live often? No we tour all over the world. But we’ve probably played The Metro in Salt Lake City more than anywhere else for some reason. The place is always a party.
What was your first gig like? It was horrible we sucked and didn’t sell a single item of merch which was hella disheartening. But it happens.
What was your latest gig? Last night we played Montpellier France at The Secret Place
Where have you played live this year? We played 10 shows in The U.K. and 15 shows all over Europe it’s been a rager. Definitely our most successful headline tour yet.
When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale? We had one shirt at our very first show that just had our logo on it. Haha the shirt sucked but now is 15 years old and I still see people wear them to our shows which is crazy.
Where can people buy your merchandise? Usually at shows or online we have a few stores for people to check out.
What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records now a days? It sucks still cause people have devalued art so much which is unfortunate but at the same time a lot of people that would have never heard you get to cause it’s free and very accessible.
How do you think the music industry have changed because of this?
It’s hard to be a small band starting out as without those sources of income labels don’t want to invest, which makes it hard for any band to grow and become bad ass. We were lucky to start our music at the right time before it became harder.
What do you think of my work? Very cool and much appreciated that you’re helping spread the word for bands and music in general. We need more people like you spreading the word.
How do you think and know that this interview will help you in the music business? Cause you’re readers aren’t all aware of us so anytime you do an interview you have that chance of reaching new Metalheads. Press is everything it’s all about getting your band out to as many people as possible
Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today? We are mostly inspired by older bands as that’s our style of music. I see a lot of amazing up and comers though and that’s a great thing for heavy music.
What have been your biggest obstacles? Oh gosh so many things but I’d say just getting the right band members. That’s been hard but I feel we have found the right guys and this band has no limits now which makes it so exciting to see where we can take this band.
What advice would you give other bands or artists? Continue to move music forward we need to embrace the new bands as the old guys are getting just that old and retiring. It’s time to make sure metal cans go on into the future stronger than ever before.
Do you have any new material? Our latest album was released 1 year ago it’s called “Built To Destroy” it our most successful and kick ass album yet. Check it out if you have not yet.
What are your web sites? @Inciteband for Instagram and Facebook those are the most active websites we have
Do you have something to add? Ya thanks for spreading the word. Thanks to the Metalheads for rocking out. Let’s keep Incite moving to the front of the metal line. We’re here to carry the flag for years to come. Keep it metal and smoke weed everyday
Thanks
Do you have any new material? Our latest album was released 1 year ago it’s called “Built To Destroy” it our most successful and kick ass album yet. Check it out if you have not yet.
What are your web sites? @Inciteband for Instagram and Facebook those are the most active websites we have
Do you have something to add? Ya thanks for spreading the word. Thanks to the Metalheads for rocking out. Let’s keep Incite moving to the front of the metal line. We’re here to carry the flag for years to come. Keep it metal and smoke weed everyday
Thanks