Interview with Overloaded (September 8, 2005)

Hi, ERiK, Overloaded is a new band from steel (correction – MOTOR CITY – sorry my mistake, Kenn) - city Detroit, which has so far only released a promo CD and not many might know your background, so if you could fill us in on the history behind it all?
ERiK -
Overloaded has been together since August 3rd 2004. Lorenzo, John, Michael, and I all played in an alt/rock band called Inner Recipe. Chris Gillen sang in a cover band. Neither project satisfied any of the musicians involved. Chris’s cover band broke up the same time we were looking for a new singer. We initially wanted Chris to sing Inner Recipe songs. We scratched that idea when we wrote our first song “Feeling Overloaded”. Our new song was 100 times better than any Inner Recipe material and in a more powerful heavy metal direction. We scrapped all Inner Recipe songs and soon changed our name to Overloaded.

How has your music been received by the media?
ERiK -
Our music has been received very well in Europe. There has been some positive American response, but not as much as in Europe. The American Metal scene is mostly focused on Death Metal and Hardcore. Most American Metal Press has little concept of any old school heavy metal values.

Lorenzo - USUALLY BY MAIL. SOMETIMES WE SEND SAMPLES OVER THE NET.  lol

And what were your expectations?
ERiK -
I expected exactly what has occurred. I expected Europe to be more on the ball and still have some old school metal values. American press is more close minded and trendy.

Lorenzo - FOR THEM TO USUALLY RECIEVE IT IN A COUPLE DAYS. OR TO AT LEAST CLICK ON THE LINK AND REVIEW IT. lol 

I know artists don¹t like to put a label on their music - but a spaceship from outer space has just landed in your backyard, and is demanding an answer - so how would you describe your music to an alien from another galaxy?
ERiK -
Head banging heavy metal with real singing. We are a cross of the Thrash Metal Scene ala Anthrax, Metallica, Megadeth, and the Glam Scene ala Cinderella, Crue, Twisted Sister, Guns n’ Roses. We get rid of all the cheese of both genres and focus on the power, melody, and energy.

Lorenzo - IT’S ROCK! JUST ROCK, BABY!!! 

If your music was an emotion, which one would it be?
ERiK – Excitement.

Lorenzo - BLISSFUL ENERGY! 

When I listen to your music it really brings back memories of bands like Love/Hate, Bang Tango, Cinderella etc. – the more raw kind of glam metal bands, who I think has been a huge influence on you guys. Am I way off here, and how do you feel about being compared with such bands?
ERiK -
I’m fine with the comparison. I don’t think we are a rehash wanna be band. Cinderella's “Night Songs” is one of my absolute favorite albums of all time. I think that album is heavier than a lot of the extreme metal out now. I think there is more to us than just glam metal. But currently, if you are not part of the death metal/hardcore trend wagon you are usually summed up as simply “Glam Metal”.

Lorenzo - I DON'T MIND THE COMPARISONS, JUST DON'T LIKE TO HEAR THAT WE RIPPED THEM OFF. BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, SKID ROW DEFINITELY HAD A BIG INFLUENCE ON ME (LORENZO). 


Who and what inspires you when you write a song?
ERiK -
Feeling and emotion. It is very natural. If a riff gets me excited, then I’m on to something. Redundant crap riffs will bore me and I’ll know it’s not happening. The good riffs fill me with power and energy like a hit of LSD.

Lorenzo - INSPIRATION COMES FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS. EVERYONE PRETTY MUCH DOES THEIR OWN PART.

Walk us through the creation of a song?
ERiK - Someone writes a riff. The rest of the band jams on it. If it is a good jam, more parts will happen off the first. We write at least 83% of the music first then Chris starts working with the vocals. From there we arrange and finalize the song.

Which subjects do your lyrics refer to, and who writes them? And what inspires you when you write your lyrics?
Chris Gillen -
I've noticed that most of the lyrics in the songs are about subjects that are bothering me at the time. Slutty unloyal chicks, backstabbing friends, people who don't drink, authorities that destroy the environment, past mistakes, people who use the name of God and religion for their own selfish gain, Satan (and why everyone can use a little dose of the devil in their lives once in a while), and the frustrations of pitiful unsigned rock star life.
I normally search within the greasy filthy vibe of the music to inspire an emotional topic to write about. Sometimes I take a fast food and beer break for further inspiration.

Who has produced and mixed the demo, and are you pleased with the end result, and what could have been done better?
ERiK -
Darren Trentacost and Tim Hicks out of Midwest Studios in Rochester Hills, Mi, USA. These guys know tone. They are a dream to work with. Things move very fast and there is no stress level. I’m extremely happy with the production. The only thing I would have done better on the guitar end of things is the fast power chord riff (second riff) of "King of the Landfill" does not have the power it has live. It sounds tinny and small on tape. I’d just beef up that part w/ another overdubbed guitar to get that live feel of huge power there.

Lorenzo - THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR MORE DRUMS!!!!!!  LOL

The artwork for “Hail the Kingdom” is very simple and to the point, who has done it and is there a deeper idea behind the concept? And don’t you think it’s important to have a great cover?
Michael -
Yes, it’s absolutely essential to have a great cover and great artwork, especially for our genre of music. Unlike garage rock, or other pre-packaged trends in music, heavy metal is a visceral art form. Having a great cover that conveys the band’s attitude and the concept of the CD is an integral part of the overall delivery. Think of the great album artwork of bands like Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest, Def Leppard, and King Diamond – the covers were always an extension of the music. One look at the cover of “Killers” by Iron Maiden, or “Screaming for Vengeance” by Judas Priest and you were cocked, locked and ready to rock. I came up with several concepts for the cover, but the final one, with the monitors stacked in an austere, military-like hallway, was agreed upon by everyone in the band

I bet the title of your demo CD has made some people think: “This is true metal”, so why did you choose that title?
Chris -
"Hail the Kingdom" is derived from lyrics in the song "King of the Landfill" which go..."only demons hail the kingdom, don't you hail the king?" Besides having a ring to it, the title is meant to imply the core of all of the lyrics which entice listeners to live the Overloaded lifestyle.

Michael - The cover of “Hail the Kingdom” simply states that we are but a reflection of what we create, which will eventually come to control us. It’s Nietzsche, Orwell and McLuhan all wrapped up into one, which fits in beautifully with the title of the CD, “Hail the Kingdom” and the song of the same name. It’s about the insane and pointless gluttony of western civilization, and the sad fact that we are all now part of a global “village” where our basic motivations are noted, and feedback registered by corporations that monitor our discrete actions and determine the best way to control us through manipulation of national economies, wars, and racial strife.

ERiK – I view the title as a tribute to the old school of Heavy Metal which is more powerful form of music than the modern extreme metal movement. 

What are the immediate plans for Overloaded, can we expect another demo or maybe an album? I know you have a new promo CD ready (because you were so kind to ship it along with your first demo), but will that one be available to the public or is it meant just for record labels?
ERiK -
Yes, we have a 4 song ep all recorded are ready to go. We are talking to some small labels. If we decide to work with them, then we will not release the 4 song ep. If we decide to remain independent, we will release the 4 song. Our fans are salivating over the ep and want it now!
In the mean time we are writing new material. The song writing process takes time for us.

Do you have any touring plans, or is it only possible to play shows locally?
ERiK -
It is only possible to do local shows or any place within 1 hr of Detroit. Clubs do not pay bands money in the US. Gasoline is too expensive, and we can not afford to tour.

Let’s speculate – you have been granted a free slot on a tour of your own choice – who would be your ideal touring partners?
ERiK -
There are so many fantastic bands. Judas Priest, Cinderella, Iron Maiden, Anthrax, Scorpions…  Even Metallica, Megadeth, or Crue because even though I don’t like their new material, our sound has a lot of the energy and power they used to have. Their fans would really get it.
As for newer bands that are great Avenged Sevenfold and Brand New Sin.

Lorenzo - WELL THERE'S NOT THAT MUCH TO CHOSE FROM THAT ARE CURRENTLY TOURING. BUT I'D HAVE TO SAY: IRON MAIDEN, MOTLEY CRUE, ALTER BRIDGE , VELVET REVOLVER, DEF LEPPARD, THE 2005 ROCK NEVER STOPS TOUR featuring CINDERELLA, RATT, QUIET RIOT AND FIREHOUSE.  I THINK WE'D BE A PERFECT OPENER FOR ANY OF THOSE BANDS.

What kind of wishes and expectations do you have for a record label and management?
ERiK -
A label/management team that can get us on the road and allow us to be full time musicians who’s only job is to write music and perform.

Lorenzo - $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 

The internet is a very important source for many metal fans – how do you use the internet and how important is it for you and other bands?
ERiK -
Incredibly important. We sell many Cd’s to Europe through Cd baby. We’ve gathered a lot of fans on our myspace page. Obviously there is the official website. The webzine reviews and interviews are tremendously important. I also read about up and coming bands on music related websites.

Lorenzo - TO FIND PORN!

And how do you feel about the glam metal scene at the moment, if it even exists?
ERiK -
There is a strong scene here in Detroit for veteran glam bands such as Stephen Pearcy, Skid Row, etc. We have been very successful moving merch to the fans of those bands. Any glam band who wasn’t a superstar previously in their career is going to have an extremely hard time. American people only go to see bands that are or were popular with the media. The glam scene (basically any metal that isn’t death metal) is not acknowledged by most media which is devastating. American media is fascinated with hip hop culture and what metal they do push is all death metal.

Lorenzo - IT'S NON-EXISTENT. AT LEAST AROUND HERE. 


Which song do you consider to be the best one you have ever written?
ERiK – Hellfire.

Lorenzo - HELLFIRE. IT IS MY FAVORITE

Which song do you wish you had written and why?
ERiK – “Trapped Under Ice” by Metallica – unrelenting power.

Lorenzo - BORN TO BE WILD. and why? BECAUSE IT'S THE MOST USED SONG IN MOVIES. IMAGINE HOW MUCH ROYALTY $ IT'S GENERATING!!!!!

Name an album, person or event that has had a huge influence on your life … and why?
ERiK –
“Night Songs” by Cinderella is amazing from start to finish. Great guitar tone, unmatched riffs and solos, great song structure writing, the singing is just sick. Tom Keifer’s voice is way more brutal than all the extreme metal clowns.

Lorenzo -  DEEP PURPLE- MADE IN JAPAN  person RITCHIE BLACKMORE … or event that has had a huge influence on your life and why?  TAUGHT ME HOW TO PUT EMOTION AND YOUR BODY INTO THE MUSIC. AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO SOUND AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN TO THE RECORDING WHEN PERFORMING LIVE. THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. CAN YOU PULL IT OFF LIVE? IF YOU CAN'T..............................YOU SUCK!!!

Which music do you personally listen to at home?
ERiK -
Top 3 albums I bought this year – Judas Priest - Angel of Retribution, Avenged Sevenfold – City of Evil , Brand New Sin – Recipe for Disaster.

Lorenzo - FROM SKID ROW AND DEEP PURPLE, AND FROM ENYA TO KEITH URBAN. 

Vinyl has had a small comeback lately – do you still prefer “the old sound” or are you a CD/DVD kind of guy?
ERiK -
I’m a cd/dvd type of guy.

Lorenzo - VINYL ONLY FOR THE ARTWORK. BUT FOR SOUND AND SALES, CD/DVD. HARDLY ANYONE HAS A RECORD PLAYER ANYMORE. 

Last question - do you have any famous last words for our readers?
ERiK -
Lars Ulrich was right to sue Napster. I teach kids guitar and I know for a fact that most kids steal anything through the internet including movies, video games, and music. This stealing is bullshit and it will destroy the music industry. Artists and their management need to be supported financially. Ten dollars is not too much to ask to purchase their life’s work.

Lorenzo - YA, THIS ONE GOES OUT TO ALL THE LED ZEPPELIN FANS OUT THERE...................... DEEP PURPLE RULES!!!!! 

Overloaded is:
Chris Gillen – Vocals
ERiK Kluiber – Lead Guitar
Michael Massie – Bass
Lorenzo Gonzalez – Drums
John Sullens – Rhythm Guitar

A huge thanks to ERiK and Overloaded, and all the best of luck in the future to them.
Kenn

Overloaded - Hail the Kingdom

Click on the album to see more info on Overloaded.

See my review here.