Last time I interviewed you, it was 2015. At that time you had mentioned a project you were starting, but couldn't reveal. That project was the doom, gloom, and ripping riffs of Volcana. What brought about the forming of this band, and how did you come to have the members that are a part of it now?
VS - I've always had material I couldn't use for Vindicator for one reason or another. Stuff I might cough up warming up to write for Vindi. Fleeting inspirations that didn't quite fit the thrash formula. Instead of tossing those ideas out or changing Vindicator's sound, I kept them. I've always been a fan of The Sword's early work and eventually how Matt Pike writes for High On Fire. And during the early stages of what would become Vindicator's longest hiatus to date, I started a studio project.
I've known Jeff [Potts] for some time given we got our start in the same scene. The New Wave Of Thrash Metal were a tight knit group. I've shared the stage with Jeff numerous times. And I met Glen [Monturi] when Vindicator toured with Seven Witches and Vicious Rumors in 2012. Glen was filling in for Seven Witches on drums. I was blown away watching him perform that first night. And in a very short period of time, we hit it off. I stayed in contact with him over the years. When I decided to no longer sit idle and make some new music that wasn't Vindicator, I knew I wanted to hit up people I'd never worked with before. Those two individuals were the first two I contacted.
The first release for Volcana was in 2016 entitled "A Lion Among Jackals". Did it take long to record that, and where did you record it? Did you also do the mixing for it?
VS - The guitars on Lion were actually recorded in 2014 sometime. I let the project slide momentarily for one reason or another and several songs sat in various forms of completion up until 2016 when we fired the project up again. Each member recorded tracks on their own using their own gear at their own place (home/rehearsal pad). For mixing and mastering we hit up Tim Holsinger. Tim knows his way around some gear and has access to mountains of stuff that we don't. He knew exactly what I was going for.
Did you use the same guitar gear to get the tone you wanted for the doom feel for Volcana as opposed to what you used for Vindicator?
VS - I did not. I actually had Tim re-amp the guitars on that release. For the life of me I can't remember specifically what he used, either. There's a couple different amps on it. Although I believe one is of the Orange variety.
Had you wanted to do this sort of project for a long time, and had you had plans for songs well before the band came to fruition?
VS - Not really. I never wanted to take away from Vindicator. I always saw my peers doing side projects and could never understand how they did it. How the two were balanced. Initially the ideas came quick. And then I got distracted by trying to save Vindicator from its untimely break. When the dust settled I found myself in the same position. And at that point I decided to take Volcana on full time. Which isn't technically "full time" due to its being a studio band.
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| Photo Cred Ryan Lawson |
While writing the songs, did you have help in doing so from other band members, or this mostly your project- music wise?
VS - Lemme tell you something, I'm not trying to toot the proverbial self horn, but EVERY band I've done (up until recently) is me. Also take that statement with a grain of salt. But when you hear a song from Violent Night, Vindicator, and Volcana the odds that I wrote it are high. NOT out of some weird narcissistic egotism, but out of sheer necessity. I'm a doer. I'm goal oriented and very driven. In Volcana, Glen writes all the bass and drums, Jeff writes the solos and certain accent tracks, and I write the riffs, lyrics, and arrangements. There are exceptions though, in every project I've done.
What are some of the bands that have influenced you the most over the years, and which seem the most prominent to you at this point in your life, or has it always been the same bands that held up through the years for you?
VS - With Volcana I tend to focus more on stoner rock/metal, doom, traditional metal, and rock. As I mentioned before, The Sword has been a huge influence on this project as has been High On Fire. Volcana isn't reeeaaaally a doom band. We're just filthy basement orcs playing dust covered, oxidated, heavy rock. What's truly great about writing for Volcana though is there's no bars here. I have no expectations, therefore I have no restrictions. So I find inspiration easier for this band than previous bands.
"A Lion Among Jackals" is a hard hitting release for sure- would you say the title track reflects your veiws on society, somewhat? In the fact that good people seem scarce, and thinking for one's self seems almost a strange matter in today's society?
VS - I pulled the concept from a steampunk novel I had recently read. The idea of a nobody that was in fact a somebody, and not just any somebody, but a savior, was very appealing to me. The parallels of that character and the world at large, while completely coincidental, are nearly uncanny.
Volcana is on the record label "Austenitized Records". Can you tell us a little about them, and how you came to be on it?
VS - We actually licensed A Lion Among Jackals to Austenitized Records to be pressed on seven inch. Originally released as a digital only single, my personal mantra of "zero expectations" paid off hard when talks about a seven inch were being had. I've known Luke for some time. He was wanting to start an indie label and looking to cut his teeth on a release. We were fortunate enough to be that release.
Do you feel you are able to explore more facets of your voice and guitar playing by starting Volcana? And how would it compare to how you performed and wrote in Vindicator?
VS - Absolutely. I can utilize less grit and more melody at times. Even, dare I say, vocal harmonies. Volcana songs are typically not fast. The riffs are more rock, less tech. The downfall is, having no restraints whilst writing this stuff comes at a price. In Vindicator, the songs were constructed to be performed live. In Volcana, I write with an unabashed sense freedom. In short: I have no fucking clue if I could perform these songs live. And I'm not at all concerned about that as it's doubtful we'd ever perform live. But one can never tell...
Having been married for ten years and having children, how would you say that affected your life, both musically and overall?
VS - Musically, without Sarah, Vindicator would not have accomplished ninety percent of what we did. She was acting manager, booking agent, tour manager, merch person, driver, graphic designer, and photographer for many years. The introduction of kids, doesn't complicate things as much as most would believe. It DOES make being a musician a bit more of a challenge, but it doesn't end careers. Volcana certainly fits best in a life with kids. But Vindicator would too if I had the people. You have to make things work after a certain point. I don't see myself touring the world for months at a time for either project. Give up? Why not just toss in that stinky, shit covered towel??? Fuck that. I'll stop when I stop. On my own terms.
Do your kids dig your music, and like genres?
VS - My house is very musically eclectic. My kids love pretty much all music. But they hear mostly metal, and for the most part, dig it all. I do catch my daughter singing along with Volcana. It's extremely awesome.
What are some of your views on life, and do you feel they are heavily reflected in your songwritting and playing? Would you feel that that was stronger in Vindicator, or in Volcana? Or have both of them been two separate parts of your life, or feelings during that period in your life?
VS - Life is short. It's fragile. It's the fastest thing you'll experience. While it's easy to get yourself stuck in mud, slow down, and take in your surroundings. The mud will dry, but your surroundings will change. Vindicator was an outlet for anger and frustration. Volcana is just about making music its members dig. No specific or intentional views or opinions, for the most part. So I suppose, my views were stronger in Vindicator. Those views and feelings haven't gone away. Should we ever find the right people for the group, those feelings will still be there, waiting to snap some necks.
Has Volcana played any live shows yet, and are there any future plans to play a good amount of shows?
VS - No. And no. Having said that, playing shows isn't wholly out of the question. Jeff is in Cali, Glen in Jersey, and myself right in the middle in Ohio. It's more likely Bolt Thrower will play a few reunion shows than we'll ever be able to pull off a gig. Again, you never know. Should, say, a decent fest come our way, maybe we pull it off? Until then, making heavy music for people willing to hear it is enjoyable enough.
What are your thoughts on up and coming metal bands today? At least in terms of aesthetics vs. quality in music. I'm asking because I feel most times a lot of bands find it trendy to wear the studs and spikes, while others wear it because it's what they love, while others wear it to almost mask the lack of talent. Thoughts on that?
VS - Look, gimmicks have ALWAYS existed in music and anyone who says otherwise is lying to themselves. Lyrical content is a gimmick in itself. I don't care what a band looks like (for the most part) as long as I like their music. And music is absolutely subjective. Music I love may be hated by someone else. My thought's on current music trends? There's nothing new, it's a never ending cycle, find music you love and support the hell out of it. Everyone was/is a poser, so own who you are.
Are there any plans to go to another record label any time soon? And what are your thoughts on Rise Above Records? Lee Dorrian has some awesome bands on there, and I feel Volcana would be welcome among them.
VS - Currently we are free agents. We'll poke around and see what's out there that's fair for us. I think Rise Above's roster is gorgeous. Would we fit on the label? I'm inclined to agree with you.
If you could give any musician who is new to playing and gigging any advice, what would it be?
VS - ALWAYS keep your wits about you. There are good people out there who genially want to further you in your goals, but there are twice as many scumbags. Don't be a dick. Support the bands your sharing the bill with. And for fuck's sake, be a fucking professional. No matter how small you are. Carry yourself like you're signed to Capitol. What I mean by that is, be courteous, on time, and be respectful of others. But most of all, have fun. If you're not having fun, you're in it for the wrong reasons.
Besides playing guitar, do you play any other instruments, or would like to play different ones sometime in the future?
VS - I can play basic bass. Some rustic percussion instruments. I wish i could play everything: piano, violin, etc. But drums, I really wish I could play drums. I'd settle for playing way up high on the tiny strings, though.
What are some hobbies you have, and have they changed over the years? Because I'm pretty sure I asked you in the last interview, but some people might not have seen it, and they might have changed a bit since 2015.
VS - I'm wondering if I shouldn't review that original interview myself to see what I said... Aside from creating music I enjoy reading, sampling a variety of beers, watching a variety films and shows, occasionally building shitty shelves, I'm just an ordinary guy when it comes down to it. Over the past several years I've slowly become obsessed with gear videos. Especially pedal demos. I should probably seek out professional help.
In order to do what you love, you have to have a job to support that... unless you win the lottery a lot or something. What job do you have now, and how do you feel about it?
VS - I'm a stay at home Dad. It doesn't pay for anything. It saves my household a boatload of money in child care. Not to mention I have trust issues, so leaving my kids with people I don't know has never sat well with me. I love it. My kids absolutely test every fiber of my being on a daily basis, but it's still better than an awful nine to five. Houses were supposed to be able to take care of themselves in the future. We're in the future and all we have is the Roomba. No self washing dishes, no self emptying garbage, no talking cats. Needless to say, a house occupied by a family doesn't take care of itself.
Have you ever considered dabbling or mastering other genres with another band, and what would that be?
VS - Not really. I just do what I do and now I have an outlet for everything I do. Vindicator gets the thrash, Volcana gets everything else. I'm pretty content where I'm at.
What are some things you think are the most important in life, and what are some things you have in mind for the future, whether it be musical, or just anything?
VS - Respect and family. I don't really have anything in mind for the future, to be honest. My only real plan is to keep writing music. I'll stop writing when everyone stops listening.
What are some future goals for Volcana, and how do you feel about the progression of your career in metal thus far?
VS - Building our catalog. Volcana is constantly in writing mode. I've accomplished more than most at this point in time. And there's still a boatload I haven't (and may never) accomplish. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy with where I'm at, no matter how disgruntled I might appear at times. For being a nobody, I've done quite a bit and will slowly continue to accomplish.
