Just back from the road Bryan Spinks of SAMOTHRACE found some time to answer a couple of questions about the band and their debut album "Life's Trade" that's one of my favorite Doom releases of the last year.
When did you form SAMOTHRACE, on a trip to the Greek island with the same name?
Spinks: Nah, we've never been. There had been discussions between us members of starting the band in 2005, but we couldn't all move to Lawrence, KS until I belive April '06. Once we were all in the same town we began writing. I should say we had no drummer. It was the fall of '06 when we found our first drummer. We began playing, gigging, and after another drummer came in, touring shortly thereafter.
Please tell us about the actual album “Life’s Trade”?
Spinks: "Life's Trade" is our first official release. The CD/2xLP versions came out on the label 20 Buck Spin. It took close to 1 1/2 years for us to get the material written and things in oder to enter the studio. We went to producer/friend Sanford Parker at Semaphore Studio in Chicago, IL to head the recording helm. We are all very pleased with the outcome.
Which themes have influenced the lyrics?
Spinks: The lyrics are influenced by a variety of things pertaining to political and social strife. The oppressed and the oppressor. However, we do try and get the main point across with as few words as possible. Sort of a more poetic approach to the lyrical structure than a call and response.
Who is the writer for the group?
Spinks: While I tend to write most of the songs riffs and stuctures, or the "skeleton" as we call it, it takes us all to complete any given track to it's fullest potential. We really do spend a good amount of time figuring out all the possible melodies and note structures that will complement any given riff or progression. From there we can pice together what we feel to be the best way to lay down each riff.
Who is responsible for the fantastic cover artwork/LP design?
Spinks: That award goes to artist David V. D'Andrea. He has done some amazing artwork with the liks of Om, Witchcraft, Asunder, Graves at Sea, and the list goes on. He is an amazing artist. We are very stoked with how the artwork turned out.
All SAMOTHRACE members have individual involvements in the DIY Punk/Hardcore/Metal community. How did you guys decide on what the band would sound like?
Spinks: We all had conversations over the phone before choosing to and subsequently meeting up in Kansas. I had been without band for a short while and our original guitarist, Renata, and myself were really working hard to write and layer some material to start jamming. The riffs were the music we wanted to hear, but played and written by us. I mean that to sound in no way egotistical. It really was my goal to write songs I would want to hear on my stereo during a good session.
What bands have influenced your sound?
Spinks: We have extremely varied backgrounds, musically speaking. We have all been a part of the metal/punk cummunity for a long time now, but we also have other musical interests on an individual basis that in no way directly pertain to Samothrace. I guess I'd say we are influenced by all the bands we listen to, together and individually. That being said, we have a great deal of respect for those who came before us. Cheers to them all!
The whole band has left Lawrence. Why did you all move to Seattle?
Spinks: Most of us had been in Kansas and Oklahoma our whole lives. It was time to get out, man. Seattle had been on the list of options for some time now and since our new guitarist was already living there, it seemed like a natural choice. We've got many good friends out here.
Are there plans touring Europe? Many would appreciate this.
Spinks: Yes, we difinitley plan to tour Europe. We just want to make sure the time is right. We were thinking of doing one more full U.S. tour this fall and then starting to plan a European tour. We'll keep everyone updated when we know more.
Are you working on new material?
Spinks: We are currently writing new material for our next full length and a split LP, both to be released by 20 Buck Spin. We will have more info soon, but the split is looking like it will be killer! We also have a rad split lined up for I'm Better Than Everyone Records with our good friends The Roller from Austin, TX. More info on all this as things become more solidified.
Any final words?
Spinks: Thanks for all the support. It really is truly appreciated. Hails and cheers.
Links:
Samothrace - HOMEPAGE
When did you form SAMOTHRACE, on a trip to the Greek island with the same name?
Spinks: Nah, we've never been. There had been discussions between us members of starting the band in 2005, but we couldn't all move to Lawrence, KS until I belive April '06. Once we were all in the same town we began writing. I should say we had no drummer. It was the fall of '06 when we found our first drummer. We began playing, gigging, and after another drummer came in, touring shortly thereafter.
Please tell us about the actual album “Life’s Trade”?
Spinks: "Life's Trade" is our first official release. The CD/2xLP versions came out on the label 20 Buck Spin. It took close to 1 1/2 years for us to get the material written and things in oder to enter the studio. We went to producer/friend Sanford Parker at Semaphore Studio in Chicago, IL to head the recording helm. We are all very pleased with the outcome.
Which themes have influenced the lyrics?
Spinks: The lyrics are influenced by a variety of things pertaining to political and social strife. The oppressed and the oppressor. However, we do try and get the main point across with as few words as possible. Sort of a more poetic approach to the lyrical structure than a call and response.
Who is the writer for the group?
Spinks: While I tend to write most of the songs riffs and stuctures, or the "skeleton" as we call it, it takes us all to complete any given track to it's fullest potential. We really do spend a good amount of time figuring out all the possible melodies and note structures that will complement any given riff or progression. From there we can pice together what we feel to be the best way to lay down each riff.
Who is responsible for the fantastic cover artwork/LP design?
Spinks: That award goes to artist David V. D'Andrea. He has done some amazing artwork with the liks of Om, Witchcraft, Asunder, Graves at Sea, and the list goes on. He is an amazing artist. We are very stoked with how the artwork turned out.
All SAMOTHRACE members have individual involvements in the DIY Punk/Hardcore/Metal community. How did you guys decide on what the band would sound like?
Spinks: We all had conversations over the phone before choosing to and subsequently meeting up in Kansas. I had been without band for a short while and our original guitarist, Renata, and myself were really working hard to write and layer some material to start jamming. The riffs were the music we wanted to hear, but played and written by us. I mean that to sound in no way egotistical. It really was my goal to write songs I would want to hear on my stereo during a good session.
What bands have influenced your sound?
Spinks: We have extremely varied backgrounds, musically speaking. We have all been a part of the metal/punk cummunity for a long time now, but we also have other musical interests on an individual basis that in no way directly pertain to Samothrace. I guess I'd say we are influenced by all the bands we listen to, together and individually. That being said, we have a great deal of respect for those who came before us. Cheers to them all!
The whole band has left Lawrence. Why did you all move to Seattle?
Spinks: Most of us had been in Kansas and Oklahoma our whole lives. It was time to get out, man. Seattle had been on the list of options for some time now and since our new guitarist was already living there, it seemed like a natural choice. We've got many good friends out here.
Are there plans touring Europe? Many would appreciate this.
Spinks: Yes, we difinitley plan to tour Europe. We just want to make sure the time is right. We were thinking of doing one more full U.S. tour this fall and then starting to plan a European tour. We'll keep everyone updated when we know more.
Are you working on new material?
Spinks: We are currently writing new material for our next full length and a split LP, both to be released by 20 Buck Spin. We will have more info soon, but the split is looking like it will be killer! We also have a rad split lined up for I'm Better Than Everyone Records with our good friends The Roller from Austin, TX. More info on all this as things become more solidified.
Any final words?
Spinks: Thanks for all the support. It really is truly appreciated. Hails and cheers.
Links:
Samothrace - HOMEPAGE
