Interview: Etienne Sin

Interview @ 3/30/2011

 Add him here on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000457663674

Check out his website at: http://etiennesin.com/

Etienne Sin is one of the leaders in independent post-hardcore. Fresh off of his release "The Legend The Leader EP" with the legendary Jordan Blake (ex-A Skylit Drive, Watchout! There's Ghosts, Trances), Etienne Sin is a artist to keep an eye on. He also has various other projects to help out anyone with recording, screaming, and other aspects of the music making/music business. Read below to learn more about his projects and to view someone who works with and for his fans, not for the industry.

Q: Tell the readers how did the idea of making "The Legend The Leader EP" with Jordan Blake come to fruition?

ES: The Legend. The Leader EP, well that was all Jordan's idea. I hit him up one day, asking him just to do a song together. He liked what I was doing and wanted to do an entire project. We agreed, got my manager involved and we made magic. It was all really simple and straightforward stuff. I threw some instrumentals together in the studio a few days before he came, and once he was here, we just sang over them!

Q: I loved that EP by the way (readers can read my review I gave on the EP Here). It was a fresh breath of air while staying true to the origins of post-hradcore/screamo. What was the catalyst that made you want to make music?

ES: I make music because it's inside my head, and I need to get it out. I don't know why, or what started it all, but all I know is that I do it because I feel like I need to. My parents really influenced me to get started for sure, but after a little while, It was something that just needed to be done for the sake of my sanity.

Q: I've noticed that you have a lot of covers on your website etiennesin.com. What was your favorite song that you've covered so far?

ES: Yeah, the covers. They do what they have to haha. My favorite would probably be To Plant A Seed by We Came As Romans. It was my personal best. 

Q: Love that song by the way. What serves as your biggest inspiration to go out and make music?

ES: My girlfriend inspires me to make something of it. I could make music forever for no reason, but she's really the reason I do my best to make it a career and to make it successful!

Q: Who are your biggest idols and why?

ES: If we're talking about musical idols, it's all over the place. I'm a huge fan of Death Metal and Black Metal. Bands like Carcass, Decapitated, Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir, and Arch Enemy really got me into making heavy music. THAN I can tell you my other inspirations that are on the other side of music. Pop artists like, Christina Aguilera, Oh Land, and Demi Lovato are some of the few. Rappers like DMX, The Game, Nikki Minaj, etc. I'm everywhere with musical idols!

Q: Wow, I honestly wasn't expecting death metal. That is truly awesome though! Carcass, Dimmu Borgir and Arch Enemy are some of my very first bands that I was exposed to. Do you have any upcoming releases (solo or with other music artists) in the pipelines right now?

ES: Upcoming releases: ALWAYS!. I have a few more free solo songs coming out before the summer, than I'll be coming out with another solo EP around June. 

With my new company "Etienne Sin Productions", I'll be working with artists from all over the US, leading an independent movement of hardcore bands called "The Sin Circle". It'll be big, so stay tuned for that! =)

Q: I have no doubt it will be big! What is the overall message that you're trying to send with your music?

ES: My message, live life and love it. Love your woman (or man) and family, don't be a disrespectful person, and take control of your destiny or let it take you where you need to be in life.

Q: What would you say is your biggest musical accomplishment so far?

ES: My biggest musical accomplishment so far would be all the music fans that call themselves fans of my music! It's amazing to get all of the support from fans, so I'll put that at the top of the list of biggest musical accomplishments.

Q: What other hobbies do you have?

ES: I don't have too much hobbies because music takes up so much of my time. Any day off, I'm with my girl, but If I have a few hours I'll play some video games. I'm a big fan of Halo, Mass Effect, Call Of Duty, and stuff like that. I like to watch some NCIS or some Anime. Other than that, I like going airsofting with a few of my friends. That's about all I do though.

Q: What was the first song you made or covered?

ES: I've been making songs since I was 10, so I honestly don't remember. Same thing with covers, I have so many, I don't remember which or what came first.

Q: I've also noticed you have a variety of other projects. Tell your fans a little bit about them.

ES: I have many things that I do. Etienne Sin is my solo project. As for Etienne Sin Productions "The Sin Circle", I'm on a few of the bands EP's either as an artist, producer, or both.

I have collaborations with Jordan Blake, and an amazing drummer from Germany called Blastphemer. 

I do all of my projects to stay versatile both as an artist and a producer.

Q: Ever wonder about coming out with a DVD release of Scream School?

ES: Yes, I'm making a screaming DVD called "Dreaming Of Screaming", set to release in late April.

Q: I cannot wait for that! I know I need some lessons haha. What is the strangest fan experience you've had so far?

ES: I honestly don't think any experience is strange. Everyone is different and everyone acts how they are. I don't like to call anything strange.

Q: What sort of advice can you give fans who are trying to form their own bands?

ES: Advice, just don't stop. Don't let anyone take control of your destiny. Seize it for yourself, if you want it, you have to own it. Listen to anyone who's got a band out there, just hit me up, and I'll guide you down the right road.

Q: Any shout outs you want to give?

ES: Shout outs to my girl for sure! To my friends who always come through to help in all of the music videos and to all of the fans who show their constant support!

Q: Any last words for your Sinners?

ES: Just to stay tuned for all of the new music and stuff that I'm making for you guys! =)

**Sinner**

Interview: J.P of Get Shot!

Interview @ 3/30/2011
Add them on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/getshotrocknroll
And "like" this page: http://www.facebook.com/getshotslutpunk?ref=ts

About to release their debut album "Keepin' It Sleazy" on May 20th after playing just about every club in Sacramento, Get Shot! are ready to resurrect a long-lost era of Rock N Roll with a fresh tinge of "Slut Punk." Since the industry of movies and music has a history of old trends making a come back and being called retro, then these guys will be among the names of other bands we will read about 5 years from now when rock n roll makes its long overdue comeback. Lead singer J.P. (middle, shirtless gent above) has decided to answer some questions for the amusement of his fans.

Q: So what year did you form your band? How did you all meet?

J.P.: We officially formed in October 2008. Steele (lead guitar) and I met when we were like 15 or 16 and were in a few epic fail bands together. we partied 24/7 together and picked up all the hot stoner chicks in an old T-Bird boy! there are enough stories to write a series of trashy sex novels. Cheryl and I met in 2005 and were in The Alibis together. Cheryl is actually a bass player first and really wanted to play drums after our original drummer, John Morrison moved to Austin, TX to fuck more girls. He slept with most of Sacramento and was much inspiration at the founding of this band. Noodle and I have known each other probably around a year through mutual friends and is probably the coolest member in the band. Scott randomly played tamborine while we played an acoustic set for a Toys for Tots benefit last November and responded to our ad seeking a new bass player after Kevin quit.

Q: Ah yes every successful band needs a tambourine player haha. So what's the story behind the name "Get Shot?"

J.P.: We used to practice at John's (original drummer) apartment right over the i street bridge above a liquor store. the only time we COULD NOT practice was from 7am til 9pm. We would have crazy parties with hella girls!  Every so often  we would hear gunshots coming from the streets of West Sac not to mention its cool to take shots of whiskey and shoot your load on a chicks face. I also thought it was better than calling ourselves Dick Slap.

Q: I would definitely take my girl to go see a band by the name of Dick Slap. Quickest way to get laid! What has been your biggest challenge being a rock n roll band in a city full of punk and hardcore bands?

J.P.: Thats the exact point of why Get Shot! exists! Sacramento has a great music scene with lots of great bands and musicians but I feel everyone has their "click" of punk, hardcore, pop-punk, metal... ect.   There are a few other bands that play 80's style rock and hair metal but they cater to a 40's plus crowd. We want to be Sacramento's CRAZY ROCK 'N' ROLL BAND!!!!

Q: Sacramento really needs a breath of something new amongst the standard hardcore/punk/metal bands that form. So can you tell your fans a little about "Slut Punk" and its overall message? What made you want to create this subgenre?

J.P.: We don't want to sing about how fucked up society is, religion, politics or being depressed about how your girlfriend left you for another dude. Guess what? One of us was probably "that other dude". We just
want to talk about the good things in life. Sex. Drugs. Rock 'n' Roll. Period!!!

Q: Yes very good point! We definitely need more positive thinking like that! When you're not playing music and banging sluts, what other hobbies keep you busy?

J.P: Steele is an amazing guitar player and probably the most creative motherfucker I know. He is the frontman of Zero for Zero and created this crazy guitar, modified pickups with two outputs. the sixth and maybe 5th strings are bass strings with bass pickup and that runs into a bass amp when the other guitar strings run through a guitar amp!! He also teaches guitar and drum lessons.

Cheryl has been in every band. Not really but almost. From math rock, punk rock, brazialian jazz fushion, she's done it. Get Shot! is her first band playing drums in and she just kills in the rhythm section all together.

Noodle or Newell is a great mechanic!!! He wants to fix your car and gives great rates to hot single girls. Noodle has played quite a few reputable bands such as Longway and Massacre Time to name a few. He is also currently in a new streetpunk band called City of Vain.

Scott is the baby in the band. He is 19 and no one ever asks him for his ID. Scott also plays in a metal band called Death and Discord. When Scott isn't rocking out he's doing what 19 year old boys do. BANG CHICKS!!!

I went to the police academy and I used to bounce in gang banger bars in South Sac.

Q: What was your guys first song as Get Shot?

J.P: I think it was Bestfriend. If not that, steal your girlfriend and tommy tag team were the other first songs.

Q: Being a "Rock N Roll band that specializes in sleazy punk", there must be some crazy ass stories to tell. What would you say is your craziest gig/fan experience?

J.P.: Haha!! Just the other weekend we were supposed to play a gig in Reno with Surrounded by Thieves from Vegas. It was snowing and we had chains but everyone got kicked off the freeway in Colfax due to a 30 car pile up. We waited and then learned that they shut down the freeway going west bound because of an overturned big rig!! We were stuck in Colfax and couldn't make it to Reno or home to Sacramento. We found an old bar called The Red Frog and asked them if we could play and they said we could plus free food and drinks. We made a giant snow cock outside of the bar too!  After we set up our gear inside the power went off and the bartender lit candles. He then brought a generator from the neighboring barn and it supplied enough power for the bass & guitar amp plus a disco ball! There wasnt even a PA and we played for a bunch of drunk rednecks in a snowstorm!!

Q: All I can say to that is... Epic. I honestly wish I was there to see that go down! What other bands would you like to tour alongside with in the future?

J.P.: I'd love to tour with Cunt Sparrer from San Francisco!!! They're fucking bangin' hot and could serenade me with 80's punk classics all day!!! I'd love to open for Steel Panther sometime in Hollywood!! Those guys are epic!!

Q: I remember way back when you recorded a demo, then seemingly dropped off the radar. Where did Get Shot go? What finally made you guys record your debut album "Keepin' It Sleazy?"

J.P.: After John went to Texas we just fell apart for a year. Actually I was starting to hear a lot of people wanting to see Get Shot!  I was kinda shocked since we were always so half assed and piss drunk. So I pieced the band back together and had a few temporary members but I feel that this is a solid line up now.

Q: What comes first the lyrics or the music?

J.P.: I generally write hand in hand but I'll write down lyrics in the car driving or bust out a riff on guitar.

Q: What are your favorite songs to play? any covers?

J.P.: Our original line up covered "talk Dirty to Me" by Poison but we haven't played that in well over a year!!! We also occasionally cover "Shithouse Blues" by New York Dolls.

Q: Do you have any other projects that you want the fans to know about?   

J.P.: We are just getting started. I have huge ideas and goals for Get Shot! We are going to recreate 1980's hair metal concerts in small punk venues. I'm talking, fire, lights, special effects, go-dancers and food sex!!! We are soon going to be a whole fucking show instead of simply a crazy punk outfit stuck in the wrong decade.

Q: Tell the fans who haven't seen you yet a little about your shows and why they should be there?

J.P.: Our shows are awsome!!! If you are afraid of cum and period blood you may want to stand in the back. Im serious!!  You will be entertained without a doubt!!!

Q: Any shout outs you want to give?

J.P.: Yes!  Basilio Salaices for doing an amazing job recording, editing and producing our album!! He ROCKS!!!   Also to all of my super sexy Reno friends and Desert Rose Revue for all the love, support and taking sexy pics for the album!!

Q: Any last words for your fans, sluts, grandmas, etc?

J.P.: If you are hot and want to have crazy sex with one or all of us, just send us an email with the time and place!!!

*Beastman Aids*

Review: Troubled Coast - Letters (2011)

Band: Troubled Coast

Release: Letters

Genre: Post-Hardcore/Pop Punk

Members: Cory, Mile, Tahm, Brandon, Randy

Label: Creator-Destructor Records

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Troubled-Coast/125546696562

Buy Here: http://www.troubledcoast.bigcartel.com/product/letters-cd

Download "Vagabonds EP" Free Here:  http://troubledcoast.bandcamp.com/album/vagabonds-ep

Tracklist: 

1. Amends

2. Wolf Republic

3. Breathing

4. Night Drives

5. It's Not Good For You

6. Drug Halo

7. Feigned Belief

8. XX/XY

9. Absent Father, Holy Ghost

10. Me And My Shadow

11. A Shallow Place

12. Love

Review: 9.2/10

Standout Tracks: Breathing, XX/XY, Absent Father, Holy Ghost

To describe this album in one sentence, it would be "sounds like a college grade poetry coupled with awesome, atmospheric music that stands behind the sometimes spoken, sometimes screamed vocals with bits of pop punk thrown in to mix it up." But this is a review, so I can't get away with just one sentence. Back in 2005, I ripped mewithoutyou's album "[A->B] Life" from my local library and loved it immediately. "Letters" brings me back to my junior year in high school and took me back in time. Sometimes, bands over-structure their music and strive to perfect it, and every once in a while you need a raw, poetic album to turn on, play from start to finish, and just get lost in the music. A lot of bands lose their roots and I think Troubled Coast can set others who listen to them on the right track. 

"Amends" is a good intro to the album while giving listeners a sneak peek as what to expect. "Breathing" wouldn't be too out of place in a Thursday album by giving soft, spoken lyrics and screaming lyrics over powerful guitars and body moving drums, then throw in some post-rock noise in for good measure. "Night Drives" reminds me of Underoath's "The Impact Of Reason" in some sort of sense. Not too sure if anyone else will get that same sort of vibe but thats what I thought. "Drug Halo" is an interlude of sorts while giving some pop punk influence into this mostly post-hardcore album, then it's over a little too fast. "Feigned Belief" gives some more of that much needed pop punk feel with the standout bass and some lyrics for the fans to scream to at the end. "XX/XY" is my favorite song by far. It has some of the best lyrics I've heard in a very long time. I won't give them away here you will just have to listen to the track yourself. "Absent Father, Holy Ghost" is the song you can't predict how it will end. You start off thinking it's going to be a atmospheric song with huge soundscape, before going off into fast, punk driven mosh pit only to begin where it leaves off at 1:16. "Me And My Shadow" heads back into the lose yourself into the music mode that you can only experience if you tune out all other noises around you and let go of all worries. Only then can you begin to examine and experience what this band succeeds in. "Love" wraps up the album with a straight ahead no holds barred energy filled song, with its screams and pummeling drums to snap you out of whatever vibe you're in.

As stated, this is an album to get lost to, so it was a little difficult to pick the stand out tracks. All of the songs blend into each other quite nicely. Depending on your musical taste it can be either a good or a bad thing. Kudos to the band and a big time kudos to whoever did the mixing on this album. This is a must have for anyone's collection. For any major label representatives reading this, SIGN THESE GENTS NOW!!!

For Fans Of: mewithoutyou, Skys Of Fire, early Thrice

Review: Jordan Blake & Etienne Sin - The Legend, The Leader EP (2011)

Band: Jordan Blake & Eitienne Sin

Release: The Legend, The Leader EP

Genre: Screamo

Members: Jordan Blake, Etienne Sin

Label: Independently Released
Facebook (Jordan Blake): http://www.facebook.com/trancesmusic
Facebook (Etienne Sin): http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000457663674

Buy Here: http://www.etiennesin.com/fr_jordanblake.cfm

Tracklist:

1. The Legend

2. It's Jordan Blake Bitch!

3. A Photo Doesn't Capture Your Charm (Feat. Justin Ma)

4. It's Dangerous To Be Sincere

5. The Leader

Review: 9.1/10

Standout Tracks: It's Jordan Blake Bitch!, A Photo Doesn't Capture Your Charm
"The Legend" offers the same sound I heard when I listened to screamo music for the very first time. Singing and music that makes me want to ice skate (a hardcore dance move if you're out of the loop) is very fitting as the title makes it out to be. Bringing it back to screamo's roots. "It's Jordan Blake Bitch!" is by far the best track on the album. When I first viewed the music video I was expecting a retarded auto-tuned track, but thankfully it was all for show. As soon the breakdown starts and the vocals shred your ears it makes you want to do the gorilla (another hardcore dance move). "A Photo Doesn't Capture Your Charm" is another fine example of screamo's roots in terms of structure. Most screamo bands these days say that they have "matured" beyond the sound and I just say they brought in other elements into their music. "It's Dangerous To Be Sincere" just brings a movement to the body with good background noise, then some gnarly breakdowns to bang your head to. The singing bits are pretty nice as well. As soon as "The Leader" comes around it brings what little energy you might have left and expends it all at once by creating fast music to jump to and breakdowns to swing your arms at.
Definitely the album to hardcore dance to. I got a little sweaty listening to it. I really (REALLY!) look forward to seeing these two in action together live (if that will ever happen). Only bugaboo I had with this album was the same thing as its strength, which was all screamo and not too much else. The song structuring was mostly the same, save for the stand out tracks. I love this EP and I recommend it to both new comers and veteran listeners of screamo music.

For Fans Of: A Skylit Drive, early Escape The Fate, Drop Dead Gorgeous

Review: Dance Gavin Dance - Downtown Battle Mountain 2 (2011)

Band: Dance Gavin Dance

Release: Downtown Battle Mountain II

Genre: Post-Hardcore/Experimental

Members: Jonny Craig, Jonathan Mess, Will Swan, Eric Lodge, Matt Mingus

Label: Rise Records
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DanceGavinDance

Buy Here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/downtown-battle-mountain-ii/id421741515

Tracklist:

1. Spooks

2. Pounce Bounce

3. The Robot With Human Hair Pt. 2 1/2

4. Thug City

5. Need Money

6. Elder Goose

7. Heat Seeking Ghost Of Sex

8. Blue Dream

9. Privilously Poncheezied

10. Swan Soup

11. Purple Reign

12. People You Knew [Hot Topic Exclusive]

13. Perfect [Hot Topic Exclusive]

Review: 8.9/10

Standout Tracks: Heat Seeking Ghost Of Sex, Spooks, Perfect.

To say Dance Gavin Dance pushes the limit with their new release Downtown Battle Mountain II would be an echo to all of their other releases. They have no problem being a band that is difficult to assign to any genre, but that has also been their one and only weakness. It certainly sounds fresh and exciting, but they also sound like... Dance Gavin Dance. No matter who it is that performs the dual unclean/clean vocals for the band, the music essentially sounds the same. From the soft, melodic parts with Jonny crooning over the music to the jazzy, spazztic breakdowns with Jon screaming doesn't offer much new flavor for long time listeners like me. Regardless, I do love that they have not followed the trend that 90% of other bands follow by trying to change their sound to appeal to the so-called "changing of the times." This is a good example of "too much of the same thing is a good thing." I was certainly the first at the battlefront when I first read that DGD was making a sequel to one of my favorite albums of all time with the same lineup as the first (minus Sean O'Sullivan, sadly). One true problem I have with this album is that they really should have tossed in both of the Hot Topic Exclusive songs into all versions.

"Spooks" opens up with a long awaited Jonny Craig and DGD reunion, only to have the much missed Jon Mess scream about acid whores and children smoking weed. By the way, is it just me or has Jon Mess really stepped up his vocals since DTBM 1? "Pounce Bounce" creates a positive energy by providing an upbeat vibe that is consistent with the entire album. "The Robot With Human Hair Pt. 2 1/2" in truth follows Pt. 3 in terms of overall sound and structure but also includes bits and pieces that made Pt.'s 1 and 2 instant classics. "Need Money" is a song title that came at the wrong time, insuring correlations between that and of the recent Jonny Craig scandal for a long time. It is a stand out track though, especially about a minute into the song with Mess screaming I'm so fed so fed I'm green, I gave my liver to the football team, I don't do no do no do no sluts, I got acid I gargle for a fresh brain stump. "Heat Seeking Ghost Of Sex" immediately brought back memories of the first DTBM, when I first listened to it in my high school P.E. class, with its catchy guitars and the need to dance the night away. "Blue Dream" builds up quite nicely with a nice mellow dreamscape to have the sweetness of the kush to have the high settle in and make my head move to the beat... oh wait I was talking about the weed strain blue dream. The song pretty much follows the same way as the strain (one can imagine smoking while listening to this song). "Swan Soup" just sounds like it was conceived solely by Will Swan because the guitars are frantic and chaotic, only to slowly calm the beast inside and have Jon Mess bring it out again... All within the first minute. As stated before, I have a problem with why they didn't include "Perfect" and "People You Knew" into all versions. They both offer Jon Mess (on People You Knew) and Jonny Craig (on Perfect) excellent stand alone tracks that truly shine on the album as a whole.
The lyrics written by these two is as random as ever before and really makes it more enjoyable. Can any one of these songs actually mean something bigger? In truth, I do not mind at all. If anyone is in a bad mood, one can find the cure by blasting this album at full volume. I love this album and I would recommend it to both old and new listeners of the post-hardcore genre. Buy this album now!

For Fans Of: Emarosa, Saosin, Mozart Season

Review: Commissioner - What Is Commissioner? EP (2011)

Band: Commissioner

Release: What Is Commissioner? EP

Genre: Deathcore/Dubstep

Members: Big Chocolate & Mitch Lucker

Label: Independently Released

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Commissionermusic

Buy Here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/alb

um/what-is/id426172779

Tracklist:

1. Pray For The Sun

2. Click Click Flash (Feat. Phil Bozeman)

3. Consume

4. The March

5. Click Click Flash (Big Chocolate Remix) [iTunes Version Only]

5. Consume (Big Chocolate Remix) [Physical Release Only]

Review: 9.3/10
Standout Tracks: Consume, The March, Click Click Flash (Big Chocolate Remix)

When I found out 2 of the most brutal vocalists of all time are collaborating on a project, my heart skipped a beat. Took a while, but they finally made this EP after teasing people with non-downloadable releases of "Consume" and "Click Click Flash". "Pray For The Sun" opens up the EP quite nicely as a preview of what to expect. Alternating vox with double bass pedals and an electro snare thrown in for good measure ensures that this EP will be unlike any of Suicide Silence's or Big Chocolate's other releases, save for the remix of "Consume". "Click Click Flash" infuses heavy EDM and guitars to bang your head to while constantly changing tempo. Big Chocolate uses a few sounds and mixing that has become trademark of his style that helps him stand out among other Dubstep/Electronic music artists. "Consume" is my personal favorite track on the album with brutal vox and awesome production and mixing, then all of a sudden it slows down to build up to total destruction (in the good sense of destruction). "The March" functions as what could be an awesome live show opener by giving the audience a call to arms in keeping the same overall tempo. The two remixes that are found on different versions of the EP hardly sound like the originals, which makes getting both versions necessary. "Consume (Big Chocolate Remix)" is very reminiscent of his early release CMA, covering an almost ethereal soundscape in the first half only to have the devil summoned about a minute into the song.
Overall, I would have paid more than $5 for this EP if only for the fact of Mitch and Big Chocolate working together. My one and only gripe I have about this EP is that I was hoping to here some true band material and not all just electronic and vocal music. I'm very pleased at the overall finished product and I would love to hear a full-length in the near future. If they are not signed by now, then Century Media or someone else needs to pick them up as soon as possible.

For Fans Of: Big Chocolate, Deadmau5, Rudebrat