Interview with BLIND EFFECT
(Blake - Guitars)
Photo Credit: Zoe Parra @ WickedShotMedia
We had a conversation with Blake (Guitars). Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about BLIND EFFECT (Members, Starting Year etc).
We started a couple years ago here in San Antonio, Texas. I met Fern (drummer) on a Craigslist ad while I was looking for a studio drummer to record some demos. We ended up hitting it off and have since been writing together. Later, Marcos Salmon(singer) heard our early demos and started adding vocals, the rest is history. There have been a couple of minor lineup changes since the start. Christian/“Ozo” has played bass since the beginning, Jyro Alejo is now on 2nd guitar and Riley Castillo has been filling in on drums when Fern is busy producing bands.
You have recently released your 2-track demo 'DEMO XXV'''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Feedback has been awesome. Playing these new songs live has been really fun too. We really just appreciate people taking the time to listen to it. The response has been incredible & it feels good to release some new music. Both Riley & Fern contributed on drums during the writing process & Jyro’s leads turned out insane on Slave to the Fear. This was our 1st time to have Jyro on one of the tracks. It’s opened up a whole new sound for us that people seem to dig. It blows my mind every time I watch him play. We also had Quintin from Surface Breach throw some vocal lines on Miscreant’s Crypt, & the response from that has been great. I’ve always been a massive fan of that band, so being able to work with him was really cool. We’ve always wanted to blend punk, metal & hardcore together & I think we did it with that song.
And what about the lyrics?
I don't want to get too deep, but I’d say the songs touch on regret & facing consequences from the choices you make in life.
Are you searching for a record label? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
Right now we are straight DIY with our most recent single/demo release just to keep things easy. I think everyone would prefer a label for some extra reach at some point, but we’re not even thinking about all that right now. We’re just trying to make our live shows memorable & write the kind of music we like & want to hear.
(Marcos - Vocals)
Photo Credit: Johnnie Camacho @ MindsAreControlled
(Christian "Ozo" - Bass)
Photo Credit: Sam Anthony @ Samfordays
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
There’s usually always something we laugh at during our live shows, but when Riley recorded the drum fill that's after the 1st chorus on Miscreant’s Crypt, we were laughing for about 10min straight because of how good it was. I made Fern replay it about 100 times in the studio.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
I prefer Vinyl & Tapes. I enjoy the feeling of looking at the artwork & forcing myself to sit down & listen to a record. Holding a physical piece of music is something I really enjoy, it makes you appreciate it a little bit more. Digital is convenient, but nothing beats physical media.
Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
It changes up quite a bit, but on this newer stuff there was lot of Japanese hardcore on repeat with bands like Nightmare & Framtid, as well as War Ripper, Bunker 66, Whipstriker, Crumbsuckers, Obituary, SOD, Venom, Motörhead, & Inepsy. It’s usually a lot of Metal, and 80s/90s Thrash & Hardcore.We had the privilege of opening up for Midnight, Exciter, Hellwitch & Wraith last year on their San Antonio show too, & ever since then I have been on a massive speed metal kick.
(Jyro - Guitars)
Photo Credit: Josh @ DeathtoContent
(Fern Drums)
Photo Credit: Zoe Parra @ WickedShotMedia
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
There’s always going to be sacrifices if you want to succeed in something, but honestly I don’t think we have any room to complain. We’re making heavy music, having fun, & playing live shows. What more could you ask for as a musician? We are very grateful that we are able to do this.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
We played a show with Morta (San Antonio) at Faust Tavern. It was jam packed, a small room, hot, & the place was going nuts. It is still one of our favorite shows we’ve ever played. Everyone had to fend for themselves in the crowd, pure chaos. Something just clicked that night. Shout out to Out With The Goons & Satanic Panic for putting that one on for us. We could play shows like that every night & never get tired of it.
What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
Not a fan of it at all.
(Marcos Vocalist & Riley Drums)
Photo Credit: Johnnie Camacho @MindsAreControlled
From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell a new band to avoid or what to do?
We’re still new so I’m the farthest thing from an expert. I just write songs & make guitar riffs, but if I had to say something, I would just say stop making excuses. If you want to do something, do it. Stop waiting for things to fall in your lap, go out & make it happen. Meet as many people as you can & support bands in your scene.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Scene in San Antonio, Texas (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
The scene here is incredible & all the bands are awesome. Huge mix of all genres. Out With The Goons are a group of guys that book shows, & have started a label. They released cassette tapes for us on our 1st EP. I can't say enough cool things about them. There are some other local guys as well that are helping bring in great shows to San Antonio like Satanic Panic, No Mames Distro, Inexorable Horde Productions, & Faith in Remission. Everybody is really cool down here & it seems like everyone wants to support each other. Fern (drummer) is getting pretty involved with the hardcore scene as well. He’s been recording & producing a ton of bands coming up at his studio called FL Recordings. Everything we’ve ever put out has been recorded by him. All of the venues are great too. Shout out Faust Tavern, O’Death, Paper Tiger, & Snakehill (R.I.P.).
Give us 10 albums that run in your veins.
It’s hard to break it down by just 10, but here’s some that are always on rotation and have influenced our sound pretty heavily. I know I’m leaving out a ton of records, but:
Slayer - Hell Awaits
Sodom - Agent Orange
Testament - The Legacy
Obituary - The End Complete
Cro Mags - Age of Quarrel
Both Carnivore records
Sepultura - Arise
Nailbomb - Point Blank
Devastation - Idolatry
Born to Expire - Leeway
As far as some of the records that got us into heavy music early on, I’d say all the Pantera records were huge growing up in Texas as a kid & young teenager, and I know Unhallowed by Black Dahlia Murder was a big influence on our vocalist Marcos when he was young. Black Dahlia Murder might as well have had their own billboard on the highway during the mid to late 2000’s in San Antonio. People love them down here.
(Marcos Vocalist & Christian "Ozo" Bassist)
Photo Credit: Zoe Parra @ WickedShotMedia
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
You know it’s funny you ask, but my wife & I took a trip to Greece not too long ago & there were metal shirts everywhere. I really just know the main acts like RC & Septicflesh so I’m curious to find some more underground acts. Any bands you recommend?
What are your future plans?
This demo is pretty much a teaser for our next EP that’s coming out early next year, so we’ll be releasing that & we really want to try and play other cities in Texas. We’ve only played San Antonio & Laredo so far.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Really appreciate it. Thanks a ton for having me, this is really cool what y’all are doing. Thank you to all of our friends and bands who have shown us support. We’re excited to keep this thing rolling.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
BLIND EFFECT CONTACT:
https://www.instagram.com/blindeffecttx/
https://blindeffecttx.bandcamp.com/
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/blind-effect/1663638300