Interview
JACOBS DREAM
STEFAN had a talk with CHAZ BOND (Vocals)
Metal To Infinity
Back in June 2008, I had a talk with
Jacobs Dream’s drummer Gary Holtzman – we were digging into the band’s
past, also we spoke about the future and so on… to make a long story short,
Gary’s answers were straight to the point, coming straight from his US Metal
heart! Back then, Jacobs Dream just unleashed the album “Dominion Of Darkness”,
a self financed and awesome piece – almost one year and a half later on, the
band is back with a brand new album entitled “Beneath The Shadows”. This
time, I’d like to give all honour to vocalist Chaz Bond to answer the
following questions.
Q:
Howdee Chaz – what’s going on in the US this 2nd of February
2010? Hope all is well up there brother?
A: It’s going pretty well here. I have been keeping myself busy these days with different projects and spending time with my wife and daughter.
Q:
How much, Metal music means to you – would it be hard to live without playing
in a band or to enjoy some real good Metal albums?
A: Most definitely.
This is what I was born to do. No
question about it. I know that some
day I will have to pass the torch as they say but I definitely want to keep
doing this as long as I can.
Q:
Speak for yourself Chaz – what is your absolute favourite style of music? Name
a few bands and what make them so special to you? Would you mind to mention
forms of music you really don’t like / hate?
A:
I appreciate almost all forms of metal from the heaviest to the
most melodic. However I would have
to say that my first love would no doubt be melodic metal.
A good vocalist is key for me no matter what I am listening to.
I spend so much of my time and energy writing and recording my own
music that I rarely listen to other music anymore. When I do however, I usually listen to Iced Earth, Evergrey
or Kamelot. I like bands like this
because they all have a mixture of heaviness, melody and a true passion for art.
They take pride in what they do no matter what anyone else thinks.
I can appreciate most forms of music as long as passion and talent
are involved but I can hardly tolerate rap.
There are only so many ways you can talk in rhythm with an electronic
drum beat. To me most of it all
runs together and I can hardly tell one song from another.
Q:
Can you remember that day you entered the Jacobs Dream ranks? How this
co-operation has come about?
A: My original band “Biogenesis”
used to play shows with JD during the “Theater Of War” tour.
During that time the two bands became mutual friends.
I was eventually asked to come in for a try out after David left the
band. I told them that if I could
stay in Bio and be a member of both bands that it would be an honour to be a
member. Although their music was
much different than Bio I was really excited to sing for them.
As I said before melodic metal was and is my first love.
Q:
Was it hard to replace former singer David Taylor? By the way, from where the
decision he left the band?
A: It was actually pretty natural to me really.
The hardest part was wondering how the fans would accept me since the two
of us sound different from one another. I
guess it was strange at first knowing that I was basically replacing a friend.
He is someone that I have a lot of respect for to this day so really, it
was a huge honour. He has since
joined me on stage for some duets a few times and it helps to know that he
endorses my position in the band.
David left the band primarily to spend more time with his family.
Although most of us love what we do it is indeed very time consuming and
at times it can be stressful as well. David
needed that time for his family and the band respected that then as they still
do today.
Q:
Tell me about the first walk straight to the recording room – am I right while
telling that David stepped out of the JD ranks after the release of “Theatre
Of War”
A: It was really a different
kind of feeling in the very beginning. I had never replaced anyone before so all of that was new to
me. I was a bit nervous because I
was thinking more about what I thought the guys might want to hear rather than
just being myself. In the beginning
I mostly felt like that new guy that was filling someone else’s shoes.
The guys encouraged me to relax and to try to be myself.
Over time I began to become a lot more comfortable.
Now three albums later I don’t feel like the new guy anymore.
I feel like the singer of “Jacobs Dream”.
Q:
You were (or maybe still are?) also the singer in a band called Biogenesis –
is the band still active and what type of music they bring?
A: “Biogenesis” first
appeared on the scene with our debut album “The Mark Bleeds Through” in
2001. This was also my first
national introduction as a vocalist. We
did a tour with Australia’s “Mortification” and things were looking good
for us. Between 2000 and 2001 we
were packing local night clubs on a near weekly basis and it appeared at the
time that we might have been able to go far.
We began writing a second album but one thing would lead to another and
the band unexpectedly dissolved in 2005. Then
in 2009 I decided to reunite the band and we signed with “Retroactive
Records”. We have since been in
the studio and we plan to release a long awaited second album at some point this
year. I know that the fans who
remember us are very excited and we are also excited about gaining new fans as
we venture into the future.
It is very difficult to describe the music of “Biogenesis”.
It is a deliberate combination of classic, modern, heavy and melodic
styles of metal all in one band and it’s very unique and awesome.
That is something that I will always be proud of.
Biogenesis is definitely not for the narrow minded.
Q:
Any other band to announce you were involved with?
A:
After Bio disbanded I had formed a side project called “Human
Paradox”.
HP is a very talented band combining many styles in a very tasteful and
artistic way. I still work with HP
when I have the time. We may still release an album in the future.
Q:
What’s the biggest difference between Biogenesis and Jacobs Dream?
A:
I would call JD a progressive, melodic power metal band.
That’s what we do and I wouldn’t want to change it for the world.
JD is exactly what JD is supposed to be.
Bio is much more difficult to describe.
We don’t call ourselves anything or aspire to be any one style. We simply want to sound like no one but ourselves.
We strive to be unique while writing great songs. Weather they are very
heavy and make you want to jump into a mosh pit, or weather they are very
melodic and may cause you to feel shivers going down your spine. Both bands
strive to write good songs that you won’t soon forget.
Q:
If I'm right, your first album with Jacobs Dream was “Drama Of The Ages” –
your opinion on this effort please.
A: Great album. I love
it. It was both a salute and
farewell to the past as well as a salute to the future.
It was essentially a “rebirth” of Jacobs Dream.
The guys had been through a lot at that point.
Many fans were wondering if there would be life without David Taylor.
Other member changes had taken place as well. I saw this album as a big sigh of relief for the long
standing members and an exciting new beginning for me and for the fans as well.
Q:
The album came out via Metal Blade Records, the legendary label! It was
unfortunately a one-album deal it seemed… tell me about if you don’t mind.
A: Actually all three of our first three albums were released on
Metal Blade. After the Drama album
the contract was fulfilled as a three album deal.
The guys just decided that they wanted to go indie for awhile.
Metal Blade was good for promoting us especially in Europe and over seas.
They definitely disserve a lot of credit for putting “Jacobs Dream”
on the International stage. We felt
in the end that it was time for a new chapter.
Q:
Next album “Dominion Of Darkness” was an independent one – great album to
me but I guess it was pretty hard to have paid all costs themselves, right?
A: We have our own studio so the costs weren’t all that bad.
The worst part about going without a label is that you lose a lot of
important connections and distribution and so on.
Q:
Do you have any idea how many times DOD has been sold?
A:
Honestly I have no idea because I am not in charge of any of that.
However I am certain that we would sell more if it were released on a
good label. It is very difficult to distribute an international release
by yourself. It is a lot of work
and I think more than we can handle with our daily life activities.
Q:
But there was light at the end of the tunnel – Matthew Hunt and Retroactive
Records offered Jacobs Dream a well deserved deal later on. Superb job to me –
how the collaboration came to be?
A: Right after “Biogenesis” had signed a deal with Retro I tried
to convince the guys to give it a shot. Personally
I’m not a big fan of going independent. So
after some ongoing negotiations we eventually signed with the label.
Q:
“Beneath The Shadows” meanwhile has been released through Retroactive
Records – I’ve already reviewed the album with a burning passion for US
Metal… take it from me, it’s a brilliant output! Are you satisfied as much
as I do Chaz?
A:
Well first of all thank you and to answer your question, yes.
Call me biased if you like but “Beneath The Shadows” is by far my
favourite Jacobs Dream album to date. The
story line, the music, the passion, the emotion it’s all there, great album.
I’m very proud of it.
JACOBS DREAM from L to R:
JAMES EVANS (Bass) / GARY HOLTZMAN (Drums) / CHAZ BOND (Vocals)
JOHN BERRY (Guitar) / JON NOBLE (Guitar)
Q:
Did you read my review actually? Can you dig my vision on the album?
A: Yes I did and I really
appreciate your thoughts. My sister
was listening to it and she told me that at one point it made her cry and she
got lost in the story and forgot that she was listening to her brother.
So many people are being moved emotionally by the story of the album and
that’s exactly what we wanted. We
all put a lot of heart and soul into making that album and we are so glad that
people are getting that.
Q:
Is it possible to give a word about the cover and title of the album?
A: The cover simply shows the
main character of the story with his head down. On the floor you see a gun and a book. The book is actually a bible.
This is a picture of the character right about mid point of the story
right after his best friend passes away due to a drug overdose.
He is feeling guilty and responsible for all of his actions and he is
contemplating suicide. However during that same point he begins to search for inner
healing as well as meaning to his life so he begins talking to God in his
solitude.
The title track “Beneath The Shadows” has a very deep and
poetic meaning. In this case the
“shadows” represent our dark side as imperfect human beings. Some people allow it to consume them which is the case with
the character. Deep down inside of
him there was a part of him that wanted to change and wanted to lead a better
life. This is where the word
“beneath” comes in. It means
that beneath all the darkness and all the bad things he had done there was
always a way for him to change his destiny.
All he had to do was choose it. And
the message speaks for us all.
Q:
All printed in black and white – why?
A: The guys felt that it fit
the sombre and dark mood of the story. The
video to the song “Welcome To My World” is also in black and white to match
the theme of the album cover.
Q:
What is / are your favourite song(s) Chaz… feel free to mention why also.
A: On BTS it is hard for me to
pick one or two. To me this album
is special because it is a concept album. So
to me it is one big story and the different song titles are simply chapters of
the story. In my case I love the
whole story. I guess that if I had
to choose I would have to say that my favourite part of the story would be the
last half where the character begins his journey toward redemption.
Q:
Pastor Brad’s new album “Break Out’ will be released within a few months
and you’re on the list as one of the guest musicians. I also see one of my
all-time favourite singers named Ski (ex-Deadly Blessing) and now in Faith
Factor… what can we expect from this effort?
A: I haven’t heard any of
the other tracks yet so I cannot comment on that at this time.
However I am sure that it is going to be great.
I am singing on a song called “We Win”.
I think it’s a good song. Pastor
Brad did a good job writing and recording it.
I simply added my personal style to it.
Q:
You’re in the possession of awesome vocal skills so I'm actually not surprised
to see your name as ‘guest musician’ on one or another album. Any other
albums you’re involved with by offering brilliant vocal services?
A: Thanks again for the compliments. Not at this time.
As I’ve stated earlier there will be a new “Biogenesis” album out
later this year on “Retroactive Records”.
JD should begin writing again soon.
Who knows we may even see a “Human Paradox” record some day.
Q:
Hey, what’s the future deal with Retroactive Records? More albums on the list
to break out?
A: I am not entirely sure.
I believe we may be on contract for at least one more JD album.
We should start writing very soon.
Q:
In which ways Jacobs Dream would like to promote a new album like “Beneath the
Shadows” for example?
A:
Well the best way to promote any album is to tour.
Since we are an American band and most of our fans are over seas we
don’t usually tour as much as we would like.
I know that the label has been doing a few things to help get the word
out. Fans can always follow any of
our up dates on our Official
Myspace as well.
Q:
Can we hope on a Tour throughout Europe this year?
A: We went to Germany last year and it was a blast.
At this time nothing is planned but we would not be against another tour
of Europe if the opportunity should arise.
Q:
Okay Chaz, that’s it for now – pleasure’s on me working the interview out
man. Thx for the answer giving duty brother – all the best regards to the rest
of the band and speak some final words of Metal wisdom before breaking up the
connection please.
A: All I will say to the fans
at this point is to keep it Metal and to come out to the shows as much as you
can. We love you all and we look
forward to seeing you on the road. God
Bless..