Interview
SLAVEMASON
A talk with WILLIAM SIMPKINS
(Vocals, Guitars, keyboards, Drums & Drum Programming)
(Questionnaire by STEFAN)
METAL TO INFINITY
Recently
I received an album from a Bellingham, Washington USA based band named
Slavemason. Totally unknown to me but thanks to my longtime brother in Metal
and Metal To Infinity webzine co-editor Rico (aka Officer Nice) who wrote the
review for Slavemason ‘s self titled debut album last week – meanwhile you
can read all about it right HERE.
From the moment I read Rico’s discussion on the effort, I knew it was time
to check out Slavemason’s way of acting myself. US Metal is our beloved style
of music so I’d like to know more about Slavemason … Let’s bring on the
questionnaire please!
Q:
Hi there William, please to meet you here on Metal To Infinity webzine –
what’s up in the United States at the moment man? Hope all goes very well!
A: Hello Stefan! Things are going really well over here. Thank you.
Q:
First on, many words of highly appreciation with the release of Slavemason’s
debut album – what a great output, actually a demonstration of how to make a
US Metal concept CD that burns from deep within! Where the name comes from
William?
A: Thank you. "Slavemason" is a loose term we use for people that aren't in secret societies. Basically, you and me and most everyone else. It is a play on words from the term "Freemason". I think it's silly that people have to have secret societies anyway. I mean, what are they ashamed of to keep it a secret? Imagine if you knew that your boss played dress-up every week and chanted ancient superstitions, it would be hard to take them serious after knowing that!
No wonder they keep it secret. Some people might think they are "enlightened". Well, then keeping the secret is selfish. So they are either ashamed or selfish. How is that "enlightened"? Unless you are into wearing ugly rings and doing funny handshakes, it seems like a waste of time.
Q:
You’re the master and leading force behind the concept – where the
ambition came from to set up Slavemason?
A: Slavemason was born out of friendship and a love for music. We really wanted to do something for ourselves and write songs for our own enjoyment. In my previous band, Shade of Earth, I was unconsciously trying too hard to impress other people. That does not last by the way. You have to do it for yourself. I remember having a conversation with Joe where we said we wanted to try and make our favorite album.
When I write songs, I am doing so because I want to hear those songs myself and I can't buy them at the record store. Every musician should be their own biggest fan, because what is the point if you aren't creating the music that you like best?
Q:
On the backside of the CD I have read you are in charge to deliver all guitar
/ vocals and keyboards as well as drum / drum programming were done by
yourself. A explanation please.
A:
Yeah , I really had no choice. We had a full lineup until we started to record
the album. We did some shows together and had a really good time, but I was
too particular about the tracks and decided to do them myself. There are a
couple of clips floating around on the internet of the band playing live.
I really enjoy creating music in the studio because the possibilities are endless. There are no rules. The hardest part is being objective and critical about your own performances. The vocals were recorded right after I had my tonsils taken out, so it was a bit challenging dealing with the changes in my throat. For the drums, I did what I could with playing them on drum pads/keyboards and programmed the rest. Joe usually plays the keyboards live with foot pedals, but I ended up doing them in the studio because, well, I was there alone most of the time. Most of the drums went down first, then the bass, then guitars, keyboards and vocals.
Q:
Also the album has been mixed, engineered, mastered and produced by yourself.
Man, this is quite unique – I'm sure you’re a born natural multi
instrumentalist that can’t live without music, right?
A:
I
was a music engineer all through college and recorded/mixed or mastered
hundreds of sessions, so I was really comfortable doing that part. I
would of had to travel to New York or LA to have it done the way I wanted. It
made sense to do it myself and allowed me to really take my time with it.
In regards to being a natural, I don't think I was born with any special talent. I spent hours practicing almost every day of my life since I was 11 years old. If it did come naturally, I would of had more girlfriends in high-school. The first few instruments were harder. I started playing piano and violin then picked up the guitar, trumpet, voice, bass, clarinet and drums.
Q:
Speak for yourself – is there a life after being busy with music?
A: Oh yeah! I love to climb cliffs and mountains and do that a lot. During the winter I like to snowboard and we also do some surfing during the summer. I spend the rest of my time away from music computer programming. I love to do science and write math and physics related software. I really enjoy losing myself in a good book or video game. I also sing in operas from time to time.
Q:
What about teaching all these instruments – did you have a training master
able to learn all these tactics?
A: I've taken mostly guitar and voice lessons. I started teaching guitar when I was sixteen, which was sweet because it paid way better than working at a fast food joint. I've learned more about guitar from teaching it than taking lessons. I still take about 50 voice lessons a year. It is really nice to have a teacher that I have to answer to on a regular basis.
Q:
Developing new songs – how that happens in the camp of Slavemason?
A: I love this part! Most of the good ideas come to me in a giant wave, all at once. It sucks because I can't write fast enough to get them all down before I start forgetting. The other night I pretty much wrote half of the next album. The ideas came to me while I was riding home on a bus, all at once. I'll scribble down the melody and lyrics in notation with some chords over it, then start arranging the instruments together in a computer (LINUX of course!). Joe was around for a lot of the writing of the last album.
He comes up with some of the bass parts and gives really good opinions on the arrangements. I really trust his judgement and can count on him to give me a funny look if something sounds really stupid, which happens a lot. Usually there will be a demo of the song recorded before they are ever rehearsed live. We have written a few songs in jam sessions that didn't make it on the album. I really enjoy the spontaneity of writing songs with other people.
Q:
What means a perfect song to you? Do you mind to give an example of a detailed
perfect track you’ve ever heard?
A: A perfect song is a song that is pure in every way. Everything that happens next in the song feels perfect. "Bless the Child" and "Planet Hell" by Nightwish. "Peace of Mind" by Boston. "Eye of the Beholder" by Metallica. "White Discussion" by Live. "Where the Streets Have No Name", "With or Without You" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2. "King of Pain" and "Invisible Sun" by The Police. "Powerslave" and "Purgatory" by Iron Maiden. "Mighty Ride of the Firelord" and "Bloody Red Dungeons" by Rhapsody of Fire. "The Mission" and "Neue Regel" by Queensryche. I could go on forever ....
Q:
Which type of bands gave you inspirations? What are your favourite bands at
the moment by the way?
A: Iron Maiden, Police, Metallica, Rhapsody of Fire, Nightwish, Boston, Live, Queensryche, U2, BeeGees, Bjork and Helloween. I've been listening to MC Frontalot, Gamma Ray, Rhapsody of Fire and Nightwish lately.
Q:
Back to Slavemason’s debut album, actually released in 2009 as independent
product. To bring out an album yourself is a quite expensive business – how
many copies of the album were recorded William?
A: Yes it is. We made a lot of albums! I would have paid ten times as much to have the experience. A friend of mine, Bob Ridgley, owns Binary Recording Studio, where the album was recorded. Since I worked there for a really long time, I had well .... certain privileges there. It was awesome take our time and work with the best equipment available in a really nice space. I am really grateful for that. It saved us a lot of money.
Q:
In what circumstances have you promote the album. Feel free to give an address
where to purchase this awesome effort.
A: We have a plan for promoting the album, but we take whatever help people want to offer. Soon, we may need professional outside help. www.slavemason.com is the best place to buy the album.
Q:
To me, it’s a wonderful output for all maniacs into US Metal music not
afraid to swallow some epic / progressive elements as well. In his review,
Rico named a few similar bands as old Queensryche, Fates Warning, Jag Panzer,
Iron Maiden,… well, I'm fully agree with that and like to mention other acts
like Cauldron Born, Destiny’s End or Onward / Crescent Shield as well. Man,
what a great voice – is this the result of someone born with a gift of just
the result of full force practising for a long time?
A: Thank you! I am much more critical of myself than you are. Just practice, practice and more practice. Knowing what you want and being able to take an objective look at yourself is very important.
Q:
Do you know a guy named Michael Grant, singer of Onward / Crescent Shield?
According to myself, this awesome US Metal frontman crosses my mind as I lay
my ears on your vocal use.
A: Thank you. I'll take a listen.
Q:
What to say about the lyrical contents William?
A: A lot of inspiration came from personal experiences, friends experiences, books and ancient prehistory, both fact and speculation. There is a lot of mystery around ancient civilizations and a lot of speculation about what happened to them. There are bits of evidence that suggest very provocative things may have occurred. It can be very exciting to think about. Instead of regurgitating the history books, I tried to bring to life these events through a more intimate point of view.
As far as the specifics, I am leaving that for the listeners to figure out for themselves. There are a lot of puzzles and subliminal meaning in the lyrics and artwork. There are a lot of things people won't truly understand unless they stumble across certain information later in life. I wanted many layers to these songs so the listeners can peel them away and see the next layer when they are ready.
Q: Slavemason is a so called ‘one man project’ but there is a bassist on the member list by the name of Joe Hoyle? Some background information on this person would be good to know?
A:
Slavemason is far from a "one man project". This band would not have
happened without Joe and the other people we have encountered.
Joe
Hoyle is amazing. He is a great friend and the best bass player I've ever
played with. He is so amazing at the bass I can barely describe it. Perfect
rhythm, taste and tone. On top of that, he is one creative, down-to-earth
mo-fo. We could sit around and jam on old Police and Maiden songs all night.
I met Joe while playing a concert with my old band. We became friends soon after. We actually didn't jam together until a few years later, even though we hung out all the time. When I first heard him play I was floored.
Q:
Ever thought about finding other musicians to set up a full member line up?
Are you interested or rather stay strong as a one man band?
A: It is really difficult to find good metal musicians in our area. We have been searching for the right drummer and second guitar player ever since the album came out. We pretty much have the guitarist set in stone and are still waiting on a few pieces to fall into place for the drummer. We are looking for solid permanent fixtures in the band. I can't wait to get it together and play live!
Q:
Only two guys on the member list – I assume it’s impossible to play for a
live audience. What about your desires playing these awesome songs for a live
audience?
A: Yeah, that would be awkward, wouldn't it? We plan on playing live with a full band as soon as possible. We have plans within plans ...
Q:
The song structures of Slavemason really take my breath away man – expect
the unexpected is the only way to describe the entire album to me. Easy parts
alternating with pure power and melody – superb darkened doomy and epic
vibes are on the list of joy as well… again, a killer album to me!
Absolutely nothing to do with the mainstream type of Metal music and I'm
completely happy with that William. So far, how the outside world has reacted
on the album? Through your eyes – what is your meaning about the nowadays
Metal moevement?
A: Thank you. Today I think there are a few good orginal bands, but there seem to be a lot of bands that try to sound really cool or macho 100% of the time. You need the "downs" to have the "ups" and the "quiets" to have the "louds" and the "this" to have the "that". I like having that small part in the song that you rewind over and over again because it floored you. I don't like hearing that cool part ALL the time, I like it to come and go.
I don't hear that too much anymore. Music must be interesting. Just because a song has fast guitars and 16th note double-bass drums at 200 beats per minutes doesn't make it interesting. It needs to strike a chord within the listener.
Q:
What are the future ambitions?
A: We want to play live to everyone who is listening to the album. We want to find all the people who will enjoy our music and we want them to find us. We are also writing the next album which I am very excited about!
Q:
Before I leave, I’d like to know what’s the meaning behind the image on
the CD front?
A: The painting on the front of the album is an oil painting done by my friend Bryan Hughes. He also did the inside painting. It is the Giza Plateau next to the Nile river, just like the constellation of Orion next to the Milky Way. In the foreground is the Angel of Death, signifying the death of a great culture by Western thought.
Q: William, be sure we at MTI will spread the word about Slavemason as good as we can. Bands like this, well that’s make us proud being Metal fans. Thanks for your time doing this interview – all honour on our side, all the best and keep us informed about future developments brother. Any last remarks?
A: We are very grateful for this interview. Thank you and take care Stefan.