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Interview RESISTANCE
A talk with PAUL SHIGO (Bass)
METAL TO INFINITY
The great thing about a Webzine is: you get to know a lot of bands that have uncommon quality, brilliant dedication, infinitude patience and above all: they live for metal. A lot of these unknown bands don't get any attention in the major magazines that work only with signed bands. People that are willing to discover new talent, should visit www.resistancemetal.com and find out more about this Californian outfit !
Q: Let's give it a little overview. Resistance started during the members their high school years, I guess in the mid 90's. The name Resistance was chosen as a statement of their philosophy to resist popular trends (Nu-Metal), and your brother Tim took care of the vocal duties. What did you had in mind back then? What did you want to achieve with the band?
Actually RESISTANCE was started in January of 2000. Dan, Matt, and I started playing together in a Thrash/Speed Metal band in 1985 (while in high school) called HEATHEN (not to be confused with the Bay area Heathen). Im not sure if at that point they were formed as a
band yet.
HEATHEN (1886) left: Matt, next to him Dan and completely right, Paul
It didn't really matter to us anyway as we played many a back yard party as well as several local clubs, including the Waters Club in San Pedro, Ca and the Timbers in Glendora, Ca (where at the time many up and coming Metal bands were playing such as Metallica, Stryper, and Odin) to name a few. I cringe when I think of some of those old striped spandex pictures that are floating around out there somewhere. Not to mention a video or two. Ha!
Our HEATHEN lineup consisted of the core members of RESISTANCE (Matt, Dan, and I) with yours truly on bass and vocals. We continued with this band until 1987 when we decided to call it quits.
In 1988 I got a visit from Dan who had just finished a run with the L.A. Speedmetal band Deceased. In that band, he had formed and shared guitar duties with E.F.
We started a new Thrash/Speed Metal project called CAUSTIC VISAGE. The C.V. lineup included Dan(guitars), Matt (drums), E.F. (guitars) and again, yours truly on bass and vocals. We recorded a six song demo that we called the ''Tiki House Recording'' We disbanded C.V. about a year or so later.
E.F. went on to play in RECIPIENTS OF DEATH and later the original (David Wayne's) REVEREND. He played on the REVEREND live recording.
In 1992 Matt, Dan, and I formed another project which was more of a Progressive Metal outfit in the vein of Fates Warning. It was called ANARCHY DIVINE. This lineup included vocalist Mark Stene (who is still one of the best unknown vocalist's I have ever heard). We played several high profile shows including an opening slot on the DREAM THEATER ''Images and Words'' tour at the Marque in Anaheim California. We recorded another demo with this band that still sounds killer to this day.
We all went on with life around 94 which put us on about a 6 year hiatus until Matt and I could not take it anymore. We started kicking the idea around of RESISTANCE around 1999. We were tired of all the bullshit music that was out there and we had cut ourselves short in several bands that had huge potential.
We chose the name RESISTANCE as a statement that we our going to make True Metal music that we enjoyed writing and playing no matter what the current trend was. It is also the name name of a Queensryche song which is one of our all time favorite bands.
We really didn't have any big achievements in mind. We just wanted to write and perform the Metal music that we love. It is something (as you know) that is and always will be in your blood. No matter where we are in life.
Q: The band was able to play a lot of gigs with the national acts like Exodus, Agent Steel, Flotsam And Jetsam, Death Angel and established themselves as a dominant presence in the L.A. Metal scene. How come the band remained in the underground. What detail was missing?
We are quite happy with our underground status here in L.A. As you know, L.A. is a trend driven market which we want nothing to do with. The only detail missing is the resurgence here of a True Metal movement. But that's ok with us, we have built a solid fan base here and can basically choose whatever venue we would like to play as well as adding ourselves onto pretty much any National touring act that comes through who is looking for local support. We are happy with our role here as the big fish in the underground Metal pond.
Q: A replacement was found, and Robby Hett took care of the vocals from then on. Where did you find this dude, and did he sing in other metal acts before?
After Tim developed nodes on his vocal cords and decided to step down, we were on the hunt for a new front man. We received many vocalist submissions but were just not happy with any of them. A friend introduced me to ''The Kidd'' (Robbie Hett) in a local bar. A few days later he walked into our rehearsal studio and hit the scream on ''Wasted Time'', the search was over.
Robbie was the vocalist for the Metal band ''Little Kid Twisted'' who were regular performers on the Sunset Strip in the late 80s.
Q: An EP was released in 2002, titled ''A Certain Sorrow'', followed by ''Lies In Black'' the first full length album. This was a self financed release in 2004, and that's really odd. How comes that there was no interest from any label, this is really ridiculous!
At the time we didn't care about label interest and decided to make this album on our own. We knew once it was out independently it would be picked up and we were not going to wait around. We recorded the album and I shopped it around to all the Metal labels around the world. Lasse and Lion Music offered us the best deal. They bought and re-issued 'Lies In Black' with a deal for 2 more albums.
Q: Fact: the front cover artwork, the inlay booklet, the production of the album, the overall concept and workmanship is done exceptional! A lot of international releases from major labels and bands don't offer this delicate and subtle precision! Congratulations, it indicates that Resistance have an eye for detail ! It indicates that you carry and look after your little baby, isn't it?
RESISTANCE truly is our baby. We hired the German artist Rainer Kalwitz to create the album cover and Matt and I meticulously arranged the booklet with the theme of the album cover.
Q: The reviews were awesome, the ball started rolling, and Lion music showed interest. Tell us something more about Lasse (owner of Lion Music) his reaction and proposal!
Lasse and Lion Music have been extremely supportive of RESISTANCE. He offered us a deal within a week of hearing ''Lies In Black'' We are very pleased with the distribution and over seas sales that Lion has given us the opportunity to enjoy. Lasse stepped away from the very progressive and virtuoso metal music that comprises most of Lion's roster when he picked up RESISTANCE.
Q: Since the release of ''Lies In Black'', the band played a lot of gigs, and I guess that some of those gigs were really special. For example: last year in april, you played with Europe in Anaheim and in December of last year, you played the House of Blues with Dokken. Two bands that are totally different than the other gigs with bands like Exodus, Cessation Of Life, Bloodlust, Single Bullet Theory and Metal Church! How was the reaction of the Europe and Dokken fans?
We were fortunate enough to be direct support for both Dokken and Europe, and the Dokken show was completely sold out. More than 900 people in the venue.
The beauty of our style of Metal is that we can and are not afraid to play with any genre of Metal (Thrash, ower, Progressive, Death, Classic) it doesn't matter. Our music is comprised of all of these elements. Our reception at these shows was overwhelmingly positive and in fact opened us up to a larger audience.
Q: The musical style and direction of the band gives me the idea that the band's main market is Japan and Europe. The U.S.A. only follows trends and at this moment, U.S. power metal isn't hot. What's your opinion?
You hit the nail right on the head.
DAN LUNA
Q: What plans do you have for the next coming months?
Well, I am going to give you an exclusive here. This has not yet been announced anywhere. As you know, E.F. was asked to leave the band a few months back and we have been conducting an exhaustive guitarist search. And to set the record straight, E.F. is a great friend of ours and a kick ass guitar player. We just have different work ethics and could no longer work together.
Our new guitarist is Dave Watson (formerly of the Thrash Metal legends Hirax).
DAN WATSON
ROBBY HETT
Dan is currently bringing Dave up to speed on all the new material and we plan on having Dave record a few solos on the new album.
Q: A lot of new songs are written, the band is probably anxious to enter the studio again, but ... do you have a deal for a next release?
Actually we have been recording at Desert Moon Recording Studio's in Anaheim California for the last 4 months. Guitars, Drums, and bass are completely done as well as a majority of the vocals. We do have a deal as this is our second release for Lion Music. We will have a few special guests on the album one doing vocals and one playing a solo.
More to come on that later. The title of the album is ''Patents Of Control''. Once we are finished the album is set to be mixed by famed producer Neil Kernon (who has handled mixing duties for Queensryche, Nevermore, and Deicide to name a few). We are planning an April release.
Q: Can you tell us some more about the new material. Will it be a logical continuation of ''Lies In Black'', or can we expect a slightly new direction?
It is a logical continuation however this time around there is more emphasis on big ''hooky'' choruses and the overall vocal melodies. The Kidd is really singing his ass off on this one. The production (especially drums) is night and day from the L.I.B. recording.
Dan has really outdone himself in writing the music for this album as well as Matt who has written the entire concept. This will truly be our masterpiece.
Q: Is it correct that the lyrics will handle a concept? Can you give us a storyline?
Yes that is correct, but we don't want to let the story line out just yet.
Q: We all hope that the new material will be at our desk real soon, and perhaps, we will be able to check the band live in Europe. I guess that this is a dream that would come true, isn't it?
Touring Europe is a goal for us this summer. We are currently working with the Blue Steel booking and promotions agency in the Netherlands to make that a reality.
We all wish you all the best with the band and upcoming gigs, and please keep us updated about the band! Stay wild !!