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Interview: Squilax Blade Interview

Exclusive Interview with Bill Skudlarek: -guitarist/singer/frontman of the Band Squilax Blade from Vermont (USA).
Maximillian_Graves:
Because of the factthat the only thing I know about you guys is that I like
yourmusic, and I know
that you are from the New England state of Vermont(USA). Pleasecan you give
the people a
deeper look into your band's history?
Bill Skudlarek:
Well, Squilax Blade started back in 1995. A mutual friend introduced me (Bill
Skudlarek: ,guitar/vocals) to Wayne Cossette (drummer) and when we met , I
believe his exact words were,"OK...let's hear somethin'. Show me what ya got."I
believe I played a version of Hendrix's Version of "KillingFloor'. We immediately
hit it off. Wayne is originally from Massachusettes and I'm originally from
Connecticut, so, it's still amazing to me that both of us bein' "city boys"
actually met in this laid back state. The both of us started gettin' together
just to play....never thinkin' of havin' a band. But...we eventually got the
urge to have other people hear us. So...for like a year and a half we played
out as a 2 piece band, drums and guitar, with me on vocals extensively. We
got a dude to sing forus named Tony Raimondo. At that time we were playin'
out as"IMMORAL MINORITY". Tony's vocals were extremely limited. And when he
started comparing himself to Jim Morrison, we decided to end the "IM" band.
We did a few gigs andfigured out what we lacked were convicting vocals and
that whatwe were missing was the low end bass. So....within' a year we found
our selves a bassist named Chris White. We honed our skills and got hired for
a few shows. The best was one we did in New Milford, CT at their teencenter.
We got to play with bands like "Blood Has Been Shed" and another called "Candiria"
(they we fresh off the SLAYER UK tour). We got laughed at when people heard
we were from Vermont....but the laughs faded quickly as we started playin'.
We got a double encore and a killer "shout out" from Blood has Been Shed. We
then went into a local studio and decided to do a CD. It was called "Crawl
to the Surface". Our only regret on that one was that we spent more time worrying
about being radio friendly and what people would think, instead of just playin'
what we wanted. We won the local radio contest 5 weeks in a row. It was a listener
call-in voting thing. We beat out band's like Kid Rock, Fear Factory, Sprung
Monkey and D-Generation. So we accomplished our "radio airplay" fix. Chris White left
the band suddenly. He was worrying about the metal "image" instead of what he
was supposed to be playing. We then tried out another bassist called Corey Cook.
This guy fit in like the gearw e needed. And he's still with us to this day.
I dont believe he'll be leaving anytime soon. The choice for another vocalist was
tough. I did all the vocals myself but I wanted to step away from the mike for
a while so I could concentrate on my guitar playin. We got Corey's friend John
Huntley to try out. This kid was rough at first, but, he's doin' very nicely
now. So...we have the "BLADE" soundin' the way we want now!
Maximillian_Graves:
It would be great if you would give us a small overview of the members of
your band. Tell us about theircareers as musicians, what other interests and/or
hobbies they have in addition to making music, and what they did before they began
playing music.
Bill Skudlarek:
I began playin' guitar when I was around 11-12. I'm 37 now...so...I've been
at it for a bit. I used to jam in the local area as a solo artist for a long
time. I was always lookin' to form a band ever since I could remember. I used
to be a nursing assistant and did more jobs than I care to list. My drummer
Wayne used to be a hip-hopper. Yup...the flat top hair do, hopper shirts...the
whole deal. He also used to do lighting and sound for local bands in the Boston
,Mass. area. (Like the band EXTREME) He always wanted to be on the stage side
of the music instead of the sound board. The drums just seemed to come natural
for him. And when we got together he told me that no other guitarist ever gave
him a workout like I did to him....hehehe.O ur bassist Corey Cook has been musical
for many years. He's alocal Vermont dude who was more into the alternative
scene and never really thought he'd be a "Metallian". He listens to lots of tunes.
And he's always workin' on his playin'. He works at a place in Royalton,VT called
Village Pizza, and is counting the days til we get arecord deal! LOL
John Huntley is definitely the "Free Spirit" of the band. He's a partying dude.
He was always wantin' to be into music. He plays guitar also....but not in the
band. He's a cross between Pantera and Morrison if ya ask me. And ya neverknow
what he's gonna be singin', which keeps the element of surprise up there.
Maximillian_Graves:
About your lyrics......how important are they to you? Do they stand on their
own, or are they more or less just another instrument? Tell us how important
your lyrics are to you personally. How strong is your desire to tell people
the story behind the music?
Bill Skudlarek
: Our lyrics are pretty basic. Life, death, feelings....stuff like that. The
lyrics are a difinitive vehicle for the oppressed feelings of hate and disgust
that all of us have. We're not a political band and we dont try to write a
song that will shock people. Although some people find our lyrics offensive
and too true, that's just too bad. Our opinion is,"We're playin' what we want,
and sayin' what we please. We dont wanna be commercialized or labled. If people
like our music then listen to it. If not...then turn the thing off.The final
choice is up tothe listener.
Maximillian_Graves:
As always, we here in Germany would like to know who your idols and favorites
are. And who the band gives credit to as major influences. And more importantly,
are you into any German bands?
Bill Skudlarek:
Our band has a list of musical influences. Such as SLAYER, older Metallica,
Sepultura, Pantera, Testament, Primus, Nirvana, Ted Nugent and my favorite
guitarist, Jimi Hendrix. You can definitely hear his influence on my leads
and some of my bluesy playin'. He was and still is the best in my book. As for any
German bands...there's one in particular I'd like to point out. The band called
"ACCEPT". Their playing and style of lyrics definitely are insane and impressive.
I still have some of their tapes....my favorite being "Balls to the Wall". When
I hear that song I picture us being on stage just giving the feeling of hate
to everyone to distribute freely!!
They kick fuckin' ass, man!!
Maximillian_Graves:
Give us a brief overview of the metal scene in your area. What is your scene
like? Which style of metal ist he most common for bands from the Vermont area?
Bill Skudlarek:
The metal scene in our area is still new. People hear the words "Heavy Metal"
and say, "OH... that's not my style."...But when they come to a local party
and see us play they want CD's, tapes, and they always want to know how to get
a hold of us to hire us for a gig. We've shocked the hell out of people around
here. People are still into Metallica and the heavies. But SQUILAX BLADE is
listed as the 1 metal band in our state. so.....we must be doin' something
right.
Maximillian_Graves:
Tell us what your live performances are like. Do you only play local shows?
Or are you playing outsite of Vermont too? Has the band supported any of the
"big acts" already?
Bill Skudlarek:
The shows we play are varied. But usually there's tons of people watchin'
us play. What amazes me are the amount of girls who like our stuff. Our last
show was a house party and we had girls moshin' out with guys. I think the
world is gettin' sick of the boy bands they're seein'. I also believe that
the crowd speaks for it self. We seem to be gettin' good local reviews and people
definitely know the name "SQUILAX BLADE" around here. The biggest trip was
lookin' on the site MP3.com and seein' that this band called "ZENSOR" from
Oslo, Norway linked them selves to our band's mp3 site . They also stated that
they practice our song "Back In The Day" at rehearsals and shows. It's a fuckin'
blast to know that a small band from Vermont is actually makin' waves as far
away as a place like Norway!!!
Maximillian_Graves:
What does the future hold for Squilax-Blade? Any future plans in the making?
Tell us what you are planning for your next CD release! What direction will
your next record go? Any changes to your sound or style in mind? Or, will you
keep your current sound and style, and strive to improve upon it as the band
gains more experience?
Bill Skudlarek:
The future of the band is still fresh. We just planto play as many
shows as we possibly can and have fun doing it. Spring and summer are on the
way and that usually brings lots of people around and the gigs are plentiful. We
consider ourselves still a garage band. But we've been up on the mp3 metal
charts along with band's like Alice Cooper, Metal Church, King Diamond and more.
And it's nice to know that our lil' independent band beat acts like Kid Rock
and Fear Factory on the radio. Our next step is to get into a studio and lay
down our new sound, which we've already done in our home recordings. We're
in no big hurry though. We're still havin' fun and you can count on seeing
the"SQUILAX BLADE" name around for many years to come!
Maximillian_Graves: Thanx for this great Interview! Last but NOT least you can use the last lines of the interview to talk to all the readers from Germany and Europe and tell them what ever you like!
Bill Skudlarek:
We just want to thank all the fans . Locally as well as world wide for listening
to our tunes and makin' SQUILAX BLADE what it is today...a moshing force for
all metalheads. And a special shout out to the country of Germany for reckognizing
that metal is alive and well all over the world!
Peace out,
Bill S.
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