Band Interview: Fatal Switch
Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life are pleased to bring you an interview with crossover/alternative metal band, Fatal Switch.
1. How did you get started as a band?
As I was getting ready to record my first album, I found myself short a guitarist not to mention I had created a number of songs without a drummer (not by choice). So, my bassist (my brother) and I took some courageous steps by moving forward with producing an album with session musicians. Once the album was done my brother moved across the country to be with my mother. So, I had an album but no band members which left me with a decision to either continue with the session player route or to form an official a band. I decided to acquire the official members of Fatal Switch and it was the best decision I could have made.
2. How would you describe your sound?
Loud, heavy and groovy guitars mixed in with thought provoking, hip hop storytelling. At times there is a stark contrast between the softness of the vocal tone compared to the distortion but I think that is what makes us unique. Some tracks beg for a loud growl or scream but we purposely don’t give in to predictability. Instead we offer more of a snoop dog type of vibe while other times the vocals do come across with a bit more grit and rasp. As it was our first album we definitely tried different approaches to see what fits best and keep it unassuming.
3. What bands/artists would you say have influenced your style of music?
Anything metal and hip hop. And that’s the beautiful thing about us. We are not influenced but any one band or sound but by two completely different genres. From Tech9 to Slipknot, Metallica to Eminem, Megadeth to Busta Ryhmes, Anthrax to 2Pac our inspirations and influences are endless and continues to be endless as we continue writing new material.
4. Has the rise of YouTube & music streaming helped or hindered you as a band?
It has helped us in artist discovery but hindered us in monetization. I find the compensation appalling, embarrassing and disgusting for any artist to have their music royalties more or less stripped from them to feed another mega corporation. I cannot understand how governments have not stepped in yet and rectified this situation. And sure, they are great for artist discovery but even at that, most of the time you have to pay THEM for fans to notice you. You have to step on your own stacks of cash to poke your head above all the saturated noise. Actually, the more I think of it, it finically hinders a doubt.
5. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music?
Spending time with my wife, kid and dog. Having fun with friends, going out, reading books, writing books, boxing, martial arts, watching movies, listening to podcasts. Lots can keep me busy
6. What are your future plans musically? Tours?
Once COVID lifts touring is on the agenda. For now, we are writing as mush as possible so that we can record our second studio album early 2021. We have released our first album Doctors & Demons and we are promoting this in various ways through music videos, creating lyric videos, having cool chats like this one and much more in the works.
Thanks for having this chat with us, we appreciate the time you and your readers took to get to know a bit about us. Much love and noise – Fatal Switch
Links
Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube