Interview with vocalist Howard Jones
Vocalist Howard Jones has been a busy man these days. He has been touring nonstop with Killswitch Engage on their current Ozzfest trek (no band is getting better reviews) and his other band, Blood Has Been Shed, has just released their third album, Spirals. Blood Has Been Shred released two previous albums (I Dwell on Thoughts of You and Novella of Uriel) but it's been awhile waiting for Spirals. Spirals is a crushing disc which proves this band is more than just another hardcore/ metal crossover. Spirals has the importance and relevance of Sepultura's Chaos A.D.- this is a band on the rise. Here is Jones.
Why should someone be interested in Spirals?
Well, if you are interested in heavy music that is a little out of the
ordinary, this is for you. We tried to make an album that was different
and fun for us to play live and hopefully not boring after a couple of
spins in the c.d. player. We constantly strive to make an album with heavy
tone, and this album is just that. Oh, and you can dance a little jig to
it too.
Coming from the New England area, you have witnessed many great
bands, do you feel that the music scene is just starting to gain
momentum and heavy, aggressive, creative music from this area will
become recognized around the world?
It's pretty funny that New England is getting as much attention as it is
right now. Most of these bands have been doing what they do for years
without so much as a peep from record labels or mainstream audiences. So
many good bands have come out of our area, I am just glad that people
even remember who Blood Has Been Shed is.
In your biography you mention the core of Blood Has Been Shed will
always be there, how are you able to remain so close and work so well
together? What is the secret to your success?
Pretty much the same as most bands, you become friends and just stick
together. Corey (guitar), John (bass) and I have been together for
years, and Justin has been with us for 1 1/2 to 2 years now, we love
what we do and we love each other even when we ware couped up in a van
and we stink and we are driving each other nuts, or even when Corey has
one of those frappucino bottles under your back while you are sleeping.
I don't know if its success, but we have been thru more member changes
and more personal trauma than most bands, it helps you bond.
For Howard, how does being a member of Killswitch Engage effect your
time with Blood Has Been Shed?
Well, Killswitch is definitely a fulltime project, so B.H.B.S. doesn't get as
much attention. When we can make our schedules work we will do some
tours or some weekend shows. Things have worked out pretty well all
things considered. Most of us have jobs that are very time consuming so
for us to continue doing things and having people take any kind of
notice has been great. We are working on some things here in the near
future so keep your fingers crossed.
I enjoy your band because you have a distinct personality, from your
perspective, what makes your band different? What separates Blood Has
Been Shed from the pack?
We are a little more than just an E chord band. Corey and Justin
write a lot differently than most would think. We get some comparisons to
a certain off-time Swedish band and I can see it, but we are definitely
something different. There is alot of polyrhythms in our music, but also
alot of non-repetitive patterns, and by that I mean they make no sense
in a musician sense but in a way they do. Those guys would probably
explain it alot better than I do, anybody who rolls dice to get kick
drum/guitar patterns and then molds it into a two minute song has got to
be doing something right or weird.
Do you think the general public in America have any type of say in
what our government does?
There is a question that just came out of left field. I think the
general public is in a guessing game as to what the government is
actually doing in America.
How about media, is the media (TV, internet, etc.) a useful tool for
the public or is it more for propaganda?
Everything nowadays has mutilple purposes, it's all in how you decipher
and use for yourself. For the most part, TV and internet are good
things, but that's just my opinion.
The New England Hardcore and Metalfest has become one of the leading (if not the best) festivals in America, why do you think this is a great
festival? Especially with a crossover appeal in your sound, do you find
these two audiences are able to get along and enjoy each other or are
there sometimes problems?
For the most part the audiences get along, but you do have moments when
there is a bit of trouble brewing on the floor during bands. It gets
squashed pretty quickly so its nothing truly noteworthy. I think just
about every band has crossover appeal now, whether its in a
metal-mainstream way or a hardcore-death metal way or metalcore-black
metal way, alot of kids are more open to listening to music that is
outside of their bands of choice.
What do you feel is the most important message you would like to get across with your band and music? Just to enjoy what you do, and be thankful that someone gives a crap about it whether its on a small or big scale.
What plans do you have for touring this year?
We are hoping to do a bit of touring in the fall, we have a few options
so we will see what happens. We have had some doors open because of the
new B.H.B.S. c.d. so I am grateful for that.
How was your experience at Hellfest?
Hellfest was awesome. It always is. I can honestly say I was more tired
than I have ever been in my life. I played Ozzfest with Killswitch, flew
out that evening on a red-eye, played with B.H.B.S. at Hellfest and was in
the air an hour later flying back to Ozzfest. I can't really complain, this is a heck of a job so I may as well enjoy it while I can.
Final comments?
Thanks for the interview, new season of the Simpsons is highly
anticipated, and grab the new B.H.B.S. c.d. and email us with your thoughts.
Bloodhasbeenshed.com.
Discography:
2003... Spirals (Ferret)
2001... Novella Of Uriel (Ferret)
1997... I Dwell On Thought Of You (Ferret)
Current line-up:
Howard Jones... vocals
Corey... guitars
John Lynch... bass
Justin Foley... drums
| TTM reviews of albums by Blood Has Been Shed: | |
| 2003 - 'Spirals' |
