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Interview with State of Illusion

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I had the pleasure of conducting an interview via the phone with State Of Illusion from Greenville South Carolina. They have been a band since 2005, they have had a few lineup changes in the years, but are now a group of musicians who are ready and vested full time to put their music out to the masses instead of just regionally. The band consists of Jacob Porter- Vocals and Guitar, Bryce Chism- Drums, Cam Price- Guitar, and Brandon Rogers- Bass.

They are currently an unsigned band that has been DIY one hundred percent, and are heavily influenced by Staind, Cold, Breaking Benjamin, A Perfect Circle, and Tool. These influences are well known and heard on their album Aphelion, that State Of Illusion released on 07-22-2014.

Jacob and Josh produced and recorded Aphelion’s thirteen tracks themselves, and used their talent as musicians to bring in a different aspect of their writing by using a piano and pedal steel guitar that is something not heard of in the bands mentioned earlier that they are influenced by. I asked them. Why they decided to re-release Aphelion? The band is not the same band it was in the early inception of State Of Illusion, and with the current lineup the band wanted to make everything fresh and new again, because there are different musicians in the band, and the new members bring a different aspect of writing and playing the music. So it made sense for them to re-release Aphelion and do right by their fans as well.

If you get nothing from this interview but one thing, and you take anything away from the words that came about from my time with this band. Is this. Each and every member from State Of Illusion are super passionate about music!!!! This is what gets me fired and super stoked while doing an interview, because I am cut from the same mold when it comes to music. Music has saved my life a million times plus and the same goes with each one of the members from State Of Illusion. They truly love what they do and are ready to make the transition to bring their live, in your face, raw show to other cities in North America besides just staying regional, and this goes along with the band going through line up changes and finding exactly what they needed to do so.

The band is always writing, and taking on several different aspects of approaching their music to get it up and running on all cylinders.

Beware though when they do hit the road to bring their fans and music lovers alike who have not had the pleasure of seeing or hearing this band play live, because there might just be a riot or two depending on what cities they decide to visit and bring their genre mashing music with them. You better believe if there is not a Sheetz nearby, or readily accessible to each and every band member from State Of Illusion. It will get messy!!! We all have vices and we all need those vices from time to time, but for a band it is something I love to ask them what they must have while not having their creature comforts of home. Especially Jacob. He is all about the MTO Bacon Cheeseburger on a pretzel bun. Bryce is all about the meme’s (he sent me one after the interview and I will never look at one of my favorite vocalist the same), Brandon loves his coffee, and Cameron loves his coffee and burritos!

This band deserves a listen, a look, and your time as a fan, because they are fans just the same as you and I. I believe that they will overshadow many bands in this genre, because of their LOVE for music, their passion, their drive, and wanting to execute real music for real fans! I hope you enjoyed this interview as much as I did, because not only am I fan of State Of Illusion. I am a friend to them now and I am forever grateful for their sacrifices for us fans who love music.

THANK YOU!

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INTERVIEW WITH OF VIRTUE

Ron

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Where does the band name come from? Wanting to be the best version of yourself at all times. The name is a reminder to hold ourselves accountable.

How is the music scene in Michigan? The Michigan music scene has always been vibrant and in my opinion, important. Do we get the credit we deserve? Absolutely not. But for the state that brought you Motown, Eminem, Lizzo, The White Stripes, I Prevail and so many other incredible artists – it’s kind of hard to believe that Michigan remains a hidden gem.

How’s the reception from the fans of the latest album “Omen”? It’s been incredible. From seeing people singing along at shows to us seeing new supporters of all different ages, colors, and creeds joining the journey. Omen has been a pivotal album in our career and we’re proud of it!

If you could tour with 2 bands, which bands would you want to tour with? Spiritbox and Bad Omens. They’re both making waves, changing who the metal audience is, and surely they’d be fun to hang around with.

Where do you draw inspiration for the lyrics? Honestly, the lyrics are our stories. The stories of our struggles, our trials and our tribulations.

What’s been your favorite tour or show? We just got off of a tour with our labelmates, Any Given Day. They treated us to a handful of sold out shows over in Europe, which at this point we call our second home. Those were great shows, but any show we’ve done in Europe is typically one for the books!

If you could bring back a dead musician, who would it be? Prince for sure. An incredible musician I would love an opportunity to chat or make music with!

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INTERVIEW WITH TWIN TEMPLE

Ron

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Being Married and being in a band together. Do you feel that makes it easier or harder?

We love to do the Devil’s work together so for us its a match made in hell. 

What’s your favorite horror movie?

That’s hard to narrow down but the first few that come to mind are Rosemary’s Baby, The Devil Rides Out, Wickerman, The Devils Reign featuring Anton Lavey, Mario Bava’s Black Sunday, anything starring Vincent Price. We also got to see an advance screen of “Late Night with the Devil” featuring a very evil performance from our friend Dave Dastmalchian. We’re also looking forward to Bryan Fuller’s “Dust Bunny” and are positive it will be a new favorite. The list goes on…..we are huge horror fans.

Favorite Non Horror Movie?

Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca (which is horror/noir adjacent) and The Burbs (also horror adjacent…haha.)

All of Quentin Tarantino’s films- our latest favorite is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, because 1960’s LA…

What misconception of Satanists would you like to educate people on?

We’re not here to proselytize, force our beliefs on people, or educate people on them Selves, Satanism or anything else. If people are interested in exploring Satanism, we encourage them to do their research and question everything. 

If you could bring back any dead musician, who would you pick and why?

We would have loved to do a song with Ronnie Spector who recently passed. Also would have been amazing to collaborate with Jack Nitzsche who arranged so many amazing songs. 

If you could tour with any 2 bands, who would you want to tour with?

The Ronnettes & The Shangri-Las.

What has been your Favorite Tour so far?

The God is Dead Tour that we’re currently on is definitely the most evil and blasphemous tour yet. We find it very pleasurable to be able to continue expanding the rituals and seeing our nightmares come true on stage.  

You were on “Dragula” with the Boulet Brothers, how was that experience?

It was a fiendish delight to collaborate with some of our fav monsters. 

What was it like Touring with Danzig?

Another nightmare come true! We’ve both been fans for a long time and we’re obviously inspired by the wicked world Glenn has conjured. So to get to spend time with him and watch him live every night and to now call him a friend is completely surreal. He’s a legend— but was also one of the coolest, kindest, most unholy people we’ve had the carnal pleasure of touring with. 

How’s the reception of the last album “God is Dead”?

Personally, we love the record and are very proud of what we’ve accomplished. As far as other peoples’ reactions…. we don’t know and don’t care! We pleasured ourselves and that’s what matters most.

What got you interested in the style of music you play? And how would describe your music?

We’ve always loved classic American music from jazz to blues to country to rock and roll and so on. We also love the pageantry of heavy metal and theatre. So for us it was a very organic culmination of our obsessions. Rock and roll has always been the devils music. 

Have you visited the Satanic Temple in Massachusetts?

No we have not but Lucien did attend one of our rituals so we had a chance to share where we get our babies blood and all things Satan. 

Have you had any bad encounters at shows because of the misconception of satanism?

No! We purposefully foster a live show environment where all are welcome, all should come being the most important person in the world which is themselves, whatever that may be. Even Christians! We believe music is meant to bring joy, transcendence… We just want to share the things we love; pink, rhinestones, big hair, great rock ’n’ roll, Satanic ritual, you know…  but we have had churches assemble outside our shows, screaming through distorted PA speakers that God is not dead & wishing us all a “terrible time”.  Why would their God not want us to have fun? This kind of behavior is only makes us more proud to be who we are and do what we love.

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FIRST JASON: LOVEDRAFTS INTERVIEW

Ron

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EMPIRE EXTREME GOT TO SIT DOWN AND TALK TO ARI LEHMAN OF FIRST JASON AND TALK ABOUT STARTING THE CULT OF JASON VORHEES FANS

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