Nonpoint

The new Nonpoint album “Miracle” is out now on the band’s own 954 Records.The album was produced by Chad Gray and Greg Tribbett of Mudvayne/HELL YEAH. Nonpoint is comprised of three original members, Elias Soriano (vocals), Ken MacMillian (bass), Robb Rivera (drums), along with axeman Zach Broderick who makes his debut on the new album.

Maximum Ink: What were some of your earliest influences?
Ken MacMillian: Musically I’d have to say that Iron Maiden and Suicidal Tendencies really helped jump start my true appreciation for music. Before that I didn’t really look at music as ‘influential’. Just stuff to jam to.
MI: When did you first know you wanted to be a musician? And why?
KM: I was introduced to music by way of a bass guitar given to me as payment for mowing my neighbor’s lawn. A week later, a buddy of mine said he was putting a band together and asked if I played any instruments. I told him “yeah, I play bass.” I was happy to find out that when I showed up, they were all just as bad as I was. It was a hell of a twist of fate in my favor, but I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out!

Read More...

Threat Level

Threat Level was forged amidst the industrial wasteland of Kokomo, Indiana in 2005. Known as the “City of Firsts,” for pneumatic rubber tires, aluminum casting, stainless steel tableware, the Howitzer shell, aerial bombs with fins, mechanical corn pickers, canned tomato juice and home to the Delco Radio Division of General Motors Corporation, its no wonder these guys turned to metal music. They grew up children of industry, surrounded by steel, metal, aluminum and more recently, poverty, issued by the closing of local auto plants. Attributed to the financial problems of the automotive industry, in December 2008, Kokomo was listed third by Forbes in a list of America’s fastest dying towns.

Read More...

Lo-Pro

Hailing from Southern California, Lo-Pro is comprised of frontman Pete Murray, guitarists Pete Ricci and Neil Godfrey, bassist Jerry Oliviera, and drummer Tommy Stewart (ex Godsmack drummer). Murray and Neil have been writing material together for almost 20 years. The long awaited follow up to the self-titled debut called “The Beautiful Sounds of Revenge” is expected to be released in May 2010.

Maximum Ink: Who are some of your musical influences?
Pete Murray: I grew up on Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel, U2. I wanted to sing in a band after seeing Ministry live for the first time but I’d say melody is the biggest influence. I also miss the days when massive bands like that would reinvent themselves every time they released a new record - regardless of how well the last one did. There are too many bands nowadays writing the same record over and over because “it worked the first time.”

MI: It is mentioned during the time between albums you had taken up yoga as a way to deal with anger. How would you say it helped you deal with
things?
PM: Yoga taught me how to breathe again. It’s changed my perspective completely. I don’t take this whole journey of life so seriously anymore.

Read More...

Stacey Blades

Canadian born Stacey Blades is best known as the guitarist for L.A Guns. He has also played in Roxx Gang, Mojo Gurus, Supercool, and is a solo artist. His solo album album Symphonic Slam is currently available on Itunes and Amazon.com

Maximum Ink:  Who were your earliest musical influences? Which of your influences have affected your playing style most?
Stacey Blades: Well for bands it was, The Cars, Cheap Trick, Aerosmith, Ozzy, Motley and Hanoi Rocks. Guitarists are Randy Rhoads, Joe Perry, Jimmy Page and Hendrix. Definitely Randy Rhoads influenced me the most for guitar players. He was amazing and died waaayy too young! I love those first two Ozzy records. His playing on those is just incredible.

Read More...

Black Label Society

While John “JD” DeServio is best known for his work as the bassist of Black Label Society, he also works hard on his own project Cycle of Pain. He formed Cycle of Pain with Greg Locascio and Joe Taylor, who he has been playing in bands with since he was 15. The band recently won an award from High Times Magazine for “Best Pot Song” for, “Do My Work High” off the self-titled debut album (featuring Zakk Wylde and Sen Dog (Cypress Hill).

Maximum Ink: You’ve mentioned as a child you were a fan of music and horror flicks. Why do you think the two go together so well? What are some of your favorite horror films and why?
John DeServio: Heavy metal music is dark, so to speak, just like horror movies. Growing up, I loved Black Sabbath and Kiss. Two bands that brought horror movies to the stage. My favorite horror movies are night of the living dead, and the exorcist.

MI: Aside from playing bass you also enjoy playing the drums and keys. Do you think you might ever play either on any upcoming albums?
JD: On my Cycle of Pain record, I played both on one song! I see heaven, I played drums, piano, keys, bass, and sang!!

Read More...