The No Label Needed Contest & Series is a collaboration between Metal Insider and Scion to give one unsigned artist an entire DIY music industry education and launch a release without the help of a label. We’ll be posting features and updates on the contest & series periodically on Metal Insider. Find out more about No Label Needed here.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a closer look at each of the No Label Needed finalists. Today, we’re featuring Bled For Glory.
Formed in 2007 in Clifton, NJ, the band is comprised of Matt Lerner on vocals, Vinnie Rossi on drums and vocals, Erik Schenck on guitar and vocals, Tim Condron on lead guitar and Dan Grossberg on Bass. Rossi took some time aside from campaigning for the lead in public votes to answer a few of our questions.
Why should people vote for your band?
I would say that people should vote for us because we have a passion for the music we write and our goal is to keep getting better as musicians and as a band. The other songs we’ve written are pretty diverse, yet maintain a signature sound. We consider ourselves a metal band but also like to incorporate dynamics, harmony and a lot of non-metal influences.
What has been your biggest challenge as an unsigned band?
The biggest challenge is continuing our growth, staying motivated and not getting discouraged despite the lack of a local original music scene, support, or venues in this area.
What has been your greatest highlight?
I think our greatest highlight was coming in second place at the “Music As a Weapon” battle of the bands last April at Starland Ballroom. Again, it helped us feel validated in our belief that we are a good band. It also forced us to pay attention to a lot of details in our live performance. I think the Bled For Glory after that show was much different from the Bled For Glory before.
Who’s career do you admire?
A band like As I Lay Dying, who are truly self made. They toured the country in a van for years without any support, slept on couches, made no money, etc. It sounds cliché but they were willing to do anything it takes to achieve their dream. That’s metal.
What is the scene like in your home town?
Northern New Jersey is all about the cover bands and if you’re not singing Bon Jovi, no one wants to hear you. They are treated (and paid) like rock stars while we barely cover our bar tab every night. A lot of clubs that hosted metal shows in the past have closed their doors, but we do everything we can to network with good bands in the area, book shows, etc.
What metal trend would you like to see end?
Attack Attack! But seriously, bands that have breakdowns, screaming and blastbeats every second of every song. In my mind, the crazy isn’t as crazy without some mellower parts mixed in… it’s all about dynamics and contrast, otherwise you quickly become acclimated to things being in your face all the time and the music loses its power and energy.
Public voting for the No Label Needed Contest & Series presented by Scion runs through March 8. Visit the No Label Needed microsite to listen to Bled For Glory and the 19 other finalists and cast your vote!
