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 8 Infinite Suns. Formed in 2007 in Los Angeles, the band is comprised of Gavin Woodward on vocals, Matt Bredemeier on lead guitar, Ben Cohen on rhythm guitar, Marvin Marroquin on Drums and Frank Alvarez on bass. Cohen and Bredemeier took some time aside from campaigning for the lead in public votes to answer a few of our questions.
What has been your most challenging moment as an unsigned metal band?
The most challenging moment for us has been finding talented drummers that fit in with our band. This band has gone through around 15-20 drummers. It was a huge setback for us. Because we knew that it just wouldnt be right if we settled with someone who was not at our talent level. Then when we would finally find a talented drummer their attitude did not fit the band. Finally we found Marvin to play drums. Everything has been awesome since then.
Who’s career do you admire?
The career that I admire most is Adam D from Killswitch Engage. Because I am a recording engineer myself. So he has exactly the career I want, which is being in a big band and then recording all the other big bands. He has been a huge inspiration for me.
What is the first metal record you ever bought?
The first metal album that we bought that actually changed our lives was A Predator’s Portrait from Soilwork. What was our actual first metal albums? Probably Rob Zombie for me and Mudvayne for Matt. We are in our twenties, so you gotta give us a break on that!
Who is your favorite non-metal band/artist?
Michael Jackson.
What metal trend would you like to see end?
The metal trend we would like to see end would be Deathcore. Please someone just put that shit away. It has infested our scene. Pretty much destroyed all musical talent involved in metal. It is very ridiculous how this genre became not only a musical taste for many but also a fashion statement! Right when this genre became popular everyone started wearing tight pants and straightened their hair. Its really quite disgusting. Hopefully in 2010 people will get sick of listening to this shit. If more bands would actually sit and listen to how ridiculous they sound playing this style then maybe they would stop, but of course they are just playing it because its popular and very easy to play at that. Id rather bring nu-metal back than keep this around.
Why should people vote for you over the other finalists?
The people should vote for us over the other finalist because we do not just follow the trends. We play what we think sounds good. And when there is passion involved people will pick up on that. Its so easy to tell when a band is just playing music because its popular. When we write music the goal is to really make something interesting to listen to rather than make something that will fit in the trend. The main reason to vote for us is that we can promise to continue to put out rad music no matter what trend is going on.
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 8 Infinite Suns and the 19 other finalists and cast your vote!
