Scorch Interview
Ballbuster Hardmusic - Interview with Russ (vocals/guitar) from Scorch
by Jasper Jackson
1) How long has Scorch been in existence?
Guitarist/vocalist Russ Meuchel and drummer Dave Arvo began writing songs and building the Scorch recording studio in 1998. In 2000, percussionists Shawn Farrell & Todd Wolfe joined to found Scorch's 3- drummer identity. Kevin Petroski joined on guitar in 2001 a few months before we performed our first live show. There has been at least 2 different member changes on 2nd percussion, 2nd guitar and bass guitar since then.
2) In your own words describe the band's sound & influences?
A combination of tribal, speed, groove, thrash, and melodic European metal.
3) Where & what studio did the production of "Faces" take place?
Russ engineered and recorded the entire album in his professional Pro Tools recording studio, Ember Enterprises. Steve Smith with Top Fuel Productions assisted in mixing and production at Ember Enterprises as well. The final mixing was completed by Zeuss at Planet Z Recording in Massachusetts (who has worked with Shadowsfall, God Forbid, Unearth, Hatebreed, etc). The CD was mastered by Dan Stout at Colossal Mastering in Chicago.
4) What type of image would you say the band projects?
Our band portrays an image of power, energy and unity. Our songs deal mostly with internal struggle and dark emotion. of the songs. Dave, Shawn, and Todd each performed and wrote their own drum parts on the CD. However, the line-up has considerably changed since the CD was recorded. On new songs, we are going to have parts with other auxiliary percussion other than toms, which will make the songs more diverse. Some of the new songs will be short, raw, intense 3-minute songs. Others will be longer and more epic.
5) How did the band name come about?
We wanted something that was short, to the point, and intense. Since artwork, logos and image are so important in the metal scene, we wanted a name that we could have a unique and meaningful symbol. The scorch symbol is in the shape of a triangle, which is the ancient symbol for fire. Because of the fact that we have 3 drummers and the band name is Scorch, we intertwined 3 S's in the Scorch symbol. Plus the number 3 is the number of unity and we're all about uniting the metal scene, our fans and fellow bands. We made the symbol red and black, with fades, so that it all comes to a finite scorching point in the middle.
6) What's the band's long & short term goals as far as touring, recording, writing etc?
Our goal in the Spring is to play as many metalfests, music conferences, and shows with national bands as possible. Our most recent shows in our hometown of Detroit include opening up for Superjoint Ritual, Headbanger's Ball Tour I, Dimmu Borgir, Chimaira & Machine Head.
We performed at several metalfests this past winter and spring. We were 1 of only 3 non-St. Louis bands to perform at the Midwest Monsters Of Metal Showcase II near St Louis on Feb 21st. We also performed at the May Day Metalfest in Indiana, Metal Massacre II fest in Chicago and the Sick as Sin Fest in Massachusetts. Over the summer, we're going to focus on writing songs for the next CD. We plan on shopping our new songs as well as our current full length CD "Faces" to record labels later this year.
7) Are you happy with where the band stands today in the Int'l underground Hard music scene?
I feel that our band is one of the best known and respected in the Detroit area as well as other parts of the midwest. However, we still have a long way to go before the entire US and world will hear us. We are expected to have over 100 reviews in national magazines/webzines over the next 6 months under our current publicity campaign, so we're hoping that opens some new doors and connections for us.
8) What do you feel sets Scorch apart from other Rock & Metal Acts?
By adding 2 extra percussionists, it adds another dimension to the music. When you listen to the CD, you will hear underlying rhythms which compound a new layer of heaviness within the already powerful grooves. When all the drummers come together during the simpler and/or faster guitar riffs, it makes it that much more intense. The extra percussion definitely makes this CD one that you can listen to over and over and catch a new instrument that you didn't notice the time before.
Plus, you can't classify us into one category of metal. Most people who into sub-genre of metal like thrash, speed, groove, tribal, old school etc love our CD. We're not stuck into death metal or doom metal only. Some people who aren't even diehard metal fans loved our show because of the uniqueness of the stage show/percussion.
9) As far as fans go, how would you describe them?
Loyal, crazy, and die-hard. We keep in close contact with our fans. Our fans are very important to us. Without them, we are nothing. We write back everyone in e-mail within a day or two. We send out letters in the snail mail a couple times a year, plus we sign all our merchandise at shows. A close relationship with our fans is a must!
10) What would you say is your biggest gripe about the music industry?
My biggest gripe about the music industry is how it is structured nowadays. All of these 'rockstar' movies about bands just being 'discovered' and making it to the top is bullshit as far as the band scene. Maybe on TV prime time, but not in the rock & metal scene. It will be nice to not have to be the booking agent, manager, web programmer, song writing & recording engineer one day, so we can focus almost solely on the music. For now, we'll take care of everything so we can prove to labels how serious we are.
11) Can you tell us a bit about your current release "Faces"?
"Faces" was many years in the making. You may have heard the quote, "You have your whole life to make you first CD. Then you have 1-2 years to make every CD thereafter." Well that was exactly the case with this CD. Because of the fact that I didn't meet the right band members for years, the guitar riffs and lyrics were stockpiled. Also, because we were so meticulous with the production, songwriting, arrangements etc, it was a long grueling (but enjoyable and learning) process. Physically building the studio, researching/purchasing/learning to use the gear, etc took over a year. This all took place before the band name and identity was even born.
As for the CD itself, it has a wide variety of metal. Some songs are only 3 minutes long with straight up speed and deep grooves. The title track "Face" is 9 minutes long with multiple solos and tempo changes. Every song has a mixture of clean and harsh (scream) vocals.
12) What can fans expect to see at a live SCORCH show?
The most unique thing about our stage setup is that we have 3 drummers. Only the main drummer has a full drum kit. The other 2 drummers stand and play about 6 toms a piece. As for stage props: we decided that when we first started playing out that we wanted to be different than all the bands who have a banner for their backdrop. We felt that the only thing appropriate for a metal band's backdrop would be a sign made out of pure metal! So we went to a local metal working shop and had a 6-foot sign made out of pure metal created that we elevate on poles behind the drum kit. The sign is lighted so it shows up well in the dark. We also have strobes up on stands that we use for some of the fast double-bass parts. In addition to the sign and lights, we have custom made Scorch symbols on the bass drums. As for the band members, each of us are crazy in our own way. Shawn uses his drum kit as a lauching pad. Nik has down the art of 'hair windmilling', plus joins me on vocals on a few songs. Emilio tears it up on guitar, and Dave's drumming is simply diabolical! John is veryintense on percussion, nicknamed "animal" by many. Plus I try to keep things interesting by having a few songs where I play guitar for only a portion of the song or not at all. This keeps things more diverse (versus being tied to the mic stand at all times).
13) What is your most memorable moment at a live show?
At the B.E. Henry Building, near Jackson, Michigan During the song Explode where I do vocals only and run around everywhere, Nik was running around with his wireless bass guitar. I didn't see that he had slid down on his knees and was 2 feet behind me. I backed up and did a backward somersault over him. We both kept playing/singing (and laughing). The crowd loved it. It almost looked like it was planned but we couldn't have planned anything like that!
Parting Shot?
We do what we do because we love to do it. We love performing for and hanging out with metalheads from all over. Nothing is better than playing music true to you and letting people express their emotions through your own music. That's what it's all about for us: connecting with people and the passion for metal!!!
