'Canadian metal, just obey...' - long before Fenriz' salute to the country's infamous metal legacy, Canada has already had its reputation sorted as fertile soil for producing some of the most awesome metal on the planet. Andrew Oliver believes that Calgary-based STINGER may be the next contenders to the throne and had a pleasant chat with band's founder, Shaddy Elsaghir.
First
off, tell us about the history of the band. I’m aware that there
have been various line-up changes as well as the release of your
debut album. Tell us about it!
STINGER
had its first few jams at a place I had in late 2010, one thing led
to another and it became a lean mean metal machine. 'Manic Depressor'
came out June 2011, we worked our ass off to get that album out
there, and it was pretty successful.
In
a time where generic Death core and various Nu Metal and Screamo
bands are becoming more and more prevalent and popular in the metal
scene, what keeps you steadfast in playing this great, classic metal
music? Why was it that you decided to play this music in the first
place?
Y'know
I always wondered why its seemed like rock music has taken a downturn
since the early 90s, I didn't know what the fuck radcore prog math
metal or whatever the fuck that shit is called till I was 17 y'know,
when I first heard it I was just like whaaa? I can't relate, at all
and by then I was already caught up in discovering classic shit. Our
music itself isn't necessarily simple, but some people over
complicate shit, my band should always be associated with having a
good time and hearing tunes that make you feel like a badass, not
shit that is gonna connect with your World of Warcraft
account. Its just the best kinda music out there, I love it all, but
classic rock n roll n heavy metal is as real as it gets.
Speaking
of your musical style, let’s talk about the direction behind your
debut album, 'Manic Depressor'. How did it come to be written and
recorded, and could talk about the recording process?
Kirill
Telichev, a Calgary local did it, he's a good friend of mine and in
all honesty I have no need to search for another producer, he is
easily the best in the city and the best quality I've heard from any touring
bands from USA or Canada. The album was more or less split up from
the early STINGER recordings, songs written with the first line-up,
and then songs written with the 2nd line up, between about 4 months
apart, we were gonna record an EP and it snowballed into a full on
album, the new songs when Mike came in the band elevated our game, we
started getting bigger gigs with better bands and it upped the bar
for all of us. 'Manic Depressor', '12 Years', 'Dream Revolver',
'Lucid Screams', you can hear a definite evolution in those songs and
a more complex mature songwriting.
 |
| Shaddy Elsaghir of STINGER |
Thanks
dude, I just wanna be the jackass who claims to write everything now
just to piss some people off!! hahaha. Honestly 'Manic Depressor' was
so fuckin organic, the writing was mainly between Mike and I, some
songs I'd write 90% of them, some songs he would write 90%, some
songs it'd be a collaboration down to the fuckin core, I'd bring in a
riff, he'd bring in the pre-chorus, I'd bring in the chorus
etc, and we split up a lot of lyrics as well. I am most proud of the
collaborations, although the title track is my favorite and that one
was not.
How
has the general reception of 'Manic Depressor' been? Are you
satisfied with how it turned out?
Y'know
man so far so good so what? Haha just kidding, its been great, thanks
to people like you and other badasses I've never physically met
responding with such enthusiasm thrills me, I wanna do it again and
again. The fans have been great, across Canada the crowds were pretty
enthusiastic for 4 grease bags playing IRON MAIDEN licks.
What
has STINGER been up to currently as far as live shows, possible
tours, and writing new material?
The
2nd album is being written right now, possibly a song or 2 to be
released around February! Release the album, tour, come home and do
it again,haha.
Musical
influence is very important in helping to define a band’s sound.
What are some albums that have been particularly influential on you
and your style?
For
'Manic...' it would have to be GUNS N' ROSES meets MAIDEN, 2 bands
who probably should not meet in the middle haha, throw in some
Portnoy-esque drums and you'd get STINGER.
What
has the band’s strategy been as far as the distribution and
marketing of your debut album?
Y'know
were up on iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, we haven't been entirely
lazy nor entirely proactive in that front. We've got digital download
available on CD Baby as well, were pretty much there if you
look for us(search STINGER 'Manic Depressor'). We're still gonna
continue pushing the first album but line-up changes really put a
kind of bad taste in my mouth, I still love the tunes on that record,
we'll still play 'em and it still can be pushed further, but I would
rather record something twice as good now with the current line-up.
We'll see how much further it can go, it is overall a cool record,
I'm sure anyone can enjoy at least a song or 2.
I
realize that STINGER is no stranger to the live stage, but are there
any plans of going outside the Canadian border anytime soon?
Y'know
man if I could tour the US and Europe I'd be happy, we're working on
it, we'd love to play to THAT kind of audience cause it’s like
man-up or gtfo, thats where it’s at. Canada is our training grounds
and we're thankful we have a country where we could express ourselves
and get a good response, but the US and Europe, definitely the next
stop.
Despite
various trials and tribulations, struggles, and line-up changes,
STINGER seems to be still going strong. What are your plans for the
future?
Domination!!
Kill all the Katy Perry Kesha Friday night motherfuckers, I really
would not mind just scaring the shit outta those kind of people and
melting their faces off mid shred!!
Any
last words?
KILL
THE KING.
You can read Andrew's review of 'Manic Depressor' here.
STINGER links: http://www.myspace.com/stingerrocks
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