Interviews: Pyrotechnica

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal/Electronic/Post-Hardcore band Pyrotechnica from USA. Check out the interview and this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

SCARLETT: It just came out, one day. The beginning process of coming up with a legit-sounding band name is always a pain in the ass. It was really hard to decide on a name that we didn’t come up with funny puns for later. “Mmmm...dragons,” was my first thought. Merriam-Webster wasn’t letting me down either: "Pyrotechnics" and the earlier adjective "pyrotechnic" derive via French from the Greek nouns pyr ("fire") and "techne" ("art"). Like "fireworks" "pyrotechnics" also has an extended figurative usage, referring to any kind of dazzling display or performance. That’s pretty damn dope!

BEN AND DUSTIN: It was either that or “Dawn of the Orcs.”

2.Why did you want to play this genre? 

SCARLETT: Our alternative-metal, or “anime-metal” genre came to be, I think because we’re all drawn to music that is rhythmically catchy, driven, edgy, tastefully predictable, and all somewhat melodic and beautiful.

DUSTIN: Metal is moderately difficult, open for experimentation, and an absolute blast to practice and perform.

JOSH: Because there is no limitations to what we want to write. With our genre if we want to be heavy we can and if we want to be poppy we can. Your never bored or forced to have to write something that people expect.

BEN: It’s loud and exciting! It’s also a very open genre and doesn’t having limitations to our writing.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

SCARLETT: Ben and I were in another band together before Pyro. I met Dustin and Josh through Ben, really.

DUSTIN: I worked with Ben at GC, other than that no.

JOSH: Not at all. I met them once for a brief moment passing out flyers for a show. And then saw them a few times live.

BEN: I knew Scarlett from another band we use to be in. I worked with Dustin at Guitar Center doing lessons. And Josh I knew from another local band around town.

4. Each band member favourite band? 

SCARLETT: Oh man. My top 3 currently are: One OK Rock, Don Broco, and Fall Out Boy.

DUSTIN: This one is tough, so many bands are at the top of my list, but Opeth definitely dominates.

JOSH: Top 3 in different genres would have to be Sasoin, Eluveitie, and Anti Flag.

BEN: Top 3 would have to be Trivium, Periphery and Ice Nine Kills.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

SCARLETT: It really depends. Lyrically, I pick up inspirations from anywhere, like catchy phrases I overhear at the mall, and even words and numbers that keep popping up during the week. Melodically, I get these “earworms” that won’t go away for weeks or month - and they come to me mid-shower, or when I’m stuck in traffic. Huh. Now that I think about it, I wrote a handful of songs in the car. I sure spend a lot of time in my vehicle.

DUSTIN: Listening and practicing new music to challenge my technique and style.

JOSH: When its a straight forward song, like our single Stereo for example, I think to myself what can I write to let the song have a smooth sound with a little spice but not over doing it. If it’s a fairly open song, I think how can I push myself to be different than the last song. That's the cool thing about music, you can never perfect your instrument.

BEN: Two things really inspire me as a musician. One being the talented local musicians I choose to surround myself with. When I hear some of the talented players around town, no matter their instrument it always reminds me there’s something to practice on my own instrument. Second thing is listening to new bands and artists regardless of the genre. I especially love listening to funk and pop music for inspiration.

6. Where was your last gig? 

ALL: The Tempe Market Place in Tempe, Arizona. We play every few months at an outside mall for 3 hours and entertain people while they do their shopping. We tend to meet a lot of interesting people and get a wide variety of new fans that wouldn’t have otherwise have seen us at our typical metal shows.

7. Where would you like to perform? 

SCARLETT: Performing on Ellen or Jimmy Fallon would be enthralling! The Wembley Stadium or Madison Square Garden would be such a life-changing experience! Japan and UK too!

DUSTIN: Japan would be amazing. We’ve always been told that our music sounds like it’s from an anime.

JOSH: Outside the states would be phenomenal. Such as Sweden, Australia, Japan, London. I can careless what venue just the adventure with my band mates would be a dream.

BEN: Japan!

8. Whom would you like to perform with? 

SCARLETT: One OK Rock, Don Broco, Against The Current, and Fall Out Boy.

DUSTIN: Opeth.

JOSH: Sasoin so I can just watch their drummer Alex the whole time.

BEN: Trivium, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Ice Nine Kills, heck why not Ariana Grande!

9. Whom not? 

ALL: We don’t know if we wouldn’t want to perform with anyone.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

SCARLETT: I have stage fright all the time, before I go on stage.

An epiphany I had was that, this rush of adrenaline I feel before a performance is never going to go away; it’s now I channel it that matters. It started helping once we began taking more time and incorporating more personal contexts into our songwriting process; that’s when our music took on its soul and entity. That’s when our music became believable, to me. When you really believe in something, you cast all fear and doubt aside.

DUSTIN: I still do to this day. Up until the moment the drummer counts us in, I getpretty nervous. Practice performing in front of people, it helps to get used to the presence of an audience.

JOSH: Always, its something I'd assume will never go away. I honestly sort of just drown out the people in front of me which is fairly easy for the drummer. Once I hear my in ear mix starting I sort of turn into a character, sort of an angry aggressive person. Its just me my instrument and I play as hard as I can.

BEN: I’ve been performing music since I was 9 so I’ve definitely gotten use to it. I can’t say I don’t get a full feeling of adrenaline before I play but that’s part of the whole experience. I would say to any beginner that you just need to have fun and don’t worry about what other people think. I do teach middle school band and orchestra and they’re always nervous on concert days. I just tell them to do their thing and always have fun.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

SCARLETT: One OK Rock, Don Broco, and Fall Out Boy.

DUSTIN: Opeth, The Contortionist, Good Tiger, Coheed and Cambria

JOSH: Pretty much any band who has been to able to make music and touring a career and staying on top not allowing egos or vanity take over.

BEN: Trivium, Earth Wind and Fire, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

SCARLETT: It was more “awesome” than “weird,” but I’ve had someone ask to buy the shirt off my back. It happened so quickly. I didn’t know if he was joking, and he wasn’t. The Band account was happy that night.

DUSTIN: A guitar pick. I guess it’s not so weird, I was just caught off guard.

JOSH: My signature.

BEN: I will always never get over people wanting pictures with us.

13. What do you think of your fans? 

SCARLETT: Everyone I’ve met and everyone who’s reached out to me has been the funniest, wittiest, and most supportive people! I’d like to think that everyone who likes and supports our music are super creative and cool, and have all the love to give!

DUSTIN: Most of them have honestly become really close friends of ours, and have certainly helped us in our journey. We cannot express enough gratitude to those that have been with us since the beginning.

JOSH: Very kind and supportive. A majority of them are friends who after all these years still buy tickets and merch. I’ve met a built some really cool friendships because of this band.

BEN: A lot of our fans have become friends of ours and have been very supportive. I truly am grateful for the people that continue to believe in us. It really means the world to hear people say how much they love our music and coming to our shows.

14. What do you think of our site? 

ALL: We’re losing ourselves in all the other bands’ interviews, in the best way! There are a lot of cool bands. Also digging the compilation playlist on the homepage.

15. Something to add?

ALL: Thanks for featuring us! We’ve got some new music and an album coming your way, so keep posted! Check out our official website and sign up to our newsletter to know when it gets released. Also we have some amazing music videos for everyone to check out.