Interviews: Tension Rising

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the  Hard Rock band, Tension Rising, from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the 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?

CHRIS: I was working as a home attendant for a physically handicapped teen. Like any other school day, I brought him home and was getting ready to leave for the day. His little brother, Tyler, who was a big fan of music in general, and a fan of the band, came over to me and stopped me at the door and said “I have an idea for a band name!” I said, “Okay, what do you got?” He said, “What do you think of the name, Tension Rising?” I stood there for a moment and said “Wow... that's really good.” Later on, I brought the idea of Tension Rising to the rest of the guys in the band, and they all loved it. Nick had a list of something like 50+ names that he crumpled into a ball and threw away after hearing it. The rest is history! Tyler, if you're reading this, thank you for the awesome band name idea! You're awesome!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Hard rock, and just heavy-sounding music in general, was a good platform that we shared, so it just felt like the most natural route for us to pursue as a group. 

ALEX: I started off as a fan of classic rock, but once I found bands like Dream Theater and Symphony X, I delved into the world of progressive metal. Fast forward many years, and I was excited at the idea of doing a mix of classic and modern metal with these fine Djentlemen.

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

I knew Alex back in high school. And I met Chris in college, through our mutual friend who was our original bassist. When we needed to bring in a new bassist, Alex professed strong interest in joining us. I knew he would add another dimension to what we were doing, so he was a welcome addition to the group. 

ALEX: I met Nick through a mutual friend who was a drummer and practiced in his garage. Nick and I jammed together there several times in our teens, playing Rush and Led Zeppelin songs. Many years later, I heard Tension Rising needed a bassist, and thought I could help. The rest is history.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Led Zeppelin

ALEX: Dream Theater

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I think the question frames it up perfectly. It’s people and things. People from our past and our present. Experiences we’ve had in our lives. As long as human beings exist, emotions will exist, no matter how much the world around us changes. Parallel to all of that, music will always exist.

ALEX: It can really vary for me. Sometimes I just have musical ideas in my head, and I need to get them out. Other times, I will read about something whether it's fiction or non-fiction, and want to write music that could accompany the story. Last but not least, sometimes I want to invent my own story or talk about things going on in my life, and music is the best way I know how to do that.

6. Where was your last gig?

I’m pretty sure it was a local bar called The Hideout in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, NY

ALEX: The last gig I played was at The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn with Infinite Spectrum. Great show and venue!

7. Where would you like to act?

I would like to be rendered into a character on The Simpsons.

ALEX: Reality TV show about musicians trying to overcome writer's block.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Anybody

ALEX: I would likely collaborate with almost anyone, as long as I like the music they're doing. If I had to pick, I could narrow it down to either John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy, or Neal Morse.

9. Whom not?

ALEX: It would really just depend on the music being made.

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

For sure. I think the only way to overcome it is to just get up there and go through with it. Maybe put one of your “easier” tunes first, just to shake off some of the nerves and get the blood pumping?

ALEX: My very first show when I was around 17, I was petrified when I got on the stage. It was so bad that I actually did mess up one of the songs that I had rehearsed probably a thousand times before! By the next show, I felt very comfortable on stage and thankfully, I've not had any stage freight issues since then! I would suggest that anyone struggling with this just try to remember that the people there want to see you succeed. People don't really go to your gig to hope to see you fail. Just make sure you have rehearsed enough, and then try to have fun!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Aside from Zeppelin, I would say The Beatles, Queen, and Pink Floyd. I think those names I mentioned all have great examples of albums that demonstrate the art of utilizing the recording studio as an instrument. When you consider the time frame, and the limitations of technology when those records were being made, it makes me all the more appreciative of the work that went into those recordings.

ALEX: Led Zeppelin was my first musical love. They are the reason I became a musician at all. Then, I found Dream Theater, and they have drastically shaped my musical trajectory through today. Neal Morse, Haken and the Beatles are also huge influences and sources of musical inspiration.

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

On one of our recent Instagram posts, someone commented “Churn my butter.” I took a trip to Lancaster recently, so if that guy’s timing was better, I would have gladly shipped him some freshly churned butter.

ALEX: I don't think I can top Nick's answer for this one lol...

13. What do you think of your fans?

They are certainly a loyal and patient bunch. I’ll always be grateful for their enduring love and support.

ALEX: All I can say is that doing this, writing and performing music, is not at all possible without fans who want you to keep doing it. All of the people supporting my music endeavors mean the absolute world to me.

14. What do you think of our site?

ALEX: I've known of Breathing the Core for many years. You guys are great. Please keep supporting bands/musicians that are trying to get their music out there! Sites like yours are 100% necessary for bands like us.

15. Something add?

Thank you for the interview! We had a blast! Stay metal!