Interviews: PUYA
On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal band, PUYA from Puerto Rico. 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?
Originally the band had a different name Whisker Biscuit, It was an instrumental power trio. Later we introduced vocals and the music began to find it's place. We anonymously felt that the band name no longer represented what the band had evolved to. So in 1994 Ramon, our guitarist, brought the name Puya to the table, not sure where he got it, but we all agreed that this had to be the name. Strong spanish word, easy to remember. Puya means something sharp like an arrow head or the point of a needle. Puya is also what we call black coffee straight up with no sugar in Puerto Rico. So for all these reasons we felt this name represented us well.
2.Why did you want to play this genre?
We really never decided that this would be our genre. It sort of came about after long hours of straight up jamming. We were playing whatever came naturally to us. At the time of writing songs, what came through was just the result of years growing up in the island surrounded by so much music. We were always around all the traditional puertorrican folk music, bomba, plena, salsa. On the other hand we were listening to rock, metal, funk. Bands like Fishbone, Red Hot Chilipeppers, Tower of Power, and bands like Pantera, Sepultura, AC DC, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Van Halen, Ratt, Dio, Helmet, Motorhead, Kiss to name a few. So, I guess you could say that Puya's genre is a big melting pot of all the above. I don't think that we fit 100% in any specific genre.
3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?
Yes. In particular Ramon (guitarist) and Harold (bassist) were classmates all through school and then both went on to study at the University of PR. I met Harold because we played together in a cover band prior to playing with Ramon. Then we began as a 3 piece instrumental and very experimental band.
4. Each band member's favourite band?
This is a tough question. I couldn't say one band. But I can tell you that bands like Sepultura, Pink Floyd, Van Halen, Pantera, Rage Against the Machine are for sure at the top of that list.
5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?
Songs can come from many different places. Inspiration may come from listening to other music, a personal experience good or bad , a current event, our homeland Puerto Rico has always been an incredible source of inspiration, or sometimes it simply comes from your own instrument. Just spending time jamming, let the ideas flow. We try to keep a very open mind stylistically speaking as you can probably tell. There are no set rules or parameters.
6. Where was your last gig?
Our last gig was just before the pandemic hit the world. It was February 15th 2020 In the city of Bogota, Colombia at the Tattoo Music fest. It was awesome. Too bad everything after that got cancelled or postponed. Can't wait to get back out there.
7. Where would you like to act?
There are continents that we have never been. We would like to go to Europe and Asia. Also go back to Latin America such as Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and of course el Caribe! our home Puerto Rico! ,. and the USA. We just miss being out there. It will be wonderful to go on the road again.
8. Whom would you like to feature with?
Depends who's out there at the time, but if a Puya and Rage Against the Machine show ever became a reality, it would definitely be something really special. We would also love to play again with bands like Hatebreed, Sepultura and System of a Down. These were some of the best tours we had.
9. Whom not?
Ohhh... I don't know lol. Not sure what to say here. Guns n Roses maybe? We opened for them once and we had a less than great experience but that's another story.
10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?
Of course! Whoever in this business that tells you they haven't experienced stage fright, they are lying! I mean yes it goes away, but anyone that plays live music for a living had their share of it at some point. I remember the first time we went to Colombia in 1996 to play at the Rock Al Parque Festival at the Simon Bolivar Stadium 60K+ people. Our first time in front of a crowd of that magnitude. Forget about stage fright, I was shitting bricks! But once we got on stage and began to play it took about 15 seconds, as soon as we saw that crowd rocking out it was all over. Any tips? have a shot of whiskey but don't over do it, too much could result badly believe me I know.Just one shot before going on stage usually does the trick, just takes some of that edge off. Also warming up and stretching seems to help with the nerves.
11. What bands have inspired you the most?
There have been many bands over the years that have been a source of inspiration, and such a wide range of music. I mean, growing up listening to Ozzy, ACDC, Boston, Rush, Maiden, Floyd, Crimson, Van Halen, Hendrix, The Beatles, all inspiring bands.
12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?
One time a fan asked me to sign his grandmother's tits. Yeah that's weird.
13. What do you think of your fans?
The fans are the gasoline that keeps this engine running. We appreciate them with everything we've got. Each and everyone of them.
14. What do you think of our site?
Awesome site! love that you're promoting good music. Rock on!
15. Something you'd like to add?
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all our dear fans for allowing us to continue this awesome journey. We love you for that. New killer music is on it's way! Stay tuned with us:
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