Interviews: The Wring

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the  Hard Rock band, The Wring from Canada. 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?

Coming up with a band name is probably the most difficult thing a group of musicians has to do! Everything has been done. We spent months kicking around ideas then, an epiphany. I had written a song for the first album called The Wring. The song was about the spooky, ominous feeling you have when sitting late at night waiting for a phone call that is very likely going to be bad news… kind of a double entendre of the ringing of the phone and the wringing of the hands. There didn’t seem to be anyone using it so that was the winner and now it seems so obvious.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

I do what comes naturally. The Wring is an independent project without anyone dictating form. I am a huge fan of guitar music in any style and I enjoy being challenged as a player and as a listener. I grew up on 70’s and early 80’s Rush so that is in my DNA. I really enjoy creating songs that have quirky bits as well as strong melodic foundations.

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

The first Wring album was created with musicians from my hometown. I wrote the entire project and needed some guys to play the parts. We knew each other and became good friends as the music developed. It was a good couple of years; we did some gigs but then they all drifted off. I tried to revisit that lineup for this new material but for various reasons, it couldn’t get back on the rails. Project Cipher, the new record, was created using pro session players. Jason Henrie, the original Wring bass player does appear on the new record and did some killer videos so there is some continuity.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Rush, Tool, Opeth, King Crimson, Lamb of God.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

The guitar speaks to me and through me. All of my songs start with a riff. The riff tells me where to go. I sit down every day with a guitar and things just come out. I record them and massage them until they are finished telling the story.

6. Where was your last gig?

Brass Monkey in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Great rock club. 4 bands on the bill. Dead Daisies were headliners. Two things I remember: Soundman let us play 40 minutes instead of 30 and we were the only band that didn’t play any covers.

7. Where would you like to act?

Hah! For an unknown artist playing his/her own original music, every venue is Budokan!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

One of the players on the Project Cipher record was Bryan Beller. As I hope your readers know, he is a member of the Aristocrats, who are absolutely incredible. Opening for them would be surreal.

9. Whom not?

Everything has its place. It’s certainly not for me to be selective at this point.

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

For sure. Be prepared. Know your gear and know the songs. Stage fright is precipitated by the fear of messing up or going blank… if you know your stuff, it takes most of that away. I love my songs and never get tired of them. Playing is pure joy, which also keeps the jitters at bay.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Rush, Tool, Opeth, Randy Rhoads, Michael Schenker. I’m also really digging Between the Buried and Me.

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

Free Bird?

13. What do you think of your fans?

Metal fans are like no other. They are not fickle. They are not trendy. They stick with bands long after they really should. It’s a fierce and loyal community. I’m very proud to be a member of that group and I hope they will accept what I do in that same way.

14. What do you think of our site?

I consider myself very well versed in music and I keep up with obscure bands. Your site is full of bands that I don’t know which is fantastic. The world needs outlets for guys like me. Thanks for that.

15. Something to add?

Not everyone will like my music but I think everyone can take away something from the story. I am an unknown guitar player from Canada and I managed to gather some of the most respected players in the world to record this album. They were hired, but I feel safe in saying that they gave more love to this than any dollar could buy. It is both a compliment to the songs and an attestation to the brotherhood of musicians. Pretty good story in these terrible times. And a pretty good record.