Interviews: JASON PAYNE & THE BLACK LEATHER RIDERS

We have had the opportunity to interview the Metal band JASON PAYNE & THE BLACK LEATHER RIDER from the UK. 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?

The band name was born with the concept of this band. It’s directly linked to our sound, personality and image. “Black Leather” because we dress in black with leather jackets, and “Riders” because we play our music loud, fast and heavy as if you were driving a Mustang on a highway.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

It is just what feels natural to us. We don’t feel obligated to write music in a certain way (or format), but we do tend to play upbeat and heavy; with influences from the classics to the modern age metallers.

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

Yes, me and Tiago knew ourselves since we were 15. We were studying music together in Porto (Portugal). Marta and Jane I met when I arrived in London to pursue my career ambitions.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Paramore is Marta’s favourite artist, Jane loves Alter Bridge, Tiago likes King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and my favourite artist are Avenged Sevenfold.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

Everything. I feel inspired by the music I listen to, by the books I read, my emotions, my dreams or nightmares… Everything I experience in life inspires me to write music.

6. Where was your last gig?

We played Under The Bridge (Chelsea Football Stadium) in April this year. We can’t wait for more sows and to have an actual audience of REAL people in front of us!

7. Where would you like to act?

The mighty Alexandra Palace (or as we call it, the Ally Pally). Almost all my favourite artists played there. I’ve seen there Halestorm, In This Moment… It’s definitely something I want to experience someday!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

So many artists that I love! It’s hard to pick one… But if Slash, Metallica or Alter Bridge wanted to have me featuring in one of their tracks, It’d be a dream come true.

9. Whom not?

Any K-POP artist. Period.

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

We never experienced that. However, we can only imagine what that feels like… And my advice is: don’t care about what other people might think. Just go on stage and think that you’re doing what you love the most, what you were born to do. Or don’t think at all and just do it. It gets easier after doing it a couple of times. I believe you have to gain that confidence and attitude. And never, ever care about haters – they will hate because they wanted to be there, and they can’t. But you can!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

I believe that Avenged Sevenfold, Linkin Park and Metallica are the most notorious influences in our music. But then, we listen to so much music that inspiration comes from everywhere: Slash, Architects, Korn, Megadeth, AC/DC, Judas Priest…

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

We never had weird requests… Yet! But we know that eventually, that’s going to happen.

13. What do you think of your fans?

They’re the BEST! Very supportive, loyal… I love them and I feel grateful that I can count on their support. It really helps us moving forward!

14. What do you think of our site?

It’s a “metalpedia”. I like it. Very direct and dynamic, easy to find info about new bands… and I love to discover new music. Every day I try to find a new artist that I haven’t listened to yet.

15. Something to add?

Follow your dreams! You never know what to expect in this life, tomorrow your life might change dramatically, or you might have to wait 10 years… But that doesn’t matter, what matters the most is that you stay loyal to yourself and NEVER give up. If you believe in yourself and in your talent, if you work hard and be persistent, you’ll have all the necessary tools to make it in the showbiz.