Interviews: Designed To Fail

This is a new interview with the Metalcore/Djent band Designed To Fail from Germany. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Steven: The original idea was to name the band Destined to Fail. That’s a line from our song Hardened Discontent. But we decided that Designed to Fail was the better fit.

Anthony: I and Steven were just brainstorming for a brief time and ironically we stumbled upon Designed to Fail, which ironically has a funny acronym meaning and it just stuck and coincidentally fit the project in its entirety.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Steven: For me personally because it’s the type of music where I can express myself best. You can compensate for a lot of real life bullshit with it, which is my main focus when listening to and also writing music.

Aaron: Aggressive, groovy, makes people nod their heads.

Anthony: I tend to not play just in one genre, but growing up I always was around metal as far as I could remember. I think holding a band to a specific genre can limit ideas and creativity.

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

Steven: I actually met Anthony while we both got together to try out for another band. But stylistically it wasn’t the perfect fit for us, so we decided to do our own project together.

Aaron: No

Anthony: I knew Steven for roughly three months prior to forming DtF as we were asked to fill roles in another local band that did not work out at the time. I met Aaron through Steven and we just immediately started writing on day 1 as a trifecta.

4. Each band member’s favorite band?

Steven: Hard to pick one since I listen to a lot of different genres. But if I had to pick one it would be Periphery right now. They bring the perfect mixture of heaviness and more experimental and also acoustic, emotional songs.

Aaron: Depends on the genre. Either Gojira or Opeth.

Anthony: My favorite bands always alternate depending on releases, but if I had to pick one that I could always listen to daily, I would say hands down, Breakdown of Sanity!

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Steven: Memories, fantasy, everyday life, and sometimes even video game stories!

Aaron: I get inspired to write songs all the time. Sometimes it’s a piece of gear, sometimes it’s a mood I want to capture or a certain image I want people to have when listening to it. Inspiration is pretty much everywhere, you just have to look for it.

Anthony: Music is always a hobby of mine, whether it’s learning more about production or riffing to pass time. I generally write music in sections and pieces at a time. When I let the song write itself and I don’t feel forced/ pressured is when I tend to get the most creative. But the style that comes out can be influenced by current life events, weather, or even just emotions in general.

6. Where was your last gig?

Steven: With this band, sadly haven’t played a single show yet! But hopefully, we change that very soon!

Aaron: Unfortunately we haven’t played any gigs with the band yet, but we can’t wait to bring the new material to the stage!

Anthony: Unfortunately we have yet to gig, but hoping to get on stage soon!

7. Where would you like to act?

Steven: My biggest dream would be Wacken Open Air. The atmosphere there is unmatched!

Aaron: Metaldays in Slowenin, Download Festival

Anthony: I’m not too familiar with the metal scene in Germany as I was only briefly exposed, but I know some huge festivals and events come out there, honestly I just want to play just to play, and that would mean playing for 5 or 5,000 people it’s all the same to me!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Steven: Spencer Charnas (Ice Nine Kills) and Spencer Sotelo (Periphery)!

Aaron: I’d love to collaborate with Rabea Massaad on a riff-writing side of things. 

Anthony: Currently Dan Mcnally, this guy writes some slamming stuff, everything he composes is a pure dump truck of madness. I’d love to piece collaborate with him and Anastasia Sereda from inverterband on drums would be sick.

9. Whom not?

Steven: Anyone that includes his political standpoint in his speeches on stage. We’re all there to enjoy the music, let’s focus on that.

Aaron: It really depends on the song. It’s possible to make everything work.

Anthony: I think passing a chance to create music is a missed opportunity, I’d like to contribute and collab with anyone and any genre if asked.

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

Steven: The last time I played live was as a guitarist some years ago. I was nervous as fuck, but as soon as the first notes are played, it’s all good! But I admit that both of the other two guys have way more life experience. Just make sure to practice TOGETHER as much as you can!

Aaron: I haven’t really. I think you have to be prepared 100% for what you want to perform on stage and also have the confidence to pull it off, then there’s nothing standing in your way. The rest comes with practice and playing live more often.

Anthony: I’ve played upwards of about 500 shows now, some really large festivals in Thailand as well. I don’t get stage fright, people are wanting to jam and have a good time, once you’re set in that motion there’s really nothing that can ruin that vibe.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Steven: Probably the big ones like Metallica, Linkin Park, Slipknot and System of a Down in the beginning. But also stuff like Deftones, John Butler, Nothing nowhere and even Eminem to name a few.

Aaron: It’s hard to put a finger on it. I guess Gojira really influenced my riff writing. Aesthetically I’m really routed in the Black Metal side of things. Otherwise everything from Brutal Slam to Djent.

Anthony: Growing up I was heavily into Chimaira, Fear Factory, Killswitch Engage, Slayer, Machine Head, Slipknot, and Meshuggah.

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

Steven: Nothing too weird happened yet! I guess someone telling me he connects with the lyrics I wrote felt very weird to me the first time haha. But I really appreciated it!

Aaron: Up until now, all our fans have been absolutely lovely and supportive! Nothing crazy or weird, just amazing.

Anthony: I don’t think a fan has ever asked me for anything in particular, but I’ll just say… nothing… yet… but we’ll see!

13. What do you think of your fans?

Steven: The few ones we already have are awesome! They like everything we put out and that feels great!

Aaron: They aren’t too many up until now, but the few we have are amazing people who are genuinely interested in the music.

Anthony: We have a small following, but what makes that a great thing is our fans found us by passion and the love of the music, and that makes all our fans awesome in my opinion!

14. What do you think of our site?

Steven: You’re doing a great job! Especially for smaller bands like us. Keep it up, cheers!

Anthony: Sites like yours are the reason small bands can get the lift off and exposure that most deserving bands do not get the chance to. I am grateful for this opportunity and I appreciate what you all do for the metal community!

15. Something to add?

Steven: Thanks a lot for this! Lots of love to you guys and always be nice to your mates, friends, and family. You'll never know how life sometimes turns. Cheers bro.

Aaron: Thank you for giving us the opportunity to tell you some stuff about us and our band!

Anthony: A band should always be centered around friendship. Creating music with people is something that I feel just cannot be done with anyone. It’s something special, and should always be treated as such.