Interviews: KILTER

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Jazz Metal band KILTER 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?

Laurent: The name KILTER was found in a "democratic way" and had to match the mix of styles I wanted to play with Ed and Kenny. All of us have suggested different names. One of them was KILTER and we all liked this one.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Laurent: "Metal-Jazz" is not an actual genre, it can be assigned to many different bands... On the one hand, this double word describes which styles are combined in the musical language of the band, on the other hand it allows the audience to choose the genre category by themselves, with which it associates the music. One thing is certain: the three of us love the freedom of jazz and the power of metal. Marc Urselli's mix helped us to achieve this goal and to define the interplay of the music styles even more strikingly.

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

Laurent: When I arrived in New York in 2017, my goal was to start a "Metal Jazz" trio with saxophone and drums. In conversation with Andromeda Anarchia (who is our guest vocalist on the record), we tried to find out which musicians would be the ideal cast for this project. We both thought that the dream cast would have to consist of Kenny Grohowski (John Zorn, Imperial Triumphant) and Ed Rosenberg III (Jerseyband) as we knew that both musicians know how to play these two styles very well. So, I contacted Kenny and asked him as well which saxophonist he would recommend. Funnily, he also suggested Ed. So, it was the logical consequence that the three of us had to meet and jam. And we did it.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Laurent: I can not really answer that question. Let me name you three famous bands / artists whose music I totally love: Meshuggah / Miles Davis / Benjamin Britten.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Laurent: Everything in my life: rough times, good times, where I live, who I meet, what I’m doing.

6. Where was your last gig?

The Bitter End - NYC (with Kilter)

7. Where would you like to act?

Laurent David: Hell Fest (Clisson, France)

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Laurent: Lemmy Kilmister

9. Whom not?

Laurent: The Beatles

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

Laurent: I never had stage fright, but I can be over-focused when I have to play a new repertoire with no rehearsals. My tip nevertheless: play a lot of different music, different songs, with different bands, in different contexts. Build your weapons to always have the tools to adapt your playing in any given circumstance. If your stage fright comes from an ego problem, I can’t do nothing for you but suggesting to try modesty.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Laurent: Iron Maiden, Metallica with Cliff Burton, Headhunters, Word of Mouth, Zappa’s Mothers of Invention, Meshuggah…

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

Laurent: Not a request, a behavior: following me at any of my concerts. That was...

13. What do you think of your fans?

Laurent: They are all different! But all of them are very supportive and that’s really great!

14. What do you think of our site?

Laurent: I think, it’s time now to add a « Metal-Jazz» Sub Genre in your list, between « Horror Punk » and « Melodic Black Metal »!

15. Something add?

Laurent: Nope.