Interviews: Homicyde

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Melodic Death Metal band, Homicyde 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?

Wayne (guitar, backing vocals): Band was already named before I joined

Jacob (vocals): Carl actually came up with the name. Something just clicked with him one day and we all just ran with it.

Shane (bass, backing vocals): Carl actually came up with the whole concept by himself when we were still in High School, we used to all hang out after school and try to jam, just being dumb and having fun. He came forward one day and said we should start a band and already had a name and a logo that he had drawn up in one of his classes. We grew up in a house that was always full of musical equipment, our dad was big into the guitar so we had access to different things that inclined us to pursue it.

Carl (drums): I thought it was an awesome name. I liked the idea of the renegade "Y" in there too. Lol. Found out later there was a Homicide. So, super glad I decided to use the "Y"

Thomas (guitar): Homicyde was already a thing before I joined. I did hear and see the name pop up on flyers and remember seeing a pack of 20-30 people in Homicyde shirts at a Revocation/Goatwhore in Charleston back in like 2010. They opened but I got there late and missed them

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Wayne: Because it’s been one of my favorite genres since I was a teenager

Thomas: It feels right haha

Shane: We grew up listening to Metallica, Megadeth, Skid Row, Pantera, and bands like that from our fathers' influence. We used to stay up on the weekends and watch Headbangers Ball religiously, through and through. We would listen over and over again and as soon as we found something gold, we would blare it through the house. From there we just kind of got further and further down the rabbit hole of Metal and all its amazing subgenres. It was the only music family we wanted to be a part of.

Jacob: I have been a fan of extreme music since I was young. I got my hands on a roadrunner records promo disc and I was hooked instantly. The speed, the force, the power, all of it.

Carl: We grew up on acts like Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Pantera, Metallica to heavier stuff like Death and then we found The Black Dahlia Murder and it's like something clicked. Then it was Through The Eyes Of The Dead and Behemoth and Cattle Decapitation. I think we pull from a lot of artists, but we certainly have that Melo- Death thing going on.

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

Shane: Carl and Jacob are my brothers so we grew up together, so when I say "we" above that's what I mean. Wayne and I met in 7th grade and he and his family have been a part of ours ever since. Thomas was a godsend, the original guitarist we had left us in a bad place, and Carl was playing drums for his band at the time also, so we ended up recruiting Thomas into our fold and if it weren't for him we'd never be half as good as we are today. He's an incredibly talented musician and I'm so grateful he decided to do the damn thing with us.

Thomas: I knew Carl first because my old band needed a drummer and for some crazy reason he accepted haha. Then we did our rehearsals at the Homicyde house and that’s when I got to know the rest of the gang more and more. Then I joined and Carl and I played each other's bands for a minute.

Carl: Jacob, Shane, and I are brothers. So we've always known each other. We met Wayne in high school. We met Thomas when he was playing with Centura. 

Wayne: Most definitely, knew the Parrott boys from school and knew Thomas from seeing him play in Centura

Jacob: Carl, Shane and I are all brothers. Thomas, we met from another band that was playing with us around Charleston. We were immediately blown away by his capabilities on guitar. Wayne has always been a close friend of the band and I for one am more than happy to have him with us. It's been a pleasure sharing this time and being able to write with all my brothers. Blood or no blood.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Shane: Top 10 at the moment in no order would be The Black Dahlia Murder, Angelmaker, Fit For An Autopsy, Lamb of God, Bleed from Within, Cattle Decapitation, Inferi, Lorna Shore, Enterprise Earth, and Orbit Culture.

Wayne: My favorite band is Killswitch Engage

Thomas: CKY, Brendon Small, Marty Friedman. I can’t pick just one

Carl: Death, Pantera, Fit For An Autopsy, The Black Dahlia Murder

Jacob: Hands down The Black Dahlia Murder. Everything about those guys inspires me to do what I do on stage. RIP Trevor Strnad, Hail to the fallen king!! 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Shane: There is an influence in almost everything I listen to, you can always find inspiration in someone else's work.

Wayne: My family and friends, my girlfriend, my life experiences, feelings, emotions, and sometimes.. drugs? Lol

Jacob: I try to emulate personal struggles or trauma. I feel like if people have gone through the same thing and can relate to it or feel what I feel it brings a connection to you and that person.

Thomas: can’t narrow it down but life stuff happens that makes it impossible not to write about and sometimes the ost in video games and movies

Carl: Pain. Life. Death. Music.

6. Where was your last gig?

Jacob: Last show we did was in Charlotte NC. At a sweet little spot called The Skylark. Ended off a four-day run with our bros in The Breathing Process.

Wayne: Charlotte, NC with our boys in The Breathing Process!!

Shane: The last one I got to play was in Spartanburg, SC at Groundzero with our boys in Worm Shepherd and Severed By Dawn.

7. Where would you like to act? 

Carl: If this means what I think it means- we'd like to play anywhere that would have us. Anywhere with an energetic crowd all having fun. Big or small it wouldn't matter as long as they're active.

Shane: Anywhere that we can get in and show people what we got to offer. Jacob: I wanna go everywhere. I want our music to reach as far as possible whether that be right here in SC or in China. No stone is left unturned.

Wayne: All over the planet, down to play anywhere in this galaxy if the aliens will have us.

Thomas: What they said and Shoney’s. Waffle House. The iconic Denny’s.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Shane: Anyone, really. We don't discriminate. Joe from Fit For An Autopsy would be crazy.

Carl: I'd love to work with Joe Badolato

Wayne: I'd really like to get Tom Barber or Will Ramos on a feature!

Jacob: So many I could name off but my top 3 favorites are The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation, and Shadow Of Intent would be amazing to share the stage with my heroes.

Thomas: Hard question. Maybe get Mick Gordon because the music he’s done for Killer Instinct and Doom totally grooves and fuck

9. Whom not?

Shane: No one, really.

Wayne: Kanye 🤮😆

Carl: Whom not? Lil Nas X. Lol

Thomas: Kid Rock

Jacob: Hahaha Taylor Swift, Maria Carey, and Kanye West.

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

Jacob: Oh man big time. I originally just played guitar for the band. When I transitioned over to frontman I was TERRIFIED!!! Eventually, with time it faded away. The best advice I can give is to pretend you are in the practice room with your bros jamming like any other day. The more you do it the more you get used to it. Now I feel right at home up there.

Thomas: yes and I still do (just more under control). For tips that help me: rehearse your material over and over again. Identify any problem parts and keep at it until everything becomes second nature. Do stretches before you hit the stage if you’re feeling stiff. Breath.

Shane: It can always be a little nerve-racking no matter how comfortable you are, things can happen in your day and it can cause stress, and sometimes that might bleed into your show if you aren't careful. Always remember what you're there for and why you are doing what you are doing, it's all about the love of music and making friends and awesome memories.

Wayne: I have and I still get the pre-show jitters here and there. But once the set starts, I’m feeling good!! My advice is to practice in front of your pets, then your family and your friends so you can get used to playing in front of people. Busking would be the next step from there, the more you play in front of people the more natural it becomes!

Carl: Not that I'm condoning being an alcoholic by any means- but a few shots of liquor always help me calm down before a show. Makes all those tough parts seem not so scary. Lol

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Wayne: Seeing The Black Dahlia Murder with the other Homicyde boys when I was a teenager inspired me tremendously.

Shane: Definitely The Black Dahlia Murder, hands down.

Jacob: The Black Dahlia Murder, Death, and Job For A Cowboy personally.

Carl: Pantera and Death. Not sure I'd be playing music without them.

Thomas: Trivium and Revocation. Something about cool riffs and cool guitars resonates with me.

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

Jacob: Hahaha nothing too crazy yet. Someone asked for my water bottle once.

Carl: This slutty photographer once said that the photos she was taking of us were turning her on. Technically she didn't ask us for anything, but I feel like she was certainly aiming for something.

Shane: I've signed a couple of chests, not female. 🤣

Wayne: That’s a tough one, I’m a pretty weird dude so most questions sound normal to me lol.

Thomas: Some dude asked me to sign his nipple recently if that counts

13. What do you think of your fans?

Thomas: they’re the absolute best

Wayne: Our fans are like brothers and sisters to me, they are always hella fun and genuinely kind to everyone.

Jacob: I love all of our fans, I don't care who they are. If you are down with us and our music I am down with you.

Carl: Every time we meet someone new that's down with what we're doing- it's like OH MAN A NEW HOMIE! Haha. It's always my favorite thing to go to a city we've already been to and see people we know we're gonna have a great time with. Makes this whole thing that much more fun.

Shane: I love all of our fans, anyone who has been with us this long is already family in my eyes and if you are new to this train then welcome aboard. We don't plan on stopping anytime soon!

14. What do you think of our site?

Wayne: This website fucks!! Pays homage to the OGs in death metal and also helps support the up and coming bands such as ourselves, I love to see it! 

Thomas: Love it. Love what yall do and love the opportunity to be featured here 

Jacob: I'm a huge fan of the site and everything they are doing to help promote all us upcoming musicians. You guys are helping us reach a brand new audience and it means the world to us!!!

Shane: I love the promotion, it's amazing to see us on something like this as I never would have imagined we would even make it this far.

Carl: We're super stoked to be featured on your website! Thank you so much for having us!

15. Something to add?

Shane: I can't wait to see what the future holds with this group of gentlemen I call brothers and I hope that you will follow us on our way to more cities, venues, and hopefully other countries. Thanks so much for giving us the time to tell our story and being interested in what we have going on. Only up from here!

Thomas: we have new material on the way and shows to announce so stay tuned

Carl: Keep your eyes open for new music and new tours all to be announced in the near future! Come to a show and hang out with us!

Jacob: Check us out and follow us on your social media sites. If you are into our music hit us up or come see a show. Those likes follows, and shares mean more to us than you will ever know.

Wayne: Thank you so much for having us Metal Devastation Radio!!