Interviews: Phytagoras

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Death Metal band Phytagoras 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 plan it or come out just like that?

Etienne: I believe our lead guitarist Ian came up with the band name just because he was a math major.

Ian: I came up with the name while studying mathematics at Long Beach City College.

Andy: Ian is a math nerd.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We all just like death metal due to its heaviness, technicality, and versatility that you’re able to achieve through the genre.

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

So, Ian was a customer at Gilmore Music before it closed down which was the workplace of Etienne, that’s how they met. Andy and Etienne have been friends since sophomore year of high school and used to jam a little guitar and bass back in those days. Dylan met Etienne through our buddies in Disciples of Death, of which he also drums, and had also run into Ian while attending Long Beach City College. Juan was actually a fan of ours before joining the band, and when he caught wind of us searching for a second guitar player he jumped on the opportunity.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Andy: Death

Dylan: Blood Red Throne

Etienne: Cannibal Corpse

Ian: Defeated Sanity

Juan: Deicide

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

We all draw inspiration from something different, anything from the constant grind of practicing and jamming, witnessing the professionalism of larger bands and how they can sound better live than on their album, horror and sci-fi media, or lucid dreaming, wanting to put something out there that others can enjoy, or simply just to feed the obsession of playing music.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was at Stages in Santa Ana, CA for the Road to Wacken Battle of the Bands, we made it to the LA/OC finals but didn’t progress further from there. We’re not too disappointed though because we still have our show in Chicago with Cryptopsy on June 3rd.

7. Where would you like to act?

It would be awesome if we could play some festivals around the country or even in different parts of the world.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

I think we can all agree that it would be great if we could play alongside Cannibal Corpse, being that they are probably the biggest and most well-known death metal band in the scene.

9. Whom not?

Obviously, we wouldn’t want to play with an artist that doesn’t match our genre, but other than that can’t really say there is any specific artist.

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

We’ve all experienced stage fright at some point in our lives and honestly, the best way to combat it would to just be prepared, practice a lot, and don’t beat yourself up while you’re on stage. You probably judge yourself harder than any audience ever will.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

We’re all inspired by an array of bands for different reasons, whether it be the professionalism and energy of Morta Skuld, the technicality of Allegaeon, or the brutality of bands like Cannibal Corpse, Blood Red Throne, Deicide, Aborted, Decapitated, and Spawn of Possession.

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

Some dude from Texas reached out to us about sending him something for his man cave, he just wanted anything like an old set list, a photo, just anything that we could all sign that he could put up. We obliged and sent him a ticket from our last show, we all signed the back of it and then sent it to him with a free sticker. Sometimes fans will ask that we sign the merch they buy or even their battle vest, which is always an honor and makes us feel like we’re doing something great.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We love our fans, they’re what keeps us going, we have some fans that have attended a bunch of our shows and continue to support us as much as possible. Then we make new fans at shows, and we have people coming up to us telling us how much they enjoyed our set or even buying our merch, it truly means a lot to us. 

14. What do you think of our site?

The site is great, very user-friendly, and easy to navigate around and find the different bands that are featured on it. We also appreciate this website being around for unsigned and underground bands like us, it really gives us a larger platform to help get recognized by more people.

15. Something to add?

Dylan: My favorite thing about working with the band is they have given me a lot of leeway on my drums, which makes playing the songs super fun because I feel like my personality is coming out with each hit.

Ian: I like that the individual members of our band have some slight differences in taste as far as metal goes because it creates a good blend.

Juan: More advertising of the current bands you guys are working with on the Death By Music.

Andy: This band has been a major outlet for me, and I’ve really enjoyed everything that we’ve done thus far.

Etienne: Cheers!