Interviews: Amerakin Overdose

On this new occasion, we had the chance to interview the Nu-Metal/Industrial Metal band Amerakin Overdose 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? Was it planned, or did it just happen organically?

I came up with the name back in 2008 when I was putting together my ideas for a new band. At the time, I was paying attention to a lot of news about the war in the Middle East and how the rest of the world viewed the United States of America. I remember seeing a media source that explained how Americans are viewed as the police of the world, and how we live so extreme here in comparison to other countries, and our attitudes are over the top. We want to have the best cars, clothes, houses, etc, and anything we do, we overdo it. I was writing down ideas for a band name based on that, and I must have had 2 or 3 pages of different names, but the one that stood out to me was American. I wanted something with that in the name, and I wanted the name to be used in a way that represents how people see us and our attitude and how we live. Overdose was a cool word and it fit properly with what I was looking for. I looked up the name on Google and found that no band was using that name. They had not previously used it, so it was perfect. I changed the spelling on it as an ode to Korn and other Nu Metal bands who used unique spelling.

2. Why did you choose to play this genre?

I was always around music my entire life. My dad was a DJ for an FM radio station so music was always being played around me. I would listen to what my parents listen to. It wasn't until my cousin introduced me to Metallica, Pantera, and Korn when I was like 9 years old that I found my own music. I was instantly hooked. There was something very intriguing about how loud and aggressive the music was. One day my brother and I were hanging out with my cousin and he started playing those 3 bands and I loved it. I went and picked up albums from all 3 of those bands. Then I saw Slipknot live in concert in 2000 at a club in Portland and I knew I wanted to be a singer. Heavy music is a great outlet and this is why I love this genre of music.

3. Did you know each other before forming the band?

Yes and no. My brother Pete, who is the other vocalist, I have obviously known my whole life. Brick (drummer) we met through Myspace when I was putting together a different project. Justin (Guitar) and Josh (Bass) I met when I tried out for one of their bands many, many years ago. At the end of 2023, we were looking for a guitarist and bass player and they reached out saying they were interested in playing with us.

4. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Every day life is what inspires me. I have lived a crazy life and I have a lot to say and write about. I like to write from personal experience and how I see the world. Anger, Sadness, happiness, loneliness, etc. are great inspirations to get a song and lyrics going. When I get feedback from others that can relate to what I wrote about, that fuels me to further write personal songs.

5. Where was your last gig?

We just played a headlining show in Albany, Oregon at a newer music venue called The 520 (event center). We had a blast. Shout out to all those who came to support, the bands we played with, and the promoter John and staff for the great hospitality. Support the shows at this venue!

6. Where would you like to perform in the future?

I would love to play anywhere and everywhere. It would be amazing for us to play in other countries. I would love for us to finally be able to get to Europe, Asian, and Australia. Really just anywhere outside of the United States would be a dream come true.

7. Which artist or band would you like to collaborate with?

I have way too many to name, but I will name drop a few artists, Corey Taylor of course, Chad Gray, Jacoby Shaddix, Cristina Scabbia, Noah Sebastian, Ronnie Radke. All of which are amazing vocalists and I believe would blend well with the Amerakin Overdose sound and vibe.

8. Is there anyone you wouldn’t want to collaborate with?

I can't think of anyone off the top of my head. If something doesn't sound right, we obviously just wouldn't release it and we would rework it to make it work. 

9. Have any of you ever experienced stage fright? Do you have any tips for beginners on overcoming it?

I experienced stage fright when I first started performing live, when I was very young, but it was something I got over fairly quick. My advice for anyone who is nervous is to let go of that feeling and set your mind to the place the music you are performing takes you to and express it in your performance. Let the crowd see and hear what the music does to you. You can build a real connection with your audience when you do this, and you will get over your nervousness pretty fast. It is less likely you will screw anything up as well if you aren't over thinking it.

10. Which bands have influenced you the most?

I would say Pantera, Korn, Slipknot, Static X, Papa Roach to name a few. There are too many to name, but these are the ones that come to mind.

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

There are a lot of weird things we have been asked for. We have signed a lot of personal body parts haha. Money, which is super annoying and rude. We're musicians, we don't make money so it's wild to get that request. One thing that has always stood out to me is when a fan asked to buy my stage outfit after we played a set at Rock Fest 2018 (in Cadott, WI). I was drenched in sweat, it smelled really bad, but he kept insisting on buying my stage outfit. I declined and he kept raising the amount. He started with an offer of $600 and went all the way to $900 and who knows how much higher he would have gone but I stopped him and said nothing he offered was going to be available because it was custom made for me and I needed it for the rest of the tour we were on.

12. What do you think of your fans?

I love them of course. They are our people. I see myself in all of them and I hope they see themselves in all of us. We have a very dedicated fan base and we appreciate them so much. We try to make our experiences with them very memorable. Online we constantly interact and respond. In person, we are always out, taking pictures, having laughs, and trying to make it an experience that they never forget. Without our fans we are nobody.

13. What do you think of our site?

It is awesome. I am glad you guys take interest in a variety of different styles of music. Thank you for supporting artists of all levels.

15. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you for taking the time to ask us some questions and your interest in the band. Also thank you to all of our loyal fans and everyone who takes the time to read this.