Interviews: Sugar Virus

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Doom Metal band Sugar Virus from the USA. Check out the interview and follow this 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?

JV: Crazy story, we lost the copyright on our original band name, "The Fiends" back in 1997, and I was just fed up and didn't really care anymore what we were called at that point. My younger brother was playing bass for the band, and we were struggling for something that didn't suck or sound stupid, and we had this killer song at the time called "Sugar Virus", my brother just said it out loud...why not SUGAR VIRUS? I said fuck it, let's go...and here we are.

2. Why did you choose to play this genre?

JV: I grew up listening to heavy dark music, and we were into horror films, and there was no computer or internet growing up. It was VHS and cassette tapes...video stores and spooky shit. And I honestly don't know where our music falls anymore... It's horror, but I feel we have outgrown the other bands in our genre. Sometimes you feel like putting on a mask or painting your face...other times it's just fun to throw down and kick the shit out of everything around us. 

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

JV: This band has been through so many musicians over the years, but everyone who has come and gone is family. This current lineup has been with me for 7 years now, if I'm not mistaken. We get along, have similar goals, and share the same work ethic.

4. What is each band member's favorite band?

JV: Mine is probably SAMHAIN. The drummer is a Black Sabbath fan. The bass player is into old country music and metal. Both guitarists listen to AC/DC and that hair metal stuff.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

JV: I don't know where half this stuff comes from...maybe films and things in life. 

6. Where was your last gig?

JV: We just did a 33-year anniversary show in August at the Capitol Theatre in Macon, G.A.

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

JV: Everywhere and anywhere they will have us. We have never been picky about gigs.

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

JV: I've been fortunate to work with both John Christ and Eerie Von. Eerie just played bass on a few albums we released a few months ago. I sang for John's side project, John Christ's "SNAKES OF CHRIST". Both guys are amazing individuals and do their own thing.

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

JV: If the music or project isn't crummy, we will work with anyone.

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

JV: We are okay with the spotlight. If you have issues with being on stage, wear a mask.

11. Which bands have influenced you the most?

JV: Black Sabbath, SAMHAIN, M.O.D., KYUSS, CARCASS, Minor Threat, MADBALL, Faith No More, DANZIG, Type O Negative, Sepultura.

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

JV: lol...we have a few of those running around, but I didn't see anything. Not sure how you found out about that stuff.

13. What do you think of your fans?

JV: Fans are family, we are all just wandering through life looking for comfort. 

14.  What do you think of our site?

JV: That cursor is bad ass! Not sure how you got the cursor to look like the devil's horn, but that shit is killer. I'd probably work on the logo fonts and bring it back to something spooky. I'll see band names on a flyer today, and I'm like...what the fuck does that say? 11,000 followers! Damn, that's impressive. Breathing...the...core, it's catchy...I can tell you guys are into it.

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

JV: What music or band do we support throughout our existence? A band is a passion of a collective...ideas that reach outward. We pour our hearts and sometimes souls into our work, but it's temporary...a temporary fix. Those bands that have come before...only the greats live on after they have broken up or passed on into the next life. I have always written music that feels good and keeps me moving forward. I hope whoever finds our music will enjoy it as much as I.