1. How did the band get started? How did you meet
and how long have you been together?
Chief: We
formed the band back in 1994. Pete, Karl, and I were in a band together
with another guy called Morriah. Well, the other guy thought he was
to good to come to rehearsal, so we gave him the boot. We searched
for another singer for about 2 weeks with no luck, so one night I
just started singing. Soon after this we changed the name of the band
to Nile. The rest is history!!
2. How would you describe
your music?
Chief: I would have to say that the
music is very brutal in ways and some of the music is very melodic.
We just try to do what makes us happy and then let the public decide
if they like it or not.
3. What are your biggest influences?
Chief: Our influences range from Black Sabbath
(the Kings of Metal), to Dead Can Dance, Rush, Gramme Revell, and
Morbid Angel. Our biggest influences come each other in the rehearsal
room. This is when we excel as a band, when we are in the creative
mode.
4. What influence do you think your band has in
music and metal today?
Chief: We just want people
to enjoy what we do. If we influence anyone to start playing heavy
music or to just express themselves somehow through music then I think
it's great. As far as trying to start some kind of bullshit trend
we don't want any part of that!!
5. What made you want
to be in the band? And if you weren't in the band what would you be
doing now?
Chief: I grew up in a household where music was everything,
so it was just natural instinct for me to be interested in music.
If I wasn't in a band, I'm sure I would still be in the business in
some way or another. I really enjoy recording studio's, and helping
other friends take a serious approach to their music.
6.
Are any band members in side projects? If so what are they, and explain
a little about them.
Chief: As for right now,
there's no time for side projects. I really don't see how some of
these guys play in so many different bands. We are currently focused
on Nile and that's it. Maybe later in the future I might have time
to do some stuff on the side. Actually I've even talked with Flo from
Cryptopsy about doing something together in the future, and he's all
into it. Maybe in a couple of years, right now he and I are both focused
on taking our bands to the top!!
7. How would you feel
if a band took their sound from yours and became very well known?
Chief: I'm not sure, I guess it would depend on how much
MONEY they were making.
8. What current bands do you like
or respect?
Chief: Of course the bands that come
to mind first are the bands in which we have toured with like Morbid
Angel, Immolation, Cryptopsy, Monstrosity, Incantation, The Chasm,
Gorguts, Enslaved, Vader, and even Six Feet Under. As far as respect
goes, I respect any band who is living other dream and playing the
music they love.
9. How many demos/albums do you have?
Tell me about them!!
Chief: We have three records
out right now. The first is "Festivals of Atonement," which was released
in 1995 by us. Then we did the "Ramses: Bringer of War" demo for Visceral
Productions in 1997. This was a limited edition to 2000 copies and
as far as I know you can't get your hands on it anymore. So if anyone
has this, I would hold on to it. Next comes "Amongst the Catacombs
of Nephren-Ka" which was released on Relapse Records in 1998. This
album has opened a lot of doors for us, so hopefully we can now open
some doors for other hard working bands.
10. What demo/album
do you like the best?
Chief: I would have to say
that "Nephren-Ka" is my personal favorite, but the new material is
totally fuckin amazing. It will soon be my favorite.
11.
What is the meaning behind the songs?
Chief: Each
song has a different meaning, but the songs are basically telling
stories of the brutal things that went on in Ancient Egypt. I would
suggest to anyone who is interested in knowing what the songs mean
to read the lyrics, H.P. Lovecraft, and purchase a copy of the Necronomicon.
12. What are the bands favorite songs?
Chief:
Chief: Of course we love to play all the songs, but I would have
to say that "Ramses: Bringer of War", "Smashing the Antiu", and the
"Stones of Sorrow " are probably our fav's.
13. What
does the future hold for the band?
Chief: We
will continue to write new songs and will continue to bring the music
to the people as long as they want to hear it. We have to finish writing
the new material, then we will be touring worldwide.
14.
If you could play with any band who would it be and why?
Chief: If I could step into a time machine, I would want
to play bass for Black Sabbath. Back then the music was so extreme
and true, that I think it must have been the coolest thing ever.
15. Who writes the majority of the music?
Chief:
Karl comes in with a basic idea for a song most of the time. Then
we take his idea and try to turn it into a true Nile song. We are
a democratic band, so if someone in the band doesn't like something
then it's thrown out and we come up with something that we all like.
We all contribute to every song.
16. Who has been the
favorite band you've played with and why?
Chief: For
me it would have to be Morbid Angel. I've always enjoyed the music
that those guys write. They are well respected all over the globe.
We did 4 US tours with them last year and every show for me was great.
Sometimes I would just stand there and watch them and say "damn I
can't believe we're actually on tour with these guys."
17.
Where did you get the band name from?
Chief: A
friend of ours suggested it to us and it just kinda stuck.
18. Describe what the band is like live?
Chief:
Live we will give you 110% on stage and make you want to hear
more. It is our goal at the end of a show to have people going damn
I got to hear more Nile. If you like the album, you will love the
live show!!
19. If you are gonna do any kind of video
what would be in it?
Chief: We have actually been
talking to Relapse about doing some kind of video for the next album.
At first I was like why? But after the European tour, I seen that
MTV over there actually plays heavy video's. I mean I seen video's
from Brutal Truth, and even a Venom video. As far as what would be
in the video, I'm not real sure. Got any idea's??
20.
Are there any touring plans made; if so tell me about them?
Chief: Yes we will be doing 3 weeks in the states which
includes Milwaukee Metal Fest, and the Cleveland World Series of Music.
This tour starts July 29th in Charlotte, NC. You can check out our
web page for all the dates: http://members.xoom.com/nileband. There
are also plans of going back to Europe to do a run of festivals in
December.
21. Where do you think the band will be 20 years
from now?
Chief: Hopefully I will be in Amsterdam
running my coffee shop, and who knows maybe even a couple of reunion
tours...................we'll see!!!! |
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