Sons Of Otis When the movie 'Henry: portrait of a serial killer' was released in the early nineties, nobody could expect that there would be a super heavy doom and stoner band named after the idiotic side kick in that movie called Otis. Well, it did happen in far and far away Canada, and seventeen years later I spoke with guitarist/singer Ken from Sons Of Otis, who feels a bit exiled. Accidentally their new album is entitled 'Exiled' too, so perhaps there is a connection By: Archive under Would you kindly introduce the members of Sons Of Otis to our readers?
Are there any bands you guys played in before we might know? I`m Ken, guitars and voice, Frank is on bass and Ryan is our drummer. No, I don`t think so, just local stuff. Frank was into the fast punk thing and Ryan was more of a metal kid.
Download sons of otis spacejumbofudge rar files found Uploaded on TraDownload and all major free file sharing websites like 4shared.com, uploaded.to, mediafire.com and many others. Three more albums, X, Exile and Seismic were released between 2005 and 2012. Members Current. Ken Baluke – guitars, vocals; Frank Sargeant – bass; Ryan Aubin – drums; Past. John Moran – drums (1992–1995) Emilio Mammone – drums (1996–1998, 1999–2001) - including.
How did you end up with each other, what idea or purpose brought you guys together? What was the goal of Sons Of Otis when you started, and what is that goal today?
I started this band in 1992 with different cats needless to say. I met Frank through an add I placed in the local music paper. That was around 1994 or so.
He had always been in fast punk type bands, but now wanted to get slow and heavy. Ryan we met through a friend who knew we were looking for a heavy drummer. When I started, I wanted to be one of the heaviest bands around. And we still try to be that, and after seventeen years. I think we`ve held up our end of the bargain! You released a new album entitled 'Exiled'! Happy it's over and done with or does the real work start now?
Were happy it`s done and out. We`ve been waiting a long time to get this together.
We dig playing and recording, so it`s not really work for us It`s what we do and enjoy. How did the recording session go, was it an easy mission or not at all? Were you guys well prepared? How did you prepare for the recording of the album anyway? You rehearse a lot?
The recording went the best it ever has! I was in complete control this time and we were not rushed at all. Our recording sessions in the past were all a bitch!!! Like I said before, we`ve been waiting and jamming these songs for a long time. We always rehearse and it shows in the studio. All the songs but one on EXILED were first takes!!
We don`t fuck around. We have our sound and we know what to do. We all play live in the same room to get the vibe and I record vocals after.
In what way 'Exiled' differs from the previous records? Have you, since you started in 1992, evolved in your sound (I tend to think so) and were there specific moments you can pin point that created that change? We think this record is the best representation of the band. All our other records never really captured what we sound like live.
As I said before, I was in charge this time and I know what we sound like. I don`t need someone else telling me what we sound like. As for the songs, it`s our style, some doom, some grooves, some trips, some covers, some jams, that`s what we do.
I think we`ve evolved a bit. I was way more angry back then, but now I`m getting angry again it seems. We`re better players, and have better gear, so our sound is better. I`ll always write songs like I write, because they`re from the soul, a feeling that won`t change. What is the song 'Oxajezam' about, and who are you talking about in 'Haters'? And would you kindly explain the rest of the songs lyrically? Musically, how are the songs made?
Is it a group effort? 'Oxazejam' is just a jam song named after these pills I have called Oxazepam. They`re great to take and jam into the clouds. Haters is for all the HATERS!! Record labels, press, people that can`t understand what's going on. It`s a bitch to be original. People don`t get it because it doesn`t sound like everyone else.
It`s much more difficult to create your own path, then to follow one already there. I am getting angry again. As for lyrics, I make them up as I go. I`ll have certain phrases I`ll keep, and some I`ll make up.
It`s not really about the words anyways. It`s more about a feeling. I use words like another instrument to trip out with. As for the songs, I write riffs and play them for the guys to see if we dig them.
We`ll just jam on something to see if it works. I record everything so we can take a listen to see if it heavy or not. The name of the band comes from Otis, a character from the movie 'Henry: Portrait Of a Serial Killer', am I right? What made you choose that name, because I cannot hear the link with the music you guys create. (with such a name, I might expect a gore grind band!) Yep, that`s where the name comes from. I dug that name for a few reasons. First, nobody was called OTIS.
Second, I thought it was a heavy name for a heavy band. And third, people say our music should be in horror movies. I think it all ties together. Don`t forget, this was 1992, and I was a huge Melvins fan at the time.
As far as influences for your spacey doom sludge, what bands have a huge impact on you guys getting started in this band? Are all three of you into the same music? The Melvins, Fudge Tunnel and Hendrix were my first big influences. I wanted to create my own type of sound with doom, space, and blues all mixed together. I want to be as original as possible. Nobody that I knew of at that time, was doing that kind of thing.
We all dig most of the same kinds of music. I mainly listen to classic rock and blues. Like Hendrix, Trower, Skynyrd, Albert King, ZZ Top. I don`t listen to much heavy music these days, but I do dig The Slomatics from Belfast. Frank and Ryan are more into metal then I am.
I never got into metal as a kid, and now at age 44, I have no use for it at all. Is there anything you still want to achieve with Sons Of Otis?
Think short term and long term and please dream. You should have asked us that fifteen years ago. I`m too old to dream.
We just want to be respected for what we do. No matter what, this will go on. My guess is that Sons Of Otis will not provide you guys of a living, so what do you do in daily life? Is it easy or difficult to combine for instance touring and playing live with your jobs?
Money from this? Don`t make me laugh! Only one record label has paid us royalties in seventeen years.
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It`s all about the love. As for jobs, I make fuzz pedals called OXFUZZ.
Check out www.myspace.com/oxfuzz. Frank works as a printer, prints all of our stickers. And Ryan works at Eastwood guitars. Touring is very difficult. With no support money, it`s impossible. With jobs and Frank has a kid, it doesn`t look good.
But if someone put something together, we would look into it. For now it`s just a show here and there. How is the scene of music in Toronto? Is it hard to find gigs or like-minded bands? Are there bands you can recommend to us from around you?
Toronto sucks! This place is all about what is trendy at the time! We play here once in a while, but it`s more hassle than good.
We`ll be doing a CD release party and that`s about it. There are a couple of bands to look into: Shallow North Dakota, Aux of Crux, and Fiftywatthead.
Shallow broke up and now are in Aux of Crux. These guys are all good friends of ours and have played many a show together. So it is not very likely you'll be touring to promote 'Exiled'? Like I said before, unless someone sets up something solid with money, sorry nope. Like the name of our record, we feel EXILED. If we were in the US, maybe we would could trip around.
But up here in Canada, getting over the border there`s just so many hassles. How is Sons Of Otis live on stage by the way? Are you guys a studio or live band? What's the charm of Sons Of Otis on stage?
It`s all about the live show. We play for keeps.
It`s as heavy as it can be. We have killer tone and we jam all the time. We like to create an atmosphere live. We always play like it`s our last show ever, like our lives depended on it!! Thanks for the interview! Peace and thanks to all the heads out there for their support over the years.