SF Bands Speak: “We Be The Echo”
We Be The Echo is a San Francisco band playing progressive metal which has been described as “hypnotic” (Owl Mag), “dense, melodic and at times chaotic” (The Silent Ballet) and “impressively technical” (30music.com). In this interview, they reveal the venues they love, the details of the disembowelment their music creates and the reason that they are similar to the Golden Gate Bridge. Learn their music from MySpace and then go get the live experience on May 19th @ El Rio when they perform as part of the Mission Creek Music Festival.
1. How did the band form? …On hearing voices from a gravestone….commands if you will. The voices came from a man called Stanislaw Zapolski’s tombstone, and instructed us to go forth and mount an aural assault of math-shred-prog sonic disembowelment on the seething hordes….
2. What’s your favorite song to perform live and why?
We all have different favorites probably, but the medley of “The Cosmic Cosby Penguin Dance” and “Shredder Of Wheat And Souls” takes the sonic disembowelment to the next level. Also, we have a brand new song that features a sample of the Wilhelm Scream (a popular sound effect used in many a big movie) that works pretty well.
3. Do you have a favorite SF venue?
Again, we probably all have different favorites, but Bottom of the Hill has awesome sound and ambiance and gets great props for doing All Ages shows, El Rio in The Mission is a great night out and fun to play and Hotel Utah has good memories for us (we must be one of the loudest bands they’ve asked back!)
4. Which spots in the city can you be found in when you’re just out and about? Neighborhoods / stores / bars?
We don’t really go out too much. We’re too busy hanging around graveyards at night, awaiting further instruction from Stanislaw Zapolski. (And we’re not even goths, explain that!) We are always on the lookout for cool new gear though, pedals especially. So we may just be spotted in Black Market Music and Rockers.
5. Describe the average WBTE fan.
None of our fans are average! They are all amazing, witty, intelligent, informed people who come from every social, economic and racial background. They are, however, very likely to be slightly deranged if they are able to appreciate our complexity and divergence.
6. Where do you want to be a year from now? Five years?
Next year we will be jamming with the ghosts of Cliff Burton, Frank Zappa, Eric Dolphy, Bob Marley and Chuck Schuldiner on the new super-Earth; Gliese 581 c.
7. If the band was a San Francisco landmark, which one would it be and why?
Strange question, but I’d have to say the Golden Gate Bridge, because our music sometimes has that strange allure that makes people want to throw themselves over the edge, into the icy abyss below.
8. If there was anything that you could make sure your fans knew, what would it be?
That although we will commit sonic disembowelment on them repeatedly, we would appreciate it if they stuffed their innards back in and were fit and healthy enough to come see us again … and that despite the extremity of our assault, we still love each and every one of them.
-Graeme Nicholls, Myke Stryker & Ilk
(WE BE THE ECHO)
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[...] We Be The Echo band interview … “None of our fans are average! They are all amazing, witty, intelligent, informed people who come from every social, economic and racial background.” [...]
[...] SF band for Cancer to listen to this week … We Be The Echo. [...]