Metal music

Interview: Ryan Henry of We Are The Virus

November 21, 2023 — Leave a comment

We Are The Virus is a project from Louisiana that spans metal and all of its subgenres. Front man, and sole permanent member, Ryan Henry brought WATV to life in the wake of Covid, as a way to vent the emotions of everyday life.

I was given the opportunity to talk to Ryan about the beginnings of We Are The Virus, the inspiration behind the music, the latest album, Civil Disobedience, and more.

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How was We Are The Virus formed, and what’s the story behind the name?

Ryan: The, let’s call it “project,” of WATV formed in early 2021, basically out of a Covid-ridden landscape. I had played guitar for most of my life – close to 25 years – and never really attempted a project “solo”. I was 2 years out of a divorce, and my (now) wife had been pushing me to really get back to my musical roots. Really connect back with the music again. We had made it a huge part of our relationship, and she could see how much playing and creating meant to me. She pushed me back into it, and I dove in head first. The name was actually a suggestion from one of the collaborators on the album, Mike O’Brien (Texas Murder Crew; who is also a firefighter as I am). The name really RESONATED crazily with me – I’ve worked in hazardous material response for most of my adult life and was an extreme zombie movie fanatic for years, so it truly fit.  

Who are your major influences? Did you and the others involved all come from similar musical backgrounds, or did you have to blend different influences into the sound y’all have created?

Ryan: The collaborators on the album Civil Disobedience have SIMILAR backgrounds; however, the difference in proximity to each other has for sure played a huge influence.  I collaborated with Mike O’Brien and Aaron Bazen (Truth and Tragedy) on the album. Both had the heavy musical influence, but the direction was different. Mike being from a Slam/Deathcore background and Aaron being from a Hardcore background brought a few different flavors to the mix. I am the sole constant member in the band, but I feel like it’s very important to fill in my gaps with someone able to express their 100% creative freedom. And I’m lucky to have worked with these two because of the sheer ethic and drive they both have. 

Speaking of Civil Disobedience, it was released back in August. Can you tell me a little about the writing and recording process for the album?

Ryan: The writing and recording process for Civil Disobedience was a huge hurdle for me. After being guided into the musical process again by my wife, it was a gateway of emotional sputum. I did not realize what I had inside after my career of firefighting and going through life changes that needed to come out. My writing process was pretty erratic. I didn’t know when or why; however, when it felt as if it needed to come out, it was TIME. There were many times my wife and I were having a normal day together, and I would tell her, “Hey, I need to play, it needs to come out.” Most of the songs were put together quickly, like when it was time to happen, it got spewed out onto the page. 

How do you feel your career as a firefighter influences your music?

Ryan: My career, as much as I hate to admit, probably has influenced my music quite a bit. There’s a lot of really dark shit to deal with in emergency response. I’ve seen a lot of death, sometimes natural, sometimes not, but on the contrary, I’ve also been a part of saving lives. It’s an extreme polar bounce of emotions thinking of how it could have influenced. There was one really particular incident where my music and response crossed inadvertently. Years ago, without giving too many details, we worked a fatal car accident involving a young teenage driver. While I had been into heavy music most of my life at this point, I noticed in the deceased’s vehicle there was an album in the back seat, an album that I also owned at the time. That call has always haunted me for many reasons, but the connection of music between the driver and us trying to save them has really stuck with me. Sorry for being vague! It’s out of respect for the patient.

Let’s talk further back. What was it that first inspired you to create? Was there any particular band/artist, or a moment you remember thinking “that’s what I want to do”?

Ryan: To create, I feel like the best answer to this is the feeling or need to express. Behaviorally, I do feel I’ve always been reserved and almost empathetic or too in tune with how others are feeling or have felt. Creation and expression of the music reverses that for those moment and makes me feel powerful. Mentally, it’s helped me considerably to each day take time out to work on music and gotten me back on a track where I’m feeling confident and as if I can take on the world. Growing up, there was a turning point as far as artists that really inspired me. I grew up listening to my dad’s vinyl collection of Deep Purple, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and ZZ Top.  These bands paved the way for me to get into Black Sabbath and the darker aspects of music. But two bands really solidified me and inspired me to play, and those were Metallica and Korn. These two bands made me want to pick up a guitar every day and play, particularly Metallica’s The Black Album, and Korn’s Life is Peachy.

While we’re discussing your musical tastes, I have to ask, just for fun, is there anyone you listen to that you think would surprise people?

Ryan: Well, as a teenager, I would never have admitted any sort of guilty pleasure. You know, the older I get – I really start to feel like none of my musical pleasure should be guilty (although it could be slightly embarrassing). I love the band The Police. Copeland was an amazing drummer, and I focus on it each time I hear the music. Also, country artist, if you would really call it that, Cody Jinks. Cody Jinks has some really deep stuff. He has very obviously been through some shit in his life, and his song “David” always strikes a cord with me because of my emergency response background. Essentially he, as a police officer, responds to the death of a childhood friend.  Listen to the song and really explore it lyrically, really great stuff. 

As far as songs that resonate, which one of your own tracks from the new album do you connect with the most? (If there is such a song.)

Ryan: “One Dark Highway,” without a doubt. Musically, the song was written at a super low point. It was my droning song to myself about being in the middle of a dark intersection in the middle of nowhere. Looking in all directions with no headlights, just darkness and a chill in the air. Lyrically, I had given Mike O’Brien the name of the song, and he wrote the corresponding lyrics without any sort of prompt from me other than the name, and the lyrics just sent it right home. “So I walk on this highway, searching for a change” gives me chills and is my favorite, beyond a shadow of a doubt. 

What are your plans for the rest of 2023 and beyond?

Ryan: The rest of 2023 is getting used to the live performance aspect of the album. Generally I’ll just play the guitars live with a backing track.  I’ve lined up some shows and am hammering out all of the kinks of performance like that.  It’s still absolutely crazy to me when I see people vibing to the music I’m playing because it seems surreal.  It was selfishly in a way written for me to get my emotional crap out, but people are resonating with it, and it’s odd to get used to it, but I love it. 

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We Are The Virus dropped the debut album Civil Disobedience on August 18th. You can stream it here.

Listen to Ryan’s favorite track:

Breaking Benjamin: Unplugged (January 2024)

November 20, 2023 — Leave a comment

Breaking Benjamin just announced an unplugged tour with an opening solo set by their guitarist Keith Wallen. Tickets and VIP are available at breakingbenjamin.com.

  • 1/12 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
  • 1/13 – Richmond, VA – The National
  • 1/16 – Huntsville, AL – Mars Music Hall
  • 1/17 – Birmingham, AL – Iron City
  • 1/19 – Memphis, TN – Elvis Presley’s Memphis: Graceland Soundstage
  • 1/20 – Fayetteville, AR – JJ’s Live
  • 1/23 – Midland, TX – Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center
  • 1/24 – San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theater
  • 1/26 – Brandon, MS – City Hall Live
  • 1/27 – Biloxi, MS – Beau Rivage Theatre

Interview: Sever Red

November 13, 2023 — Leave a comment

Sever Red is a rock/metal band that is just getting started. Having begun their formation in spring of 2023, this heavy-hitting quartet has made the most of the intervening months. Two singles, “Forever Changed” and “Desperation,” were released this fall, and their debut EP, Sick & Tormented, will be dropping in January 2024.

I recently had a chat with the band, which consists of front man Kevin Riner, guitarist Josiah Wilder, drummer Kenny Shillingburg, and bassist Stephen Mauk. Buckle up, because here’s your crash course on Sever Red!

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First and foremost, how did the band come together, and what’s the story behind the name “Sever Red”?

Kevin: The band started with just me having a vision and wanting to write the best EP possible to give myself a real shot at chasing my lifelong dream of being a professional musician for a living. I wrote everything myself, got some demos together, and sent them to a producer named Josh Schroeder, who is absolutely one of the best producers in the United States. (Just my opinion!) Long story short, a 5 song EP was created, and then came the time for me to look for band members so I could get this thing really going. I feel like you have to play live to really get your name out there. In my opinion, there is no better way to grow an organic growing fanbase than playing live shows and connecting with real people. 

That being said, my great friend Caleb got me in touch with Josiah, who knew I needed a guitarist, and after a 45-minute phone call discussing our visions and goals as musicians, we agreed we would love to meet up to jam and see what happens. That jam session went great, and then the guitarist spot in Sever Red was filled!

Stephen and I used to play in a band together about a decade ago, and after not really keeping in touch, I decided to see if he would be interested in joining the project. After a couple of conversations discussing details, the goals and aspirations we both had, everything aligned, and then the bass position was filled! 

As for Kenny, he always told me he had my back when I was ready to get this project going. Like Stephen and I, Kenny and I go back about a decade as well, and we used to also play shows together. He was in another band, and I always admired his drumming skill, and I knew he would be my go-to guy whenever I was to start my own project. Not only is he a great drummer, but he is a solid dude and friend. Fast forward to now, the project started up and he agreed to be in the band. That is a quick summary of how Sever Red came to be about!

As for the story behind the name, it simply was one of the least cringe band names I could think of that didn’t completely suck. But it also did sort of have a meaning to it. My thought process was it means to not hold onto anger in life because nothing but bad things can come from that. Hence, the name “Sever” and “Red” which is usually a color metaphor for anger. Nothing too deep with the band name. It just sounded halfway decent compared to all my other ideas!

Who would you say are the band’s major influences? And when y’all got together, were you all headed in the same direction, or were you working with different musical backgrounds/influences?

Kevin: I definitely would have to say one of my biggest influences to even start writing music was Shaun Morgan from Seether. I always admired his style of songwriting, and most importantly, his genuine and sincere approach to writing music. His vocal delivery I always thought was honest, and you could feel what he is trying to express to you in his songs, whether it’s pain or sadness. It’s real.  I have so many other influences besides that as well, but I would say he’s my biggest influence.

Josiah: I can hear a variety of influences from bands such as Red, Seether, and sections of Bullet For My Valentine. I believe we all have separate musical influences. My own inspirations come from both classical and modern genres. I believe Kevin has a similar background as well. Even with broad influences, we seem to have a cohesive approach to writing music.

Kenny: Bands I would say I am influenced by are Avenged Sevenfold, August Burns Red, and After the Burial.

On a related note, is there any band or artist you listen to (are influenced by) that might surprise your listeners? 

Kevin: Good question! An influence that might surprise people is I really love a lot of heavy music as well. I am a big fan of Knocked Loose and The Color Morale. I also am a huge fan of Black Stone Cherry, and I would say they are definitely an influence. I have always admired how they can be so heavy at times while also making you cry your eyes out with other songs they have written. The soulful voice of Chris Robertson is an example of one my favorite types of singing voices. I also have recently been diving into Otis Redding and his discography. It’s good stuff!

Josiah: Anytime I would go to write, there tends to be a visual in mind. Additionally, I’m a huge Mark Tremonti and Brian Haner Jr. fan. The nuances in my playing favor them both pretty often when writing.

What is the writing and recording process for Sever Red? From where do y’all draw most of your inspiration?

Kevin: The writing and recording process is usually demoing in my little home studio. Usually getting the bones and basic idea of what the song will sound like. I have always written the music first, and depending on the mood of the music, that dictates the lyrics and what they will be about.  All of my lyrics come from life experiences. Since Josiah has joined, he and I will send back and forth files or voice memos and then collaborate in that way.

Josiah: Voice memos. Lots of voice memos. I have an in-house studio for writing and recording, and I believe Kevin does as well. If an idea comes to mind, I’ll typically just send Kevin the thought and bounce ideas back and forth.

Y’all have released two singles this year, “Forever Changed” and, more recently, “Desperation.” Can you tell me the stories behind these songs?

Kevin: “Forever Changed” was written about my dad. He died when I was 15 due to alcoholism. The song sort of tells a story of watching him grow up, and watching him struggle with alcoholism, and then the aftermath of losing him. It’s just an acknowledgment of the realness of addiction and the consequences, while also being an acknowledgment that I just miss him so much. 

“Desperation” was written from another sort of dark place, if I’m being blunt. It is sort of a cry for help, I suppose. I am acknowledging my own issues with substance abuse, depression, and anxiety and feeling that there is no way out. Hence the song name.

You mentioned that you feel playing live is the best way to get your name out there and grow a fan base. How do you feel that playing live and writing music are connected? When you write, do you think about how it will translate live?

Kevin: When I write, I don’t necessarily think about how it will translate live. When I’m writing lyrics, for example, I am usually just in hyperfocus mode trying to get my genuine feelings out of whatever I’m feeling at the time, and I don’t like to force anything. When I’m writing the musical parts, I do sometimes think to myself “Damn, this could sound really sick live,” but that is definitely not the main focus. My main focus when writing is to just write the best song that I can while keeping it raw and genuine. So, to sum it up, I don’t really think about how it will sound live in the initial creation process. It’s hard to tell how it will sound live until you get together with the guys and feel the energy of the song in rehearsals. That’s when you can really tell how it will translate into a live setting.

Josiah: For me, it’s the delivery. When someone connects to a song or part of a song, it delivers something specific to that person. So, to experience that live is quite surreal considering there are numerous other people in the room feeling the same thing at the same time, just amplified. However, I don’t consciously consider the live performance as a part of my writing process. I try to really focus on the purpose of the song to express it accordingly. The live experience is to share that purpose and energy of the song in person.

Kenny: If you can get a special feeling while you’re writing a song, you just know it’s going to translate live. The energy behind the feeling of the music really shines through to the crowd and hopefully makes them feel something with how passionate you are.

All of you seem quite passionate about the live aspect. What is your favorite thing about performing? 

Kevin: My favorite thing about performing is to see the reactions of the crowd and how they react to something we created that means so much to me. When you see people really vibing to the music, it really gives you a sense of accomplishment and makes everything worth it. All the days and nights, trying to write the best songs we can, it all comes together once we see the reactions from the listeners. When people tell you how much a song means to them, it’s honestly a feeling I can’t quite put into words. It’s a great feeling.

Josiah: To witness the reactions. Seeing the faces of the crowd and their response to the music. It’s as much of a payment as anything to know the audience is really connected with the experience in that moment.

Kenny: The best things about performing are seeing how everyone is enjoying all of your hard work, and the looks on faces when people can relate to the lyrics or when they’re just feeling the groove of the song. It’s very rewarding.

You guys have an extensive list of influences, and it seems y’all could fit in with several different genres, so I have to ask: what would be your dream tour lineup? Sever Red and…?

Kevin: Sever Red, Staind, Seether, 3 Doors Down and Breaking Benjamin

Josiah: Sever Red, Tremonti, Breaking Benjamin, and Seether.

Kenny: Sever Red, Bring Me the Horizon, Breaking Benjamin, and Spiritbox

And last but not least, what are the band’s plans for the remainder of 2023 and into early 2024?

Kevin: Play as many shows as we possibly can and to have as many people as possible listen to our music! Also, a lot of writing, and then hopefully to keep the momentum going with new music!

Josiah: I believe we will have continued rehearsals to keep sharp for future show opportunities. I plan to write with Kevin and the group and keep working on new material.

Kenny: Rest of 2023 to rehearse and tighten up/gel as a band. 2024? World domination.

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You can check out “Forever Changed” and “Desperation” here, and be sure to follow Sever Red on all their socials to keep up with what they’re doing!

Joe Satriani and Steve Vai Announce 2024 US Co-Headlining Tour

November 12, 2023 — Leave a comment

Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, two legendary guitar virtuosos, are co-headlining a spring 2024 tour. The pair have been friends for over 50 years, but this is the first time they will tour as a duo-bill. Along with the tour announcement comes the news that Satch and Vai are planning a new musical collaboration!

You can get tickets at vai.com or satriani.com.

  • 3/22 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live
  • 3/23 – Pompano Beach, FL – Pompano Beach Amphitheater
  • 3/25 – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall
  • 3/26 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre
  • 3/27 – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall
  • 3/29 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center
  • 3/30 – Durham, NC – Durham Performing Arts Center
  • 4/2 – Charlotte, NC – Belk Theater
  • 4/3 – Richmond, VA – Dominion Energy Center
  • 4/5 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre Boston
  • 4/6 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
  • 4/7 – Waterbury, CT – Waterbury Palace Theater
  • 4/8 – Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Center for the Arts
  • 4/10 – Collingswood, NJ – Rite Auditorium
  • 4/11 – Washington, DC – Theatre DC
  • 4/12 – Reading, PA – Santander Performing Arts Center
  • 4/13 – Northfield, OH – MGM Northfield Park
  • 4/14 – Rochester, NY – Kodak Center Theater
  • 4/16 – Detroit, MI – Fisher Theatre
  • 4/17 – Kalamazoo, MI – Theatre of Kalamazoo
  • 4/18 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
  • 4/19 – Cincinnati, OH – J. Brady Icon Music Center
  • 4/20 – Fort Wayne, IN – Embassy Theatre
  • 4/22 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre
  • 4/23 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater
  • 4/24 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre
  • 4/25 – Des Moines, IA – Des Moines Civic Center
  • 4/26 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory
  • 4/28 – La Vista, NE – The Astro
  • 5/1 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
  • 5/3 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theater
  • 5/4 – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park
  • 5/5 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
  • 5/7 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
  • 5/8 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Hall at Eccles Theater