Interview with Jerry from Requiem - Podcast 2

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Welcome to Sound Scene Revolution, continuing with our ever-evolving theme of intro music. That was Requiem, who's going to be on the band today. Happy Tuesday, if you're listening on the brand new release of the broadcast. If not, happy whatever the hell day you're listening. So yeah, this week we got Salinas band Requiem, their frontman Jerry Minischavitz. I don't know his last name, but it's a good last name. And we got Jerry in on the show, but before we do that, we're going to play a cut from the band, so you guys can get an idea of what they sound like. We'll kick off the broadcast today by playing a track off of their EP, which is out now. You can pick it up at their shows. It's called The Great American Death Mantra.

We're going to be playing the first track off of that, which is called Friends Are Just Enemies That Don't Have The Guts To Kill You, and other ridiculously asinine long song titles. So, beginning, this is Requiem, right here on Sound Scene Revolution.

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So, for those of you who haven't turned off the broadcast yet, which I'm hoping is all to at least 98% of you, we now have an interview with Jerry, the frontman of that fantastic band, who laid down those vocals, which had to have at least a 12 octave range. It was absurd. So here's our sit-down interview with Jerry from Requiem. Also, in the background, if you pay attention, you can hear the wash-up act of Meat Hammer, which is the, we'll say, Sammy Hagar to the David Lee Roth of Requiem. Figure that one out. This is our interview with Jerry from Requiem. Do you have a really cool name like those guys do, or do I just call you Jerry? Uh, Jerry's pretty damn cool, I think. I think so, but, uh, I don't know.

It's not Mac the Knife or Butch the fuckin' Butcher. You remembered, though. That's the best you could fuckin' do is Butch the Butcher. That's like Dave the Dave Henderson. Rich the Richie. Well, that sets the point of that's the whole joke. It's a terrible joke.

Just Frank. Just fuckin' Frank. So, alright, welcome back to the wonderful weekly world of Sound Scene Revolution. That's my intro. So, I'm here today with Jerry, just Jerry, from the band Requiem. So, why don't you introduce yourself and tell us a little about yourself. My name is Jerry Lozano. I do vocals for Requiem, which is a band based out of Salinas, which I am not from. Which kind of makes it hard for practice. Yeah, where are you from? Here. So, you live in San Jose. Yeah. And your band is from Salinas. Yep. So, most obvious question, how'd that happen? And why are you on a computer during this? Just in case I have to look up their... I'm looking at our bio right here. Oh, okay. So, I'm all like... So, you can get your...

In case you forget... In case you forget my name and what I do in the band. Oh, okay. Alright. And in case you've listened to our earlier broadcast, which is really unlikely, Meat Hammer's still in the background here. Because they want to extend their two and a half minutes of fame. But, we're here with Jerry from Requiem, again. So, how did it start that you got with a band from Salinas, if you're from San Jose? I was in a... Yeah, no. I was in a band previously from... It was actually from San Jose called For Christ's Sake. We were out together for about a year and a half, and we just kind of broke up. Didn't really work out. And after that, I was just kind of... You know, after a few months, started feeding.

So, you know, started perusing all the little... The websites and haunts and everything. So, I came across CaliHardcore.com, and I saw somebody actually looking for a guitar player.

So, I messaged them, and they said they had actually found a guitar player, but they needed a singer. And they asked if I wanted to try out. And I never... I'd done a bit of, like, backup vocals, but I'd never been, like, a... The front man. But, yeah, I'm a lead singer. So, I decided something new, and I, you know, needed to be in a band. So, I went out and tried it out for them. They liked it, and... That's cool. That was about two years ago. Right on. So, what experience have you had in bands prior to singing for Requiem? I've played guitar, like I said, for Christ's sake. I was actually one of the token bass players for Enemy. I was in that band for, like... Yeah. I think your girlfriend was in Enemy, too.

Oh, yeah. I think I'm pretty... Wait a minute. Pretty sure... No. Anyhow.

I'm pretty sure everyone at some point in history was played for Enemy, so... Great you even played bass for Enemy. But, uh... Play guitar. Anyhow. So, there was that. I think that's it. That's about it, though. That's cool. Um, has there ever been any, like, other than just the difficulty of driving, has there ever been any, uh, major problems with playing with a band from Salinas all the way the hell up there, or... Out there? Um, that's pretty much it. Just... Yeah. The travel? Yeah. Like, do you guys... Jesus. Do you guys... Greg from Meat Hammer is being an asshole in the background, but, um... Oh, I'm sorry. I used to, actually, used to play guitar for Burning Saints, which is actually still a band right now.

Oh, really? So, they kicked you out? No, I left because it was, like, too much. Because I was doing both at the same time. Oh, okay. I was in that band for a while, too, and then... And they were based out of Oakland, which is also another... Yeah. ...bar. Can't you find any people in San Jose to play? Well, for a while, when I first started, like, two years ago, there wasn't any other, you know, people with, like, minds in this area, so... Now, hardcore. Now, all these, like, little metalcore bands are popping up everywhere. So, now you've just basically jumped the scene train. Yeah. Oh, that's cool, though. So, what got you... Or, actually, let me ask a more important question. Has it been hard to make the transition from being a guitar player to being, like, the front man of the band?

At first, it was kind of weird. Like, I wasn't used to being, you know, like, the main, I guess, scene. Like, playing guitar, you could, you know, hide behind a wall of noise or whatever your guitar is. And, you know, I just didn't know what to do, really. Like, playing guitar, you have, like, certain moves, you know, when you're, like, getting into it. But, as a singer, like, what do I do? Just stand there. So, but after, like, you know, after a while, I kind of got into the groove of it and, you know, kind of found my place, my niche. If you tie a bunch of scarves to your microphone pole and use it like a penis, that works out really well. I don't even remember what your stage name is. One of the guys from Meet Hammond just talked about how he likes penis wrapped in pole.

But, um, moving forward, was it, have you learned to change your vocal styles at all? Or have you pretty much gone with, like, one style since starting out? Well, um, before this, I had no vocal style. Like, I just kind of, like, you know. Kind of went for it. Yeah, just, like, my, basically the, the, my, my main. My main influence for even being a vocalist would be, like, Mike Patton. Yeah. You know, who's done a billion different things. Yeah, who could do anything he damn well pleases at this point in time. So, and it doesn't sound anything like that. Yeah. But, like, it was kind of my main, you know, influence to actually just be a vocalist, you know. That's cool. Did you have to, like, sing anything when you tried out for the band?

Did they, like, make you do Paradise City or anything? Actually, no. They just played their own, their, the songs, the stuff they had. And it was just like, hey, do something over it. And I was like, okay. And it worked out. Yeah. That's pretty cool. Uh, now, as mentioned in the Meat Hammer interview that I'm sure nobody listened to, um, no, I have, uh, not a lot of people, not a lot of people in your band are over 21. What's, like, the average age of your band? 19. 19? Are you, like, the oldest member? Yep. Is that ever awkward? Yeah, kind of. Like, right now? I'm 25. When I'm asking, you're 25? Yeah. So, are you buying beer and porn and? Well, half of them are straight-edged, so. Whoa. That's gotta be awkward. Yeah.

Well, everyone's straight-edged under 21. You know, most of their friends, they're just kind of out of high school and, uh, so most of their friends are around that age, so hanging out with them and stuff, it's kind of, I feel like that creepy older guy that hangs out at the liquor stores after school gets out, you know. Yeah, but that guy gets so much tail, it's unbelievable, so. Just trust me, you're, you're on the right path. Like, I'm, I'm hanging out, I'm waiting, I get another couple years, I'll be the creepy older guy. But, um, so, yeah, is it kind of weird at, you know, 25 starting over, kind of like on a newer band, kind of younger band sound? Yeah, um, they're definitely, out of most of the bands I've been in, uh, a lot tighter and more organized for being so young.

Yeah. Which is kind of sad, but, I kind of envy their, their talent and, yeah. Yeah. Uh, I stand by my comment. Uh, no, um, no, I, you know, they're really young and just so talented, not even just for their age, just in general. In general. Just, I, you know, I, like I said, I envy their, how good they play, you know, I've never been that tight as a guitar player myself. Yeah. Were you kind of like nonchalant about it when you first showed up? You're like, I'm going to show these young kids what it's all about, and then like, they started playing, you're kind of like, oh, shit. Well, it, well, they weren't, they weren't bad when I first, you know, but they weren't to the level, you know, two years into it, now we're just like, you know, but like, as when I first started, they had, you know, a little, you know, little tiny pretend Marshall half stack.

Yeah. And like, uh, the drummer's drum set was falling apart, you know, like the tom was just falling off. Yeah, like most bands at that age. Yeah. But it's not like, you know, I had all this experience as a front man, you know, so we were just, we all kind of like, you know, as, you know, as much experience as I had being in bands, you know, I've been in bands since I was like 16, as much experience as I've had, like, you know, it was still kind of like, we were all kind of starting at the same level. That's cool. Uh, do you have, uh, like any stage attire? Do you come out in leather pants with a big Danzig-like skull, skull horn belt or anything or just whatever? Well, um, I guess it wouldn't really work for me seeing as I'll, uh, I'm not really that big in stature, but again, Danzig's like 5'2", so.

But he's like, you know, got like arms bigger than my head, so. The guy from Northside Kings has knocked out Jerry as many times as he knocked out. So, yeah, if I were to wear that belt, I'd probably, you know, like. You'd fall forward. Wouldn't work out too well. Be too top-heavy for me. Nah, that's cool. Uh, that's fair enough. I can accept that. Smaller people amuse me. Um, so, what is your influence basically musically? What got you, what bands do you listen to now? What started you off in music? Um, well, we're, like, a metal hardcore band, and as far as that, I guess, just, I've been listening to stuff like, you know, Snapcase, Hatebreed, The Refuse, you know, Minor Threat, you know, all the pretty much influential, like, bands, and it's, as young as they are, they pretty much started the same thing, too.

Like, I mean, they, at a later age, but they, you know, it's still around. So, they kind of, like, started at the same thing, too. But, I've also had a lot of, um, non-metal or hardcore influences, like I said, like Mike Patton, you know, anywhere from that to, like, Depeche Mode, or, like, just. Not a lot of people get up and publicly admit they like Depeche Mode. I like that. I'm, I'm gonna go, yeah, I'm gonna go see them. They're coming to, they're coming to town. You guys should open for them. Go, go. I like, I like gay porn, and. You're racing here to break up with you. No, but, you know, and, like, you know, Iron Maiden at the gates, kind of stuff. How does anyone feel about the Iron Maiden situation at Ozzfest?

Have you heard about that? I heard, I didn't, didn't get to see it, but, uh, I would've liked to have been there to see it. Yeah, I would've liked to have seen it, too. But, $90, yeah, that's probably why I didn't go to go see it. What did Bruce Dickinson kill as replaced with Ozzfest? No, with, uh, Ozzfest, I think it was the last show Iron Maiden played, uh, they got, uh, Ozzie, Ozzie's wife, Sharon, shut off their sound and, like, had their shit thrown at their stage because, I guess Dickinson made some comment about Ozzie using a teleprompter and about his reality show. But, it's basically Sharon Osbourne being a crazy whore. It's what she does best. But, um, anyhow, before we start talking to the background noise of Meat Hammer, who refuses to go away, they're like a fucking testicular cancer.

Alright, anyhow, do you guys just want a mic so you can get your shit heard? No, you don't get one. Never mind, I take that, I take that back. So, um, shut up. Fuck. At that point, the interview degenerated into an eight-minute sissy slap fight, and I don't want to get into the details, but, uh, Alex of Meat Hammer had to have a plunger surgically removed from his ass that night. But, um, I don't want to dwell on the past and the details. We're going to jump right back into the interview with Jerry in a little bit, but before we do that, we're going to bring you another track from Requiem. Uh, the track is called Masquerade Submission. It's off their album, The Great American Death Mantra. But stay tuned after the, uh, track for more interview, more stuff.

Maybe a little more ripping on Sharon Osbourne. Maybe Jerry and I'll bust out into a straight-up make-out session. You never know, so keep it locked.

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This is The Focus. Now, you, uh, mentioned a lot of, like, really good, not, like, old school, but, you know, late 90s, mid-90s hardcore bands. Uh, how do you feel, like, a lot of that stuff is being really commercialized and really, like, sold like crazy nowadays. Do you feel, how do you feel about any of the newer type of bands?

I think it's pretty much on a person, you know, like, band-to-band, like, situation. I don't think, like, all of them are, like, you know, a lot of them, I think, they came up, you know, hey, this is, this is getting big right now, let's capitalize on this. And you can totally tell in their music. Yeah. But, I mean, I still think there's a lot of true bands out there, you know, that I dig. And, and, as far as commercial, like, I can, you know, kind of shamefully admit that some of the more commercial stuff I can, you know, kind of, like, be into, but not, like, you know, a huge fan of. I think everybody. I don't, I don't think it's, uh, just because they're, they're bigger, probably, you know, we shouldn't, you know, knock out.

I mean, as long as the music's good, you know, I just. Yeah, are there any of the newer bands that, I don't know, the younger listeners that we don't have yet would relate to that you listen to? I'm sorry? I didn't get the first one. Wow. Um, are there any of the newer bands, like, the last three or four years that you've been listening to that, like, you would say are, like, a better example of those type of bands? Um, there's a band I like called Stranger By Day. I think they're really good. Um, a lot of the bands that we've played with, just, like, local bands, you know, and, um, Catherine from Sacramento, um, a band, a band from our area, Moria, um, Light This City, they're from out of, uh, East Bay, they're really good.

Right on. Female-fronted hardcore metal band, they're pretty good. Would you say their lead singer's hot? Yeah, she's pretty cute. All right, excellent. So, what was their name again? Everyone should check that band out. Light The City. Light The City? Yeah. All right, because there's way too much penis in hardcore, so I think it would be best if we kind of infused the scene with women.

Anyhow, so, um, you guys have been playing for, what, two years now? Yeah. Do you have any... Probably closer to two and a half. Wow. That's, like, an actual band at this point. I think, like, after a while, you're just, like, two years, yeah, two years, and then, like, you know, six months. Then it's, like, five years, and you're, like, oh, wait. So, um, it's, like, marriage, it just gets stagnant, and the years fade. Um, do you guys have a favorite show that you guys have played, or, like, a favorite, like, memory? Uh, probably two that really stick out to me are, is the first time we played in Sacramento, Roseville area, is this place called the Underground Cafe. That was probably our defining, just the most awesome show we've ever played.

Like, nobody really even heard of us, like, a few people, you know, from, like, MySpace or whatever, like, came to see us, and, but there was probably, like, it was just, you know, the scene out there is way better than, like, than here, than a lot of scenes. Yeah, just, like, yeah, just, like, you know, people go out there, like, people still go to shows just to go to shows and see bands, not because, you know, like... They know, necessarily, who the big headliner is. So, yeah, there was, like, maybe 200 and something kids there, and, like, you know, we had the, you know, we had the lucky spot of third, so, you know, like, the heighten of the show. So, yeah, it just went crazy off, and sold a lot of stuff.

So, that was pretty cool. That was cool. And then, our most recent show we played was at a coffee shop, of all places. This place is called the Cherry Bean. I guess they started playing shows there. That's actually in Salinas, or, you know, my band's hometown. Yeah. So, I mean, you know, playing out of there, we're getting kind of a following just because, you know, it's our hometown. I know. But, yeah, we played there. It was really small, but it was just packed tight with people. Just, like, you know, like, not just, like, scared, you know, to the corner, but, like, you know, up in my face, and, like, I'm being pushed into the drums, and, like, people are, you can see people outside in the windows, like, their face is pressed against, you know, like, you know, some kid broke his nose, and another kid broke his hand and came up just like, hey, I just broke my hand.

You know, the guys are out. I'm like, you should get that checked out. Yeah, you should get that look, yeah. Thumb is missing. It's not so good. Yeah. That's cool. Yeah, that was pretty cool. Have you guys, anytime a guy breaks a bone, hopefully not you, but anytime someone else breaks a bone, it's a good show. Yeah. Usually means it went off pretty well. Have you guys played with any bigger bands, like, on who I've been through? I know you guys have played with Donnybrook. Yeah, Donnybrook. Actually, yeah, we played with Tried and True, we also played that show with us. We've played with Scars of Tomorrow, which is a victory band. Nodes of Ranvier, Face Down Records, Nehemiah. Wow. I asked the question, he's allowed to drop names.

Horse of the Band we played with. Wow. Now, you guys have a preference as to, is it more interesting to play with the larger bands or just, like, a local show with, like, everyone who you know and are friends with? Well, it's kind of, I think only two of the times that we played with a larger band with, I think, Scars of Tomorrow and, like, Nodes of Ranvier, actually, there was a lot of people, like, some of the other, like, larger bands. It was kind of like, you know, like, you know, the scene's a little young in some areas, so not too many people will, like, know, you know, the gravity of, you know, of what's going on. So they just kind of come out for shows, but mostly just the local bands that we've played with, you know, from our area have been the bigger, bigger shows.

The bigger draws just because they have the local push on. That's cool. Now, what would you say your average, the average Requiem fan, if you could put, like, an ID on them, what would they look like? 14-year-old girls. That's excellent. No, I, I mean. You guys can just type in the show, man. No, I mean. I would expect to see Alex from Meat Hammer at more of your shows. No, it's funny. You wouldn't expect it, but, like, a lot of the, like, people that you, see coming out to buy merch now have been, like, you know, like, 14, 16-year-old girls that are, like, you know, like. They're the ones with the money. Yeah. But, you know, you know, just regular, like, high school, maybe early 20s kind of kids. That's cool.

Now, I got your album, your guys' album. I'm holding it in my hand. You can, yeah. Which is actually, like, maybe a year and a half old. A year and a half. Yeah, we're actually, but we're recording this weekend, like, a short kind of three-song EP, like, a demo, or industry demo kind of thing that we're going to hand out to labels and just get other shows. We're going to shop it around. Yeah. Where would, ideally, who would you like to pick up your demo? If you could have, like, you know, a choice. I don't, I don't really have a. You don't have anyone. Just anybody that would. Anyone who will distribute your album. Yeah, pretty much anybody that will help us out, you know, get us, get our name out there, get us on the road, and, you know.

Well, be sure to hand it to everyone I know. The only reason, I mean, the only reason I can even see, like, being on a label, really, is just to, like, help promote even more. I mean, you can, I think, pretty much get your own name out there, just, you know, doing, that's where we're trying really hard, just to promote ourselves and get out there. And, like, a lot of labels, anyway, want you to already kind of be known in the area before they even, like, think about signing you. They want, you know, somebody that's already been, you know, touring and. Played shows. Yeah, so anybody that would just help us out just that extra bit, you know. Yeah, that's cool. What do you, do you guys know what you're going to be recording for your little three song EP?

Yeah, we, since that, that EP there is our second recording. Before that, we had six other songs. And we had, I think we had, like, eight more songs that we wrote, and we decided on those five, that's the best. And then, since then, we wrote, like, five more songs, and we're just recording three out of those. Okay. Yeah. What are the names, if I can ask? Excuse me. That's right. I have a bit of gas. Dude.

Midnight is Dead is one. Agoraphobian Dreams is another. And then, Fell a Victim. I like those. Those are solid names. I don't know anything about those songs, but by the names alone, I would recommend them. And where, do you guys know, well, obviously, if it's this weekend, you know where you're recording? Yeah, actually, at the same place, Castle Ultimate Studios. Oh, Castle Ultimate. That's where we recorded our last demo, too. Oh, yeah. So, the people at Castle Ultimate, pretty good people. Yeah, really good. They totally know what they're doing, and pretty, really reasonably priced. Excellent. So, how, like, when do you think the EP should be out at your shows and whatnot? Well, we're recording this weekend, probably get it pressed within the next month of that.

So, probably within the next month, month and a half, something like that. Within the next month. So, if they start seeing you guys in November and December. Yeah, we'll probably have it for our Halloween show. We have a Halloween show coming up. We'll probably, if not, you know, press just like a few just burned CDs to give out. Just get out there. Okay, that's cool. Yeah, so, now we come to the portion of the show where it's shameless self-promotion. You guys got any shows coming up? You got on a... Yeah, we do have a show this Friday, October 7th, at the castle in Soledad with... Dude, it's happening in Soledad. I've seen the signs. I've seen it, yes. Great sign. With Moria, Catherine, Animosity. And then October 30th, we're playing a Halloween show.

It's The Wrath, At Risk, Us, Chainsaw Death Squad, Fate 13, and Moria. And then... Where is that at? That's at the Moose Lodge in Salinas, which is actually another kind of place popping up for shows. For a while, there was, like, no place to play in, like, the South Bay, really. And then there's been a couple places that have been popping up that are really good. And then we're playing November 19th at Burnt Ramen with my old band, Burning Saints. Oh, wow. And I just... Is that going to be awkward at all? No, no. We're all, like... So... No, we're good friends still and stuff. And, yeah, we're playing with them and another band called The Hollowing, which are... They're both based out of the East Bay. And that's going to be...

Wait, that's going to be at Burnt Ramen on what day? November 19th. Okay. That's cool. So, yeah, you guys got... You guys are definitely more organized than Meat Hammer. You guys seem to have an actual schedule going. That's pretty good. Do you guys have a website or anything you'd like to push? We have a website. There's just kind of a preview page up right now. I'm still kind of working on it. But I'm actually a graphic designer as well. Oh, okay. I do, like, websites and stuff. So, if you're a graphic designer, how come your website's not on? Oh, well, we had one up. And, like, as I've grown as a designer myself, I was just like, you know what? This sucks. I could do something better. Especially if we're going to be putting out CDs to give it to labels.

We want something that's a bit more... Yeah, that looks good. Yeah. Professional. So, I'm working on that. It's in the works. It's requiemmetal.com. Oh, okay. So, and we're also on MySpace. Everyone's on MySpace. Yeah. And for the people that are completely unable to spell it, it should be on our website. But it's requiem, R-E-Q-U-I-E-M. So, in case... As in for a dream. As in the movie for a dream, which starred Jared Leto, who's in 30 seconds to Mars. A band. I'm going to leave my opinion out of it at this point. But, yeah. So, Jerry from Requiem, you got anything you want to say? Any last words?

That's it. You got a lot of homies in prison? Uh, no. No. I don't. But if you did... If I did. They'd feel the love. All right. So, that's Requiem. We're going to be playing probably cuts from them throughout. So, keep an eye out and be sure to visit their webpage and check out their shows. They're hardworking guys and they need your money. And they won't use it on beer since half of the band is straight in. So, keep that in mind. All right. Thanks a lot, Jerry. Sweet. Thanks. All right. So, that concludes our interview with Jerry from the band Requiem. I'd like to, again, thank him a lot for coming on to the show. Of course, if you guys ever have any questions, comments, or concerns, you can hit us up at soundscenerevolution at gmail.com.

Or, if you visit the website, just hit us up on the message boards. Comments, questions, concerns are always welcome. And if you're in a local band, we would love to take the time to sit down and fuck up an interview with you guys. Because we're the most professional people you will ever work with this side of Taco Bravo, which is awesomely professional. All right. So, we got one more track coming up from Requiem. We're going to play the Great American Death Mantra off of their album, The Great American Death Mantra. It's the title track. Next couple of weeks, we got some big guests coming up. I don't want to say who, because if I say it, I'll probably fuck it up and they won't get on the show. So, but we got some big guests coming up in the next couple of weeks.

So, be sure to check it out. And as always, Sound Scene Revolution, until you start giving us free stuff or paying us, we really don't give a shit. Thanks a lot.