Hey Gearheads! Since we recently performed at 1st Ave. Live featuring some of our fellow unsigned online local artists from Rock 108's Unsigned Online with Brian Marshall we decided to post our unedited version of the interview here on Myspace! It will be in five parts starting this week and we'll post the next part every week.  So keep checking back so you can hear the whole thing!

Freaklabel was chosen to be the unsigned online artist of August for rock108.com!  The interview was with Brian Marshall and can be downloaded at rock108.com.

The Mic: What got this band together and started in
this business?
Freak Label-We'll Ryan, our lead guitarist, and I went to highschool together. We started jammin' after school and before we new it we started writing songs. After school we moved to our current location which is Cedar Rapids, IA. About year later we met Adam our bass player and former drummer Doug and Freaklabel was born. After four years of playing around the Midwest region Doug stepped down and last January we picked up our new drummer Ben, which has been a huge asset!



The Mic:Who writes and produces all the material for
the band?
Freak Label-We all do actually. Ryan and I write most of the riffage, but everyone adds their own part. Adam does his own thing as well as Ben writes his part of course. lyricly, I write most of the words, but Adam has been helping in that part as well which is awesome! I think a lot times in bands, members feel that they have to do a certain part and that's it. It really adds too much pressure to the individual and mixing it up can really spark creative song writing.



The Mic:The band played in front of or with any acts
our readers would
know from the Mainstream?
Freak Label-Yeah, actually we have been really fortunate. To name a few would be: Mastadon, Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, Power Man 5000, Soil, Dope, Drowning Pool, Lamb Of God, Devil Driver, etc. It's been a blast.


The Mic:Where can people access your music on the web?
Freak Label-You can listen to us on our myspace page of course which is www.myspace.com/freaklabel
www.sonicbids.com/freaklabel2
www.purevolume.com/freaklabel
And you can buy our music at the following online stores:
www.amazon.com
Itunes
www.cdbaby.com
www.provokeproductions.com
www.billboards.com


The Mic:Any embarrassing moments on stage?
Freak Label-Other than the occasional screw-ups musically, nothing I can think of right now haha. I sang the wrongs words one time, that was embarrasing. I think I've fallen down a time or two. Oh yeah and when Adam takes his shirt off haha, he'll hate me for this!


The Mic:Any good stories you want to tell us?
Freak Label-Yeah there are plenty haha. Not many that don't involve nakedness! On the road, as any band can tell you, you tend to do things that you wouldn't tell your mother! Here's one that doesn't involve booze.
We were on our way home from Minneapolis after a gig and we had to go to the bathroom. Of course there was no rest stop within miles, so we stopped on the side of the road and headed for the ditch to relieve ourselves. When we got back into the vehicle this horrible aroma filled the van! We were like what the hell is that? We soon discovered that it smelled like animal crap and began checking our shoes and sure enough Adam with a sigh says, "its me". So we made him get out and wipe his shoes off in the grass and gravel and then as we were driving down the road had to fling out the floor mat that his feet were resting on as well! Haha! So we still won't let him live that one down.


The Mic:Who is the bands musical influence?
Freak Label-Mainly classic metal acts like Iron Maiden, Slayer, and Pantera. Also Lamb Of God is a huge one. Adam on the other hand isnt a huge metal fan, he likes metal of course, but he listens to a lot of the beatles, Red Hot Chile Peppers, and Sound Garden.


The Mic:How did the band get together?
Freak Label-Well, I pretty much summed it up on the first question. So just jump back up there. It happend to be the right guys looking for each other at same and right time.


The Mic:What is your musical background like?
Freak Label-Me personally, I started playing the trumpet in 5th grade in band in Elementary school through till I graduated. I picked up the guitar at age 15 or 16, I can't remember. Same for the other guys. We all were schooled musicians at an early age.


The Mic:Any other members in your family that are
musicians?
Freak Label-Yeah, I have a uncle and two cousins who have done a lot of vocal work. I also have a great uncle who when I was kid use to play a lot folk and early americana songs on guitar for us. He also could play a mean harmonica!


The Mic:What is the TOP reason why you want to play
music?
Freak Label-Well it's my passion, to be plain and simple. It's the only thing as a kid and adult that I could really see myself doing. Growing up you have all of these ideas of what you want to do. Music is the only thing that really stuck with me.

The Mic:what's your stance on file swapping?
Freak Label-Is that the same thing as pirating? Well, I'm on the fence about it I guess. Young bands like ourselves needs Cd sales to survive in this business. A lot of people don't understand how the business works. When you sign a record deal, the record company gives you a loan to make your record. So the idea is to sell that record so you can pay that loan back! So when people pirate and download music illeagally they're making it harder for the bands they love make more great music in the future! This is our job, just like everyone has to make money to survive we do to. On the other side, file sharing helps get the music out there. Some are for it and some are against it. I lean a little more torwards against it, but I can see why some are not.

The Mic:what is the process of making a cd?

Freak Label-The best thing to do is find a studio that makes you as a band feel comfortable. What we did on Monolith was what we usually do when we record. First, we all play together with the vocals and guitar only going through the headphones. At this time we are recording the drums and bass together. After those two are done, the bass can go back through and punch in spots where he needs to redo a part. Next, we track all of the guitar work and then lastly we finish with the vocal work. It can be a very mind draining process. We recorded Monolith in just three very long days. It took a few weeks for the engineer to mix and master the album. At last, after a couple months of manufacturing we had the disc. We had all of the art work done in advance.

The Mic:how do you get the word out about your music?
Freak Label-Myspace has been amazing for bands in general. But mainly just playing our asses off. Flyering, stickering, and doing radio ads for shows are the best. Having a big merch selection is great as well. The more shirts out there the better.

The Mic:how is your local responce to your music?

Freak Label-We have done amazing in our local market. Just like any band we started out as nobodies and with hard work we've made a good name for ourselves.

The Mic:what is the farthers you have traveled for a gig?
Freak Label-The farthest we have traveled would be San Antonio, TX. That was August of '06.

THEMIC: What tune on the cd are you most proud of?
Freak Label-I have hard time with this one. I love The Subtleties Of War, The Open Sea, and Apethetic Conception. I also love the instrumental, Hoc Sustinete Majus Ne Veniat Malum. For all of you wondering it means, Endure this evil, lest a greater come upon thee. I love them all!


Here are links:
Website www.freaklabelmusic.com
www.myspace.com/freaklabel

 Wearing The label With Pride

by Genefreak23

I first met these guys at a show down in Grinnell Iowa, and I was impressed with their brand of working class metal, which if you haven't heard yet... well, I don't know what to tell you. You are missing out on a band that pumps out solid metal jams with no shortage of fucking balls and attitude. "Fuck This Place, It's My Disgrace".... it's an anthem thats hard not to sing along to!

I have no problem giving these guys the Death Threats stamp of approval based on their music alone, but what I want to mention is how plain cool these guys are. Dispite having a dedicated fan base and what not, these are just four very down to earth dudes that I could pretty much see anyone being able to enjoy and beer and conversation with, and that my friends is what the scene should also be about! So if you haven't had a chance to check these guys out, nows the time.

We had a chance to catch up with our friend Scott Arens, lead singer and one of the dualing guitarist of the band that is FREAK LABEL:

 

G23: Names of band members and what instruments they play, and ages?

Scott: Adam Mykris-26-bass, Scott Arens-25-vocals/guitar, Ryan Keller-24-guitar, Ben Carrillo-19-drums

G23: Day jobs?

Scott: Scott-House Painter, Ryan-works at a fire arms warehouse, Adam and Ben are currently seeking work haha.

G23: Background story of your band?

Scott: We we're all just a bunch of kids who wanted to play metal! We've always marketed ourselves as working class metal. I thinks that's very important, because everyone of us in this band as well as all of you metal heads out there are working class citizens, doing what we have to do to get by. That's what really keeps this band going as a whole. So I think it hits people a little harder in that respect, which is great.

G23: How long have you been together?

Scott: Almost 5 years. We offically we're conceived in January 2003.

G23: How did you get together?

Scott: Ryan and I went to high school together. He and I started jammin' together after school at his Dad's house learning cover songs and what not. After doing that for awhile and learning as we went, we soon started writing songs. We played with various musicians for a couple years after high school before moving to Cedar Rapids in hopes to bettering our career. I soon met Doug Callahan, our original and former drummer, at a Wendys haha. He and Adam had been in a band together likewise the same as Ryan and I. We just started jammin' and getting to know each other and then offically became a band. Last November Doug stepped down and we picked up Ben and it's been fantastic working with him. Plain and simple he's a great fit!

G23: How did you name your band?

Scott: Back when Ryan and I we're like 17 and 18 we we're looking for name. We had come up with a few but they didn't really work. It simply popped in my head one day and that's it.

G23: Main influences of each band member?

Scott: Ryan and I have very similar influneces like Slayer, Pantera, Iron Maiden, Lamb Of God. Mainly Metal, but we like everything other than RAP! Adam isn't really huge metal head funny as it is. His influences are more like Sound Garden, The Red Hot Chile Peppers, and the Beatles. Ben is more along the lines of Ryan and I. My favorite band however is Guns N Roses. Though I don't listen to them often, Slash is my hero as well as my main musical influence.

G23: Age each member started playing music, how, and why?

Scott: I started playing music in 4th grade starting with the recorder haha. I played trumpet in band from 5th to 12th grade. Ryan started in 5th grade and started with the trumpet but only stuck it out for a few years before picking up the guitar. Adam started in 5th grade playing the bassoon in band as well. Ben has been playing drums since the time he was four. He also competed in drum core in junior high and high school. I think we all just wanted to try something new and be a part of something huge!

G23: Each members live gear:

Scott: Ryan and I both run Marshall JCM 2000 DSL 100 heads with Marshall 1960A cabinets. Adam runs a Galien Krueger 700 bass head with a 4/10 peavey cabinet and a 1/15 Carvin cabinet. Ben Plays a Yamaha Stage Custom stocked with Zildjian cymbols and DW 9000 kick pedals.

G23: Funnest venue played?

Scott: I can't remember every venue played and there's been some great ones, I would have to say my favorite would be Third St. Live here in Cedar Rapids, IA our home town. It's just a great homecoming feeling everytime we play here.

G23: Best gig?

Scott: Probably when we played up in Storm Lake,IA. It was a festival and like 1000 kids show up, and there was a huge pit!

G23: Worst gig?

Scott: Probably when Ryan's head shorted out and we had to call it quits for the night. That sucked ass!

G23: Most memorable moments:

Scott: When we we're in Austin, TX drunk at a Wal-Mart parking lot. Ryan and I had an argument about how the earth spins on it's axis. We used a onion as a model. We finally laughed it of and ate the onion.

G23: Any messages in your music?

Scott: No, not really. We just write how we feel at certain times of our lives. Ups and Downs. Though the downs make for much better songs haha

G23: Any advice for young musicians first starting out?

Scott: Don't give up. You're gonna struggle and it's gonna suck-ass, but it gets better. As far as working with your instruments, your gonna want to fly when you're practicing, slow it down and learn it correctly! It's boring I know, but trust me it will make you better player. In other words, like many bands out there, you won't need pro-tools to cover up your sloppiness! Oops, sorry.

G23: Any Iowa bands people should check out:

Scott: We have a lot of good friends out there playing their asses off as well. Definately check out Lost Nation, Duhkha, Speedfinger, 40 0n The Floor, and Destrophy. There are many more but my brain is tired haha.

G23: Any announcement you wish to make?

Scott: "Its better to be dead and cool, than alive and uncool." -Harley Davidson And The Marlboro Man.Thanks!

Thank YOU Scott!

http://www.myspace.com/freaklabel

 

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Freaklabel has been chosen to participate in the Metal Vs Rock compilation cd Along with Drowning Pool and many others. Music For Troops will have copies of the box set "Metal vs Rock" will soon be for sale on eBay at the Music For Troops eBay store under username musicfortroops. Please tell family, friends and fans where they can buy a copy and help send the gift of music to our Troops. All proceeds go toward this great cause. Support Our troops and support Freaklabel! Make a donation today.... and don't forget to pick up your copy of Freaklabel's MONOLITH, in stores now.

It will take about two seconds for Freaklabel's debut studio album, "Monolith" to win over anyone who likes aggressive rock n' roll. The Cedar Rapids metal band comes out swinging on the albums first song, "Slaughtery Machine," which begins with the razor-sharp electric guitars of Scott Arens and Ryan Keller slamming against each other at light speed, before being joined by Arens' burly vocals and bassist Adam Mykris and drummer Ben Carrillo's hammering beats.

"Monolith" doesn't back down after that either, with song after song that metal fans should love and punk rockers should start paying attention to. After forming in 2003, last summer Freaklabel released "Live & Brutal," and introductory live recording that showed the band's potential yet suffered from the murkiness that accompanies most live albums.

"Monolith," on the other hand, shows Freaklabel unencumbered by it's surroundings, and it's a sound to behold. One of the best aspects of "Monolith" is that Arens' screaming vocals, while heavy enough to scare away mom and dad, avoid the metal cliche of sounding inhuman and incomprehensible. Arens always sounds like a real person, albeit an angry one, and the strategy seems ripe for listener sing-a-longs to songs like "Subtleties of War" and "Leader of Disaster." --Review by Eric Clark, Cedar Rapids Gazette

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	Freaklabel New Album MONOLITH features the following tracks in this order: "Slaughtery Machine" "Subtleties of War" "Swelter" "Dissecting the tapeworm" "Hoc Sustinete Majus Ne Veniat Malum" "Leader Of Disaster" "The Open Sea" "Of Foot And Mouth" "Of The Failed" "Apethetic Conception" Preorder will be available soon. All preorders will be SIGNED BY ALL FOUR MEMBERS OF FREAKLABEL!

The result is something so huge, so over the top that it will punch you square in the face and keep pummeling you until the final throes. Due to its sheer sonic scope, power, and awe inspiring size, this album could have gone under no other name but simply MONOLITH. It is truly monolithic even based on definition alone, i.e. an organized whole that acts as a single unified powerful or influential force. I assure you that each and every Gear Head, along with the uninitiated, will be picking their collective jaw off the ground when the new Freaklabel material pummels its way into your skull. Expect Freaklabel's new studio album, Monolith, to hit stores near the end of May or early June. Exact release date and track list coming soon.