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