EMQ’s with SYLENT STORM

EMQ’s with SYLENT STORM

Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Medford, Oregon based Traditional Heavy Metal band Sylent Storm. Huge thanks to them for taking part.

What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?

Jym Harris (Vocalist): Thanks for the interview! This is Jym Harris, I sing for the band and I played drums on our first EP. Other members will be chiming in as well. We formed in early 2013 in Medford, Oregon, but became inactive after a couple years of gigging around Southern Oregon. I reformed the band with a new line-up and started playing shows again in early 2019 after our EP was released.

How did you come up with your band name?

Jym: First, I like the “OR” sound in Lizzy BOR-den, Ozzy Os-BOURNE, WAR-LORD (there’s two in that one) so “Storm” came naturally. Adding “Sylent” gave it a juxtaposition like Quiet Riot or Led Zeppelin. A delicate word and a powerful word. Iron Maiden is a great example of that too. Besides, the idea of a silent storm seems ominous.

What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?

Jym: Medford, Oregon (USA) is not great for our style of music. It’s mostly Bro-Metal…Ya know, like Groove Metal, and Core type bands. Traditional Metal seems bigger in other places.

What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)

Jym: We have a pro-shot video for “Patriots of Metal” on Youtube. Our self-titled demo EP came first in late 2018 on Stormspell Records and was released on cassette by Doomsday’s Today/Barf Bag Records in 2020. Our new album “The Fire Never Dies” will be out this year as well.

Who have been your greatest influences?

Jym: Musically? I have different influences for writing lyrics, writing music and singing. I always have trouble with this since I admire so many artists.

Michael Ian Brisbane (Guitar/Vocals): For me, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Zakk Wylde, David Gilmore, and Gary Hoey.

What first got you into music?

Jym: When I was a kid, my old man was a truck driver and spent a lot of time with the radio on. He played tapes all the time. At home, we had a big stereo system and stacks of cassettes, 8-tracks and 45s; mostly country and 60s Rock n Roll. I had older siblings that showed me newer stuff, but I think kids at school really introduced me to Hard Rock/Heavy Metal.

Michael: I grew up with music my whole life. My mom was a jazz singer in the clubs in Dallas TX and then in the choir in churches. I got into it when I wanted to impress a girl, so I learned the guitar. Needless to say, I never got the girl, but fell in love with the guitar.

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?

Jym: For Metal? There’s a million. Non-Metal? Lzzy from Halestorm or Kacey Musgraves. Behind the scenes, I always would have loved to work with Jonathan Daniels, Jack Ponti or Max Norman. I admire good songwriters and producers.

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

Jym: Keep It True would be incredible since it’s real Heavy Metal bands. Any big fest like Wacken, with lots of fans who truly enjoy our style.

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

Jym: At a show last year, we got off stage and this gal comes up and takes her necklace off and put it on me.  The pendant was a cut off dinner fork that had been filed and bent into this other shape and turned into a little face. Weird and cool.

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

Jym: That we appreciate their support more than they know.  Fans of Heavy Metal are the greatest fans in the world.

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

Jym: Steel Panther got in trouble for saying Vince Neil, huh? I mean, who do you pick, really? Randy Rhoads comes to mind…Dio…man, so many.

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

Jym: I just love writing songs. I also enjoy performing for an audience that really gets into the show and I hate waiting until the pandemic is over to do it again!

Michael: I love the creativity of putting different ideas together. Seeing what chords and melodies can go together and how it can make you feel. It’s like cooking with notes. I hate the fact that sometimes the options are so limitless, and it makes it so hard to make a final product.

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

Jym: “Deliver Us” by Warlord. Technically an EP, but it’s nearly perfect.

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?

Jym: Well, each are good for a different reason. I prefer CD’s but as a kid I loved vinyl and tapes.

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

Jym: The first time I opened for Y&T was pretty amazing. Not the biggest show I’ve ever played but the energy was incredible. Northwest Metalfest was a blast. Also, opening for Dokken the first time, many years ago.

Michael: In the sense of sheer numbers it would have to be our local July 4 celebration. 6000 people in an outdoor stage. It was awesome.

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

Michael: Probably either a chef, or involved with architecture or something. Anything to do with my hands. Also, I love bladesmithing. I used to do it when I was younger.

What’s next for the band?

Jym: New album later this year! Keep an eye out!

What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?

Jym: All of the platforms we can find, but Bandcamp is the big one. YouTube is good for previewing, and watching videos.
www.sylentstorm.bandcamp.com/releases
www.facebook.com/SylentStormMetal/
www.youtube.com/channel/UCcx3FoFqWL9MQYrHiSMIY0A

Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?

Mike Pugh (Bass/Vocals): The Jaffa cake I would have to say is a pastry, sooo… biscuit.

Michael: Jaffa Cakes are actual cakes. Made from a sponge cake topped with jam and chocolate. My dad is from the UK and it’s a UK dish. Some may call it a biscuit but they’re wrong.

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Jym: PLEASE VISIT http://www.sylentstorm.com/ FOR UPDATES!

by Brandon “SeaBass” Seyboth

Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

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