EMQ’s with THE STONE EYE – PART 2
Hi everyone! In August 2020 we did our first EMQ’s with Philadelphia, PA based Fuzz/Prog/Stoner Rock band The Stone Eye, care of vocalist Stephen Burdick. With a new single out and album on the way they have returned to tackle it again. This time it has fallen to drummer, Jeremiah Bertin, to offer his perspective on the band. Many thanks to him 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?
My name is Jeremiah Bertin, and I play drums in The Stone Eye. I first met guitarist Stephen Burdick in 2013. We went to the same high school, and we were introduced to each other by a mutual friend, Christian Mechem, who would end up joining the band on guitar in years to come. Since then, we’ve released 4 albums, and a 5th one will be released very soon via Eclipse Records. We’ve also toured extensively on the East Coast, and have made it out to the Midwest as well.
How did you come up with your band name?
When I started working with Steve, the project was called Cycle. However, after playing together for a year or two, we decided that our music was moving in a different direction and that the name didn’t quite fit any more. We spent a while debating on the name of the band. We knew we wanted to have something with “stone” in it, or some sort of variation of the word. Eventually, one of us came up with “The Stone Eye”, and the name stuck.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
We are from the United States, specifically Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The stoner rock scene is very tight-knit, and there are several bars in the city, such as Century and Ortlieb’s, that have become venues that have smiled brightly on the burgeoning scene in the city. People in the area definitely like their metal around here.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
On June 11th, we released our song ‘Witches & Raptures. A music video for the tune was released a few days later. It is the first single off our upcoming album “South Of The Sun”, which will be released on October 15th.
‘Witches & Raptures’ (Official Video)
Who have been your greatest influences?
For the band as a whole, I would probably say Alice in Chains, Queens of the Stone Age, and King Crimson. In terms of my personal drumming influences, Danny Carey from Tool, Jimmy Chamberlin from Smashing Pumpkins, and jazz fusion drummer Billy Cobham have been very influential on my playing. Those three guys are some of the most talented people to ever pick up a pair of sticks.
What first got you into music?
My father. He showed me classic rock, world music, funk, and all other different kinds of stuff when I was growing up. He also plays drums too, and he had various percussion instruments scattered throughout the house that I would bang on and play with. I’ve been immersed in music my whole life, and music has shaped my personality a great deal.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
I’d love to jam with the guys from Black Midi.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Primavera Sound in Barcelona. I’ve always wanted to go to Spain, and every year they have killer line-ups spanning many different music genres. I’d love to go there, play, and then relax and see the other entertainment.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I haven’t really gotten any physical gifts from fans, but once when we were playing in Pittsburgh, a woman kept flashing us her breasts. I’m glad she enjoyed our music enough to make us know, but it was certainly very weird.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Listen to our music with an open mind.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Kurt Cobain. I’d just be very curious about what he would think of our society nowadays.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I enjoy playing songs that I like onstage the most. And I hate the fact that I always have the most to lug to every gig.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I’d get rid of industry plants.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
One album that I’ve really been into recently has been “Music Has The Right To Children” by Boards of Canada. I just picked it up on vinyl a week or two ago.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
I personally like vinyl the most, but to each their own.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
A few years ago, we played at the New England Stoner and Doom Festival in Connecticut in front of about 150 people. That was a very fun experience to go up there and play, and also see the other great bands.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Probably interning at a law firm or doing some sort of analysis of data pertaining to a global conflict.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
George Washington, George Patton, Napoleon Bonaparte, Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar. It would be fascinating for me to pick the brains of some of the greatest military minds in history.
What’s next for the band?
The record is coming out in October, but in the meantime, we’re going to try and play some local shows. Then, after it comes out, we’re going to tour for several weeks.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Pre-order “South of the Sun”:
www.ffm.to/ssun
Merchandise Shop:
www.thestoneeye.bigcartel.com/
Bandcamp:
www.thestonedeye.bandcamp.com/album/south-of-the-sun
Stream Witches & Raptures:
Spotify
www.spoti.fi/3iAxg0S
Apple Music
www.apple.co/3cx9lLG
Deezer
www.bit.ly/3gdIarz
Amazon Music
www.amzn.to/3gaGSh9
iHeart Radio
www.ihr.fm/3gphraD
www.facebook.com/TheStoneEye
www.twitter.com/thestoneeye
www.instagram.com/thestoneeyeband/
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
I’m going with biscuit. It would be too obvious if they were cakes.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Keep on rockin’ in the free world, folks.
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