EMQ’s with DEATH ON FIRE

Death On Fire Logo

EMQ’s with DEATH ON FIRE

Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview, with Fort Wayne, Indiana based, Death Metal band Death On Fire. Huge thanks to vocalist, guitarist Tim Kenefic, 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?

Tim Kenefic. I play guitar and sing for Death on Fire. We started as a bedroom project when I lived in Chicago and really didn’t hang out with too many musicians. Once I moved back to Fort Wayne for work and family stuff, I reached out to some people I knew, and the band started proper. That was 2018, and we have been on the road and writing and releasing stuff ever since.

How did you come up with your band name?

It was really out of necessity. The name we originally picked was already in use so we had to change. We had multiple ideas but ultimately landed on Death on Fire because it ticked the metal boxes. Does it sound metal, is it easy to chant if someone wants to, that kind of stuff.

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

We are from Midwest USA. The scene here is varied, which is great. A ton of different types of metal and subgroups. Slam is pretty big here right now, which isn’t my thing, but it’s cool. I just like that there is freedom to be creative and everyone is welcoming as long as you are kind and humble.

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

We have an EP “Six Foot Box” that was released on July 16th. It’s a three song thing that really shows the breadth of what we do and all the influences we have. I am really excited about it.

‘Begging For Air’ (Audio)

Who have been your greatest influences?

Mostly local guys and music instructors, really. Learning from people you respect; it can’t be helped but to be influenced by them. I think it is very important, that personal musical connection with a mentor of sorts. From a fan standpoint Megadeth, Carcass, Alice In Chains, Morbid Angel. Those are probably the most notable

What first got you into music?

An awkward childhood and a desire to fit in and be cool. I remember an 8th grade talent show where a classmate played guitar and everyone thought he was cool. From there, I started sneaking downstairs to mess around on my stepmom’s classical guitar. Once my folks knew I was doing it, they surprised me with a guitar and got me some lessons. I was really lucky to have supportive parents.

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

Current would probably be Joe Duplantier from Gojira. The style and purpose he writes with is great, and he has done some cool productions for other bands too.

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

There are so many amazing ones out there, and obviously the big ones are on everyone’s list. I would probably say Maryland Death Fest though. The fans are diehards, the city is cool, and it is the first festival I went to with my wife.

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

A phone number. It was flattering, and I appreciated it until they asked me to give it to “the guy with the hair” still they gave it to me first so…

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

Keep being awesome and supporting the scene. Bands our size are working hard and really appreciate it. We aren’t at the point of not having day jobs, and we do it for the passion of music. The scene will return on the backs of local shows and underground bands, and I think that’s cool. Bigger bands are waiting for the restrictions to lift and people to be comfortable. Local bands are playing 50% occupancy for no money because they love it. Both are necessary.

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

Cliff Burton. Zombie Cliff Burton would probably be really cool, and he was a huge part of writing the best albums IMO from Metallica.

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

I love the outlet. I pour myself into the music as a release from the negativity and hurt I experience. Not only that, but I love seeing other people appreciate that and enjoy why we are doing it. I don’t know if I hate any of it. I dislike bands that lack show tact, but that comes with experience, and we were there once too.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

I don’t know. I look back at how music has been treated historically, and it all tracks. If anything, I hoped fans would demand more and be willing to give more for the arts. It is all pretty taken for granted on a macro scale. That’s what I love about metal though. You can tell people appreciate it.

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

Morbid Angel – “Domination”. When I heard it, it changed my life. It was my first death  metal album and after that I was hooked.

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

To each their own. Each format compresses things a little differently, and a lot of it is down to convenience for the consumer. I prefer cassettes or CD, but I get why streaming is so popular. It’s easy. It is also the poorest representation of the desired outcome of the mix.

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

The biggest one for us was opening for Obituary. When we got to do that, it felt like we were doing the right thing, and it reaffirmed that for me.

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

I will always play and write music. When I am not, I am usually at the gym or with my kids. I fancy myself as a renaissance man at least in my mind I am.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

My maternal grandfather, my wife, and my kids. He is the person I wanted to make proud, and he was important to me in so many ways. I would love for my family to meet the man that moulded some important parts of who I am. And I would love for him to meet them, and know we are good.

What’s next for the band?

Complete and total world domination. We will be bigger than KISS, Metallica, Maiden combined. When Metal Injection needs to write an article, it will be about what I ate for lunch instead of Corey Taylor. If not that then a short winter tour and looking for a label to help release our next album sometime next year.

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

We are on all platforms. Bandcamp and Spotify are key. I am really starting to like the interaction on Twitter too. We do it all though. For us, it is imperative to be omnipresent and available to people.
www.deathonfire.com/
www.deathonfire.bandcamp.com/
www.facebook.com/deathonfireband
www.twitter.com/deathonfire666
www.instagram.com/deathonfire/
www.open.spotify.com/artist/44LTVoVyXg5tnZ4pjxFh0I

Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?

A biscake

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

Thanks for having us! Thanks to our fans, old and new. If you see us on the road, say hello and tell Kyle his beard looks good.

Death On Fire Promo Pic

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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