EMQ’s with SHOTGUN FACELIFT
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview, with Grand Forks, North Dakota based Groove Metal band Shotgun Facelift. Huge thanks to bassist Curt DeCamp, 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?
Curt DeCamp. I play “Lead Bass” in Shotgun Facelift. Haha. Just kidding. But, as far as the history of the band. Facelift has been around since 2012, and I started with them in 2015. Been through a lot of people, a lot of changes, but unfortunately, that boring stuff doesn’t make for a very good interview. So, suffice to say, I think we have a pretty good line-up now.
How did you come up with your band name?
Haha. They actually already had it by the time I joined. But, I asked Damian, and he told me that the original band name was actually PARIAH. They were hanging out at practice and they decided they were going to change their name, just as simple as that. One of the suggestions was DEATHING. Needless to say, it didn’t win the popular vote. But, as far as the name SHOTGUN FACELIFT, it was actually Tim Fortner, the former lyricist/vocalist. And I think he got it from a CARNAL DECAY song. Either way, they announced it, people loved it, and it stuck. The rest is history.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
We’re from the Midwest, in the United States. North Dakota/Minnesota to be exact. It’s been difficult at times because the demographic at large isn’t typically supportive of aggressive music. But we’ve been at this for a long time and we’ve done well over the years considering it’s the metal desert. We’re still out here having fun, still grinding. Winning people over one by one.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
We just released ‘BURY ME’. That’s the first single from our new album. We released the single and a music video. It’s available in all digital music outlets and the video is available on YouTube. ECLIPSE RECORDS is blasting it everywhere. And the whole new album, “DAKOTA BLOOD STAMPEDE”, comes out December 17th.
‘Bury Me’ (Official Video)
Who have been your greatest influences?
Well…There’s a lot of inspirations from a lot of different places. Different genres, different types of art, and all that. But, if I were to pick bass players, there would be a lot of old school metal. If I’m going to drop a few names of metal bass players that I’ve really liked over the years. I have to go with guys like Cliff Burton, Fieldy of KORN…but it isn’t all bass players for me. There are a lot of guitarists that I’m a big fan of. I listen to a lot of PANTERA, SLIPKNOT…I just like a lot of things with groove. It all just kind of depends on the way it hits.
What first got you into music?
I grew up with a piano in the house. I never played it seriously, but my aunt played and wrote music. She worked with my brother who started writing music. I started sitting and watching him play, and I’d read his guitar magazines. And then, basically, I’d sneak in and play his guitar. I played a lot of regular guitar for a long while. Eventually, after listening to some KORN, hearing Fieldy lay it down, I was just kind of like, “You know, that sounds like fun.” That’s what got me into the bass side of stuff. Really, it was Fieldy.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
That’s a tough one. There’s an entire field of musicians and bands that I would LOVE to work with. It would probably end up being an album of different artists. I hate having to narrow it down to just one. I feel like I’m slighting one artist by naming another. I hate to back out of answering that one, but…that’s just the truth of it. They all mean too much to me to select just one.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Well, the weird thing about that question is that you always find out about a great festival after the fact. So, it’s hard to know whether or not you’ll be a part of something special. But, we did just have an interview with HEAVY magazine and radio. And they were telling us about all the love our new single is getting over there in Australia. So much so, that he invited us out. And ever since then, it’s been at the front of my mind. So, something in Australia would be really cool for all the people over there that are playing and requesting ‘BURY ME’. But, really, just any festival dedicated to heavy music where the crowd is there specifically to hear it. Something like BLOODSTOCK would be amazing, DOWNLOAD, any of the European circuit. But just being part of a moment in time. That’s where I’d want to be booked.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I don’t get gifts from fans. Haha. I’m still trying to give away bass picks.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thanks so much for showing an interest in our music. We enjoy creating it. So, to know that they love hearing it…that makes us feel great to meet them in that special place.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
My cat. Haha. No, just kidding. For me, it’d be somewhere between Cliff Burton or Dimebag Darrel.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Playing live is what I enjoy the most. No question. As far as what I hate…I guess…music is the highlight of my life, so there’s not a lot I dislike about it. Rude people, maybe?
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I’d like to see digital platforms pay the artists more of the profit. We’re in this together and I’d hate to see artistry die because we’re going broke. We all work really really hard to provide people with music, so to see musicians make a living at it again would really be a wonderful thing.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“KILL ‘EM ALL” by Metallica.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
CD’s. I love popping a disc in my vehicle and listening to bands.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Every night I get to play is the best gig I get to play. Especially when the crowd is having just as much fun as I am.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I actually also work as a stage-hand when I’m not playing or working with the band. So, if I weren’t a musician altogether, I’d probably be doing that. It still keeps me around music, and it still puts me at that live show. Which is my favourite place to be.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Fieldy, Corey Taylor, Cliff Burton, Rex Brown, Steve Harris. I think that’d be a lot of great music to digest over one dinner.
What’s next for the band?
Release our CD in December and hopefully find a large festival to play. Find that moment in time.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
This link has everything you’ll need for the music:
www.ffm.to/dako
This link has everything you’ll need for our social media:
www.linktr.ee/ShotgunFacelift
Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon, YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, all that…It’s all at those links.
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
I admit I had to look it up. But, after careful research and deliberation (i.e., staring at some pictures) I’d have to say a mini-cake. The science is difficult, but that’s my conclusion. I’d have to actually eat one to decide for sure, so, I’ll have to find one after this interview and get back to you. In the name of science, of course.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Nah, man. Thanks for *your* time. Love you all. Check out “DAKOTA BLOOD STAMPEDE” in December. Hope you enjoy our music.
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.