Progressive thrash metallers Skeptor gives us some details on their history, name, the music they've released and what the scene is like for the Los Angeles music scene, plus the plans for the upcoming future and so much more! Frontman vocalist Stevie Villa and guitarist Jeff Rodriguez were the one's to do the discussion about their band and what will happen next with it!
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Skeptor started back in 2011 with just Daniel and I (Jeff). We met Steven at a friend's birthday party and he told us he was in choir so we thought it'd be great to have those old school styled high pitched vocals since no one touches them anymore. He tried out with Through Eyes of Glass by Forbidden and whoa... We knew it was on. Our previous drummers left because of complications with practice and consistency. Our current drummer Chris, we met through friends in a local band here (Auxilary). Jeffrey Castro has been a friend for a while and we always had him as a back up bassist because our previous bassist kept bumping heads with us. As far as skill I think the current line up is at its absolute best.
2. Why did you pick the name that you did for your band?
Our first drummer came up with the name Scepter as in a king's scepter or staff. I just thought it'd be cool to switch the "C" with a "K," and "E" with an "O" to make the logo look cooler when I drew it out. I aimed the lyrics at politics and conspiracies I guess I was skeptical to what was true and what wasn't (no pun intended). So the name ended up fitting pretty well in the end. It's odd haha.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
We're all from the same area pretty much. The outskirts of Los Angeles. The LA music scene is pretty complex. Some people are all for metal in general but there's always those Death Metal or Pure Thrash elitists. You can't please everyone out here. Hate comes to everyone I guess but it's okay because we write and play for ourselves in the end. There are a handful of bands that do stick out to me because of their originality not just because they're friends. Bands like Morfin and Derogatory are already on their way out of the LA scene which is great because they're amongst the top. Auxilary and Lysis are also really cool bands that don't rely on what the scene is really into. Bands that play for the sake of playing not impressing are bands I really like. I really recommend any of those bands to anyone!
4. How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
We really aim to make ourselves technical and progressive. Although we know the album isn't all that yet, we've still been working on new material and oh man it's definitely an improvement. The second album should be a hell of a lot more that. We're always improving and always mixing it up. We don't care to stick to one particular style we've got influences from Death and Cynic, to Toxik and Watchtower, to Rush. I think Rush is one of the biggest ones right now. We don't want to lose our sound too much but we like to think outside of the box.
5. What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media?
We've released a short demo but we don't like talking about it because we weren't ready for that haha. It was pretty bad. The album was better but still I feel we need more to show people what we're really capable of. We've had mixed reviews from here but over all it's been pretty well received, but I think our biggest audience is probably from everywhere else outside of the U.S. We've shipped merch from South America to Canada and even Russia. Is truly a great feeling to have people from all over the world request CD's. We feel so insignificant at times but I think it's the people who support us that keep us going.
6. Do you play live as well? What do you have planned in terms of shows and touring, if any?
We've played the Whiskey A Go Go quite a few times with great bands like Death Angel and Metal Church. I've gotta say though, Metal Church has been by far our greatest and most fun show yet! We were supposed to play a fest in Chicago but things didn't pan out in the end. Monetary issues. We look forward to playing shows out of California and hopefully even out in Europe sometime in the near future! That'd be so great!
7. What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
I don't really know what to tell promoters or labels actually. We play for fun and if there's something we want then we'll work out asses off to get it. We're cooperative and know how to make things work. Our new music is definitely something to be heard, a cool original feel with some attributes from all over. We haven't given much thought to "Making it big." Playing music is a hobby and its just something that makes us really happy. It's just a lot of fun and as long as we can keep things like that then there really isn't a problem.8. What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
Our only goals as of yet are just to keep working new material and to try to have a second album out as soon as possible. That and to get some promotion in Europe so that we can maybe play sometime. At least once, it's sort of a bucket list thing.
9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
You can look us up on YouTube and buy CD's and Shirts directly from us or just CD's from Stormspell Records' online store!
10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
If you're into political conspiracy stuff then we've got just the thing for you. I don't like to write meaningless lyrics. I like to write about things that matter. World issues, or something deep. Spiritual even. As long as there's some sort of meaning to a song, something to make you think I guess. Also if you like something new with a hint of the old stuff then gives us a shot!
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