Hard rock heavy metal act, Stones of Madness was formed in 2011, it's a project that includes former Dry Kill Logic guitarist Scott Thompson and Atheist/Neurotica frontman Kelly Shaefer, also including Neurotica members G.J. Gosman (drums) & Shawn Bowen (guitar) and features Julia Simms on bass. They have since played shows, written and recorded material including releasing their debut EP with new music in the works, more shows planned, and so much more! Frontman vocalist Kelly Shaefer discusses that release and plans for the future.
1. Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Stones of Madness, and what has the band been up too?
Kelly: We have been working for the past 3 years on new material, but within the last year have been busy playing shows and had released our debut EP on U Motion Records that came out of Berlin back in April.
2. Can I get a backstory on the band/ band biography?
Kelly: Scott Thompson had put the band together, calling me after hearing my work in Neurotica, he had then asked me to sing on some of these tunes, so I did and it blossomed from that point onward.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Kelly: We are based out of South Florida and yes many great bands have come from this area, all making original music. I personally live in Sarasota, where I have been making music since 88'. I can't think of any bands I could recommend because all of them are great!
4. Why did you want to go and call yourselves Stones of Madness? Why are stones mad, did you throw them against the wall and they got upset?
Kelly: That's just silly.... of course not, back in the 18th century, I believe it was widely believed that people with mental illnesses had "stones" located in their brains and they performed actual surgeries ro remove those "Stones of Madness" get it? H. Bosch made the procedure famous with his painting which you can easily find by googling it.
5. How would you describe your style?
Kelly: Metal! Tons of groove and thick guitars and tons of vocal harmonies, great songs!
6. Any overall theme of mood that you're trying to capture while writing songs?
Kelly: Well I never have actually thought about it, it's a feeling you translate through guitars and vocals. That's how it is for me vocally, I react to the music and it writes itself.
7. Does your vision for coming up with music get affected at all by the course of time?
Kelly: I am not a fan of spending to much time on a song, it's like a conversation, no one likes a long winded conversation. I could never spend months on one song, that's crazy to me. They are meant to be capsules captured by artists and reflected back at it's listeners as we feel it best.
8. Can you tell me about the song and video for "Hostility"?Kelly: The song deals with what most of us have had to endure while in a relationship. Dealing with people who's inability to be rational, allowing their tempers to get the best of a situation and themselves that it becomes the end of that relationship. It's the very reason for it's demise. The video portion was a performance video caught in high contrast black and white, which I loved, that was directed by our guitarist Shawn Bowen.
9. How would you describe the overall sound of this EP?
Kelly: Fucking heavy!!!!
10. Did the band have any definitive goals they were shooting for before the recording process began for this EP?
Kelly: Nope, just make good music and have fun doing it. We have all played in bands for years, traveling the globe, we just wanted to make the music we were into, having good company to do that with as well.
11. Did you use any new instrumentation you've never used in the recording process before?
Kelly: We used a guitar talk box, some new mic techniques, but it was basically organic.
12. How has the reaction to your latest EP been?
Kelly: Well it has been much better received over seas than domestically, because it seems in Europe people have more independence when it comes to their choices in music, whereas American kids fall into groups. A lot of great reviews from respected journalists in the metal scene and of course some American blogger bashing but that's to be expected no? :)
13. Did you feel any pressure whatsoever about writing and recording for this release?
Kelly: None whatsoever this was done in pure fun and no expectations at all. It was a great mindset to work in!
14. How was the vibe in the studio for everybody?
Kelly: We had recorded at Timeless Studios in Ft. Myers it was very laid back and we worked with Scott "Scoob" Bush on some other things so it was quite nice and comfy for us.
15. Please inform us about your favorite songs and lyrical highlights and why?
Kelly: Proud of them all, they are our children from the loins of our brains and each have a suitable mood purpose.... hostility and I need that because it's very heavy and drives us crazy and is super catchy! I see the wave is anthemic and lava like!
16. What other plans do you have for the future as a band?Kelly: Just to make quality music and get out to play live!
17. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Kelly: You can buy the CD with it's amazing artwork by Eliran Kantor (Testament/Atheist) or digitallty on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Rhaposdy, etc. Also check out our website www.stonesofmadness.com
21. Anything else you'd like to add or care to say?
Kelly: Thanks for your support and we hope to see you in a town near you soon! Cheers!
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