Hollywood Music TV’s Metal Kel, talks with Jon Howard, Vocals for Canadian metal band “Threat Signal”, about debut album “Under Reprisal” and touring.
Metal Kel: For those that don’t know, your currently touring Canada, and your also natives..What’s the metal scene like there?
Jon: Canada fuckin ROCKS! Canadian metal is growing, and there a lot of kick ass metal bands destroying the country. Our fans here are very supportive, and have stood by us through thick and thin.
Metal Kel: That’s awesome!
Metal Kel: When was Threat Signal born?
Jon: We formed the band in early 2004. It was basically a part time recording project we messed around with when we were not working or at school. When record labels started knocking, we realized this could be a full time gig.
Metal Kel: How long have you all known each other?
Jon: My former guitarist Rich and I grew up together. We are cousins. He unfortunately left the band mid 2006 to focus on other goals. The rest of the dudes I've only known for a couple of years.
Metal Kel: How did you meet?
Jon: Other than my cousin I grew up with, we all met through music! Everyone who joined the band was interested in the Threat Signal project we started, and got in contact with us.
Metal Kel: So who is Threat signal now?
Jon: We are going though some member changes, so you'll have to wait till the next album to see who stuck it out and who pussied out.
Metal Kel: As far as your instruments go, do you have any preferences? Or do you just play whatever's available?
Jon: We were playing ESP guitars on the album and on tour, those rock pretty hard.
Metal Kel: What inspired you to make music together?
Jon: For the love of creating cool music! Also the lack of good metal bands and the abundance of shit metal bands. We were convinced we could write and record better music ourselves, so we gave it a shot.
Metal Kel: Ahhh ha ha Who you tellin! Shit that’s funny! But its true
Kel: Who are your major influences?
Jon: Pantera, Meshuggah, Alice in Chains, Metallica
Metal Kel: Who makes most of the creative decisions?
Jon: Kyle, Rich, and I did a lot of the music writing on the first album.
Metal Kel: Write the songs, lyrics etc…?
Jon: I usually have the final say if the song will flow right or not. I write all of the lyrics, vocal patterns and melodies, so if the music doesnt flow right with vocal ideas, we'll go back and make changes so it works perfectly.
Metal Kel: What are your rehearsals generally like?
Jon: Drink some beers and rock the fuck out! We generally get together to rehearse the set for upcoming shows. But we've been known to jam out on some covers and write some bad ass riffs in the jam room.
Metal Kel: Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
Jon: When we are practicing together, we ripp it up everyday. It’s great when we can have the whole band together jamming, so we take full advantage of it.
Metal Kel: Do you have any themes or topics for most of your songs?
Jon: It’s basically about life. About how I see the world around me. Every song has its own meaning and I put a TON of thought into what I say. And its up to the reader, listener to decide for themselves what the song means to them. I dont shove meanings down peoples throats or tell them how to think.
Metal Kel: Threat Signal is a very interesting and unique name. Who came up with it?
Jon: Rich and Kyle collaborated on the name. They told me, and I loved it. They were unsure about it, but I knew it was going to work.
Metal Kel: What's the origin of that name?
Jon: It’s the name of an old wooden ship. Serious, its just two words thrown together that sound fuckin Bad Ass. Threat Signal means kick ass metal.
Metal Kel: Fucken A! Yeah it does! That’s awesome!
Metal Kel: Have you changed the band's name before?
Jon: Never
Metal Kel: When did you first notice you were staring to generate some serious attention?
Jon: We recorded rational eyes at home on a PC and uploaded it to garageband.com in 2004. It received a shit load of amazing reviews and lead to record label interest. At that time we only had 3 members, no drummer, and no bassist. So we then realized we had to get our shit together and form a full band.
Metal Kel: So, how has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
Jon: When we first started writing we didnt know what the fuck we were doing. We just knew the styles of music we liked, and put songs together as if we were listening from the outside. We wrote music to listen to. We compared ourselves to our favorite bands. So over analyzing every riff and song, we grew to be great song writers. I taught myself how to sing/scream during the early days of Threat Signal. Just recording myself, trying new techniques and realizing what sucked and what was killer.
Metal Kel: Where have you performed?
Jon: Mostly all of US and Canada. Once in Germany
Metal Kel: Do you have a favorite venue?
Jon: Love the House of Blues venues! Who doesnt though?
Metal Kel: I hear ya, H.O.B. is the shit!
Metal Kel: So who are you signed with currently?
Jon: Sony BMG - Red Ink for Canada and Nuclear Blast for the rest of the world
Metal Kel: How many albums/ videos have you released?
Jon: We released our debut album Under Reprisal in August 2006. The video for Rational Eyes a few months prior.
Metal Kel: I love “Rational Eyes”! It’s one of my favs! The video is killer!
Rational Eye's Video by Threat Signal
Metal Kel: Who produces/directs them?
Jon: Christian Olde Wolbers of Fear Factory produced Under Reprisal, David Brodsky directed Rational Eyes.
Metal Kel: When did you start touring?
Jon: Our first tour started Oct 2006. We opened for Soilwork on the Last Stab Tour. Mnemic and Darkest Hour were also on the tour.
Metal Kel: How was it?
Jon: It was fucking AMAZING!!! I would tour with any one of those bands in a second. Darkest Hour is one of the most entertaining bands we've ever played with. We love those dudes.
Metal Kel: Yeah, we love them too! They are all great bands!
Metal Kel: When touring, do you prefer to fly or use a tour bus?
Jon: Both are awesome but expensive as shit. We've learned that! So we are rockin the 15 passenger van now tryin to make some bling.
Metal Kel: Do you ever grind each others nerves being so close all the time?
Jon: well considering we've lost a handful of members I guess so! LOL Not anymore though. The negative bitchy ones have left. So we are all a happy family now :)
Metal Kel: Ha ha A happy family of step children at least, Right? Cuz we still don’t “officially”, know who Threat Signal is.
Metal Kel: So when you hit the road the rock the tour, what’s the game plan like? Do you have a set play list, or is more of a “what evers clever” type deal?
Jon: We change the list every tour, even a few times a tour to keep shit Interesting.
Metal Kel: Right on. I hate going to shows and seeing the same set city after city.
Metal Kel: Do you ever play any covers?
Jon: We've covered Pantera and Alice In Chains
Metal Kel: Which songs do you perform most frequently?
Jon: Everything on the first Album actually! We dont have many songs yet... just the 11 from the first record.
Metal Kel: How many countries have you rocked?
Jon: US CANADA and Germany. I can’t wait to play more of Europe!
Metal Kel: What the most insane memory you had on tour?
Jon: There are sooo many... but here is one. We were up in buttfuck nowhere Canada on the Protest the Hero, All That Remains tour, and we heard a massive bang. I looked in the mirror and there were sparks flying out from under the trailer then I noticed our trailer tire flying down the highway passing by us. haha Luckily the trailer didnt go out of control and roll over. The trailer axel was completely fucked. So we had to cram as much equipment in the van as possible, leave the trailer behind, and drive hours to the next show. It was totally worth it because Edmonton fucking OWNED! Cant wait to play there again
Metal Kel: Ahhhh ah ah that’s hilarious!
Metal Kel: So, what happened this summer, why were so many shows cancelled?
Jon: Truth be told. We had a band member who dropped a bomb on us last minute refusing to tour, and wanting to quit the band. So being un-able to continue without him, we were forced to cancel the tour. We are stronger than ever now and I promise that will NOT happen again.
Metal Kel: Damn, that’s fucked up, but it happens all the time. Im just glad you got it worked out and you back out here again fucken shit up!
Metal Kel: So, what’s coming next from Threat Signal?
Jon: We are touring across Canada right now on a headlining tour, then we head back home to write and record the next album.
Metal Kel: Great! I will be looking forward to the release!
Metal Kel: How can fans/fans-to-be gain access to your music?
Jon: www.myspace.com/threatsignal is the best way!! You can hear songs from the album, check out videos and pictures. If you like what you hear, our CD should be available at any record store
Metal Kel: Where can fans purchase “Official” Threat Signal merchandise?
Jon: We have an online store located at www.killthe8.com They have everything from shirts and hoodies, to shot glasses and panties!
Metal Kel: What advice would you give other bands trying to make it in this biz? Any words of wisdom, what’s it “really like” or what to beware of pitfalls they should watch for?
Jon: TRUST YOURSELF. There are a lot of sharks out there trying to make a buck and they dont give a fuck about you. So watch your ass and be true to yourself. Also, get your music on every web site you can find and make it available to everyone. You never know who will stumble upon it
Metal Kel: That’s sum great advice J! Very true too! Thanks for bein straight with that!
Metal Kel: Is there anything else you would like to tell us bout Threat Signal?
Jon: Just THANK YOU to all of the fans who have stuck with us and have supported us over the years. Its been a CRAZY ride and this is only the beginning. CHEERS MOTHERFUCKERS!
Metal Kel: Thank you so much Jon, from myself and all of us at Hollywood Music TV, for your time and sincerity! I had a blast and you N Threat Signal are the fucken shit! We will be watching for your new release!!! Keep fucken shit up!
Now you heard the man………..
CHEERS MUTHA FUCKAS!
Upload your video onto the net and send us the link to threatsignal@hotmail.com
Also, here are the rest of the Guitar Pro files if your down to shred the whole album!
Threat Signal Guitar Pro Files.zip
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/threatsignal
threatsignal.com
Contact Information
Threat Signal
info@threatsignal.com
