Interviewee: Diamond
Year: 2008
Website: myspace.com/tetrarchlive
MySpace: myspace.com/tetrarchlive
Label: None... as yet!
Featured on: Loucifer Speaks Exclusive... So far!
Tetrarch are an insanely awesome young Thrash band that I found through MySpace (with a more than a little guidance from rockgoddess). They were kind enough to answer some questions for me... so here they are in all their glory!
Lou: Hi guys, thanks for agreeing to this interview! I really appreciate it!
What is the current line-up of the band and has there been any line-up changes since you started?
Diamond: The Lineup now, and the best lineup we have ever had haha, is Josh on vocals and guitar, Tyler on drums, Michael on Bass and myself (Diamond) on lead guitar. The only line-up changes we have had have been bass player changes, because until now we never had one that was really a "bass player" haha.
Lou: Why did you choose the name Tetrarch?
Diamond: Well Tetrarch actually has many meanings, but the one that appealed to us most was the definition of a 'rule of four'. Since there four people in the band and were basically gonna take over the world we felt that it fit perfectly. Haha.
Lou: I get a really (REALLY!) cool old school Thrash vibe when I listen to the tracks on your MySpace page. Would you say that those old school thrash bands have been a big influence on you?
Diamond: Definitely. I'm pretty sure collectively, our all time favorite band is Metallica, but we also really enjoy bands like Megadeth, Slayer, and Death. Also a lot of the new school thrash bands like Trivium, Bullet for my Valentine, Children of Bodom and bands like that really influence us as well. But we definitely try to throw in a lot of originality which is how we get our sound.
Lou: I found out about you because one of the members of the Loucifer Speaks forum, called rockgoddess, rates you very highly! How long has the band been together?
Diamond: Well, we have been playing together for about 4 and a half years now, but we have actually been Tetrarch for about 2 and a half.
Lou: Which bands in particular do you really admire?
Diamond: Well for me I'd have to say definitely Metallica. But also Trivium right now for a lot of reasons. They seem to really favor the old school thrash period, while still sounding like Trivium and I think that is what Tetrarch strives to do as well.
Lou: Which individual musicians do you admire?
Diamond: Wow haha. That is definitely a loaded question. I'd say Matt Heafy, Corey Beaulieu, Kirk Hammett, Dave Mustaine, Chuck Schiendler, Dimebag Darrell, Josh Fore, And SO many more!
Lou: If you could cover any song, what would it be and why?
Diamond: hmm, I would say "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys because that could be a kickass metal song haha, or "Backbone" by Gojira because it IS a kickass metal song.
Lou: Do you have any EPs or albums available? If so, where can we buy them from?
Diamond: Right now its on our myspace being sold through Nimbit for 99 cents a song, but soon it will be up for sale on iTunes all around the world!
Lou: Oh, and do you have any t-shirts available?
Diamond: We had some T-shirts, ran out, now were in the process of ordering some new and bad assly improved ones. So keep watching out for those!
Lou: What sort of subjects do you like to write about?
Diamond:I know Josh basically just writes about things in life. Basically things that everyone goes through whether it is personal or political, etc.
Lou: What's the weirdest thing you've ever written about?
Diamond: The weirdest thing he has probably written about is... Russia? haha
Lou: Which Tetrarch song is your favorite lyrically and why?
Diamond: I personally like Modern day Halocaust because its really powerful and has dark lyrics which fit the song well.
Mine is probably "Birth of a Convict" because the lyrics are pretty aggressive and really compliment the music.
Lou: When writing your music is it a group thing where you all get together in a jam session, or does one of you bring in an idea and then the others add to it?
Diamond: Usually Josh and I will bring in some riffs ideas that we have went over and recorded on the computer or something, and we show our basic idea of the song to the band and everyone kind of builds off that. Also, the jamming thing can turn into a song for us as well. Depends on how creative we feel that day haha.
Lou: What is a Tetrarch gig like? (I've been watching the live video that was filmed at The Local!)
Diamond: uh oh, was that a good show? Haha. Well we def try to make our live shows as energetic as possible. We find its what sets us apart from most bands we play with. I think its pretty shitty when you pay money to go see a band that just stands in one spot the whole hour, even if the music is good.
Lou: Where are you playing next? Do you have any plans to tour in Europe?
Diamond: Our next show is at the Local again with some pretty cool bands from here in Georgia. As far as touring Europe, OF COURSE we plan to tour Europe!!! Haha. I think that's one of the main things were looking forward to! People in Europe really love the music, regardless of the status of the band and I think that's really cool.
Lou: Which of the big European festivals would you most like to play at?
Diamond: Hmm, I'd hate to give a cliche answer but I'd have to say Download, because it seems as though when bands begin to get well known that is the festival they play, and the fans are just sooo into the whole scene. Its just amazing.
Lou: What's the best thing about being in Tetrarch?
Diamond: I'd have to say Tyler's mom makes the BEST food EVER!!!!! Haha, naw I'm just kidding. I think its cool that we are all on the same page, and know how far we want to take this band, and are willing to work for it. It really eliminates all the egos and arguments that other bands tend to have to deal with.
Lou: "Violation" is my favourite track from your MySpace at the moment. I love the way that the tempo speeds up about a minute or so in... and the vocals are ace! Which Tetrarch song seems to be the most popular with your fans?
Diamond: As of right now I'd have to say that it is "Mental Suicide". I think because it does have that old school thrash feel but also the new-age metal feel as well, so more people can relate and enjoy that song.
Lou: What is, in your opinion, the best thing about the Metal scene at the moment?
Diamond: I think the best thing is, how we're all kinda one big happy family haha. Everyone kind of understands eachother, and what we do, and their isn't much judging or questions being asked because everyone already gets it haha.
Lou: What is the worst thing about the Metal scene at the moment?
Diamond: hmm wow. To be honest I am not too sure. I feel like a lot of bands feel as though they need to follow the hardcore trend to be successful, but to be honest, I think people are really hungry to hear the older stuff again, The actual aggressive but understandable singers, and catchy riffs, and drumbeats with a groove. And I think bands like Black tide, Trivium, Slipknot, Bullet for my Valentine, Children of Bodom, Gojira, etc. are really doing the right things, because they are not just following a trend and I think their careers will last longer and be more rewarding.
Lou: In a somewhat similar vein... Which band would you give a high five to and which band would you give a slap around the face to?
Diamond: As far as High fives, I'd say basically any of the bands I've named today (Korn, BFMV, Metallica, Trivium, Gojira, Black Tide, Lamb of God, etc.), and any band following in their own creative footsteps. As Far as a slap in the face I won't name any names, but those fucking gay ass emo bands. I feel like they all try to hard! Get a grip on yourselves, Take the shit off your face, and fucking rock! Or is that too much to ask? Ya probably.
Lou: Have you had any label interest yet? If not, WHY NOT? I'm surprised no-one's snapped you up already!
Diamond: Label Interest???? MAAYYYYBEEE. Ha naw just kidding. Yes we have actually, but we don’t name names until something has happened for sure, so just know Tetrarch is doing their business. ;)
Lou: What's next for the band?
Diamond: As of right now we are playing a lot of shows. We're getting some videos filmed, going in the studio in December to record some new songs, and working on a lot of business related things. So everything is going great, and the future is looking amazing.