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Band page - Syth
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Band Profile
What is your name and your current position in the band?
Niall - Niall Russell (Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar).
Baz - Baz Fitzsimmons (Lead Guitar & Backing Vocals).
Al - Allen Bell (Bass & Backing Vocals).
Muk - Mark 'Muk' Connelly (Drums).
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
Al - The idea of Syth was first formed in 1999, but it wasn't until 2001 that we actually got ourselves into a studio and played together. I first received the call on January of that year to come along to the first rehearsal and the rest is history, so to speak! After MANY 'Spinal Tap-esque' line-up changes, we finally settled on our current 4-piece line-up when we returned in mid-2008 from a year out. Low points for me (of which there aren't many, thankfully) would be the many upheavals within the band regarding the constantly changing line-up, with the completion of our second album and some welcome line-up stability being an obvious highlight!
Baz - I was one of said line-up changes, drafted on board in October 2005! A highlight for me would also have to be the completion of the second album "The Reckoning".
Niall - I was also one of the aforementioned line-up changes, for the better I hope! I took over guitar duties as a stand-in while the guys searched for a permanent member. When they found one, I was duly thanked and moved on my merry way, only to be asked back two months later as the band's lead vocalist. Now I happily grind out the rhythm tracks of our music and sing, which is perfect for me, as it's what I love doing. Like Al, highlights so far would have to be completion of our second album and playing onstage at the Carling Academy.
Muk - The band, like most, has seen a few line up changes!
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
Muk - I still do?
Al - At the moment, we're currently nothing more than a local outfit plying our trade and having fun, but we're really stadium metal icons just bursting to get out, honest! Sign us up, people!
Baz - As Al said, we remain a mere local outfit at the moment. However, I believe that there is no one quite like us in Glasgow at the moment. I have faith that the new album might get us some wider acclaim.
Niall - Right now, we have to make do with being a local outfit struggling to find their way in the industry but we have some pretty hardcore loyal fans that make even the tiniest of gigs seem like we are rocking Wembley!
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
Muk - "The Reckoning" is our latest offering, a culmination of nearly 3 years worth of writing and gigging the 8-tracks on the album. There's a bit of everything for anyone who likes metal and anyone who doesn't. One of the great things about being in this band, is the people who listen to us and "Don't really like heavy metal", always come away impressed. There are so many piss-poor bands out there that have ruined the Metal genre with all their 'Shit-core' or 'I can't sing so I'll shout-core' as a way to make an excuse for their lack of talent and musicianship. Syth are all about the music, no bullshit and no gimmicks. Just the best live band out there.
Al - As Muk said, our latest album (due out in September) is called "The Reckoning", and I truly believe it's the best thing we've done, to date. Granted, we only have one other album out at the moment (2007's "Warzone"), but I think anyone who likes their metal sprinkled with great choruses, infectious harmonies and soaring vocals will not be disappointed. Also, for anyone already associated or familiar with the band, I'd say it's a huge leap forward for the band and I think (and hope) they'll be really happy with the outcome.
Niall - What Al said!
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
Al - We've been called power metal, progressive metal, speed metal, classic metal, so I couldn't really tie us to a specific genre. If pushed however, I'd say we're a traditional metal band, with hint of power metal and a cursory nod to progressive metal, if that makes any sense! I also think, as a collective unit, we could easily try our hand at most styles of music, but I'd say we enjoy what we currently play way too much to consider a radical change in musical direction. Besides, I've played in many bands prior to Syth, all of which were varied in genres, Syth being the first proper 'metal' band I've played in.
Baz - I would describe Syth as traditional heavy metal. We draw huge inspiration from the likes of Iron Maiden, Iced Earth and early Metallica. Before Syth, I have played in many styles of band, from hardcore metal, black metal to punk and even a bit of country! I would never consider pigeon-holing myself to one genre of music. I think as a musician, it's your job to push the envelope. As far as Syth is concerned, we will always try to keep true to our style so as not to disappoint our fans, but also try to change enough so as not to get boring!
Niall - I would say we are good old 'run-of-the-mill' heavy metal (without keyboards, for me that is just wrong... Keyboards and metal don't belong in the same sentence, man!) But like the others, before I joined Syth I played in many bands all focusing on the hard rock grungy/heavy feel, but it wasn't until I joined Syth I really started to play true metal. Like Baz said though, I like to think that we can add a little bit of everything into our music and do it in such a way that fits perfectly into our overall style.
Muk - I always tell people we're a heavy metal band. You say that to someone and they'll instantly think of noisy guitars, long hair, the odd cheesy tune but most importantly, a bunch of guys doing this because they love to play live and play extremely well. In terms of other styles, we'd make an awesome funk band; all we'd need is a horn section!
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
Al - Playing Glasgow's Carling Academy in 2005 was definitely a memorable occasion for the band, rocking a packed Academy audience as part of the Emergenza unsigned competition finals with a tight (albeit short) set was something that'll stay with me for a long time! Also, completing the recording of our second album ("The Reckoning") is something that we're all really excited about and is something I'm certainly individually proud of.
Muk - There's a lot, one of them would probably be playing with Blaze Bayley in Glasgow, we made so many new fans that night who I'm proud to say are still with us today.
Baz - I really enjoyed our "Warzone" album launch party back in 07, and I would also highlight my second ever gig with the band as a particularly sweet memory!
Niall - Working with the guys on "The Reckoning" and the Carling gig in 2005.
How is the writing process in the band?
Al - It's a straightforward process, really. Someone in the band would come in with either a riff, some harmonies or even a vague idea of chord progressions, then everyone would add their individual ideas. We'd have a bash at the basic song structure in rehearsal, and if we felt it was good enough, we'd continue to polish the song until it was fully finished. That, or we'd just tell Baz to write one!
Baz - Yeah, with this particular line up of the band, the song writing is much more organic than it used to be. It really depends. If I try writing something at home and I get carried away, I tend to come in with complete songs and the guys would then add arrangement ideas. This happened with "The Siege" from the new album. Other times I have written something up to a point and brought it in and all the guys add their own stuff to it, like on "Ghosts of the Past".
Niall - It's basically a mix n' match of everyone's ideas. For me that's what make our songs stand out more from the rest. 90% of our songs are not entirely personal to one sole member, in the sense that we all have an input in someway as to how the finished product will sound and progress. Or as Al said, we will just tell Baz to write one!
Muk - Usually it consists of a couple of riffs being brought in, playing them over and over to get a feel for them and then the songs take on a life of their own with everybody pitching in ideas, structuring it and just basically trying it until we get it sounding right. Some songs take ages to finish whereas others are done in no time. 'Three Remain' was finished in one night, as were two untitled tracks from our yet-to-be-written third album.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
Al - The moment I realised I wanted to play music was after I first listened to Guns n' Roses' classic "Appetite for Destruction" (way back in 1988!). The moment I knew that I specifically wanted to be a bass player was when I was watching Guns n' Roses Live at Tokyo concert video and I thought Duff McKagan just looked the part and I wanted to be like him. My love for all things bass was later properly re-affirmed by watching and listening to the likes of Cliff Burton, Steve Harris, Flea and more recently, John Myung.
Muk - At the age of 14 I wanted to be a vet, then I took up the saxophone in school and everything changed. Music was the one thing I really had a knack for. Then I saw a gig on the TV at Loch Lomond where a band called Runrig were playing to 50,000+ people . I thought to myself, "Yeah, I'd like to do THAT for a living!"
Baz - I think I'd put it down to the influence of my older brothers and growing up in an environment where music was always around me. My brothers were big metal-heads and my middle brother played guitar all through my childhood. I guess I decided that I might as well make use of his old guitar when I was 16. After learning to play my first Metallica song I was hooked for life!
Niall - Similar to Baz really. My older brother was into heavy music and since I was about 10 years old, he was shredding on guitar every night in the room we shared and I thought "How cool would it be to be able to do that?" - I still can't to this day! - But I got myself an acoustic, learned "Amazing Grace", and to this day I'm convinced learning that song made me the 'cool-as-f@%k' rhythm guitarist and front-man I am today, haha!
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
Al - Tying in nicely with my previous answer, I'd say my main idols are probably Steve Harris, John Myung, Geddy Lee, Cliff Burton, Flea and Duff McKagan.
Baz - My musical heroes are Phil Lynott, Adrian Smith, Peter Green and James Hetfield.
Niall - James Hetfield. That's all I have to say.
Muk - I've always liked Michael Bland's drumming; one of my first drum lessons, I was told no matter what style I wanted to play, I had to learn to hold a groove together, so the best part of the following year I was playing along with Prince, Stevie Wonder, basically if it was anything funky (think 70's), I'd be playing along to it. I was also told that playing the drums is like having sex ... a slight problem being I was a virgin behind a kit, so now I have sex like I play the drums! (Thanks to Keith Burns of the Proclaimers for that little gem!)
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
Muk - One or two things I'd maybe have addressed at the time, calling people for what they really were rather than bitch about it after the fact, that kind of thing. But nothing in terms of regretting, I've got a life to get on with and enjoy. Listening back to old recordings makes the band better, so making an arse of it at the time served to help us at a later date.
Al - I don't think I regret anything I've done in this band, as it all adds up to who we are today, and I can honestly state that I'm proud of all of our songs. Maybe the year out that we recently had could be construed as a regret, maybe a year we could've spent more constructively, but I think it re-inspired all of us and made us even more determined than before.
Baz - Our year out is a big regret for me, but it had to happen to make us realise what we had.
Niall - Controversially, I would say that I regret some of the songs from "Warzone", but im gonna leave you guessing which ones! I feel we just put them in so we could have an 11 track album, although the guys probably disagree. Something I love about "The Reckoning' is that it may only have 8 songs, but I genuinely believe they're 'all killer no filler'. I also regret our tendency to procrastinate, we can be notoriously lazy at times. Something I regret everyday!
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
Al - As I said previously, there isn't a song that I don't like, but I do have some songs that I prefer over others, and songs I'd prefer to play live that maybe don't get as much live exposure as I'd like. Right now, my favourite has to be "Ghosts of the Past" (from the forthcoming album "The Reckoning") with maybe some of the older material not being as enjoyable for myself at the moment in comparison to the newer stuff. This'll be due to just having completed the new recordings though.
Baz - There are a couple of the older songs that are firm fan favourites that I don't get that much fun out of playing anymore, but we don't do this just for ourselves. I look forward to the stuff from the new album becoming as well known.
Muk - Not really, some songs start to feel a bit stale because they get played all the time, but they are the songs people want to hear and ultimately we're playing music for them. But the buzz of playing to a crowd never ever gets old
Niall - A couple but as I said before, I'm not saying... I'll leave you all guessing!
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
Al - Equally as important as the music, if not more so. I like our songs to tell a story or paint a picture for the listener, and I hope that's exactly what they do.
Muk - On our first album "Warzone", there's some really depressing shit in there in terms of lyrical content. But for "The Reckoning" I'd say they're vital. The lyrical content is what makes the theme of an album for me, it helps set the tone and tells the story.
I much prefer the melodies that are produced. Don't' get me wrong, lyrics are as important as any part of a song, but if you missed a couple of lines, you can always whistle the tune.
Baz - When I write lyrics, a lot of the time it's really cathartic. The lyrics on the new album are pretty much fifty-fifty drawn from life experiences and history or fantasy. "Ghosts of the Past" came from a really rough time in my life turning around, whereas "The Siege" is a wee history lesson told by the people who were there. Lyrics are just as important as the music to me.
Niall - I just write anything really so long as it rhymes and sound cool. That'll 'ding-dang-do' for me!
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
Muk - There is such a variety out there, people are more open to different styles as well I think. Technology has made it far more accessible to hear and see other bands and as a result, it's so much more competitive. And the amount of festivals which take place keeps growing; the atmosphere of a festival is second to none.
Baz - Speaking from an un-signed acts' point of view, it seems that everyone from promoters to club owners are out to make as much money out of our talent as possible. The artist is no longer important.
Niall - The what ?! Is there such a thing? If so, put me in touch!
Al - The music industry today? A bigger state than Texas!
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
Niall - Do we really need to fight it though? For me this is a Catch-22. Yes, we want to defend what we produce, but at the end of the day, look what happened to Lars Ulrich. He became a hate figure for taking on Napster, so for me it's a tricky one to be honest.
Muk - Certainly not that way Lars Ulrich tried to a few years ago with Napster.
But in all honesty I'd say embrace it, utilize the tools being used. As long as the fans will always benefit then it's all good. The herald of the internet was seen as the end of the industry, but piracy is as old as the industry but technology is much more accessible now and the internet is proof of that. The industry has become the pirates as they are now using the same methods.
Al - Switch off the internet!
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
Al - Perhaps clichéd but apt - 'Carpe Diem' (seize the day). At least I'd like to think that's how I try to live my life!
Baz - Be excellent to each other.....
Muk - Enjoy it, wear a smile and try to think.
Niall - Yo kids !!! You kids be cool !!
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
Al - A written description of a typical day in my life would probably be the least interesting thing in the world to read, ever!
Baz - Aye, nothing too exciting here either. Breakfast, family stuff all day, bit of guitar and sleep! Don't want to go into too much more details....
Muk - Unfortunately no, it can be quite varied you know!
Niall - Being a father and husband, everyday for me is equally different and amazing. At the moment, my life is pretty hectic but generally it's top drawer. Thanks to a belter of a wife and an amazing daughter.
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
Al - Music is probably 99% of my life and something I couldn't live without, but away from the band I enjoy playing consoles, interwebbing, watching football or going out with friends. Nothing exciting really, just the usual stuff.
Baz - Spending time with my other half and her daughter takes up most of my time. Other than that, reading and watching movies.
Niall - Family, PS3, spending money and just having a good time really!
Muk - My girl. No, seriously!
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
Al - The bar closed!
Baz - The bar closed, so Al attacked the owner!
Niall - I'll tell you when I've actually been on one!
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
Al - Movies - Fight Club, the Star Wars saga, Live After Death concert DVD
Albums - Master of Puppets (Metallica), Images & Words (Dream Theater), Somewhere in Time (Iron Maiden)
Books - Loaded, FHM, Nuts!
Baz - Movies - Withnail & I, Jaws & A Bridge Too Far.
Albums - Live and Dangerous (Thin Lizzy), Powerslave (Iron Maiden), The Wall (Pink Floyd). Books - Any Flashman book, Lord of the Rings (because it's loooong!) and a book on Desert Island Bush Tucker!
Niall - Movies - Shawshank Redemption, the Star Wars saga, The Jerk (for humour of course)
Albums - Live in Mexico city - Live Sh*t Binge & Purge (Metallica), Number 1's (The Beatles), Greatest Hits (Elton John).
Books - Not into books to be honest, so like Al, it would be Loaded, FHM and a right good porno mag for the finer things in life!
Muk - (Can I take my Xbox?)
Movies - The Star Wars saga.
Albums - Woodface (Crowded House), The Black Album (Metallica), Live Baby Live (INXS)
Books - I'd write my own harrowing tale of my time spent on the island!
What is your favourite joke?
Al - I'm reasonably sure that I couldn't repeat it here!
Baz - What's the difference between an egg and a good wank? You can beat an egg!!!
Niall - Have you ever met Lionel Ritchie's brother, Mabozza....
Muk - Off the top of my head ... What do you call a leper in a bath? Porridge!
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
Al - Well, things are progressing well at the moment. We're gearing ourselves up for the release of our second album (which I think I may have mentioned once or twice already!), and looking forward to gigging like crazy this year. Anything above and beyond that would be a massive bonus, so we'll wait and see what fate has in store for us.
Muk - Onwards and upwards, get the album out, play a launch gig and continue on the road to stadium tours!
Baz - To get signed and take our music to a larger audience. I think if people can hear us, they will love us!
Niall - I genuinely believe if we can get out to a larger global audience then we could go far, so I guess we just need to keep at it and pimp ourselves like little whores!
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
Al - Thanks for reading, hope you manage to catch us live sometime soon!
Baz - Thanks for the interest and I hope we can get to play for you all soon. Check out the MySpace and remember.... DEATH TO FALSE METAL!!!
Muk - Thanking you for taking the time to read this and we'll hopefully see you at a gig very soon! To those who didn't take the time to read this, go back and read it again!! Cheers!
Niall - Thanks for reading our ramblings. If you want to check us out, head over to www.myspace.com/sythrocks and hopefully we can gig in your town pretty soon!
Added by Stuart - 5/27/2009
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