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Band page - Steel Tormentor
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Band Profile
What is your name and your current position in the band?
My name is James Kelly & I'm the vocalist / lead guitarist in the band.
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?
The band was started by myself in 96 with a few different local musicians. It took a few years to get a decent line up to record the debut album Unleashed.
The biggest highlight for me on personal level was releasing Unleashed & playing support to the mighty Saxon. If you had told me in the 80's that one day my band would be opening for Saxon I'd have laughed at you.
Also to finally finish the new album after so much of a struggle & signing a record deal is top of the list for me.
I suppose the biggest low points was the line up problems we've had. It's a constant thorn in the side but thankfully the line up is stable now. Hopefully we can push on from here & do great things.
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
The internet really helped to make things easier for us in the end. Most bands will probably knock it but without the net it would be a lot harder.
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
The latest album is entitled "Return of a King" & people should buy it if they like traditional metal. Its got some cracking tunes on it & the production has been handled by Mr Lasse Lammert who you may know from his work with Alestorm.
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?
The band is a mix of traditional metal , NWOBHM & old school power metal. From day one ST only played the style we play now because I wasn't interested in playing anything else.
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
My favourite moment has to be finishing the recording of ROAK it took nearly 6 years. It was a huge weight off my shoulders & signing a record deal after 13 years going it alone was a proud moment.
How is the writing process in the band?
It mainly works around ideas I come up with & the other guys in the band get to throw their own ideas into the mix. I will usually come up with a full albums worth of material, demo it & we work stuff out over a few jam sessions.
I'm constantly writing stuff & coming up with different ideas. Demos for album number 3 have already been sorted & we will begin work on that in a few months time.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
Well to be honest there wasn't much else for doing in the area where I grew up. I wasn't into sports or anything like that & the music was always there in the back ground. Growing up in the 80's you always got to see metal on the TV music shows so from about the age of 11 or 12 I just wanted to be in a band & make music.
I like to think it was a good decision in fairness the music has allowed me to travel & play in a few far flung places as well as meet some great people & of course a few nutters along the way.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
Growing up in Ireland Rory Gallagher & Thin Lizzy were the main ones. They were like gods.
I also have to mention Steve Harris from Iron Maiden he always had a vision for what he wanted to do & he stuck to his guns never sold the band out etc I always admired that.
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?
No, I regret nothing .I've learned over the years what is done is done there's no point moaning about it. You just got to learn from your mistakes & move on its all you can do really.
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
If I'm not happy with a song it doesn't make it on to an album or set list. Thankfully most of the stuff I've written I can live with so there's nothing there that would annoy me to much.
As far as the fans go there's a couple of tracks off the new album like Evil Coming, Warrior & Soul Stealer they go ape shit for. But the track that always brings down the house is Wings of an Eagle. Every time we play that tune people go nuts
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
I try to tell a story in every song that way the listener can take something from it. Sometimes it works other times it doesn't but if a person can read their own thing into a lyric that's pretty cool to.
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
Most of the big labels have been giving us shit releases for years, X-Factor anyone??? So because of that I'm not one bit worried about them.
The internet has been great for unsigned bands its taken the power from the labels & given it back to the bands. There's a hell of a lot of people out there who will buy direct from the band so the bands should make more use of that.
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
One simple way is for labels to drop their CD prices & sort out their distribution. People won't pay 20 quid for a CD anymore, why should they? After all a CD only costs a few cents to press. Most people who download illegally do so because they can't afford to pay the rip off prices or they can't get the CD in the shops!!!
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
Have a good time all the time.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
Boring.
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
I'm a big fan of Moto GP & F1 so I like to follow that going to try & get to a few races if I can afford it.
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
Ha ha what happens on the road stays on the road. There were a few things on the UK tour we did a while back but that's all I'm saying.
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)
I'd kidnap Liz Hurley & bring her with me.
What is your favourite joke?
I can't think of any right now.
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
I'd like to play a few festivals & do some tours with the new album.
We plan to re-record some tracks from the Unleashed album for a 7" release in the summer with Lasse Lammert.
Hopefully in early 2011 we will be back in the studio to work on the 3rd album.
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
The new album will be out in February so check it out & if you want to see us play in your town get in touch.
Added by Stuart - 1/16/2010
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Band Information - Band Profile
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Album Review - Return Of A King
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