This is what I originally said about the bands sound when reviewing their brilliant debut EP – Smokescreen back in August 2011.
“Traitors Return To Earth play Down-Tempo Psych based Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal Music. Taking influence from Sludge/Stoner Metal Bands past and present such as Sabbath, Ramesses, Electric Wizard, YOB, EyeHateGod but bringing their own great take on the genre.”
Smokescreen was an outstanding release that made my best of 2011 releases.
The guys have kindly agreed to do an interview with me which I am rather pleased about as I rate these guys very highly.
Q1 – First of all. Thanks for doing this. Can you give our readers a brief history of your band, How it came about.
Traitors formed in July of 2010. Justin and Chris were just finishing up work with another band and had some free time on their hands when they caught an ad on Craigslist that kevin had placed for musicians for a new project. (That's right folks, craigslistads can yield fruit) Those three played for a couple of months, establishing some song structure and getting to know each other.
Eventually it was time to add a bass player so up went another add on CL, where they found Scott Simmons, who played bass on the Smokescreen EP. Scott was in two bands and lived an hour away so it became necessary to search for a new bass player. As a result, Kevin, Justin and Chris joined up with Jordan Chasteen who now handles the bass duties. There is really good chemistry with the current line up.
Q2 – Which bands influenced you as you have a wide mix of genres in your music
Q2 – Which bands influenced you as you have a wide mix of genres in your music
Sons of Otis, Weedeater, Iron Monkey, Black Flag, Unsane, Sleep, Electric Wizard, Eyehategod, the list goes on and on...
Q3 – How would you describe your sound.
Q3 – How would you describe your sound.
LOUD
Q4 – Is Traitors Return To Earth a full time job or do you have “regular” jobs to support the band's activities
We all have day jobs. Traitors is a creative way to hemorrhage money.
Q5 – Are your families supportive of your music.
Yes, But grandma thinks we're going to burn in hell!
Q6 – What are the most/least rewarding aspects of performing with the band.
The least rewarding aspect is slogging gear around. The most rewarding aspect is the positive feedback. When that stoned kid comes up wild eyed and pumped after a show it really makes it all worth the effort. Plus, we all love playing music and hanging out with each other. We would still love doing this even if we never played a show or released an album.
Q7 – How has the reaction been like to your music. At home and abroad
Internationally we get tremendous support. Tremendous! At home? A prophet is without honor is his home town. Seriously, there are some really good people in Columbus. Really good metal heads.
Q8 – Do critics reviews bother you as a band or do you just care what the fans think.
We haven't received any negative reviews yet, but we'll keep trying!
Q9 – How is the Metal Scene in your home town or surrounding areas. Are there a lot of places for bands like yours to play at on a regular basis.
The metal scene in Columbus is fair at best, but the people who dig heavy music are all cool. We've made some really great friends in the columbus scene.
Q10 – Do you tour on a regular basis. What has the reception been like to the band performing live. Have you toured with any famous bands.
Q10 – Do you tour on a regular basis. What has the reception been like to the band performing live. Have you toured with any famous bands.
We do not tour at this time. The reception we get performing live is normally positive, unless we clear the room because we are too loud.
Q11 – Do you have any plans to tour abroad or is too expensive to do at the moment.
We all have normal jobs which don't really allow us to take that much time off, plus only one of us has a passport.
Q12 - You give your music away for free/pay as you go deal on BandCamp. How do you feel about blogs and websites giving your music away for free.
Q12 - You give your music away for free/pay as you go deal on BandCamp. How do you feel about blogs and websites giving your music away for free.
We love it! We want people to hear the music by any means possible. If people want to pay for it we are very appreciative of that as well obviously. It's likely that when Betting on a Full Collapse is released that we will need to have a minimum charge to off set necessary band expenses.
That said, I don't think any of us would allow money to be a thing that keeps our music from someone who wants to experience it. If someone messaged us and said they want some type of merch from us but had no money, we'd probably hook them up.
(Not a question as such. I once saw your album being given away on a torrent website. And guess which review they used to promote it. Yeah that's right mine. I thought – FUCK I hope the band or any other bands don't think I participate in torrent uploading. So a little dubious internet fame for me thanks to your great band. - LOL)
(Not a question as such. I once saw your album being given away on a torrent website. And guess which review they used to promote it. Yeah that's right mine. I thought – FUCK I hope the band or any other bands don't think I participate in torrent uploading. So a little dubious internet fame for me thanks to your great band. - LOL)
Hopefully that review being posted on whatever site it was exposed your killer blog to a lot more people!
Q13 – I see your releasing your brilliant debut EP on Cassette Tape. Any reasoning behind that. Vinyl – Yes. But Cassette Tape. Though I know a couple of other bands starting to do this.
Essentially it's a cheap, fun way to share a physical copy of the Smokescreen EP.
Q14 - What are the future plans for Traitors Return To Earth?
Q15 Any new releases in the pipeline?
Q14 - What are the future plans for Traitors Return To Earth?
Reverse Cowgirl.
We will also be releasing “Betting on a Full Collapse” in the fall of 2012. It will be available in vinyl with original art from our good friend W. Ralph Walters with an 8 page comic book by Ralph too. In addition to the 12”, we will make it available in short run CD's and as a digital download with bonus tracks.
We would like to thank you for taking the time to conduct this interview with us Steve!
As a side note, we would like you to know that we are totally appreciative of your efforts and the efforts of other like you around the world!
(My pleasure guys. You keep making great music then I will still be here promoting it. And other great bands like yourselves as well).
A couple of quick shout outs for us: W. Ralph Walters runs a website called the Corridor of Doom which has many podcasts for people to sink their teeth in to. Go check it out! http://thecorridorofdoom.com/
Another one of our great friends Baph Omet as he goes by hosts a radio show on http://www.coreofdestructionradio.com/ so tune in to that as well.
A couple of quick shout outs for us: W. Ralph Walters runs a website called the Corridor of Doom which has many podcasts for people to sink their teeth in to. Go check it out! http://thecorridorofdoom.com/
Another one of our great friends Baph Omet as he goes by hosts a radio show on http://www.coreofdestructionradio.com/ so tune in to that as well.
Well Thanks To The Guys for this great interview. I can't wait for the new album to be released. So check these excellent sludge rockers below. Great band and Great Guys as well.
BandCamp
MySpace
