With some of the sexiest fans and sickest metal on Supernova.com, Subliminal Hate Machine have motored their way up the indie music charts with their unique breed of ‘melodic devastation’. With years of underground metal experience in Hamilton, Subliminal Hate Machine soon got a break at the 2008 Scene Music Festival and have now played over 40 shows across Ontario.
Since joining Supernova.com, the band has seen some serious fan attention both online and at their live shows. With a Wild Card win from their September Battle of the Bands secured, Subliminal Hate Machine is now set to take on Supernova.com’s Break Your Band Battle on November 21st!
As the band prepares to enter the next level of competition, bringing them one step closer to a $25,000 development deal, they sat down to talk about their experience with Supernova.com.
Rob Avery aka "Avery 4:20"
(bass & backing vocals)
Brandon Bowie aka "Bo", "Boseph" (vocals)
Subliminal Hate Machine was a project started in May 2005 in Hamilton, Ontario by the band's two guitarists: Curtis Mitchell and Brandon Leigh. 3/5 of the band line-up today is the result of the collapse of both Vertigo, and Banefield, well-known acts amongst the Hamilton underground music scene between 1999 and 2004. Rob Avery was formerly the bassist for Vertigo, band-mates Curtis Mitchell and Joe Lapointe hail from Banefield. Brandon Bowie was the fifth and final member necessary to make us a complete band, taking the helm as the bands voice – his voice and raw energy speak for themselves.
Within three months of being a complete band, Subliminal Hate Machine was ready to head into a recording studio to record our first EP, and have since performed over 40 shows, in 7 different cities at approx. 20 different venues across southern Ontario.
So how did you manage to get to this point as a band today?
We are where we are today first and foremost because of our loyal and dedicated fans which we call haters :) ...whom all seem to go insane for our heavy, fast-paced sets. Simply put, we're a crazy band to watch live, because we literally throw ourselves right into our music and it comes out in a perfect collaboration of band-crowd insanity.
How would you describe your band’s sound?
Subliminal Hate Machine is unlike any other band in our opinions. We could be described as "melodic devastation". We are a fusion of many different genres such as thrash, grunge, punk, and predominantly heavy metal as metal is the bands favourite and preferred form of music.
What is the most rewarding thing about being in a band?
Joe: I like the buzz that circulates around every bar, club, and festival before we play! What is equally rewarding is what goes down while, and after we play.
Rob: The atmosphere! Mosh pits, devil-horns and head-banging.
Brandon: The fans and the booze!
Curtis: Having the chance to expose Subliminal Hate Machine to thousands of people and receiving insane amounts of recognition and positive feedback everywhere we play!
Brandon Leigh: The feeling you get inside when you hear the crowd cheer and seeing bodies flying everywhere in front of you... occasionally directly into you.
What made you guys realize that you wanted to pursue music full time?
We can all agree that from as far back as we can remember we have all wanted to be full-time musicians! What kid doesn't have dreams of becoming a rock star someday? Maybe one day we will achieve that status, but for us fame is measured in longevity, not necessarily album sales or commercial success.
What is the biggest challenge facing ‘new’ artists?
The biggest challenge facing new artists would have to be trying to create something new or maybe putting a different spin on something that has already been done before. Heavy Metal bands can sometimes seem like a dime-a-dozen so you really need to be both talented and unique - musically and in your presentation - to stand out amongst your peers. Exposing your music to the right audience is
also key.
It also goes without saying that financing your band isn't as easy for some as it is for others and that can certainly put a big strain on new artists. We continue to work hard every single day to help finance Subliminal Hate Machine. New artists must ultimately remain driven and focused about their music and keep working hard to achieve their goals!
What would be band’s ‘motto’ or ‘golden rule’ or ‘recipe’ for putting on a good show?
The recipe to putting on a good show is a perfect mixture of Jager-Bombs, Budweiser and 3-liter shoots! But just because that works for us doesn't necessarily mean it will work for you.
Our Motto: What time is it? Party O’Clock. The Golden Rule: No one will be spared! We will not stop for pedestrians!
Hehe clever. Where is your favourite place to practice or play?
Our favourite place to practice is the “House of Subliminal” where all our band rehearsals take place. As for a favourite place to play, I don't think we've found one yet that we can honestly call our favourite. The Corktown is really cool though - great stage setup.
We will be performing live this February in Florida for the battle of the beach taking place during spring break! I think it's a safe bet that that will become our favourite place to play after it's all said and done... After all, we're a bunch of Canadian boys playing Spring Break in Panama, Florida; how cool is that?
Sounds hot... ok here's one for each of you: If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what album would it be?
Rob: Pantera “Official Live – 101 Proof”. Most badass live album ever!
Brandon: Soundtrack from the motion picture “Rocky I” - motivation is key!
Curtis: Megadeth “Peace Sells But Who’s Buying”. This album is probably one of the best albums for dual-guitar solos and technique in history!
Brandon Leigh: Alice in Chains' self-titled third album aka "Three-legged Dog". Not my absolute favourite album of all-time but definitely the one that meant the most to me growing up. I was 11 years old and the winter 1995 releases date coupled with Alice in Chains trademark dark and moody sound has to this day remained a very influential and memorable time in my life as I was just beginning to learn how to play the guitar. The song-writing on that album is just phenomenal.
Joe: Soundtrack from the motion picture “Faust”- It’s like a box a chocolate with only a few tainted nuggets!
Hahaha.... well is there anything ELSE that makes your band unique, or that new listeners should know?
Many a household item have been broken listening to our music. be prepared to replace broken furniture and appliances.
Last question... and I've gotta ask... What do you guys think of all of your sexy fans on Supernova.com??
Subliminal Hate Machine appreciates all off our fans who’ve supported us from the beginning! The love and support from our fans online and at our live performances has been incredible. We have handed out 1,000+ cd's, stickers and posters in a variety of cities across North America, including Toronto, Sarnia, St.Catherine’s, Montreal, and even Las Vegas. Starting up again very soon we will be selling merchandise at our shows again.
....and of course Subliminal Hate Machine loves all the sexy female fans. Is there any other reason to be in a band if not for the hot chicks?
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Subliminal Hate Machine will return to the studio at the end of November, to begin recording on their first full-length, untitled album set to be released fall 2010. Don't miss your chance to see this indie metal force of reckoning perform live at Supernova.com’s Break Your Band next stage qualifier on November 21st!
Curtis Mitchell aka "Cujo", "Dime Jr."
What would be band’s ‘motto’ or ‘golden rule’ or ‘recipe’ for putting on a good show?
Hehe clever. Where is your favourite place to practice or play?
