Hanna Tsepesh: Hello Malcom! Thanks so much for accepting this interview and Welcome to THE GATES OF METAL! First of all: how are you and how are the things doing with your concerts?Malcom: Doing very well, thanks… We’re doing fair to well with concerts. We had a huge let-down with a recent concert on the main-stage at the 3 Doors Down show at Meadowbrook US Cellular Pavilion in Gilford, NH, which we ended up not playing due to basically being treated poorly and lied to. Apart from that, doing pretty well. We had the opportunity to share venues this past summer with Staind, Shinedown, Chevelle, and Korn, which were really fanomenal experiences!! We had a great turn-out at our CD release party and we all felt very thankful for the support.
Hanna Tsepesh: For those who do not know Hour Part could tell us a little how it all started?
Malcom: From what I understand, Josh, (drummer) and Jeff, (guitarist) were in a band with a couple other former members and were looking for a singer. I guess Coopa, (current singer) walked by the band’s practice space and heard them and I think asked if they needed a singer. From what I understand, chemistry was sparked right away. It’s a bit difficult to tell the “how it all started” because I was not around at the beginning.
Hanna Tsepesh: What inspired you the most to create the lyrics? The band writes the lyrics first or first the band creates the riffs to comply with the lyrics?
Malcom: Lyrical inspirations vary. The title song, “Drift” is about the band sort of, well, drifting for some time after the first CD, a “Vacant Smile”. The guitarist had left and the band struggled to stay strong. I think what happens is a combination—in terms of lyrics being written prior to the music. There is artistry in our writing music; Coop writes the lyrics. Sometimes, either Jeff or I come out with some riff and start jamming and creating. Then, Coop would sometimes join in with where his artistry leads him, which means, even some lyrics may be introduced. With this, however, the main thing is getting the melodies with lyrics to be a works in progress with editing. On our CD, “Drift,” some of the lyrics were being changed around—even the day before recording it in the studio. It’s pure artistry to write together!
We have different strengths, too. Jeff has attended Berkley College of Music, which gives him obvious theory and is skilled with arrangement as well. Jeff also has done significant painting with acrylics and oils—even as a child. Coop writes lyrics and is an all-around artist—also being a drawer/painter, and tattoo artist as well.
Hanna Tsepesh: What are your favorite bands? You have any musician that you admire the most?
Malcom: Among us all, there’s too many to mention. I think Coop likes a lot of music from the 80s but, if you could see his music library, it’s endless. Our likes span years and even genres as well. I think it’s safe to say all of us have always been drawn to bands with a lot of musicianship and also melodic styles.
For me, one of my biggest inspirations—in terms of bass playing—has been Geddy Lee, from Rush because he’s always been an out-of-the-box player/writer as well as very melodic, intelligent, and wrote bass lines with such solidity and is a vital component of any given song.
Hanna Tsepesh: You have another band or some future project? Or your time is only for Hour Past?
Malcom: I’m committed to Hour Past at present.
Hanna Tsepesh: When you start to play bass? It was difficult to learn?
Malcom: No, it was somewhat intuitive. I first picked up the bass when I was playing in a band, when I was in junior high school. I actually started off playing the guitar but one of the guitarists felt as though his “limelight” was somehow threatened and asked to switch. We switched instruments, and I immediately started playing bass far better than him—even at very first try. Again, it was intuitive to me. I also had a few years of lessons on the cello prior to this, which I think also helped me to be tuned into the lower tones and foundational work. I soon after trained under a Berkley College of Music PhD graduate for about 6 years on bass guitar.
After getting into it, the bass became a challenge for me and—to this day—it still is. I always challenge myself to be a strong component of the rhythm section and to create, melodic, and smart bass lines, which not only compliment any given song, but lock in to drums, play off guitar, and hopefully create an experiential composition.
Hanna Tsepesh: Let’s talk about the “Drift” album. For people who don’t listen yet can you tell to us what we can expect from this album?
Malcom: Drift is an album with variety, which would be easily-appreciated—once heard. There are a couple of harder-driven songs and an in-between, and a lesser, more toward ballad type as well. One thing I feel that we hear about the album, and will be hopefully evident to listeners, is the chemistry we have is evident. Even though it might sound cliché, there is most certainly some great chemistry among us.
Another component to the album “Drift” is the self-titled song itself. It offers a lyrical meaning/metaphor for the actual band’s experience after doing the album, “Vacant Smile,” having a bit of loss of momentum with changing some band members, as well as down-time in writing, recording, and playing out—as I mentioned earlier.
When I met, and auditioned, the band, it was the actual first day of Jeff, (guitarist) had sort of was “coming back,” (if you will), to the band. So, the meaning and related emotional component of the song is rich.
Hanna Tsepesh: Everything went well at recording studio? The band feels pride with the final result or in your opinion is something that you like to change?
Malcom: Our studio experience with Wyman was excellent; we, as a band, all feel very proud it. I suppose there’s always some minor adjustments that some of us feel we could do but we are, overall, very pleased, indeed. One specific thing I think we might have added is some harmonies that we’ve come up with since recording. However, we wrote fairly quickly together—getting back to the chemistry we have. We started meeting, practicing, and writing only this past February and recorded the new CD only a few months after.
Wyman’s link is: thissoundsgood.com
Hanna Tsepesh: How has the response been to the album by the fans and media?
Malcom: So far, the response has been very positive. Many say things like, “best yet.” Many seem to like the versatility the CD offers. Some have also said things like, “wish there were more.” It was a mutual decision among us to make this an EP and we don’t regret it but, still, wanting to please listeners only motivates us to write more and get back in the studio!!! There also have been many, who have said they wish that we were had more air-time on radio.
Hanna Tsepesh: If one of our readers wants to buy your album, what they can do?
Malcom: As far as I know, a condom is sold separately when buying the CD. The CD is available on itunes and in stores, such as Tower Records, Bull Moose, and others. There are links to legitimately purchasing the CD on our myspace site and Ratpak records site, as well as other sites.
www.myspace.com/hourpast
ratpakrecordsamerica.com/hourpast.cfm
Hanna Tsepesh: what is your favorite music in this album and why?
Malcom: My overall favorite song changes any given day; again, then album is versatile. However, I favor certain aspects about some of the songs. For example, I tend to feel the emotional element of the song, “Drift.” I favor the power—not only in the song but the energy that it takes to play in “Insomnia.” My favorite song, in terms of solid locking rhythm is “If Only.” I also love to play the song, “20/Fourty” because the song is technical for me, which I love and is just fun for me.
Hanna Tsepesh: Do you want to send any message for the people who going to read this interview?
Malcom: Well, to buy and experience our CD. We’d also love to gain more air-time on radio.
We also love feedback, and we love to hear the good, bad, and ugly. We feel we can’t grow without hearing it all…We also hope to do what we can to please listeners and that’s hard to do without knowing what the feedback truly is.
We’re also amazingly grateful for and want to largely thank any past and current supporters!
Hanna Tsepesh: Thanks o much for your answers and time. THE GATES OF METAL wishes the entire band a big success! Hope to see you guys very soon in here…
Malcom: One million thanks for the chance to have this interview! We wish you, and The Gates of Metal, the very best!
Hanna Tsepesh: You are very welcome and thanks a lot for the kind words! All the best for you too...
By: Hanna Tsepesh
To listen to some HOUR PAST music’s and for future information’s go at:
www.myspace.com/hourpast
