PRP: Let's just start with this one: How was Blindsyde formed?
J.C.: Kevin (bass player) and I played in a band former to Blindsyde. When it didn't work out we stuck together and said we wanna play a different style and get a rapper and play some heavy shit! So, we were on the search for some new members and found Chad (singer, rapper) at a party. Just bullshittin and freestylin. We tried him out and instantly knew he was the one, so we put an ad out for a guitarist. Got a bunch of calls and none of them were any good. After a while we were starting to get a little bummed, but got a call from a guy that was so into wanting to play that we tried him. He showed up, standing at 6"5 and 240 pounds and we were like: "Damn!". He played one note and we knew he had the look and the skill of a pro. After that, we practiced for about 3 weeks before our first show, and when it came up we blew the doors off the place! That's about it! The rest is history.
PRP: Cool. Y'all have been playing together since the band's start? I mean, no changes in the line-up at all?
J.C.: No changes.
PRP: You've been playing together for how long?
J.C.: 2 & 1/2 years.
PRP: Good. Any material released during this time?
J.C.: One demo tape, and our debut cd, "7 Days A Freak", due out in 6 days (August 3rd.)
PRP: I like this name, hehehe. Hmmmm, you guys are from FL, right?
J.C.: Yup. West Palm Beach, Florida.
PRP: Cool. How's the scene there?
J.C.: Well, it's hard to be noticed here. The scene is good if you're known, but it's hard to get known. The people here are kinda like if they don't know who you are. They don't give a damn about you. But, it's decent.
PRP: Are there a couple of bands which, kinda rule the scene, or it's not like this?
J.C.: Well, it sounds kinda like I'm braggin, but people tell us we are one of the biggest bands around, although I don't really see it. But, the others are Gonemad and Groovenics. That's probably the biggest around our area.
PRP: I love Gonemad so much. They're one of my favorites band at the moment. Anyway, how's the relationship between Blindsyde and both of those bands?
J.C.: Our friendship between Gonemad is awesome. We are very good friends. We hang out together all the time, either to go out drinkin or just to sit around the house and bullshit. That with Gonemad. Groovenics, we don't know to well. We've played with them a couple of times, but not much.
PRP: I see. I think you're good friends with the DownInside members, ain't I right?
J.C.: Yes. Very good friends. They are great guys. Love them! Very cool.
PRP: Cool. Anyway, let's concentrate ourselves in Blindsyde. hehehe, after all, that's what interviews are for. Hehehe...well, who's the lyricist of the band?
J.C.: His name is Chad Slade.
PRP: Hmmm, and what's the song writing process like?
J.C.: Hmmm, Kevin usually comes up with a cool intro riff and then i put a nice groove beat behind it. Noel listens for a minute and then plays around until he comes up with something that fits, and Chad listens. Chad usually waits till the music is complete and then lets us jam it while he writes some lyrics.
PRP: Cool! What should fans coming to your shows expect?
J.C.: Well, they should expect an intense live show. Lots of jumping and power. A lot of crazy dancing, moshing, and nudity. A show you can't miss. We are very proud of our live show. No matter how good a CD comes out, it will never compare to a live show.
PRP: Nudity of girls, I expect. Hahaha.
J.C.: Hell yeah, girls! Hahaha! Sometimes guys if they get to drunk. Just playing.
PRP: Hahaha. Do you think Blindsyde falls into the "new metal" category?
J.C.: No. I think there is some similarities, but I haven't heard a group yet that does quite what we do.
PRP: Describe your band's sound.
J.C.: It's different, but at the same time have that certain groove behind it. We have the soft melodic style and the angry heavy style and the total hip hop all in one.
PRP: Tell us what would be the band's influences.
J.C.: Well, everyone of the members have different influences. Chad's primary influence is Rage Against the Machine; Kevin's primary influence is Led Zeppelin to Korn; Noel's influence is all jazz and Metallica; and my (J.C.) influence is Sepultura and Pantera.
PRP: Hhmmmm, and what have you been listening lately?
J.C.: The last 4 cd's I have listened to is Korn, Sevendust, Zebrahead, and DownInside. Oh yeah, and GoneMad.
PRP: I've been listening nonstop to GoneMad's cd as well. Planet 9 is a piece of art.
J.C.: Yeah, it's great. Have you heard the others?
PRP: Nope. I want to hear it so much, but didn't had the chance. As soon as I get some extra money, I'll probably buy it.
J.C.: Have to. You'll love it.
PRP: It's heavier, isn't it?
J.C.: Yup. Much.
PRP: Cool. You're the drummer, am i right?
J.C.: Yeah.
PRP: Why have you decided to play drums at all?
J.C.: I had a friend when I was little that had a set of drums, and I would go over to his house everyday and I didnt even hang out with him. I just sat behind his drums and banged on them. Always had an attraction.
PRP: Hehehe, I see. Why Blindsyde as the band's name?
J.C.: Well, we had a very hard time trying to come up with a name and we were getting frustrated, so we ran out of ideas and just started running through a list of our songs looking for something cool. "Blindsyded" was the first song we wrote and we were like: "well, not Blindsyded but, Blindsyde is cool."
PRP: Cool. Were you a little disappointed after you found out about that swedish band, Blindside?
J.C.: Well, we had it before we heard about them. We are still disappointed, but what can we do?
PRP: Yeah, it sucks. I'd be mad as well. Which bands would you like to tour with?
J.C.: I would love to tour with Sevendust, Zebrahead, Coal Chamber. That's all i can think of right now. Oh, and Drain S.T.H. Those girls are hot.
PRP: But do you actually like their music? Hahaha.
J.C.: Hehehe, yeah. They're good.
PRP: Any big plans for the future?
J.C.: Touring. Playing everywhere, hopefully with someone big. Hehe.
PRP: Has Blindsyde ever been approached by any label?
J.C.: No, cause we suck! Just playing, hehehe.
PRP: I know you are, hehe. People tell me you guys rock.
J.C.: Really?
PRP: Yeah. Hehehe.
J.C.: Sweet!
PRP: Skip being one of them.
J.C.: Cool. They're great!
PRP: Well, I think that's it. Any last comments?
J.C.: Well, I'm very happy that you are interested in us and I'm glad you took the time to ask me the questions. I want to thank you on behalf of the band and hope you give us a good review!
PRP: Thank you for your time. I love to help bands, so it's cool that you had the time to help me to do it. Hehehe.
J.C.: Cool. Thanks.
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