Interview: Implant

Implant Questions Answered By Ryan (Guitars). Interviewed by Pedro Einloft

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PRP: Thanks for taking your time and answering to those questions. First of all, how did Implant's members get together to form the band?
Ryan: We formed in 1996 with the intent to create a heavy original band. We really wanted to create something more creative than our previous bands. But we all have been listening and playing heavier music throughout all our bands. We aren't just jumpin on a trend.

PRP: How long have you guys been together as a band?
Ryan: We have been together now with the current lineup for almost a year.

PRP: Who are in the band?
Ryan: Ben Ofstead - Vocals | Matt Moerman- Guitar | Krup- guitar | Johnny Montanio- Bass | Seth Price- Drums

PRP: Any line-up changes since the band's start?
Ryan: We originally had a different singer and bass player. But the other three are original. The first singer we had was very talented but he would really have to be one of the most weirdest people I had ever met. He would shoot his girlfriend with a Bee Bee gun and she would get sores on her from the shots. Just so many weird things that he would say all the time that would make you say to yourself What the fuck? For example: Once I gave him a ride in my car to band practice and he asked me the question "Hey you ever fucked a virgin in the back seat of this car?" I found that odd to say. We let him go about 3 years ago. The day we kicked him out we were recording in the studio a 3 song demo. We had been only playin only for a couple months and at that time we had a really shity PA system for the vocals so we never really knew what the words were he was singing. So when we started recording everything hit the fan. He was singing weird ass lyrics about sucking satan's dick and weird shit like that. So we were all sitting there not believing what the hell we were hearing. We said hey these lyrics got to go. People are gonna think you suck dick and we don't want any part of that. We argued with him and he was like I am not changing shit. Finally he decided he would but at that point we were like no way. Let's get away from this fucking wierdo! We replaced him with Ben and since then we have formed the real IMPLANT. Our original bass player left the band to pursue his Art and Tatooing.

PRP: Why did you decided to play the instrument you do, or, to sing? Anyone inspired you?
Ryan: Not really. No one really inspired me to play. I always wanted to be in a band. To create something to cause emotion. I really do not consider myself a guitar player. I am more a band member. I only like playing with the band and only want to do Implant tunes. I think when you learn to many people's songs or get to good you can loose your unique originallity that comes from not knowing. So this makes you, I feel, more experimental and opened to more.

PRP: Any material released?
Ryan: Our first record was released 4 weeks ago. The album is called Big Brother and it is available online at most record stores, and music web sites. You can also get the album at our site at a better price at http://www.implant.cc We usually give people who buy from the site a bunch of extra's like stickers or a poster. We have a bunch of merchandise like shirts, and hats for people to purchase also.

PRP: How you got your name?
Ryan: The name was thought up during a brainstorm about the future. The name is based on the theory of humans being implanted with a chip by the goverment so that they can keep track of where you are at all times.

PRP: How would you describe your band's sound to someone who has never heard you guys?
Ryan: We are heavy based music with groove and emotion. We are heavy at times and layed back at times. We try to create emotions like on a roller coaster up and down.

PRP: How y'all got into crossover (pimp rock) music at all?
Ryan: We love to get people into what music is really about. The groove. We love metal and thought we could make it with as much feel as possible without loosing the roots.

PRP: What's the song writing process like? Are there any "hitlers" in the band, related to the song writing process?
Ryan: Well we are really picky with what we end up keeping. We will write a song and be like it doesn't fit us and just throw it away. When we write we do it as a group. I never take my guitar home and write guitar parts. We always write on the spot and that's how you get the real good shit.

PRP: How's the music scene there in the U.S in California?
Ryan: It was really hard like a year ago. The only places really to play were in Los Angeles and that place is way over rated. But now I think alot more people are getting into metal and we have played all over now.

PRP: Any band I should check out from there?
Ryan: You should really check out the following bands we have done shows with here in the U.S.A. These bands are really fucking great and we have partied with some of them and let me tell you we have had so much fun. Pressure4-5, Papa Roach, Lica Sto, Outahand, True To Form and Juice.

PRP: How you guys do to spread yourself out from the others?
Ryan: When you see us live it really explains what we are all about. We keep you into our show. We all give each show 100% of us and the crowd knows it. We don't try to put on a show that is fake or planned ahead. We do what's in our hearts. At an Implant show you can expect to see a lot of different emotions throughout the show that will go from heavy anger to light frantic spoken word. We love to have people just loose their mind's and just mosh or what ever they feel. We just go nuts. We also have about 100 television sets that we bring on stage and place them all over with just static on the screens. We use no other lighting so it creates a cool mood of chaotic shit.

PRP: Are any of the members in any side projects?
Ryan: No. We are way to busy. We practice 3 nights a weeks and then we are on the road playing shows on the rest of the week.

PRP: Influences of the band?
Ryan: We are really not influenced by any paritcular style. We all listen to different styles of music. Everything from Rap to Hardcore Death Metal like Deeds of Flesh. We try to stay original. I hate to hear rip off clone bands.

PRP: Best underground band out there, in your opinion?
Ryan: We have played with alot of really killer bands out here. There is a band called Pressure 4-5 we like, and a band called Papa Roach who just recently got signed to the Label Dreamworks.

PRP: All Time Favorite Band?
Ryan: I would have to say the Deftones. A lot of people don't know this but they have been playing together for like ten or twelve years. They are true and have had the same sound throughout it all. They are from a City called Sacramento. It is about a few hours from where we are from.

PRP: What would be the tour of your dreams? Your band plus.... ?
Ryan: We would love to tour with System of a Down or maybe the Deftones. That would be killer! Those bands rule!

PRP: Was Implant ever approached by any record label?
Ryan: We were recently approached by major but turned out to be a little more than they were currently looking for. We are happy on our own and are gonna try to do it ourselves which can be hard. We so far have gotten a lot of support including people like you and that makes it all worth it if we get signed or not we are just a band who loves playing and listening to metal.

PRP: Any big plans in the horizon?
Ryan: Yes. We are planning to play more shows starting in November. We are aiming for a tour in Europe. We would love to play Brazil. Our friends' band Deeds Of Flesh toured Brazil and said they had the best time. They say there are the most beautiful girls there. They said it was a non stop party.

PRP: Last show you went?
Ryan: The last show I went to was the Ozzfest. It was really good.

PRP: Anything you wanna add? Last comments?
Ryan: If anyone gets a chance check out our website. We have a video and mp3's for you to check out. Also if anyone know any booking agents for Brazil who may be interested hook us up! E-mail me at Ryan@adc.cc. Thanks for your time and your support PRP and Pedro!