| Interview by Burt Wolf with guitarist Jim Corrick, vocalist Jim Lippucci & guitarist, backing vocalist & ball scratcher, Wayne Richards of the Cleveland, Ohio based band SOULLESS. Interview done March 10, 2002. |
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| COULD YOU GIVE A LITTLE HISTORY ON SOULLESS & HOW YOU GUYS GOT TOGETHER? Jim L.: Our drummer Chris & I were in a band called BLOODSICK, which after line up changes became SOULLESS. We've have all pretty much known each other for a while through the local Metal scene & various bands we've played in. We pretty much all sank to the bottom of the heap together. WHY WAS THE NAME SOULLESS CHOSEN FOR THE BAND? Wayne: It came from a GRAVE record...It's been rumored that Lippucci has no soul! Jim L.: The name seemed to fit the material we had written & the whole feeling of the band... WHO OR WHAT HAS BEEN AN INFLUENCE ON YOU CREATING YOUR MUSIC? Wayne: 80's Thrash - KREATOR, SODOM, METALLICA, SLAYER, DESTRUCTION, TANKARD, CELTIC FROST, VOI VOD, etc... Jim L.: That kinda sums it up... Wayne: We're inspired by the best Thrash bands of the 80's with melodic passages intertwined. I ONLY HAVE YOUR "THE DARKENING OF DAYS" CD, WHICH WAS RELEASED IN 1999. HOW WELL WAS IT RECIEVED BY THE UNDERGROUND MUSIC SCENE? Wayne: Very well...It was voted best demo of '99 by BRAVE WORDS & BLOODY KNUCKELS. Check out reviews at www.SOULLESSDOMAIN.com. Jim L.: We pretty much sold out of the first pressing & have only a few copies left. 98% of the reviews we got were very positive. COULD YOU EXPLAIN THE COVER ARTWORK A LITTLE BIT? Wayne: No Jim L.: we weren't really happy with the artwork. Any concept we originally had was pretty much lost in the final rendition. WHICH SONG FROM THAT RELEASE IS YOUR FAVORITE & WHY? Jim C.: "Down Hell's Path" - It rips... Wayne: "Down Hell's Path", it's fast & it rips your mom's ass off. Jim L.: What they said. HAS THAT RELEASE STIRRED ANY LABEL INTEREST? IF SO, WITH WHO? Wayne: A couple of labels that really aren't worth mentioning because they talk a lot of bullshit, but really exert no follow through. Jim L.: It's a little frustrating when people tell you things & then nothing happens. It really is who you know & who's ass you kiss & who thinks you're cool. How good you are or aren't doesn't really matter all that much. I mean, we suck & people like us... DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER RELEASES OUT SINCE THE RELEASE OF "THE DARKENING..." CD? COULD YOU GIVE SOME INFORMATION THEM? Jim L.: We did one of those MP3.come discs & have a 3 song promo out. Wayne: The MP3 CD includes some live tracks & some newer stuff & the "Bleeding Darkness" promo will blow your face off. YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A LOT OF THE DWELL RECORDS TRIBUTE ALBUMS. WHICH ONES WERE YOU ON & WHICH ONE WAS YOUR FAVORITE TO DO? Jim L.: We appear on the OZZY, the first JUDAS PRIEST, the second METALLICA, TWISTED SISTER & WASP tributes. We also recorded a DESTRUCTION song for a tribute that should be out any day now. I'm a huge OZZY fan & it was pretty cool to be on that one. Wayne: The TWISTED SISTER & DESTRUCTION covers were the best. Thos two were very similar to the originals, but with the SOULLESS sound. Those two would kill any human. Jim C.: JUDAS PRIEST is the best... SOULLESS IS FROM THE CLEVELAND, OHIO AREA. THERE SEEMS TO BE A DECENT SCENE IN THAT AREA FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN & HEARD. WHO DO YOU THINK ARE SOME OF THE BETTER BANDS, ZINES, LABELS, ETC...? Wayne: Cleveland has some great bands...BOULDER, KEELHAUL, SOMNUS & CAVEMAN are among the best. The Michael Stanley band is among bands that are gay. Jim L.: NUNSLAUGHTER, RINGWORM, ALL THAT IS EVIL, SCHNAUZER, DESTRUCTOR, BLACK DEATH, THE DEAD BOYS, DEVO (Akron, Ohio), PERE UBU, Joe Walsh...This place rules!!! No labels or zines come to mind. Jim C.: Also DESCEND, DEAD OF NIGHT, STEPSISTER... |