Interviews: Flawed By Design

In this new occasion we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal/Metalcore band Flawed By Design, from USA. Check out this band and give them a like on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

Shane: Our original singer came up with the name. It's a funny story. He does auto body work, and he was having trouble with the car he was working on, and screamed out "this thing is flawed by design." It then went down on the list of possible band names. 

2.Why did you want to play this genre? 

Nick: There's just something about angst in hardcore that perfectly portrays the struggle with self control.

Bobby: Music is music to me. If it feels good, I'll play it. 

Shane: I just love the emotion and raw power of heavy music. 

Tony: Cause I love to watch people getting into our grooves and seeing the crowd moving and forming into a pit, Oh yeah I love it. 

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?  

Nick: I first met Tony at church. He told me about his band Flawed by Design and it just so happens they were looking for a vocalist. 

Bobby: Never met them before. Just tried out for bass.

Shane: Tony and I have been friends for 20 years and spent time with each other in and out of bands throughout our career. 

Tony: I knew everyone except Bobby.

4. Each band member favorite band? 

Nick: Blindside.

Bobby: Too many to name.

Shane: Wow. I have eclectic taste so......everything from hip hop, metal, 80's rock & pop, etc. Right now I'm really digging - Of Mice & Men, While She Sleeps, The Devil Wears Prada, For Today, Nothing Left.

Tony: Pantera.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

Nick: The battle of the flesh and the peace and forgiveness that comes when you surrender your life to Jesus is the main inspiration.

Bobby: Family, this band and everyday life.

Shane: Mostly personal experiences. It's cool that you can take in negativity from a situation and then use it to create something positive. 

Tony: My real life experiences have the most inspiration for my writing. Turning a negative situation into a positive situation is what inspires me the most. I wanna help others that are hurting to understand there is another way besides the negative life so many of us live and think it's normal.

6. Where was your last gig? 

Bobby: Amos' Southend in Charlotte, NC.

Shane: Winston-Salem, NC opening for RED, Islander, 3 Years Hollow.

Tony: Ziggy's in Winston-Salem, NC. Opening for Islander and RED.

7. Where would you like to act/perform?

Bobby: Any big arena.

Shane: We have a lot of plans. Hopefully hitting all the big cities on the east cost and playing any youth events, fundraisers and benefits we can get involved with. 

Tony: I would love to play any big events like Winter Jam, Sun Fest, etc.

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

Bobby: Metallica.

Shane: The band Islander are our neighbors in SC and we have some mutual friends so..... you never know.

Tony: Love and Death, Islander, Red.

9. Whom not? 

Shane: Features can be great although Metallica did just get a lot of heat for the Lady Ga-Ga incident and Fred Durst got slammed for performing with Brittney Spears. It seems like metal and hip hop go well together but not metal and pop. Ha-ha. 

Tony: Don't really dislike anyone enough not to perform with them.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that? 

Nick: Stage fright is natural, I think anyone who performs has some anxiety before taking stage. You're putting yourself and your music out there, so I think it's normal to be concerned with how you present it and how it's accepted. Just breathe and trust your band mates. Have fun and enjoy it. It's music, it's suppose to be fun.

Bobby: Yes. Face your fears head on and with conviction.

Shane: I was always in school plays during school but would be nervous standing in front of class reading a book report. Just know there is a big difference between those two things. Just because you dislike standing in front of a class doesn't mean you will have the same feeling in front of a cheering crowd. On stage, you can feed off the energy of the audience to fuel your performance.  

Tony: I myself suffer from anxiety disorder and panic attacks.  l don't have stage fright, but I do get anxiety after we finish our set and people start to bum rush us to talk or sign stuff. I'm the guy that stays on stage breaking equipment down till everyone gets tired. Then I can come off stage more comfortable and talk to fans. LOL.

11. What bands have you inspired the most?

Bobby: As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage, Metallica, Motorhead, Misfits, Pantera.

Shane: Aghhhhhh, too many to name them all. Kiss and AC/DC got me started on heavy music as a kid. When I started forming bands Metallica, Machine Head and Pantera were influences but I've always looked up to POD and For Today because they have kept their faith up front and it hasn't slowed them down.

Tony: Kiss, Dokken, Pantera, Love and Death, Islander, POD.  

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

Bobby: Nothing yet. LOL.

Shane: Not really weird but I'm normally wearing some stretchy bracelets in case a fan wants one.

Tony: My underwear. LOL.

13. What do you think of your fans? 

Nick: I think the metal scene itself is amazing. There's an intense honesty in how everyone carries themselves. It's never about being the popular one in the crowd. It's about the brotherhood, the music, and freedom that the music is conveying in each riff.

Bobby: Absolutely love every one of them.

Shane: Anyone giving of their time to check us out deserves a shout out. We do this cause we love it and when we find people out there that also like what we are doing, it's awesome. 

Tony: I Love our fans. Having them is the best reason to write and play our music. 

14. What do you think of our site? 

Nick: Great.

Bobby: Very, very awesome.

Shane: It's great to find sites promoting heavy music especially letting smaller independent artist have a chance. 

Tony: I like your site. Very cool.

15. Something to add? 

Nick: Be sure to check out flawedbydesignband.com 

Bobby: Never forget that the Lord works in mysterious ways.

Shane: We are just excited to put some positivity out into our favorite genre of music. We don't want to say we feel your pain. We want to say let's break through that pain and move on to something better. 

Tony: I want to thank everyone that supports FBD. We Love and Cherish each and everyone of you. I Can't wait to meet you at our upcoming shows.