Interviews: Soldiers Of Solace

This is a new interview with the Heavy Rock band Soldiers Of Solace from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Jason: When I was very young, a friend of mine told me that people find “solace” in me. She told me that people feel safe to be vulnerable around me and that I offered refuge to those who needed shelter. That has always resonated with me and I take that responsibility seriously. Many years later, when it came time to decide on a band name for this project, the word “solace” continually surfaced in my psyche. It is a call to arms and I want to fight for people’s sanity and help to heal their trauma. I wanted to create an army that would fight to help others through music. I wanted to create an army of soldiers… soldiers of solace.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Francesco: Rock and Metal is the type of music that represents me the best with the groove and intense energy.

Gary: I’ve always gravitated to expressive hard rock energy and sentiment. Got me through my teens.

Lon: The guitar has been part of my life starting when I was eight. I have always listened to and played music that incorporates the instrument.

Jeff: Throughout my life I’ve played many different genres from extreme metal and thrash and just have moved into this style by becoming and approaching song writing differently. Also appreciating the band members style and magnetism.

Jason: I tend to not think of music in terms of “genre” (for the most part). I think of music in terms of expressing emotion through various styles of communication. For instance, Beethoven rocked just as hard and heavy as any modern-day hardcore band or metal band ever did. Pure, unadulterated emotion.

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

Francesco: No, I met Jason on craigslist. I was here in the States from about 3 months and I needed to find a band. Jason was one of the people who responded to my add.

Gary: No. I was in another band before. I knew who Soldiers of Solace was. They were highly respected in the scene. So when the chance came to audition for bass, I jumped on it.

Lon: I did not know anyone in the band prior to auditioning and then joining.

Jeff: No not exactly, I met Jason at a show with another band he was in and we shared a show in Hartford.

Jason: No. I still don’t know these guys!

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Francesco: This is a thought question…I give you 2, Metallica, Pantera

Gary: Metallica

Lon: Dream Theater

Jeff: of the moment Lamb of God

Jason: I don't have a favorite band. If you turn on my radio station in my car right now, it's set on a 1940’s station… if that tells you anything.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Francesco: It’s the best way to express myself and show others my creativity. Sometimes I get inspired by other band or people, sometimes ideas just come up from nothing or from playing a random bit.

Gary: The desire to connect with fans is my drive to write. 

Lon: Being able to play live and share music with others.

Jeff: I love a good heavy riff! And when I hear it in my head or jamming to drum beats I get inspired to write songs. Sometimes just pieces and sometimes full songs. I also prefer to write in a live situation. The feeling in a room really moves a song especially when you can get a vibe or reaction from the whole band.

Jason: I am blessed with a diagnosed anxiety disorder as well as an undeniable artistic drive. I have not lived a sheltered life and have been through some very dark and difficult life events. At times, I find it nearly impossible to process my thoughts and memories, and I feel that I have lived 1000 lives. Writing and performing original music affords me the rare opportunity to process my own thoughts and feelings in a way that is cathartic, therapeutic, and healthy. When I connect with listeners in the audience, even if it's only for a fleeting moment of eye contact or a hand slap as I reach into the crowd, it creates a collective consciousness and it helps us BOTH to be comforted in a strange way… it helps us BOTH to feel like we are not so alone. 6. Where was your last gig? Webster Theater - Hartford, CT

7. Where would you like to act?

Francesco: Anywhere there is people that actually want to listen to music. If I have to pick a dream place, I always wanted to play at the Ozz Fest

Gary: Outdoor Festival

Lon: Anywhere that people appreciate music.

Jeff: I would love to be at a festival anywhere!

Jason: I have performed in front of thousands of roaring fans in huge arenas and I have also performed for a lone bartender in a dive bar. I learned a long time ago that every single person in the audience deserves my absolute best when I am on stage. Having said that, to answer the question ‘where would I like to act?’… The answer is: anywhere people genuinely want to hear our music. I wouldn’t mind playing Foxwoods, Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theater… you know, small, intimate venues like that.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Francesco: Metallica, Foo Fighters (Dave Grohl is my biggest inspiration), Parkway Drive, Godsmack, Stone Sour, Gojira, Korn… I can go on and on 

Gary: Metallica, Foo Fighters, or Godsmack

Lon: Mastodon

Jeff: Megadeth, Misfits, Rob Zombie

Jason: Metallica, Parkway Drive, or Killswitch Engage.

9. Whom not?

Francesco: there is really no one

Gary: Island Boys

Jason: Dead by Wednesday (Just kidding! Love you guys!)

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

Francesco: I get adrenaline before the show, but it is normal, just embrace it, breathe and be you.

Gary: Every show

Lon: As an undergrad during a playing jury. Learn to be okay with mistakes. It's part of the process. Imperfection is part of being human.

Jeff: I get anxiety prior to hitting the stage but channel it into the performance! It’s therapeutic!

Jason: As a person who suffers from a diagnosed anxiety disorder, ironically no I don’t get stage fright. As a matter of fact, it’s probably one of the few places that I feel completely and utterly at home. My advice to anyone who does experience stage fright is… don’t ask for permission to perform. Just perform.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Francesco: Metallica, Pantera, Sepultura, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Dream Theater, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity

Gary: Metallica, Megadeth, Sabbath, Tool, Godsmack, Zeppelin, Foreigner, Toto, Pink Floyd, Dio, Orphaned Land, Rush

Lon: B.B. King to Van Halen to Dream Theater and Mastodon.

Jeff: Eddie Van Halen, Dime/ Pantera, Damageplan, Black Label Society, Randy Rhodes/Ozzy

Jason: The Rat Pack, First Aid Kit, Hatebreed, Killswitch Engage, and Parkway Drive.

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

Francesco: Ah..a lot of weird things happened on tour

Gary: to sign their breast

Lon: CDs and shirts. Nothing weird.

Jeff: Nothing weird ever

Jason: A suicidal fan asked me to visit him because one of our songs gave him hope to live another day. This changed my entire view of my purpose, as a musician.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Francesco: They are awesome, one of the reason why I do this.

Gary: They are the reason I do this.

Lon: SOS fans have been great in accepting me as a new member of the band. It feels like I have been here for a lot longer than I have. The fans make it worth every minute.

Jeff: The fans of this band are the driving force of it!

Jason: I will be brutally honest here… I have a LOT of respect for our fans and supporters. It’s incredibly important to stay humble and appreciative of anyone who supports the band. But at the same time, you need to be careful not to become a “hostage” to what others expect of you. I realize that people have certain expectations of artists and can sometimes claim ownership of what an artist does. If I were to say I write and perform music SOLELY for the fans, I would be lying. The truth is, I do this because it is my unique journey. But anyone who truly knows me knows how dedicated I am to our supporters. Nothing but love and respect.

14. What do you think of our site?

Francesco: Nice!

Gary: Killer!

Lon: Awesome! There is a lot of music to discover.

Jeff: Awesome!

Jason: Refreshing

15. Something you'd like to add?

GARY: Check out our new single Worlds on Fire if you haven't (link here!)

Jeff: Ditto to Gary’s response!🤘🏻

Jason: Each of us walking this planet has certain greatness inside. None of us are any more fascinating, important, or precious than any other. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my energy with the world and I am thankful that the world continues to share its energy with me. Link to World on Fire: https://orcd.co/soldiers-of-solace-worlds-on-fire