Interviews: SCAPHIS

This is a new interview with the Extreme Metal band SCAPHIS from Australia. Check out the interview and follow the artist on his FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

S: I (Spyke) came up with the name before the band even existed, based on Scaphism - an alleged ancient Persian execution method that is brutally slow, disgusting, and horrible.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

S: The appeal of Death Metal for me is that it's FUN. We get to play really catchy heavy music, and I get to write songs about dark and disturbing things whether it's reality or fiction.

J: It’s always been what’s more natural for me to write, and I try to keep it fun to not just play, but also to listen to.

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

S: Ryan and I were previously in a band together called Bloodborne, and knew Josh from the local metal scene. Ben quickly became part of the family when we found him to complete our original lineup. Lance joined us a couple years after and now we’re all mates.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Spyke: Cattle Decapitation, Pallbearer, Acid Bath, and Cannibal Corpse.

Josh: Wintersun, Behemoth, Nile, Ensiferum and Bloodbath.

Ben: Wormrot, Rotten Sound, Aphex Twin, Squarepusher and Gorguts.

Lance: Queen

Ryan: Gojira, Soilwork, Scar Symmetry, Lamb of God, Dimmu Borgir, and Dethklok.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

S: I get ideas from all over the place, but I don’t often feel particularly inspired, it’s more just what I do, it’s part of who I am.

J: Sometimes what I’m listening to at the time can prompt ideas for a particular direction with a song or riff, but more often than not it’s just what comes to me when I’m sitting down with my guitar.

6. Where was your last gig?

S: We played an impromptu gig at the Bendigo Hotel in Melbourne the same weekend the final COVID lockdown in Melbourne was lifted.

7. Where would you like to act?

J: We’d love to visit and play shows in America, Europe, and Asia. Playing a metal festival in Europe is definitely a bucket list thing for me.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

S: We got to support Bloodbath when they last visited Australia which was awesome, it would be really great to support some of our other influences like Behemoth, Cattle Decapitation, Cannibal Corpse, etc.

9. Whom not?

S: We don’t have a blacklist, we’re generally happy to play shows with anyone as long as they’re not racist, queerphobic, or otherwise shitty people.

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

S: Deep breaths & push through. Nobody else is going to notice most of the mistakes you make, but they’ll notice if you look like you’re having a bad time.

R: I'll probably get some flack for this, one drink, don't get drunk, if you're feeling a buzz you've gone too far. But I find just sipping on a drink as I get ready helps calm the nerves. But most of all, try not to worry about it, everyone makes mistakes, and everyone plays a shitty show, it’s not the end of the world, just have fun up there.

J: Keeping yourself distracted in little ways can also help. The worst time is usually when you’re sitting there waiting for your turn to get on stage. Doing things such as warm-ups/stretches/checking your gear can pass that time.

B: Continuous and repetitive practice in my experience can always overcome any form of stage fright. However, I usually tend to fall into my own world when playing.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

S: We all listen to different music with a little overlap between us, we’ve never really set out to try and sound like any band in particular but you can definitely hear little bits that remind you of other bands.

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

S: Someone once asked me to rub fake blood from my face onto the set list they were taking home.

13. What do you think of your fans?

S: I love them, a lot of our local fans have become good friends of ours, they’re respectful and wholesome and kind. They’re the best part of playing shows, seeing their happy headbanging faces.

14. Something to add?

J: We appreciate everyone that has supported us and helped us over the years. It’s thanks to all of you that we can keep doing what we love and that means more to us than you could ever know.