Interviews: Pistacia

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metalcore band, Pistacia 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 planned it or came out just like that?

I am a very big fan of Ancient Egyptian culture. One day I was reading an article on mummification when I came across the word “Pistacia” and thought it sounded beautiful. Not only that, but Pistacia is a type of tree and it was pretty significant. The resin from these trees was poured into skulls to prevent them from collapsing during the mummification process. So on the surface, it’s just a tree, but then you dig deep and it’s about preserving the dead which I find beautiful.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I have always wanted to be in a band that had screams and cleans. I have always been a singer but once I learned how to scream I knew it was what I wanted. To do both is a dream because there is a lot of overlap among fans.

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

Yes actually. Theo, Ron, and Ben were in a band together Mudfuck. I joined them on a tour and asked if they wanted to sign up for a class together. At school, we have ensembles which are basically cover bands for a grade. I asked the guys if they wanted to be in a Pierce the Veil ensemble and they said yes. A year later and I asked them to be in Pistacia with me. Then we cycled through a few drummers (like every other band) and finally got to Thomson. Thank goodness too.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Vic: For all-time favorite, I’d say it's between Pierce the Veil and She Wants Revenge.

Ron: My all-time favorite band is Nirvana.

Theo: My favorite bands are a tie between Northlane, The Beatles, Coldplay, The 1975, and Sleep Token.

Ben: I don’t know it’s always changing. Right now it's Fluids.

Thomson: Uh, Linkin Park, Breaking Benjamin, Ice Nine Kills, and Intervals.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Most of our songs are about mental health. I talk about specific symptoms and diagnoses in each song. Mental illness is my favorite subject because I can go on and on about how it affects my life day to day. I want to normalize talking about everything that goes on in one’s head during an episode of a panic attack. These things are relatable and I’ll do anything to make even just one person feel less alone.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was in New Hampshire at a backyard festival a friend of ours throws every year. It was the most fun I have had in a long time. By far my favorite gig I have played.

7. Where would you like to act?

I would love to play a show in Ohio again. We made a lot of friends and fans after playing Inkcarceration in 2021 and they miss us and we miss them. We keep getting asked to come back but it’s not in the cards yet.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

I think it would be fun to have Vic Fuentes, Kellin Quinn, Kyle Andersson, Gerard Way, or Craig Owens feature on one of our songs. And I think it would also be sick if I were to feature on any of their songs.

9. Whom not?

Ahhhhhhh that’s a rough question to answer. I personally would not want to work with MGK. Like most of the metal community, I’m just tired of him.

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

Ron Bernhaut (Bassist): I definitely used to. There’s a video of my first high school cover band and it was rough. I was like a statue. Also playing Inkcarceration was definitely more intimidating than I thought it’d be. Now I can’t wait to be on that stage. Learn to play your part completely solo without accompaniment and point out when your bandmates make mistakes (kindly) to build confidence that everyone knows their parts. Also, remember that the visual aspect of performance is super important- people go to SEE you, so run around and give them some eye candy- movement, connection with the audience and having fun will give you WAY more confidence than being a perfectionist about knowing the parts verbatim.

Ben Sonsire-Cummings (Guitarist): I’ve been performing in some capacity since I was about 10 years old, and especially in those earlier years, I did for sure. I think the best way to get past it is to push yourself to perform as much as possible; doesn’t matter if you’re playing a big show, an open mic, or just for a little group of your friends. Even if it doesn’t go away, it’ll lessen. Nowadays I might get a little anxious in the few minutes leading up to a set but it kinda just goes away when I get immersed in performing.

Vic Gregg (Vocalist): I still get stage fright for every show. I think it's because there's a lot riding on my performance. Being the frontman, if I fuck up then it makes the rest of the band look bad. I put showmanship before technicality but being that I do cleans and screams I need to be on point in both regards. Lately, I have been gassing myself up with some affirmations like, ‘ I am literally amazing what am a worried about?’ or ‘I have been doing this for years being anxious about it is cringe.’ While being nervous is completely valid, I tell myself that I am great anyways. Slowly but surely I will start believing that confidence will MAKE your performance.

Theo Chaouat (Guitarist): I’ve suffered from debilitating stage fright. I had to stop eating before shows, and warm up for three hours by myself on my first tour and over time it got better. I still get it but I can manage it and it goes away after the first song in a set.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

There are many bands that influence our sound. But the band that influenced me the most growing up was My Chemical Romance. I admire their story and where they came from. Also, Gerard’s performance style is by far my favorite.

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

Okay so I’m very active on TikTok and something I get commented on often by some pervy followers is screaming “just for them” in a sexual way. It's honestly so cringing that I don’t get offended anymore.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Besides the perves our fans are awesome. We have some really loyal fans that will share our stuff anytime we post or release. We get the kindest comments from female vocalists that look up to us and they are just all around so supportive.

14. What do you think of our site?

I love your site just the fact that I was able to do this is so sick. What an honor it is to speak to you and I thank you for your time.

15. Something to add?

We just released a single “It Was the Cat” and our fans love it so far. It’s one of three songs on our EP “Edgy” that we are releasing this fall. “It Was the Cat” is about self-harm and how abusive people can cause us to seek unhealthy coping mechanisms. Theo and Ben are the masterminds behind the track and when they showed it to me I immediately had a chorus in mind. A great song was written by great people for great people. Edgy as hell.