Interviews: CATEGORY VI

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Melodic Metal band, CATEGORY VI from Canada. 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?

The Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale goes from category one to five. Our music is powerful and forceful. Roman numerals look cool and metal when written and so, Category VI.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

The answer to that question really depends on how specific and deep one wants to get about the genre. To us we are heavy metal with many influences coming through each member. None of us can really recall a time as a musician when metal wasn’t the pinnacle and paradigm. Wanting to play metal wasn’t a consideration, it was more of a need.

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

The metal scene in St. John’s Newfoundland is small but thriving. Amanda Marie met Geoff Waye (Guitars) while playing in separate bands at a show in 2010. Shortly after Category VI needed a new singer and the rest is history. By 2014, Amanda was engaged to bassist Keith Jackman who had met Geoff 30 years ago while playing in separate bands. After an audition, no favoritism permitted, Keith joined later that year. The band has a “Spinal Tap” level of success with drummers all of whom we respect for their help and contributions. Their stories could make a good mini-series.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Amanda Marie – Dio

Keith Jackman – Metallica

Geoff Waye – Refuses to settle on just one and will fight you.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

The creative process in Category VI is constant. Geoff is always writing and keeping ideas. Keith writes in creative periods which are like purges or storms and Amanda comes forward with complete ideas that appear at just the right time in a mysterious fashion. Everything gets mixed into our cauldron and we stir together until we all know we have a song.

6. Where was your last gig?

The Rockhouse in downtown St. John’s.

7. Where would you like to act?

Holywood.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Jack Black

9. Whom not?

Johnny Depp

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

Not that we’d classify it as stage fright. A healthy level of respect for what’s about to happen will do a good show certainly. Be ready. Don’t practice until you get it right, practice until you can’t get it wrong.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

We all revere and draw on the big four and agree on that as a common root. Add in Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden and that would be enough. All these bands have truth to self and perseverance in common. That’s what we strive for too.

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

Ha ha ha ha ha. We’re a female-fronted group.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Smart, good-looking, and loyal.

14. What do you think of our site?

Awesome, very well done, and informative. Book Marked.

15. Something to add?

Thanks for letting us stand on your platform, it means a lot to have a chance to connect and be heard.