Interviews: Jupiter Cyclops

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Hard Rock band Jupiter Cyclops 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 come out just like that?

Aaron: Those who are familiar with Clutch know it’s from the song Spacegrass. I love that song and always thought it would make a good band name. You just can’t sound like Clutch if you name your band that, which we don’t. It’s been good for ideas about lyrical and art direction because you can do so much with that name.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Aaron: It’s the music that influenced us most. The 70s and 80s hard rock and heavy metal riffs are what naturally come out for us when we are writing. We get to play with a lot of stoner and doom bands because of our classic influences and sound, but we are more of a classic metal band.

Dustin: It’s just the music that flows out of us.

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

Dustin: We did not. Aaron and I met through an Iron Maiden cover band. We found Jake through an ad in the music classifieds. We then found Kyle through another band in the local scene.

Aaron: Yeah, but Dustin and I were both at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City for a show at the same time. He was with his former band’s management or something and I was on tour opening for Slayer. We most likely ran into each other backstage.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Dustin: Metallica, Guns N Roses, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, and Van Halen and Slayer just to name a few.

Aaron: Iron Maiden all the way for me. Jake’s favorite band is Grand Funk Railroad.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Dustin: I love to play my guitar and see what comes out. I usually just go with the flow and if I like something I played I remember it.

Aaron: Same with me, I just let the music flow and what comes out comes out. For Cyclops, I know right away if it’s something that works for our style, but we are open to new styles as long as it rocks.

6. Where was your last gig?

Aaron: We have been on a playing hiatus this summer due to a baby coming soon in the band. Jake (bass) and his fiancé are having a baby in July. After that, we will start rocking again. The last show we played was in May with Tygers on Opium in Tempe.

7. Where would you like to act?

Aaron: I would love to get to Europe and South America. That’s where metal is home and people still love it.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Dustin: I’d love to open for Metallica or GNR. That would be a trip.

Aaron: Any legendary band like Iron Maiden would be amazing, but for a realistic option it would be Angel Witch, Diamond Head, Demon, or any NWOBHM from the past would kill. That’s our scene and we usually don’t get a chance to play for people that are into the classic metal.

9. Whom not?

Dustin: Anyone not fun.

Aaron: I don’t think we go very well with nu-metal, death metal, black metal, or anything extreme. We are more rock than those types of bands. Although I do appreciate the style and listen to some of it. We just wouldn’t please the fans of those bands. Like I said earlier, we play a lot with doom and stoner bands mostly and would love to play for some classic metal crowds.

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

Dustin: I’ve never suffered from stage fright. I just do what I do. Don’t think about it. Get up there and kick ass. If you’re worried about people not liking it, you’ll play worse and perform poorly. Just get up there and give the audience a good show.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Aaron: Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, 70’s Scorpions, Kyuss, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Sleep, to name a few.

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

Dustin: To play with my hair.

Aaron: Haha yeah I remember that! I can’t recall anything weird, but I am pretty open-minded. I think I signed a bong once in Down the Sun. 

13. What do you think of your fans?

Dustin: We love them. Anyone who wants to have a good time with us is more than welcome.

Aaron: Yeah totally. The fans are our constant supporters and the reason we like to play live. Without them, we’d just record albums and not ever play shows.

14. What do you think of our site?

Dustin: It looks great! I love how you give lesser-known bands the spotlight they deserve.

15. Something to add?

Dustin: Come and party with us!

Aaron: Check out our singles UFOnaut and Between Worlds and add them to a playlist if you like what you hear! We have a video for Between Worlds that just came out and the official UFOnaut video will come out on the album release day on 7/19.