Interviews: Shock Culture

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Metalcore band Shock Culture 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, did you plan it or did it come out just like that?

Jon came up with the band name after a million names were rejected. I think we had more arguments over band names than anything else.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

To be honest, we don’t even know what genre we are. Each member listens to a wide variety of music. Dave, the singer and main lyricist, comes from hardcore, and his approach to vocals reflects that. Jon, the old guy and main songwriter, listens to all kinds of music; Cannibal Corpse, Carnifex, a lot of 80s/90s thrash, along with some Zappa, Steely Dan, and Black Sabbath. He likes to think all those influences come through. Dan S. is going through a black metal phase at the moment. Dan H., our newest member on bass, was in the Baltimore-area math metal band Under the Pier. Matt moved from bass to guitar recently and is heavily influenced by the heavier metalcore scene.

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

Not even a little.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Jon – Carnifex

Dan Howard – Cave In

Dan Scarritt - Panopticon

Dave – Better Lovers

Matt – August Burns Red

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Jon writes riffs inspired by coffee and negative thoughts. Dave writes lyrics about the struggle of living life during late-stage capitalism.

6. Where was your last gig?

Oddfest in Port Deposit, MD.

7. Where would you like to act?

We are really looking at 2025 to grow our brand and get better exposure. We are looking into making a music video and have plans to record and drop a new album bythe  next holiday season.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We pair well with a fine red wine, but as far as bands we’d pair well with, give us a listen and let us know. It is one of the more difficult aspects of booking us. We ride a fine line between deathcore and metalcore.

9. Whom not?

We played a show with Smile Empty Soul, and boy was that an awkward pairing. They’re a great band, just not even remotely our style.

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

I believe everyone has had stage fright at some point. Just practice until what you’re doing is muscle memory. Try to have a good time, the audience will notice. No one knows your music most of the time, so the only one that will know you fucked up is you.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Locally ZFL, Anxietia, and Devil in Disguise are very cool musically and easy to get along with.

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

An autograph. Like Reagan in The Exorcist; we are no one.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We appreciate anyone and everyone who chooses to listen to us over the limitless other options out there. If you ever see us at a show, come say hi. We might even buy you a drink.

14. What do you think of our site?

There’s lots of great coverage from bands all over the world featuring a lot of different genres of metal.

15. Something to add?

Check out our latest release Monarch on every major streaming service and be on the lookout for a new album in the next year.