Interviews: Brain Stem

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Death Metal band Brain Stem from Canada. Check out this 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 come out just like that?

The name "Brain Stem" actually came from our drummer, Alex. Back when we were first forming the band, we reached the point where we had to decide on a name, but none of us had anything specific in mind. Alex then told us that, when he was younger, he always wanted to name one of his bands "Brain Stem," but was always outvoted. We all loved the name right away—it’s simple, direct, and unique. So, we decided to finally give Alex his long-lost wish and make it our own.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Truth be told, we all love death metal, but each of us brought different influences to the table. Instead of sticking to one specific style, we decided to experiment with whatever riffs we came up with and see where they took us. That’s what makes us unique in a way—our riffs are all over the place, and no two songs sound quite the same.

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

Some of us knew each other personally from past bands and friendships, while others only knew each other in passing. But in the end, we were all connected through at least one member of the band.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

That’s a tough question! We all go through phases where we’re really into certain bands, then discover new ones or find out about new albums that just came out. There’s so much incredible music out there, it’s hard to pick just one favorite band.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

That’s a tough one. While our love for death metal definitely drives us, at the end of the day, we’re musicians who just love playing music and having a good time. So I'd say that the passion for the genre itself is what really inspires us to write.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was a Valentine’s Day show organized by this new promoter in town, "2 Doors Down." It took place in Edmonton, Alberta, at the Dive Bar & it was one hell of a night! They went hard with decorations & the place was freakin packed!

7. Where would you like to act?

We don’t have one specific spot in mind, but we’re always open to new adventures and exploring new places. With our new album coming out, we’re really hoping to start playing more out-of-province gigs this year. That being said, we’d definitely love to land a spot at Armstrong Fest in B.C or return to Loud as Hell in Drumheller, Alberta, in the coming years.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

There are so many artists we'd love to collaborate with—both bigger bands we admire and smaller acts like us. We’re all about playing music, so we’d be down to share the stage with anyone who makes great music really.

9. Whom not?

Not really, we're actually pretty easy-going dudes on that matter. As long as bands aren't some crazy lunatics & straight dick heads, we don't really hate on anybody in all fairness.

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

I can’t say any of us have experienced stage fright, to be honest. For me, the first time I stepped on stage as a kid, it just felt like the right place to be. I mean, sure it can be nerve-wracking at first, but with time and practice, it becomes second nature. My advice to beginners is to just keep playing and trust the process. If you feel like you're at home when you hop on that stage, then you know it's more than likely where you're meant to be.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Oh man, there are way to many to just name one specifically. Our writing style is influenced by such a wide range of bands, from some old school Black Sabbath to Cannibal Corpse or Dying Fetus & everything in between, type a thing.

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

I can’t think of anything too weird a fan has asked us, but back when I was in a band called "Display of Decay," a fan once told me he was going to eat my hair! To give some context, I’ve got this habit of ripping out chunks of my hair during shows. We played Armstrong Fest in B.C, Canada, and this guy found a huge ball of hair I left behind. He eventually tracked us down on the festival ground, told us he collected it, and was planning to eat it. We even had a video of it, but that was almost a decade ago now, so who knows if it's still out there.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Our fans mean everything to us. While we love playing death metal and the genre itself, we’re not focused on writing for a specific type of metal fan. What really makes it worth it is knowing our music connects with people and seeing fans enjoying our merch and having a great time at our shows. That’s what it’s all about for us.

14. What do you think of our site?

Honestly, I hadn’t heard of your site before, but after checking it out, I really dig that you have separate articles about things like the meaning behind tracks or the stories behind album covers. It’s awesome to see that kind of insight shared with fans. Keep it up!

15. Something to add?

Not really, but just a quick reminder to everyone out there to check out our new album Nullified, dropping on April 17th via CDN Records. If you’ve liked our two singles so far, you definitely won’t be disappointed!