This week we had two not one but TWO interviews!!! I found this band via twitter. Right away I knew they were one band to watch for. Due to my conflicting schedules I haven't been able to see them live....yet...I hope that will change in October! I could go on typing about this band but I think it would be more enjoyable to check them for yourself. Here is my recent interview with the band Hitokiri! Enjoy Munsters!
Lacey-Origin of band name?
Hitokiri: We were looking for a name after having a taken name for quite a while. We wanted something that sounded unique from other bands that were doing around what we were doing. Our vocalist, Cody, proposed the name Battousai, but we didn't want to be named after an anime. The person that Battousai was created after was a hitokiri. We all liked the ring of it and it had an interesting history. A hitokiri is a samurai elite and considered undefeatable by normal people. The word, roughly, translates to human cutter.
Lacey-Which famous bands do you admire and why?
Michael (Guitar): Stick to Your Guns, The Story So Far, Neck Deep, Taking BackSunday, Brand New, Buddy Holly, Modern Baseball, Roy Hamilton, Defeater, Northlane, Stray from the Path, The Ghost Inside, Gideon, Sworn In... All these bands or artists have impacted my life and inspired me at one point. I love a lot of different music.
Jake (Guitar / Vocals): Deftones, The Story So Far, Green Day. I don't listen to a lot of "famous" bands. Green Day got me into music, Deftones kept me in music when I tried giving up. Knocked Loose, Kublai Khan, and an old local band This, My Vendetta are all in my top ten and definitely worth mentioning though.
Drew (Bass): The Amity Affliction, Stick to Your Guns, Turnover, The Story So Far, and Modern Baseball. The main reason I admire these bands would have to be the stage presence they bring every time they perform and their meaningful lyrics.
Cristian (Drums): Architects, August Burns Red, The Devil Wears Prada, Sylar, Reflections, and Underoath.
Lacey-Describe your sound to new listeners?
Hitokiri: A blend of hardcore and metalcore. We've been described as heavy hardcore. We can't call ourselves hardcore, so we just call ourselves "Heavy"; hence "Glendale Heavy."
Lacey-Most memorable show so far?
Cody (Vocals): Knocked Loose with Orthodox Straight Edge, Another Mistake, and all the locals on that bill (8/29). Memories were made.
Michael (Guitar): Knocked Loose (8/29) was my favorite show because we played with our good friends in Disservice and Lifelink. The locals were stacked for that show. Loved the response we got.
Jake (Guitar / Vocals): We played a show with Knocked Loose (8/28). It was so much fun to play with the majority of my favourite local bands. Knocked Loose is easily one of the best bands around.
Drew (Bass): Knocked Loose (8/29) was easily one of the best shows I've ever played. The energy in the room was unimaginable.
Cristian (Drums): Silent Planet at 51West back in June (6/15).
Lacey-Where do you see the band in five years?
Hitokiri: Touring, with a few more releases under our belt, a solid fan base, current line-up. Still being the same best of friends we are now. We will be more than happy regardless of if we are big or not. We're best friends.
Lacey-What inspires you guys during the writing process?
Cody (Vocals): I try and be true to myself, and write about things that trouble me (as cliche as that sounds).
Michael (Guitar): I love writing when there are twinkles lighting the room because it makes me feel at peace with myself. I also love writing when I'm with Jake -- we bounce off of each other very cohesively. When I write, its my chance to share with the world what I'm feeling like, through the music.
Jake (Guitar / Vocals): Something I hear in my head that I try to recreate. Most of the time, I mess around on my guitar until I find something I'm in love with. I want to create music that creates a reaction, so that's always on my mind. Mikey and I's writing usually is complimenting in that we'll usually write chunks to songs at different times so long as it fits the tone or direction of the song.
Cristian (Drums): To be unique and not have every song sound the same with a different breakdown pattern.
Lacey-This next set is my random fire questions...Something fun and light
Lacey-Pizza or Pasta?
Hitokiri: Pizza
Lacey-Ghost or Goblin?
Cody (Vocals): Ghost.
Michael (Guitar): Goblin.
Jake (Guitar / Vocals): Ghost.
Drew (Bass): Ghost.
Cristian (Drums): Ghost.
Lacey-Favorite album and why?
Cody (Vocals): Slipknot - Self-Titled. My stepdad got it for me when I was around 11 years old and it's more or less the reason I started to pursue music.
Michael (Guitar): Senses Fail - Let It Enfold You. This album got me into music and got me into wanting to start a band.
Jake (Guitar / Vocals): I can never narrow it down. Adrenaline, Around the Fur, and Deftones by Deftones; Knocked Loose - Pop Culture; and This, My Vendetta -Lineage.
Drew (Bass): Basement - Colourmeinkindness. This album really inspired me to incorporate certain riffs and overall grunginess to my writing style.
Cristian (Drums): Underoath - They're Only Chasing Safety. Its almost 12 years old and it still holds up as a solid album.
Lacey-Any rituals before a show?
Cody (Vocals): I try to drink some coffee before I get on stage.
Michael (Guitar): I always wash my hands before I play, drink a full water bottle, and get super agitated (so I can release it on stage)!
Jake (Guitar / Vocals): I have Crohn's, so I try to poop.
Drew (Bass): None.
Cristian (Drums): None.
Lacey-Best thing since sliced bread?
Cody (Vocals): Extra strength garlic sparkling power bait.
Michael (Guitar): Batman.
Jake (Guitar / Vocals): Dogs.
Drew (Bass): The selfie stick.
Cristian (Drums): Vegan sliced bread.
Lacey-Last but not least anything you guys would like to add in closing?
Hitokiri: Thank you for interviewing us! We love everyone who has given Hitokiri a chance and supported us. We've put a lot of effort into this. Huge thank you to Dmitri at Mantooth -- the best lead feature guest vocalist of all time.
HITOKIRI // Glendale, Arizona
