INTERVIEW: Silvertung ask ‘But, At What Cost?’
Photo: Silvertung are ready to rock with Bobaflex this fall. Photo courtesy of the band / Provided by Thermal Entertainment with permission.
Silvertung’s new album, (But, At What Cost??!), is a pulsating collection of hard rock songs that features lead vocals from Speed, guitar work by Codey, bass mastery by Sam Sour and throbbing percussion by Danno. They have been earning their credibility in the music industry, either as headliners or opening for the likes of Godsmack, Disturbed and Shinedown.
The new single off their recent album is called “Done My Best,” and it’s a sonically charged example of the recording efforts the band put into (But, At What Cost??!).
“It took a little over a year,” Speed said of the recording process. “We were working with a whole new idea of writing for the band, with new ideas and new waves of recording, so it kind of started off with a single, ‘Done My Best.’ It was one of those songs that just kind of drove us to a whole new idea of what we can do and how we can make it happen, not totally reinvent ourselves, but kind of give a whole new attitude to the band.”
The novelty of the album can be found in how the guys came together to write the songs. This time, they actually joined creative forces with producer Steven Wright (Slipknot, Mars Volta, Rihanna), and he actually helped the band craft the tunes.
“It was the first time we’ve ever done it this way,” Speed said. “We recorded all the music. And then I went back, and I wrote all the melodies and all the lyrics. We’ve never done it that way before, so this is a first time. So that’s kind of where it came from. It just started off with one riff from one song, which was ‘Done My Best,’ and it kind of drove itself from there. It was pretty exciting.”
On the road, Silvertung have been amazed by how the fans have responded to the new songs. They have been bringing the tunes around the United States these past few weeks, and this fall they appear on Bobaflex’s final tour. Future headlining dates include Aug. 9 at Halftime Sports Bar & Music Venue in Newark, Delaware, and Aug. 10 at Frederick County Fairgrounds for Vetfest 4 in Frederick, Maryland.
“We have been amazed by how the fans love the new album,” Speed said. “They know the lyrics. They want to know the meanings behind it. When we’re out on the road, they’re just asking so many different questions than what we’re used to, and it’s been pretty amazing so far. And we’re only on the first leg of the tour.”
Hearing the band’s recorded albums (Devil’s in the Details, Never Too Late, Out of the Box and Lighten Up) versus hearing them live is like two completely different experiences. Speed said the band prides itself on coming alive (even more than the record) when there’s a live audience banging their heads along to the guitar, bass and drums.
“A lot of our fans are like, ‘I love the new album. I think it’s fantastic, but to see you guys live, it’s completely different,’” he said. “They’re saying that you guys sound better live than you do on the recording, which has kind of been the total opposite from when I grew up.”
Often, the reverse is true for rock ‘n’ roll and metal music. The recording is beloved by fans, while the live experience has a tough time capturing the same energy. Not so for Silvertung.
“The process of recording and everything that’s put into it makes the sound so large, and then when they go see it live, it’s not always the same thing,” Speed said. “But with us, we’re getting just the opposite. They’re like, ‘I love the album. Fantastic production, but you guys are way better live.’ That’s kind of a new thing for us.”
When experiencing a Silvertung song, it becomes obvious — about 2 seconds into the track — that Speed’s voice is both unique and powerful. He is able to keep that metallic growl for the length of a tour because of the basics: good rest, good eats, good practice.
“I’m very healthy,” he said. “I eat very healthy. I take care of my body. I take care of my voice. I don’t smoke. I don’t drink. I don’t do drugs, so those things, all combined with plenty of rest, gives me the energy the very next day. And to be honest with you, I thrive off the energy of the crowd, too. There could be 5,000 people, or there could be five people. It doesn’t really matter to us. We’re going to give you the same show no matter what, but night after night, it’s been really good.”
Speed has been a rock and metal fan since he was a teenager. He remembers picking up his first guitar at the age of 15. The inspiration came from the Alice in Chains’ song “Man in the Box.”
“I just lost my mind,” Speed admitted. “Prior to that, there was Metallica. I heard Metallica, and I was totally into Metallica and always wanted to play guitar with Metallica. But as soon as I heard Alice in Chains, I kind of lost everything and thought to myself, that’s really what I want to do right there. I want to play guitar like Jerry Cantrell. Of course, I don’t play guitar like Jerry Cantrell, so I switched over to vocals. Alice in Chains has pretty much been the drive behind me. Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Disturbed, Godsmack — all of those bands drove me into wanting to do this for a living and realizing that I can actually do it and that I have something to offer to the world outside of just working some 9-5 job.”
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Silvertung are currently on tour in support of their new album (But, At What Cost??!). Click here for more information and tickets.
