Ahhh...
It's great to be back in front of my computer.
For one, that means I've taken a break from finding a place to live, and 2 that means Hot naked Lesbian Teens....


...and third of course writing witty things for you people to laugh at.

Living in NYC is not and easy thing by any stretch of the imagination. It requires cunning, guile, and a shitload of $$$. More importantly, being a music aficionado, it requires a very large amount of tolerance to deal with the shittiest of bands. Don't let the media fool you kiddies... Just because this is the capital of the world, doesn't mean that all the bands here are great. On the contrary, we have more horrible acts by the square yard than nearly anywhere imaginable, (save for Los Angeles I would guess). Trying to make it as a musician out here is a one of the toughest trials you can take on, simply for the number of crap acts clogging the plumbing of any scene. Right now, the city has been overrun by an 80's revival, and like I always say... What didn't suck enough the first time, can suck SO MUCH More when we try it again. So instead of blowing rails with some slut in leg warmers, I took a trip up to ol' Bean town to see what was a'brewin. Was I relieved when I came across this band...

Screams of Erida www.screamsoferida.comwww.screamsoferida.com or www.myspace.com/screamsoferida
I'll start off with what would normally be an obvious rule breaker...
Girl in Band...
Yet no cleavage showing...
Well I know this may sound "Un-Clay-like" but promptly after hearing the track Gods Confession off their "Burn the World" Ep, I realized she'd probably rip my testes off and wash them down with a shot of Wild Turkey for even peeking below the neckline.

So they get a pass on that one. (Because I worship my testes)

Equal parts Brutal and Carnal, this TRIPLE guitar lineup has been tearing up the New England Metalcore scene. The live show is a high energy sweat-fest, bringing back what was once lost in the glam age of nu-metal... plainly put, listening this band makes me want to eat a dead baby, and like it. You can instantly hear elements of the best bands in that scene, showcasing their hands on lessons from Ken Susi of Unearth as he produced their debut E.P.

Clay Cables: Being from Mass, which has been hailed as the Capital of the "Core" scene right now, do you find yourself in the shadow of the bands that came before you? Bands Such as Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage, and Unearth have tread such a mighty road, is it tough to find new ground to cover?

Jason Middleton: We get a lot of comparisons to a lot of great bands that all happen to be from our area. I don't feel we are in their "shadow". Anytime we are compared to any of these amazing bands, I look at it as flattery... we really don't worry about what other bands are doing ... we enjoy those bands ... but we just write music... what comes out comes out there has never been a point where a song didn't get written because it didn't have a "mosh part " or breakdown. We just do what we do there is really nothing that makes us "different". It's not a conscious effort ... when we are all in the same place at the same time it just happens because we work so hard.

CC: How does a band out of relative obscurity come out get Ken Susi in their corner? I understand that there's some history with that camp?

JM: I personally have known Mike Justian (current Unearth / ex-Red Chord drummer) since I was in 11th grade ... so we kinda had a foot in the door with that.

CC: I hear you guys are about to head out to your first run of a few dates in Canada. Is this your first romp up to the Great White north, eh?

JM: We are leaving the country for the first time the beginning of June. We are really looking forward to it. After we recorded the album we were talking with "Year of the Sun" records, which is based out of Canada, and released the "Desperate Souls" soundtrack that we are featured on. Another of the bands from that label "Pure Blank" was into what we were doing, and we have kept in touch. They asked if we would like to go out with them...

CC: When I first heard this was a three guitar band, my initial reaction was one of recoil. "3 guitars?!? Are they looking to deafen everyone from Bangor to Block Island?!" However despite being a Guitar Army... the arrangements are laid out very well. Heavy and textured, yet not so much that it's unnecessary... How do you manage to make room for everyone musically or even on stage? How was it decided that 2 guitars were not enough?

JM: We all now sort of have this unspoken understanding as to what our roles are in regards to writing and arranging. Three guitars wasn't a conscious decision it just sort of happened and it worked. It allowed us to harmonize parts and still have some sort of heavy rhythm part going, so it never gets thin. On stage is a different story... we have all been hit by instruments. It's not even a big deal anymore; it's just considered a casualty of war at this point.

CC: How does the songwriting process usually begin?

JM: Songwriting is not a process in our band... it just happens. We won't write anything for six months, and then it will just come flying out ... it's sorta like diarrhea ... you're not expecting anything than "oh shit" ... and explosion!

CC: Now every successful band has their leader, because Musical Democracies go nowhere but in circles... who's the Emperor of SOE, and who gets to kick him(*or her) in the dick(*or cootch) when they're out of line? (*trying to be fair to Stephanie)

JM: She is about 3 feet tall ... inflatable and hangs from a noose of mardi gras beads in our rehearsal space ... without her we are nothing ... and I'm not talking about Stephanie ...

CC: Any pictures so we can show the readers?

JM: No pics man. It's like taking pictures of the Amish... it would steal her soul.

CC: I remember once meeting you at the Living Room in Providence, R.I. when I was still playing around the NE area. Back then you were playing in a band, Spyndakit (we at fyourband.com hold no punches... i.e.: if you did gay porn, jail time, or lead a Scorpions cover band, we will report it.) How did you wind up doing this project, which is about a far of a left turn from that act as you can go?

JM: Personally I tried to push Spyndakit to be heavier, Grizz and Spoony were with me ... but the other musicians weren't into it. We had a few musicians in the area that we knew were fuckin sick (i.e. Peter Gagnon and Stephanie Curran) and we found Lee in a personal ad in the paper ... he was lonely... and looking for love in all the wrong places.

CC: What bands had Steph, Lee and Peter done before this?

JM: Stephanie previously performed in "Check the Chamber" "Madwack" and "Changing Skin" ... Peter was in the mighty "Crumble" ... the prettiest band ever. CC: So what's the Ultimate prize/goal for Screams of Erida...? Sell out as Pop Stars, eventually self destruct in a Prog Rock Band, or Turn to drugs and Live in a van down by the river?

JM: None of those are on our list of goals... but if I had to pick... I'll take the drugs and the van thanks.

CC: If this band was over tomorrow and each of you had the opportunity to join any band of your choosing, what would that band be?

JM: Nine Inch Nails

CC: Why NIN? And give me more than "trent's a genius."

JM: Have you ever seen NIN live??? (Note: approx 3 days later I saw NIN at sold out Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC) not only is the material timeless and probably some of the best music of our generation ... but the actual performance of those songs would be so energizing and moody and again explosive ... that I don't think it would ever get old ... (Exxxactly)

CC: Your live show has a reputation for being so High Energy... what is it that you want people to draw from it?

JM: Just that ... energy

CC: What other up-and-comers have you guys played with, and or have your attention right now? Any local regional stuff?

JM: burn in silence, burn in silence, burn in silence, within choking range, norseth and amaranthus from Maine

CC: Since our website is dedicated to the local and regional underground bands that have no idea how much they truly suck, can you send them any words of wisdom?

JM: Either you got it or you don't. I don't think there is advice you can give to a lost cause or something that is truly hopeless. As long as they enjoy their music and it gives them a sense of accomplishment and achievement then more power to them... I would however suggest they stay out of our path or they will get mowed down...

CC: What was the last pit you owned?

JM: The Kave in Bucksport Maine, best venue and kids ever!!! The kids there are just so passionate about the music... they go shithouse... those kids bring the mosh...

CC: ...And the Last movie you cried at?

JM: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

CC: Hands down... Worst band you've EVER seen?

JM: Downpore

CC: And finally a little music quiz....You're from Bah-ston, you should know these hometown heroes..... Please finish the following lyrics... "Listen up everybody if you wanna take a chance..."

JM: Just get on the floor and do the new kids dance.

(With that Jay and I proceed into a heart warming rendition of "Please Don't go girl."... )