Steve Smyth (The EssenEss Project, ex-Nevermore, ex-Testament)
January 2008
When and where were you born?
I was born in Northern California, a while ago! (Laughs)
What kind of memories you have of your childhood?
I was pretty much in between the good and bad kid. Always up to something... I always had a very good relationship with my parents.
Did you have a nickname back then?
Same as it ever was: “Smyth” By the way, my last name is pronounced SM EYE TH, not Smith. Funny how people always fuck that one up.
Did you parents support you when you discovered music?
Yes, my mother was a musician growing up, and had played guitar, piano, and sang, so I believe that's where I got it from. My sister also got into piano a little bit, but gave up. I got into music, and haven't looked back since.
Did your parents go to any of your shows?
Yes, definitely! That was always kind of weird, that feeling you get, when you're playing, and your family is there. Not every show, but they did come out when they could.
As a kid what was your dream to be when you grow up?
Doing music for a living was always my dream, and I am happy to be doing this to this day, in all areas I have an interest in being part of; recording/touring, and teaching music as well. I am teaching guitar over the Internet. Any of you out there who may be interested, please email me. There's always room for more here!
Can you recall when you took an instrument into your hand for the first time?
I first discovered guitar over at a neighbourhood friend's house. He had been playing for 6 months or so, and was trying to figure out songs by ear. He was frustrated at trying to figure out Back In Black, and hands me the guitar, and tells me to try it! I give it a shot, and pretty soon, I was figuring out the basic riffs (root notes largely, but then I found that 5th above the root), and even a few notes of the solos! I was hooked, and got into it from there!
What were your musical influences along the way of your career from the very beginning?
The earliest would be Aerosmith (the 70's era stuff). They were broke up when I got into them, and AC/DC, then Priest Maiden, and a new band out of my Bay Area called Metallica! That was the most awesome thing, hearing that album for the first time! Also at that time, I got way into Sabbath, and Ozzy, and Randy Rhoads, who had a huge influence and impact on my playing! Then Yngwie, and Akira Takasaki and Loudness, the Shrapnel 80's shred, and the list goes on! And that's just the metal!
Do you remember the first vinyl you ever bought?
AC/DC’s Back in Black.
And what was the last CD you bought?
Machine Head, The Blackening.
Do you purchase music regularly?
I do, and I'm all over the map, as you can tell from this debut album of The EssenEss Project! I love METAL, rock, jazz, classical, reggae, flamenco, and other types of "world" music, just to name a little bit. Some of this reflects on The EssenEss, and we're about to start writing for another album upcoming here.
What would be your three favourite albums of all time?
1.AC/DC Back In Black, the album that got me into it all. 2.Ozzy Osbourne Blizzard of Ozz, and Diary of a Madman (tie for 2nd). 3.Loudness Disillusion
And what is your favourite album that you played on?
Man tough one there! I am proud of every album I have ever played on, and grateful for the experience of creation with different people as well! I can't name just one, so I'll list them all (excluding guest spots): Vicious Rumors: Something Burning, Cyberchrist, Dragonlord: Rapture, Black Wings of Destiny, Nevermore: This Godless Endeavor and The EssenEss Project: The EssenEss Project.
What is your favourite song to perform live?
That is a tough one as well, as there were many I performed over the years that were favourites. I remember the first time we played Cyberchrist(from the VR album Cyberchrist), and the reaction from the crowd was huge from the first time we played it! That's a favourite memory. Playing Bittersweet Feast (from Nevermore This Godless Endeavor) is another one, and also the reaction from The EssenEss Project material we performed recently at the NAMM show, in particular, Just When You Think, was awesome as well!
What was your first live experience as a music fan?
My first live experience was Judas Priest on the “Defenders of the Faith” tour, and being a young kid, that show was fucking HUGE and unbelievable to me! They played for over 2 1/2 hours, came back for 3 encores! That ruled!
And when and what was your first live gig as a pro musician? What kind of memories you have?
My first gig was in a local club when I was 17. Prior to that, I had bands I was in during school and playing the school, parties, all that. The first real gig was nerve wracking, I was nervous; I wanted everything to be great! And, although we had a few “technicals” happen, the show went over alright, and it was on to the next one, trying to better what we did at the first one, and so on.
And what was the worse show of your life where something went really wrong?
Oh man, there have been a few scary moments, but when you're touring, anything can happen! I would say one I can remember quite well, would be where I was playing, and my amp blew up! I didn't have a backup, so my tech was scrambling to borrow one from one of the other bands, which saved the day and the gig! But that moment in time where you're up there, and the band is still going (the show goes on, it doesn't and shouldn't stop, unless you're the only guitar player up there),that can feel like hours! (Laughs)
And what was the strangest thing that ever happened to you on tour/stage?
One memory I have is playing Gods of Metal in Italy in 2000, with Testament. There was a huge rain storm the night before, and they had a canopy about 25 feet, on riggers, right above the front of the stage. Well, mid-set, the wind is picking up, and just as I go out to the edge of the stage for my solo, a huge sheet of water comes down, and gets me! (Laughs) I didn't get shocked or anything like that, luckily, and I was laughing while I'm soloing! I have pictures of that somewhere! The audience reaction was hilarious!
What do you prefer: playing in front of a small or large audience?
There's advantage to both; with a smaller crowd, you're right there, in their face, getting your point across. With a larger, festival type crowd, you're playing to a lot of people, and have to get the point across to many, while there are cameras in your face, and all kinds of other distractions that go along with that, but it's still killer, and a rush too!
What is the first thing you do after getting offstage?
Cool off, chill out, and come back down from that high of playing live.
What is the best and worst thing about being a musician?
The hardest thing about being a musician is the money; no one is in this business for that, and if you are, good luck to you! But, at the same time, you can't risk getting fucked over by anybody either, so when it's there, take it! The best thing about being a musician is the opportunity to create and get my feelings across through music, and there is nothing better than that to me! That, and meeting lots of people along the way, making fans and friends along the way, and travelling, which I love to do!
If you were to make a Dream Team of musicians who would you pick?
Wow, tough one. On vocals, I would say Brian O'Connor, who I have been working with again recently. On drums, Asgeir Mickelson, on bass, either Steve DiGiorgio or Sharlee D'Angelo. Not sure, haven't given it much thought, but I am putting together a new band right now, and am pretty sure those bass players are a little too busy right now. (Laughs)
Do you have any hobbies besides music?
Man, music consumes a large part of my life, so I would have to say no, unfortunately! Someday I'll bust out that Xbox! (Laughs)
What would be your day job if you weren’t a musician?
I really don't know, probably teaching music full time. This is a part of what I continue to do, so seems like the next step.
Do you follow politics?
I really try not to, but it's an election year, so....
So what is your opinion on the presidential election campaign?
My opinion is that there needs to be a rise of a 3rd party in the US, something to break up the status quo of what's going on. I haven't seen or heard one person running who isn't full of shit, and a fucking businessman waiting to cash in on the power of that job. Look at history, they all do it. And, I really haven't seen anyone who is potentially going to run as an “independent”, who would get my vote either. So...
I’m sure the toughest part of your life was when you realised your illness and going through the surgery. How do you remember back that period?
That was indeed a tough time, and looking back, I handled it the best way I could. I was open about it for a reason, and contrary to what I have heard others say about my reasons, it was largely to help gain exposure to the shortage of much needed organs, in this case kidneys, in the US, and in the world. This is a world problem, and a human issue, and unless you're extremely fucking shallow, or think this could never happen to you, the time is now to decide whether or not you could donate your organs for transplantation upon your death, or even to someone in need, in life. That's a hard thing for a lot of people to read, I am sure, but I know if the tables were turned, and someone was in need, I would help out if I could. I most certainly will repay the favour of a second shot at life given to me, by donating my organs upon my death. I only hope others will recognize the need for them to do the same. During my time of illness, my focus was on getting well again, and getting back out there again, as a musician, in all capacity that I was in before. I am still getting that together, and believe me, I have more than enough energy to do this again! (Laughs)
Did this make you think differently about life?
It makes me realize how close to death you can really come sometimes. If this hadn't been detected during surgery for a knee (my blood test came back with a higher than normal creatinine reading, which shows signs of kidney function), I might have died on tour. That simple. I am glad I found out, was able to do the touring I could with Nevermore for as long as I could, and had their support at the time, as well. Another thing this situation has made me realize, is that life is too short to waste on shit that doesn't really matter. You have to do what makes you happy, what makes you tick, not what others think you should be doing. I don't have time for that, and never did anyway. I have always done what I wanted to, made my own decisions as to where I would go next, and I have plenty more I will be doing in the years to come as well! You have to take life for what it is, and know when to move on, you know?
You’ve been involved in a few bands and projects. How could you sum up each and every period?
Vicious Rumors: My first real recording and touring experience, and a great experience that was, with great musicians! I learned a lot from my years with the band, stuff I will always take with me.
Testament: Another great touring experience, and with great musicians as well! I learned much from Chuck and Eric about the business, things I still use every day, and for that alone, I am grateful for my time being part of the touring machine we were during that period. LET ME CLARIFY ONE THING AS WELL: WIKIPEDIA HAS A VERY ERRONEOUS ARTICLE ON ME, and it says that I left Testament for Nevermore, because Nevermore was “more to my liking”! Well, HOW IN THE FUCK DID I GROW UP IN THE BAY AREA, LISTENING TO TESTAMENT, AND BEING A HUGE FAN, AND GETTING THE CHANCE TO PLAY IN THAT BAND, IF I WASN'T INTO IT?! (Laughs) Somebody doesn't know me very well, at all. To set it all straight here, the words that were said were some thing LIKE THIS: “Steve writes in a style that is similar to ours”, and I believe that quote came from Jeff Loomis, if I'm not mistaken. The opportunity was there, and I took it. I would have loved to do an album with Testament, we just never got to that stage where the music was satisfactory to Chuck and Eric, plain and simple.
Dragonlord: A new experience, getting into black metal music, and getting the chance to play in that style, and try to do something hopefully different with it as well! Great musicians, all!
Nevermore: Absolutely a good experience, but unfortunately, the dark side of the industry got in the way of what could have been a fucking beautiful thing. That's the way it goes, and I learned a lot from that experience, and got to be part of a great set of musicians, and to record an album that the fans describe as their one of their favourite albums from the band! You can't ask for more than that. A lot of great tours along the way as well, tours going back to their previous album as well. No regrets, but again, that's the way it goes, and life moves on, so do I.
The EssenEss Project: This is my collaboration with a long-time band mate and friend of mine, Steve Hoffman, and we've done practically everything on our own here, right down to selling the record ourselves, so far. We got one of the best drummers we could find to drum, Atma Anur, and set about making this instrumental album of music that is unique, progressive, and mood driven as well. This is something that will see some sort of touring behind it, and we will continue to write and release albums. I plan on having us do at least a few festival shows where we can as well. This is my venture into instrumental music, and I plan on being there for the future as well as getting back to metal!
What can we expect from you in 2008? Any band releases, touring?
There is always more coming from me! I am doing a few guest solo spots for a few international metal bands upcoming, and some friends of mine as well. We are working on The EssenEss Project doing a few live performances this year, and writing for a new album as well. I am also writing METAL music again, and getting way back into this with a vengeance! I hope to get this together over the first half of this year, and begin to record an album by the end of the year. I am also very excited about some news I received at this year's NAMM show, which will be revealed in the coming months.