Ignite Interview~ Let’s get to know ‘Fused By defiance’!!
• Tell us a little bit about the band and how long you have been together for some of our readers that may not know about the band? –
Fused By Defiance has been around since 2012. We released our first EP titled ” Weapons Of Mass Distraction” in 2014. It had a great impact with fans all over the world. We got numerous radio and podcasts rotations. Soon after we played our biggest show sponsored by the known Los Angeles radio station KLOS 95.5fm with the help of radio hosts Heidi and Frank Show for SoGFest at the famous “The Grove of Anaheim” infront of thousands of attendees. Soon after we landed a Vans Warped Tour spot for the Pomona stop. In mid 2016 we released our Self-titled EP but unfortunately soon after we went on hiatus and in 2017 everyone went their separate ways. Fast forward to late 2019 when my guitarist Kevin gave me a call and asked me if I would like to bring Fused By Defiance back? I said “Let’s do this!”. We recruited back our original bass player Jon but unfortunately our vocalist Ryan moved back home to New Jersey and our drummer Edwin went onto a different endeavor with his music career. But that didn’t stop us to call our old friend Ted Kelliher if he would like to jump as a permanent drummer and was stoked to be part of the team. Then after handful of vocalist auditions and almost calling it quits again, we find our current vocalist Taj who definitely has brought a whole new modern sound to our music! We then released our first single “Insanity” in March of 2020 then a week after a week of being released…Well, I think you know what happened next! But once everything started opening up, we soon released another single “Cancel Culture” which to this day it’s still climbing numbers!
What got you into music and what keeps you going night after night playing? –
Funny story, in my early teenage years I used to be into Hip-Hop, Rap and even Deep House music. I remember bumping Tupac, N.W.A. Coolio (RIP) and Deep House music where sometimes at school during lunch my buddies and I would have breakdance and “pop lock” battles. But one day I remember watching KoRn’s music video for their song “Blind” and as soon as I heard Jonathan Davis screaming “Are You Ready” and those heavy tuned down guitars came in, I was like “WOW!!! THIS SOUNDS AMAZING!” That changed my life completely where right away I wanted to pick up a guitar and be in a metal band! That’s basically what keeps me going everytime I play live! I want to be living music every day!
• So, what is new with the band?..New Album out? New Videos?
We’re about to release a new single/lyric video for our track titled “Villain” on October 14th. Then we’ll be hitting the road soon after for the “American Invasion Tour” supporting WoR for the western region dates which you could find more info on our social media sites!
• If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing right now? –
I’ve been a grease monkey since High School. I love cars and fixing them! If I wasn’t rockin’ out, you would find me under the hood.
• What is the weirdest or funniest question you have ever been asked? –
There was this one time where a random guy saw me with a shocked face and asked me if I was this famous latino boxer? (I forgot the boxers name, lol) Of course I said no. He then showed me a picture of the boxer he thought I was on his phone, and I was surprised how alike we do look! We could pass as twins, lol. Keep in mind the boxer had short hair and I have long hair but that day I tucked my hair inside my hat which made the guy think I was him, lol.
• If you can have your fans remember you for one thing, what would that be? –
Our live shows! We always leave our mark!
• On a scale of one to 2593, How good is your new single compared to your last single? (my attempt at humor, but please still answer) –
Not to sound cocky, but all of our singles we release are 2593 =)
• What do you feel is the best song you have released to date and why? Just like my answer above…every single is our best!
• Do you think you can get any better as a musician/singer? And if so, How would you achieve that?
You can always get better if you learn and practice new techniques! Music is always evolving and so should you!
• If you could give your fans one random fact about you that you think they should (or should “not” know) about you what would that be?
Well, if you must know, right before I go on stage, I brush my hair for about 5 minutes so it can look nice and straight when it’s time to rock out, lol.
• You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be and why? –
I would be the color black cause one, it has always been my favorite color or “shade” and two, it blends and goes with everything.
• Who are you inspired by? –
Musically for the past 25 years I have always been inspired by my all time favorite band “KoRn” specifically by guitarist Munky who has been my idol since then.
• What’s an average day like for you? –
I’m an auto mechanic by the day, dad and husband in the evening after work and musician by night.
• Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans?
Because of social media being in your fingertips, it’s really easy to interact with our fans. We love it when fans send us messages and we always respond to each and every one of them. Without them, there is no Fused by Defiance!
• Have you ever dealt with performance anxiety? –
Surprisingly I have never felt that, it’s totally the opposite. I just want to go on that stage and give the fans a show!
• Tell me about your favorite performance venues?
There is one venue where every single time we got booked, it was always a blast! It was called “The Cave” up in the mountains in Big Bear, CA. We played there around seven or eight times I believe. The stage was big and beautiful, the sound was amazing, the staff treated us like royalties and the fans up there packed the place every time we performed! Unfortunately, the place recently closed down thanks to Covid.
• What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
This industry is really tough and sometimes you’ll question it if you should keep going. Don’t give up! If a door closes on you, knock on the next one till one opens.
Tour Dates Supporting W.O.R.:
10.20 – On The Y – Sacramento, CA
10.22 – Vessel Taphouse – Lynnwood, WA
10.25 – Liquid Joe’s – Salt Lake City, UT
10.26 – Your Mom’s House – Denver, Colorado
More to be added soon!
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