The biggest task of any new band is getting noticed, to break out of their local scene and become a real entity in the global market. But what about the ones who haven’t yet? What about the ones who are still waiting for that golden opportunity to become much more than just a local band? We chatted to two of North America’s underground prospects, Threatpoint representing the USA and This Burning City from Canada about inspirations, their local scenes, and ultimately, their aspirations in life as a band.
Threatpoint
From: Scranton, Pennsylvania
Sounds like: No-nonsense groove metal with a classic metal coating
Current release: Careful What You Wish For (album, out now)
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THREATPOINT’S SOUND?
Chris James (vocals): Our sound is made up of all types of metal and rock. We have broad influences from all different genres. So not any one source but we are pegged as a groove metal band.
WHAT BANDS AND ARTISTS INSPIRED YOU TO START THE BAND?
Chris: Iron Maiden was huge for me as I was growing up. Megadeth, Dokken, The Doors, Blondie, Testament, Sepultura were all my tops.
WHAT WAS THE LOCAL METAL SCENE LIKE WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP?
Chris: It was way different. Shows were always packed no matter what day of the week. People came out. You made your phone call to meet up and set your plans in motion. Then it’s party time. I think social media computers and economic depression hold people in.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR ALBUM CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR?
Chris: Everyone wants something but when they get it sometimes it’s not what they thought it would be. No matter what it is it’s not always as it seems.
WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THREATPOINT IN FIVE YEARS TIME?
Chris: On a decent label with a bigger following. We keep plugging along and doing our thing. Out of pockets record label is tough on us (laughs).
This Burning City
From: Ganonoque, Canada
Sounds like: Searing, melodic hardcore packed with emotion and vitriol
Current release: Blinded (EP, out now)
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THIS BURNING CITY’S SOUND?
Nick Deslandes (bass): This Burning City’s sound is a blend of heavy, hard hitting riffs mixed in with chaotic leads. You’re never sure if you should be banging your head or throwing a table. You get the occasional pretty chorus to make you think we have beautiful melodies and then we drown it out with more heavy riffs.
WHAT BANDS AND ARTISTS INSPIRED YOU TO START THE BAND?
Nick: The biggest band that inspired us to start is Dead And Divine. But continuing on, we took inspirations from bands such as Stray From The Path, The Chariot, Every Time I Die and Of Temples. You can really see where we get mixed up in what we want sound wise, but I feel like we pull it off. But plain and simple, we went to a Dead and Divine show, then decided we were cool enough to try making music for ourselves and thus here we are.
YOU’RE FROM A PRETTY SMALL TOWN – WHAT SORT OF MUSIC SCENES WERE THERE?
Nick: Gananoque itself has no music scene other than some yearly events. But thankfully the neighbouring city, Kingston, has become our essential home in regards to music. The music scene here has fluctuated more than an elastic band, but it’s been good to us. We’ve had some amazing acts come through and I’m thankful to have what we have. It’s not completely dead in the water.
YOU RECENTLY RELEASED YOUR DEBUT EP BLINDED – WHAT INSPIRED THE WRITING OF IT?
Nick: After events that lead to our disband, we got back together and re-imagined our style of music. What we did want, what did we like, what didn’t we like. All questions we asked. We settled down and aimed for the direction you hear in Blinded. We wanted heavy bits, fast moshy bits, a touch of leads and a boat load of chaos. I know all of us are proud of how Blinded turned out. Blinded speaks about people, governments, worldly issues and personal issues. We cover a broad range of topics.
WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THIS BURNING CITY IN FIVE YEARS?
Nick: I’d love to see This Burning City hitting up some wicked festivals. I went and saw Party Cat at Riot Fest and was the product of envy. It looked so fun! So maybe catch us next year at Koi Fest, Riot Fest or maybe even Warped!
Interviews by Luke Nuttall
