Grey Skies Fallen Interview is up 3/19/2014

1. So its been over 7 yrs since a proper full length album what bought GSF back to a full time band?

We’ve had a few people leave the band since 2006, starting with Jimmy, our bassist for 6 years in 2006, and then Joe D’angelo, a founding member of the band in 2011. From the time “Two Way Mirror” was released in February 2006 until mid-2010, we were not that active. Luckily, we still jammed occasionally and banked a lot of riffs over the years. When we got our shit together in mid-2010, we quickly wrote and recorded “Along Came Life.” At that time, we decided the band would be a studio project, and we would record digital EPs that we would give away free on our website. That EP came and went it seems. At the time, we didn’t realize it would be Joe’s last recording with us. He had appeared on every GSF release up to that point. So after Joe moved away, we decided to put together another EP using some songs we had written over the years. “Introspective” came together in a few months, and we recorded that as a three-piece. I handled all the guitars, Rossi on keys and Sal of course on drums. Dave Case of Helmet provided amazing bass work on that EP. After that EP came out, we were kind of lost again. We didn’t want to continue as a three-piece band just recording EPs. It was around this time that I joined a band called Buckshot Facelift, which was Sal’s side project. Buckshot has been around since 2005, and I joined their ranks as one of two new guitar players. Tom Anderer (bass) and I hit it off musically and jamming together was easy and productive. I started thinking that Tom should also play in GSF. So I asked him, he accepted, and that was that. At the same time, Joe Sanci, a guitarist in GSF for a short time in 2002 told me that he’d like to fill the vacant guitar spot. It seemed magic had happened, and we had a full band for the first time in 7 years.

2. Your last Ep's have had a more Prog and less Doom/Dark metal vibe why a move to more metallic sound again with " The Many Sides of Truth"

“Along Came Life” to me is dark prog rock/metal. It did have some death vocals on that EP, but in general, it was a mellow, melodic album. However “Introspective” was quite a metal album to these ears. Perhaps the doomy elements are replaced by black/death/prog stuff on this one…but that’s a heavy EP. This time, I think we made a conscious effort to return to the roots of GSF, and with two new members, it’s great that they add their touches on our formula.

3. You have been DIY since day one. Do you feel a good PR firm is all you need to promote and push an album in 2014?

We are finding out that a good PR firm can make a world of difference. We have recently started working with Earsplit, and we love the work that they’ve done for us in a very short amount of time. Someone has to get the word out there, and I’ve found out that I don’t have the ability to do that on my own, or on our own as a band. We need some help.

4. Is there a Theme or story behind " The Many Sides of Truth"

There are a couple. The main overall theme is pretty much what the title states. Different sides to every story, he-said, she-said, lies and deception, all the good shit in the world!

5. Has the Digital age been helpful or hurtful to GSF over the years? So many Bedroom musicians these's days .

Anything that can get the band out to more people can only help us. If that means giving all of our first 5 albums for free digitally, then so be it. I love that our discography can be downloaded in minutes and people can discover the band that way. Hopefully they dig the shit enough to buy our new record!

6. Will Grey Skies Fallen be touring in support of the new Album at all?

Being that we are now mostly in our mid-late thirties, and our lives dictate that we must pay the bills, it would be hard to do a real, proper tour unless something amazing came along. We plan on doing out-of-state weekend runs though throughout the spring and summer this year in support of the new album.

7. If you could sign with a major label like Century Media, Roadrunner or Nuclear blast would you ?

Of course. While I’m sure there are many headaches that go along with a huge label like that, there are great benefits as well. Thousands of people would be exposed to our music at that point. We would also be able to tour and do it the right way.

8. What are the members of Grey Skies Fallen currently Listening to any surprises ?

I listen to a lot of the same shit I’ve been listening to for years, so I guess that’s pretty bad! Everyone else is into such varied stuff, I wouldn’t even know where to begin! I am dying for the new Mew album to come out, however.

9. If some one told you that you had describe the bands sound in just 3 words what 3 words would you use?

Ambient dark melodies

10. GSF strides the fence of Metal, Prog and Avant-garde where do you the major of your fan base has stuck with you from over the yrs?

I think GSF is regarded as a doom band by most who know us. That’s where we started in 1996 when we released our first demo, when we were called Eve of Mourning. That stinking pile of garbage morphed somehow into “The Fate of Angels” in less than a years time. From there, the doom element has always stuck around in our music, even when we’d be in a more melodic death slant. On our lighter, proggy record, “Two Way Mirror” the doom guitars were replaced with melancholy of a different sort. All in all, I’ve always considered us a metal band from day one.

11. If you could tell new bands any one thing to help them progress to success and long term career in making indie music what would it be and why?

Stick with it when you know in your heart that you’re doing the right thing. Realize that bands are expensive, and you must be willing and able to pay for the pleasure of being in one. It aint cheap.

12. What is the NY metal scene like in 2014 are there still venues to play or is it more like the early days of DIY shows in halls and apt's across the boros?

The NYC scene is thriving these days, which is something it wasn’t doing back when we were starting out. There are a lot of great places to play, especially in Brooklyn. We are excited to get back out there this spring with the new album and play a bunch of these cool venues.

13. Who would you say are the bands that have made the most lasting impression on the sounds of GSF?

I speak for me only here, but I’d have to say My Dying Bride/Opeth/Death/Camel/Dan Swano

14. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts here

Yes, thanks for the time, Clint. We appreciate it. Also, everyone can download our entire discography for free on our website greyskiesfallen.com The new album “The Many Sides of Truth” is to be released on April 29th on both CD and Vinyl format. All of these can be pre-ordered on our Bandcamp page at greyskiesfallen.bandcamp.com. Finally, please like us on Facebook, because that seems to be important these days. We’re trying to break 2000 likes on there before one of us passes away.