EMQs With Pythonic
EMQs With Pythonic
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Canadian Groove Metallers, Pythonic. Huge thanks to them for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Pythonic is a groove metal band founded in 2015. We started out with Dustin Reiner on vocals, Vincent Kohut playing guitar, Aj Rettger on drums, Ryan Hunter playing guitar, and soon after Alyxx Frayne started playing bass for the band as well. During the earlier years of the band, Pythonic gained a lot of experience playing live shows and had plenty of time to evolve our sound into something the band felt was unique and their own. Since then the band has seen many lineup changes with Dustin Reiner, Vince Kohut, and Ryan Hunter being the only original members in the group. Recently Jayden Warriner joined the band as the drummer and shortly after his brother Morgan Warriner to complete the rhythm section on bass.
How did you come up with your band name?
If I remember correctly our original drummer AJ had the name in mind. At first, we were all practicing and writing music together without a name, but then we got our first show at the Hafford summer sizzle. It took until moments before going on stage when we realized we needed something to call ourselves and then it was decided that we would be called Pythonic. The naming of the band was very spontaneous and natural which fits the way we write and play together.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
Pythonic is a Canadian band formed in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. With Saskatchewan not really being that large of a province in terms of population we tend to miss out on a lot of bands that tour through the country. That being said I would say Saskatoon has developed quite a committed and consistent following in the last few years. Attendance at local shows has gone up a lot and many more people in the local scene are getting involved in promoting shows, taking photos, and/or writing and recording music themselves.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
We Just released our new single called Pills which you can listen to on all major streaming platforms.
Who have been your greatest influences?
As a guitar player my top 2 influences are Dimebag Darrell while playing with Pantera, and Larry LaLonde of Primus. I always appreciated Dimebag’s ability to incorporate blues riffs in his music, especially in his solos. I am also guilty of playing way too many pinch harmonics which definitely comes from my interest in Dimebag’s playing. Larry’s lead playing on Sailing the Seas of Cheese caught my attention upon first hearing the album. His ability to think outside the box and find his place in such a bizarre style of music changed the way I thought about my lead playing.
What first got you into music?
The thing that got me into music was actually Rock Band 2. When I was around 8 years old I began playing guitar on the game and almost could not put it down. It got to a point where I was making sure I was practicing the game regularly so that I could complete the heavy metal songs on the harder difficulties. Those around me saw that I took such an interest and had the discipline and encouraged me to take up playing a real instrument. I wanted to play the electric guitar but was stuck on bass since that was all the school offered in the band program. Either way, I was excited to get my hands on my first instrument and soon after moved on to playing guitar.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I think Pythonic as a band would all say we want to play with the Canadian band Cancer Bats. Cancer Bats was a big influence during the early days of the band and we even covered a couple of their songs.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Don’t know if there are any in particular, but it would be incredible to play any of the bigger festivals in Europe. It would be great to interact with local scenes that we have never experienced and play for new crowds.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Once got a purse shaped as a cartoon cat face with money inside as a tip for the band.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Stay tuned for new music in the near future.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
I would have to bring back Dimebag Darrell just so that we can play a 12 bar blues together and alternate solos. Hopefully, learn a thing or two in the process.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
The thing I enjoy most about being a musician is collaborating with others to create music. It is exciting to see songs come together with everyone putting in their own taste and style. Oftentimes a riff brought to the table by a band member ends up taking a completely different direction just with how everyone else in the band plays along with that riff. With everyone contributing to the writing process we feel that we create music that is distinctive and our own. One thing I hate is hanging around in bars before playing shows. I’d prefer quiet right before going on stage to maybe warm up or tune which can be difficult in a crowded setting. That being said, the feeling of playing on stage and the adrenaline rush you get when playing such intense music makes up for it all.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I would like it if the music industry gave more opportunities for more experimental and unique-sounding bands and artists rather than relying on trends that are already known to be successful. I find it can be quite difficult to find artists who push boundaries in terms of their sound. Not to say they are not out there, just not in the spotlight.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
My all-time favourite album has to be “Obscura” by the Canadian Death Metal band Gorguts. There is some seriously groundbreaking material on this 1998 release. I really appreciate the dissonant harmonies as well as the incorporation of different genres throughout the album.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Vinyl has been my go to for quite a few years now. I do tend to use streaming services such as Spotify especially when discovering new music but for me, nothing beats the clarity and quality of a vinyl record.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Roughly a year ago Pythonic got asked to play a fundraiser show for the SPCA. The event was called Throw Down for the Pound. It was great to perform in front of such a large and interactive crowd to support a good cause.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I cannot think of a single thing I would rather do than write and perform music with a heavy metal band. Making a living playing music or not I think jamming with other musicians will always be a vital part of my life.
What’s next for the band?
The band is thinking of putting together a music video or two upon the release of the E.P. The next plan for Pythonic is to start getting more music recorded and released. Our sound has changed a lot since introducing Jayden and Morgan into the band. Our most recent material has pushed the band in a much heavier and rhythmic-orientated direction. It will be exciting to see how this influences our process in the studio.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
https://www.youtube.com/@pythonicband
https://www.instagram.com/pythonicband
https://www.facebook.com/pythonicband
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/pythonic/1522223734
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll, or a Tea Cake?
Going to have to go with tea cake.
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
