EMQ’s With BLACK DAGGERS
EMQ’s With BLACK DAGGERS
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Canadian Hard Rock/ Heavy Metal band, Black Daggers. Huge thanks to their Lead Guitarist/ Vocalist, Cody “Valentine” Vandal, 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?
Cody “Valentine” Vandal, Lead Guitar and Vocals. We started in 2022 and just released our first album on October 31st, 2023, “Phantasmagoria”.
How did you come up with your band name?
It was meant to be somewhat of an homage to the founders of metal Black Sabbath and daggers just stuck.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
Red Deer, AB, Canada and the rock and metal scene here is decent. Lots of Hardcore bands and great audiences!
What is your latest release?
Phantasmagoria was released on October 31st, 2023 and we have several videos on YouTube presently with more being released soon. It’s a concept record about a Faustian Bargain gone awry. Our main character makes his deal with the Devil and then starts to fall apart, losing his mind and eventually his life.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Queens of the Stone Age is probably one of my biggest influences. I think they have really interesting songwriting and every record is an experience.
What first got you into music?
Friend in highschool wanted to start a band and I had broken my leg the summer before so I couldn’t play sports anymore so I put all my energy into playing and I’ve been hooked ever since.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Big Wreck (Ian Thornley), Jesse Hughes, Oliver Tree.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Download, so many cool bands have played there.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Painting.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
You guys rock! We appreciate every one of you!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Do you want zombies? That’s how you get zombies!
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
There’s no better feeling than being on stage with a crowd that’s vibing and on the other side there is no worse feeling than being on stage with a crowd that isn’t vibing. It’s great when you can win them over though.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
That musicians would stop getting the shaft in terms of payment. With the labels taking a slice, venues taking a slice, and all the other stuff that comes with it, bands actually don’t make a ton on the amount of money that gets made on their music so that should probably change.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Rated R” – Queens of the Stone Age
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
I personally like CD’s and I probably am alone there but the quality is usually very good and consistent.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
I played Canadian Music Week back in 2014 and we played two shows. That was a pretty solid one.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Office work.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Willie Nelson, Jim Carrey, Kevin Hart, Adam Sandler and Snoop Dogg.
What’s next for the band?
We’re actually working on some of the b sides from Phantasmagoria and some new stuff that will likely be coming next year at some point and then looking at some regional stuff in the spring.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
We’re active on all social media. You can find all our stuff at linktr.ee/blackdaggersmusic
Facebook.com/blackdaggersofficial
Instagram.com/blackdaggersmusic
Blackdaggersmusic.bandcamp.com
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?
A Bap?
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thanks for taking the time out to check out our band and we hope you enjoy our latest record “Phantasmagoria” .
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, 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.
