EMQs With Backstabber
EMQ’s With Backstabber
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Hi! I’m Keven and I play drums in Backstabber, a Canadian death metal quartet from a small industrial town up north called Rouyn-Noranda. The project has been around since 2012, but it’s not until 2016 that it really took off as a live band with the release of the Revenge demo. Although we definitely have solid roots in death metal, we have various influences that find their way into our music.
How did you come up with your band name?
Integrity has a price. When interacting with selfish people they will mistake it for treason when you don’t go their way. They will try and call you names in order to steer you back on their path. We just embraced it and stood our ground.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
As surprising as it might seem, the scene here is pretty healthy around here thanks to Gen from ‘’Production Ça Bûche’’. She has been doing an amazing job for the last 10+ years! Since we are a small community, having more than one promoter can be a scene killer and there is a tacit agreement within the scene where we put our trust in 1 local promoter and God she delivers! There are regular shows once every 2-3 months where we have different bands from the Canadian metal scene, sometimes some tours, and then there are the local Festivals that call Gen in to book a metal show for them. That’s when we get bands like Dying Fetus, Cattle Decapitation, Voivod, etc… And last November we had the absolute honour of playing direct support to Kataklsym!
What is your latest release?
We released a Video / Single of the song ’Harvesting the Weak’ on February 8th, which is from our upcoming EP ‘’Patterns of Domination’’ coming out on March 15th. Loosely based on James Redfield’s The Celestine Prophecy, Patterns of Domination explores what the author calls the control dramas which are, basically, ways to drain attention from people. It is a handy guide on how to be a narcissist and make it all about yourself! There are 4 different patterns, and so the EP had to reflect that in some way. Not only is each song about a different pattern, but we have also tried to explore different subgenres musically and incorporate that into the writing process to give each song a life of its own.
Who have been your greatest influences?
I will answer for all the bands for that one. We all have various bands as influences, but none in common so I’m gonna name drop bands who have influenced us all in the writing process. Mors Principium Est, Ghost, Lamb of God, Behemoth and early Slipknot I’d say.
What first got you into music?
Music always impressed me. I was in a classical music orchestra during High School and my teacher was a very passionate pianist. He really transmitted his passion and from that time I knew I’d do music all my life. Probably not for a living because it’s a difficult industry, but I’ll always have an instrument to play. I started by playing trumpets and switch to drum later after discovering Metal music.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
We always wanted to work with Chris Donaldson from Cryptopsy, who is an amazing sound engineer. We are all fans of both Chris’ music and productions, and we were honoured to have the opportunity to get a little bit of his magic on our upcoming EP! Chris has always been thorough and professional! Since we handled the recording part ourselves, what Chris has done tremendously raised the quality of our work.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
For me it would be the mighty Wacken Metal Festival. I mean, it’s probably the biggest metal music festival in the world. Just to be in the crowd is a dream so I can’t imagine playing on one of these stages!
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Never received any gifts ha-ha!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Don’t hesitate to go to smaller shows. The underground scene is underrated and full of talent. If people just go out to see bigger bands, one day there will be no bands at all. Smaller shows can make dreams of making music more accessible.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
I’d say Joey Jordison and him not being kicked out of Slipknot! All Hope is Gone was a really good album and I always wondered what Slipknot could have become with Jordison and Paul Gray still alive.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love meeting new people backstage and in the crowd. When we play with bigger bands it’s always interesting to hear touring stories and experiences. And with the people in the crowd, it’s always a pleasure to transmit my passion to them and ask their questions. And for what I hate… it’s when someone acts like he is the biggest rockstar in the world, but he isn’t.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I’m not that deep into the music industry but from what I saw I’d love to see more people go out and buy concert tickets. Small and big venues! Sometimes the best shows are underground, and people are afraid to go. Go to concerts and discover new artists.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Slipknot – “Iowa”. I was introduced to Metal music with this album and it’s still my favourite album.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Vinyl, sounds much better.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
For me it was to be direct support to the mighty Kataklysm. It’s always impressive to see a worldwide band live and play with them it makes us see the other side and gives us the opportunity to talk with them. And bigger bands always bring more people into the crowd.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I’m not a full-time musician I work in an underground gold mine, but if music weren’t in my life I’d be a stand-up comedian!
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
I’ll stay into Heavy Metal for this one. I’d say Georges ‘’Corpsegrinder’’ Fisher, Ozzy Osbourne, Matt Heafy, Mario Duplantier and Chris Adler.
What’s next for the band?
The release of our EP ‘’Patterns of Domination’’ and a couple of shows to promote it. And we already are in the writing process for the next album.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
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?
I cheated and asked my British friend! And the correct name is a Bap or A roll. I feel more educated now!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thanks for your support, we gladly appreciate it! don’t hesitate to drop by for a chat, with social media nowadays, we are easily accessible. Keep it up! Lm