Evan Seinfeld, the former bassist and vocalist of New York Hardcore band Biohazard, chatted with Target Audience Magazine about his new band Attika7 on June 21. Seinfeld was eager to discuss how the group formed and the musical direction he wanted to take after leaving Biohazard.
Interview by Jerel Johnson
How did Attika 7 form?
It’s an interesting story. I, for a long time, wanted to do something different and something new. I’m proud of all the music I made in Biohazard, and it was a very long career. And people grow and evolve; I’m the kind of person where if I’m not growing or evolving I feel like I’m dying.
I’m constantly trying to better myself and do better in life and push myself to achieve more, and raise the bar. Working in the constraints of Biohazard didn’t give me the room to do what I wanted to do. I made a clean break. 24 hours after deciding what I wanted to do I knew I wanted to sing something melodic but heavy. I just didn’t know with who, when or how.
The phone rings, and it’s Rusty Coons, my best friend. He calls me 10 times a day so I didn’t think anything of it. He told me he has a band called Attika7. The original singer was kicked out and he wondered if I didn’t mind filling in for a gig or working with us. I said I had some free time and if he could send some lyrics and music. We played a show together and I thought the music was great but I didn’t know what it was about.
I know Rusty and his story, so I get the lyrics and I was floored! It was so inspirational. I met Rusty through Jesse James 10 years ago. Jesse, Rusty and I all ride motorcycles. Rusty spent 7 years in prison between that time. But the lyrics were written by Rusty in prison and they spoke to me. I called him back and said “I want to help you take these lyrics and music and make this the biggest baddest thing of all time. This happened a year ago, and here we are about a year later. We have an album finished and an amazing band we’ve put together. We’re about to make some announcements about upgrades to the line-up. We’re on a journey it’s really exciting.
What was the sound you were going for?
I wasn’t really sure. I wanted to do a modern day Black Sabbath. My hopes and dreams were to make an outlaw-style modern day Black Sabbath. I wanted it to personify my lifestyle. But, musically, I wanted it to be heavy!
Some of the bands that influenced the Attika sound are Pantera, Black Sabbath, Godsmack and early Metallica. When I listen to Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets, I feel there’s a really great balance between heavy, melodic, musicality and songwriting. But it still has the aggression. Life is a delicate balance.
I worked hard on the last Biohazard record. I put a lot of time and energy in songwriting, singing, bass playing and performing. I felt like the other guys were trying to make another Biohazard record.
Working in a group setting, everyone has to be on the same page to achieve something. I wanted to do Black Sabbath Volume 4 or Master of Reality meets And Justice For All and Ride the Lightning. I also listen to old school Judas Priest. I like AFI because of their musicality riffing.
I love aggression, but not screaming where you can’t understand the lyrics.
What about the record production?
The album was produced by Mudrock. He produced Avenged Sevenfold, Godsmack, Throwdown and the Butcher Babies. He’s worked on tons of records. I’ve worked with a lot of big name producers, but, ultimately for me, the record making process is about enjoying the process and the end result.
Most people want to hear the song and say “I like it or I don’t like it.” At the end of the day, “Blood of my Enemies” is the best vocal performance of my life hands down. I’ve never done anything this melodic, diverse or emotional. I’ve done a lot of great stuff with Biohazard and I had to make all those records to get to this.
I wasn’t ready to make this record at 17. I needed to be more mature. I’ve been taking vocal lessons, training my voice, and working out. I needed to get my head right to do this too. About half the people that hear the record, both friends of mine and writers say, ‘Evan I didn’t know you could sing like that.’ It makes me feel good because I worked really hard at it.
Are there any upcoming tour dates?
We’re about to make an announcement about our touring line-up. We’re trying every day to figure out the touring situation in America, Europe and South America. We plan on doing a complete no stones unturned U.S. tour around the release of the album. We’re talking to some other bands to make a full package.
What is your fondest memory of your entire career?
Being onstage with Pantera at their final show in Japan.
New Full-Length ATTIKA 7 Album ‘Blood Of My Enemies’ Hits Stores on July 31, 2012
ATTIKA 7 is pleased to announce a brand new contest celebrating the release of their upcoming July 31st release, Blood Of My Enemies, hitting stores via Rocket Science Ventures/THC : MUSIC. The “ATTIKA 7 Helmet Design Contest,” sponsored by HOT BIKE Magazine, kicks off today! See below for general details, and head to CraveOnline.com for more details and an exclusive quote from Evan about the rules and details!
DETAILS:
Create a unique ATTIKA 7 themed biker helmet, then take a picture and post it on Facebook. Make sure to tag ATTIKA 7 in the post! The band will create an album of their diehard fans in their designed helmets. The photo with the most “likes” will win the prizes below! CONTEST ENDS July 31, 2012.
PRIZES:
1. Two free tickets to the ATTIKA 7 show of the winner’s choice in 2012 (transportation not included)
2. Signed band poster or 4×4 lithograph.
3. Cloth banner signed by Rusty and Evan.
4. Exclusive HOT BIKE MAGAZINE baseball caps.
Check out the official ATTIKA 7 Facebook page and HOT BIKE Magazine Facebook page for updates!
