THE METAL PIT: Hi John and thanks for answering some questions for THE METAL PIT.

John Patteson: No Problem, my pleasure!

Congrats on a great cd (UNANIMOSITY). Did it turn out the way you visioned it when you started the recording process?

Thanks! And Yes it did. We put a lot of work into pre-production, so we knew what we were going for.

How was it working with Sterling Winfield and what did he bring to the album?

Working with Sterling was an amazing opportunity. He is a very down to earth guy, and knew exactly what we going for...a live band caught in HD. No finessed drums, auto tuning, etc... what you hear is the real deal. He put his ‘signature’ stamp on the song mixes, and all the mix production was his work. He knew what we wanted, and delivered.  Can’t say enough good things about Sterling, He is a man of his word and we will be forever grateful for the experience. 

  I have to mention that there was an amazing amount of time and passion put into BEFORE THE DAMNED  by our ‘OTHER’ Producer Darren Morrison, Owner of Big Room Studios here in London ON. That is where we recorded everything. He gets overlooked a lot.  He was very instrumental in getting the sounds and performance we were gunning for.

   Sterling offered guidance and encouragement throughout our tracking sessions, but it was Darren that did all the work until mix down, that’s when Sterling took over. Darren was the one who actually got us on board with Sterling. Good guy that Darren is!

You have a big age range in band members from 22-40 years of age. How did the band come to be?  

   Well, the range of age isn’t as important as the chemistry of the band. Chemistry is everything. We click. Pete, Paul, and I, were all in various bands in the area. It was as simple as a few phone calls to hook up really, we knew there was something ‘there’ from the get go. The hard part was finding a drummer, that was a year and half process, we just couldn’t find the ‘right’ guy. Ryan was initially hired to play drums on the record, and He offered to join. Getting back to the chemistry thing, there was little that needed to be said when it came to the drum tracks, he just knew what to do to add to the songs. It clicked. Same as when Sterling became involved, they just got it.

Introduce the band and describe what they bring to Before the Damned?

PAUL SGUAZZIN – guitars. riff master. songwriter.

PETE MITCHELL – bass. songwriter.

RYAN RIVARD – drums. songwriter.

JOHN PATTERSON – voice. songwriter. Vision. Manager. Wolf. (see Pulp Fiction reference) LOL

How or why did you choose the band name?

We wanted a name that was ‘big and looming’ sounding to match our music. It had to say something before you even heard our music.  BEFORE THE DAMNED. – it reminds me of  a judgement day  type of confrontation, the moment of truth if you will....it’s bold statement, a heavy one, and it suits us perfect.

As the vocalist what bands or singers were you influenced by?

Bands....so many. Black Sabbath, Black Label Society, Pantera, Alice In Chains, Metallica, Down, Machine Head, Lamb of God, Slipknot, Hell Yeah, Tool, Anthrax, Iron Maiden, C.O.C. - I could go on forever and these are only the heavy ones.  I LOVE Music.

Vocalists   - Layne Staley, Phil Anselmo, OZZY, Corey Taylor, Randy Blyth, MJK, Sebastian Bach, and Bon Scott are the main ones.

If different from your influences what would be some of the rest of bands influences?

Pretty much the same....give or take a few. Ryan is a HUGE Justin Bieber fan, big influence on his drumming. ...umm yeah, not so much!

For yourself was their one moment or singer that made you realize you wanted to front a metal band?

Not really. It’s always been about metal, I went through phases with other styles too...which helped expand my versatility as a singer. Metal is something you feel in your bones.  You either get it or you don’t. 

Is there any plans as of yet for a tour outside of your home based area of London, Ontario.

Sure, all in its due time. Wanna spot us some cash for tour support?!!!

As a new band I am sure your wondering what people think of your cd. Do positive or negative reviews have any effect on what you and the band are doing?

We are very thankful there are people who dig what we are doing enough to call themselves ‘fans’.  Our music comes from the gut and for us, it feels right. Ultimately, that’s all that matters. Why waste energy justifying what others think you should be. Their opinions are none of my business.

There is a guest appearance by Kittie’s Tara McLeod on this cd. How did that come about?

Tara is a good friend. We are from the same ‘hood and guitar is her life. I just asked her, and she made time for me to help us out. She nailed the intro to Black Halo in one take while enjoying  a beer in the process.  Friends and Music, that simple really.

  Tara is the most humble person I know, she will always take time to help her friends out and always seems to have time for her fans.  If you reap what you sow, Tara deserves all the success in the world.

How far do you feel this band will or can go?

  If given the chance, all the way. That takes the RRRR’s to fall in perfect place. The RIGHT TUNES, at the RIGHT PLACE, at the RIGHT TIME, with the RIGHT PEOPLE behind it. In todays musical climate, who knows how that happens. We just enjoy making music that we dig and putting it out there. Who could ask for much more than that really?

What are some of your personal favourites on UNANIMOSITY?

 For one reason or another, I LIKE IT ALL.  For me personally, its Black Halo.  That one was a real tough to bring together, I felt a sense of accomplishment when it was done. Lyrically, it’s a song that enabled me to put a piece of my life behind myself.

 Performing live for me, its Gun To Mouth Blues, Unanimosity, and Beyond Recognition.

What is the song writing process of the band? Is it a combined effort with the lyrics and music?

   Usually, Paul, Pete and myself riff out on a structure, hook up with Ryan, hammer it out in a jamm. I write the lyrics and melodies.

What would be the perfect metal band out there for Before the Damned to open up for on a tour?

METALLICA or OZZY, They have the biggest metal audiences in the world. For me, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, or any Pantera member offshoot would be way cool!

Does all the snow and cold of the winters in Ontario inspire your lyrics or it the motivation to get famous and tour the warmer parts of the world? 

Snow, inspirational??? Maybe if we were Viking Metal band!

What are some other good metal bands from the London, Ontario area?

Obviously theres Kittie, Baptized In Blood, Thine Eyes Bleed. Helix is still putting out solid records too.....Indie -wise, check out West Memphis Suicide, Abandoned Souls, The Jettison Commitment, Brother My Enemy, 13 Lashes, Surrounded By Water, and Creek Water Junkies! Lotsa good and different metal styles in London.

Where can people check out and purchase your cd?

Our cd is ALWAYS available at shows. Its also available at Sunrise Records.

 Online here: www.beforethedamned.com (only $12 to your door)

 or for MP3 download thru

CDBABY.com/beforethedamned and iTunes/beforethedamned

For people reading this that don’t know anything about your band tell them why they should check out Before the Damned.

BEFORE THE DAMNED is an undeniable, no frills, straight up METAL band. We deliver a loud, tight, gut fueled performance on stage and on record, and its goes perfectly with a cold beer. 

Thanks for taking the time for this interview and from listening to your debut cd I see good things for this band in the future. Good luck to you and the band. Any closing thoughts for THE METAL PIT readers?

Thanks for having me for some DAMNED speak. Please Give Us a Spin @ www.beforethedamned.com - If you dig what you hear, come to show, Rock Out Hard with us, after Come say Hello, Grab a disc, and say you found us on THE PIT!

Oh yeah , hit us on facebook too...all our details are right there, again say you found us on THE PIT!!!

Cheers Blake, KEEP IT BREWTAL!

johnny