|
Throwin’
Rock
An interview with Todd Williams of
Stoneslinger
By Bob Ignizio |
Contrary to what some
might believe, the NE Ohio rock scene doesn’t just end once you get south of
Akron. One of the bands doing their best to make sure people realize that
is Canton’s Stoneslinger (Todd "Wolf" Williams (The Magellan of Cowbellin')
- vox/cowbells/harp, Mike "Dusty Stone" Fisher – guitars, Neal "CARP"
Franklin – bass, and Andy "Mongoose" Masalko – drums). Not only does the
band play their home town frequently, they’ve also made the trek up to
Cleveland, and played a few out of state gigs as well. While Stoneslinger
is clearly influenced by hard and heavy seventies rock bands like Grand
Funk, Blue Oyster Cult, and Black Sabbath, they don’t just slavishly emulate
their inspirations. I caught the band last Halloween when they played
Peabody’s and enjoyed their mix of modern and retro rock enough to want to
do an interview. Lead vocalist Todd Williams was happy to oblige.
Utter Trash: Where did
the name come from? Who would the band like to sling actual stones at and
why?
Todd Williams: The name came from an actual "Super
Stone Slinger" truck that our guitarist and drummer saw one day rolling down
the road. It was a perfect name. You know, cuz we like to throw "ROCK"(music)
at our audience! If we were gonna "sling" stones at anyone, it would
definitely be the bands, clubs, and 'people' in general who think they do no
wrong, know all, are rock stars, and darn it, the ones who just aren't kind!
We're just trying to have some fun, entertain, and of course ROCK OUT!
UT: Not that I personally
miss them, but what made the band decide not to have any solos, at least on
the demo I heard?
TW: It has to do with the songs we chose for that
particular demo. There were just no solos on those four songs. The new
record will contain solos here and there. Our guitarist, Mike "Dusty Stone"
Fisher delivers the bluesy-type, "non shredding" licks that can put you in a
trance. That is what we usually prefer anyway. We're definitely based more
on the blues side of things. We'll leave the shredding for Yngwie Malmsteen!
UT: A lot of people
probably don't even know Canton has a rock scene. How are things down there
for an original rock band like yourselves? What other parts of Ohio (and
the world) have you played?
TW: Yeah, most people "up north" don't think there is
life south of Akron! I'll put our scene in CANTON against any around. It
just needs to be heard and known. There is a GREAT club (definitely our
home away from home) in N. Canton we play quite often called Sadie Rene's.
They have original music Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. The crowds are,
for the most part, great. Of course it is also how you
promote...but...There hasn't been any other club we play that treats us with
as much respect, and gives FREE BEER to the bands that perform there! That
isn't usually the case at clubs anymore. And dammit, beer (any alcohol) is
important to Stone Slinger!!!!!! We have unbelievable shows in
CANTON...just trying to build it up and gain some respect from the "big"
cities. It's amazing how we're treated, sometimes, when we say we're from
CANTON. Some people can be assholes....and for what? I'll put us up, or
some of the other GREAT, GREAT bands from our area to any band(s) anywhere.
We're all in it for the same thing...I think! We've performed in Detroit,
N.Y., Pittsburgh, all of Ohio, South Carolina...pretty much the Midwest and
Eastern regions. We find our fan base definitely growing outside Ohio at a
quick pace. Not a bad thing!
UT: You mentioned you'll
be putting out a full length CD at the end of spring. Have you done the
recording yet? Where did you/will you be recording at? Any tentative
titles for the album?
TW: We are currently in the studio. We've tracked
the drums, bass, and guitar...13 tracks...The vocals are being done as we
speak. Then, of course, mixing and mastering. It is being done at Immortal
Productions in Canal Fulton, OH. The TENTATIVE title is "Take My Road" and
we are hoping for a late spring release. We are VERY excited about how the
recording has gone. We think this album is going to blow people away!
UT: Your website
describes the band as "redefining seventies retro rock". Aside from the
solos thing, what else are you bringing to the mix that sets you apart from
all the other retro rockers out there? How hard is it to keep things fresh
without going so far over the line that there’s no "retro" left?
TW: To be quite honest...our "webmaster" came up with
the description of "retro". We've always said good 'ol hard rock, but, our
influences of past 70's arena/classic, hard rock is definitely present in
our style. So the retro (looking back) is just a description for those who
need one. The solos that appear here and there aren't 20 measures long, but
have just the right flavor to compliment our sound. We all came from heavy
bands so you can still hear the "heavy" throughout some of the songs. But
that's what makes it ours, I believe. Music from SOUL is much more
important (to us) than robotic, over-played and "thought out" music.
Meaning, it's the feeling of it all, and I think it comes across at our live
shows. Keeping things fresh is a very big standard for us. Show wise, we
try and change things up all the time so as not to get stale. If people are
going to pay a cover charge to see a band, I believe in trying to entertain
and giving them something to hear AND see. I know if I pay to see a local
band, or hell, a national...I don't want to see 4 or 5 guys standing around
staring at the ground or the ceiling! It's not a set...it's a SHOW. We
really don't think about if we're going too far or if some people think
something sucks, or, these guys are idiots...you can't think too much. It's
very basic...we're there to put on the GREATEST show possible, DRINK, hang
out with whoever we're playing with, and get laid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UT: Tell me a little
about your lyrics. What sort of topics interest you or whoever it is that
writes the words? What's the message, if any, of Stoneslinger?
TW:
I always say I write about space, time, geographical
regions, women, alcohol, and Rock n Roll. I'm not claiming to change the
world with my lyrics. I usually just write to what I feel the music is
saying to me. (that's right, I talk to music!!!!) Or I write when I've
"expanded" my mind in some sense! I guess the message of Stone Slinger is
that, for an hour and a half or whatever it is...you can have F'n FUN and be
entertained to the fullest. Our shows won't make you sad or want to kill
someone or make you mad at your parents. As Paul Stanley would say, it's
just "a rock n roll party"!
UT: What's with the bongo
drums, ya hippie? [note: live, Todd does a percussion solo]
TW: The bongos and cowbells were a tradition handed
down from our ancestors who started the bloodline of Stone Slinger. It all
started with Earth Heaver, then came Shale Tosser, Rock Thrower...and so
on. All the way up to us, Stone Slinger. But the early bloodline would
kill cows, buffalos, or whatever and use their skulls as a cowbell/bongo
type instrument. Our bloodline has always looked for a way to entertain!
Hippie????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
UT: What's the long term
goal of the band? What level of success would make you happy?
TW: Our goal is to conquer the world. As probably
with any band, no? I believe you have to think that way if you want to get
somewhere. Goals are important...but so is being able to create music with
the bros in the band and connect on some level with the rest of the galaxy!
We want to eventually play for "Spirit" and "Opportunity" out on
Mars.......then we'll go from there!!!!!
UT: Anything I didn't ask
that you want to comment on?
TW: Everyone...just relax, lighten up...and
ROOOOOOOCK! It's fun.
Visit the Stoneslinger website.
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