Autumn Black
For this "5 and Dime" interview, I chatted on the phone on August 22, 2006, with Ruben Platt and Albert Platt, twin brothers and founding members from Autumn Black.
For this "5 and Dime" interview, I chatted on the phone on August 22, 2006, with Ruben Platt and Albert Platt, twin brothers and founding members from Autumn Black.
Tell me how Autumn Black got started and introduce your band mates.
(RUBEN) Autumn Black got started a few years ago. My brother and I were in different bands. We got together, decided to make a change, and we started our own band. It went on from there. We've had a few members part ways, but my brother and I kept the name and kept it going. Now, we've got a solid line-up and it's kick-ass.
(ALBERT) I'm the bass player, and Ruben plays guitar and sings. Kaelo James is our lead vocalist, Jonathan Koch is our lead guitarist, and our drummer is Chris Daigle.
Describe Autumn Black's sound and who is your biggest musical influence on your instrument?
(ALBERT) Autumn Black has a unique sound, fusing together the metal music scenes of California and the Northeast. You hear different comparisons all of the time. Most recently, we've heard our music being compared to Killswitch Engage and As I Lay Dying. We like to classify ourselves as different, as off-black. My biggest influences on bass are Les Claypool and Cliff Burton.
(RUBEN) We're very melodic. I think our sound fuses together a lot of our favorite bands from our past. Everybody puts his own style into the songs, and that makes it come alive at our shows and on the recording. When we play live, Autumn Black has a bigger and thicker sound. The live show is nuts but it's still in time. We want to stay solid and in the pocket. We strive for that, which is different from other bands. Either we play with a live click in our drummer's ears or we don't play at all. We feel that's the way to go. All the members of Autumn Black had different influences, but it seems to work out in the end. Dimebag Darrell was my biggest influence.
Talk about your favorite track from the debut album "Beneath The Shadows" and where can fans listen to and purchase your album?
(RUBEN) "Beneath the Shadows" is my favorite song on the album. It's a very moving and powerful. The feeling of the song inspires me a lot. You can listen to our record at our Myspace page, our websites, and at purevolume.com. You can buy it at the on-line store at Throwdown Records. After it's released on September 12, you'll be able to buy it at Tower Records or through any of the on-line stores.
(ALBERT) My favorite is "Remembrance." It has an awesome bass line and I'm a big fan of group vocals, which this song has. It's a lot of fun to play live as well.
How's the rock music scene in California treating you and do you have any plans to tour outside California?
(RUBEN) Metal's finally catching up on the West Coast but the East Coast really brings it. I'm not knocking down the West, but as far as metal goes, the East Coast is where it's at.
(ALBERT) Management and our label are planning a tour for after the record's release. We want to go to work. We're all hungry to get out on the road. We've all been out there before so we know what to expect.
What does Autumn Black have in store for your fans in the next 12 months and what else can I help your band promote?
(RUBEN) There's tons of merch at www.autumnblackmusic.com. We have some really cool designs for adults and for kids of all ages. Our record label's site is www.throwdownrecords.com and our Myspace page is www.myspace.com/autumnblack.
(ALBERT) We won't disappoint our fans and live performance tops it all. They'll be surprised how we bring it live. We strive to make our live show identical to what you hear on the album.
Please share a personal memory of the late, great Dimebag Darrell.
(RUBEN) My fondest memory was backstage at the Locobazooka Festival in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. We just chatted, there was no ego, and he was a real down-to-earth guy. He introduced me to brotherhood, telling us how Ozzy recruited him, but that he wouldn't leave his brother behind. Dimebag taught me that to make it in this business you need backing, as well as emotional and spiritual support, from your family. Autumn Black tried to play hard that day, but he and his band won that one.
(ALBERT) In the short amount of time that we spoke, Dimebag taught me that professionalism will take you far in this business. He taught me to give it your all onstage, but not to make an ass out of yourself. Even though my brother and I finished college and have degrees, there are things you can't learn in school. Talking with Dimebag is how we learned so much about the business side of the music business.