Three Sixes incorporates their Metal, Thrash and Techno roots with Hardcore, while simultaneously mixing in a heavy dose of Industrial influence that has built a foundation for a gruesomely realistic portrayal of the our world, currently situated in its infinite, spiraling, state of decline. Check out the exclusive Interview below:
1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?
THREE SIXES:
Blake: I grew up around musicians and bands, and have always had an interest in drums. Those that played music and saw my interest encouraged me to explore the instruments, and taught me how to start making noise. So I’ve been around music as long as I can remember.
Kill: I can’t recall any family playing any instruments, but I was always around music in some form. From Van Halen to Alabama and anywhere in between. I remember getting Licensed to Ill from the Beastie Boys and 1984 from Van Halen on cassette from my cousins Shelly and Jennifer; they were a huge reason I gravitated toward music during my youth.
Damien: I came into the Thrash scene right after Metallica’s “Ride The Lightning” came out. My friend Ron turned me onto this amazing record and I became obsessed with the growing scene. We would see a bunch of killer shows together. Including one that became iconic, when Venom played in Hollywood promoting the “Possessed” record with Slayer on “Hell Awaits” and Exodus with Paul on the “Bonded by Blood” tour. Nothing was more METAL than that night. Ever. To this day, it was the loudest show I’ve ever been to. Venom opened with “Too Loud for The Crowd”. They made their point.
2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?
THREE SIXES:
Damien: All energy. I was that guy in the crowd you’d see at every show moshing, diving, swimming and even being kicked out because I was too wasted. I loved the energy of the music. The aggression that had a place in the chaos on the floor. I wanted to be a part of the reason people did that. It was and still is, my everything.
Blake: Personal exploration as a child, but I started taking lessons at 9 years old. 3 years of private lessons, and then middle school band, high school drumline, and then I joined a band during college. These days I still see instructors to check in and get some pointers.
Kill: Well, I was heavy into sports as a teenager – a promising baseball prospect and into BMX racing in Georgia. The baseball dream undid itself when I went to see Pantera open for Skid Row at the Fox Theater. I was in the second row. They came out with Mouth For War, and Dimebag smiled and stuck his tongue out in response to my obvious approval. I turned to my friend and said to her: “I’m done with baseball…I wanna do THAT!”
3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, what’s the story behind choosing the name ‘THREE SIXES’?
THREE SIXES:
Blake: The first band I ever got really into was Oingo Boingo, and I think my appreciation for a “wall of sound” production came from their arrangements. Bands that had a huge impact on my musical appreciation include Pantera, Megadeth, Slayer, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Dream Theater, Nevermore, Strapping Young Lad and Devin Townsend Band, and Fleshgod Apocalypse.
Kill: As far as guitarists that inspired me, and contributed to my style – Dime from Pantera and Rich Ward from Stuck Mojo. The riff is the most important thing to me. I don’t think of myself as a flashy solo guy, nor a great “guitar player”. I just love good riffs, and pride myself on writing and structuring solid, heavy music. Jimmy Page, with his greasy riffs, really added some flavor to my playing, too. Three Sixes was already in existence when I came aboard, many moons ago. I dug in right away, and wanted to forge forward with more evolved songwriting, along with Damien.
Damien: Way too many to list, but to keep it short and sweet for me: Black Sabbath and Slayer in that order. The inspiration of both are self- explanatory and I’ll gladly go further if you’d like. The name THREE SIXES came from a song I wrote when I was in between bands. I thought the idea was cool and the lyrics to it had nothing to do with anything else at the time. I started a “side project” when the Industrial/Metal movement broke out until I could find another band to join and this “side project” had no name. I then had an idea for a song called “Possession”, and made it the title track to keep me moving, musically. Although I was only working with one other guy who played most of the guitars and programmed everything else, I thought it would be a cool thing to do until I found another band to join- until I finally realized I’d started a band without even knowing it.
4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?
THREE SIXES:
Blake: I usually describe Three Sixes as “Industrial Thrash”. With this album, I describe it as a “42 minute punch in the face” where it hits hard but doesn’t overstay its welcome.
Damien: While many bands will say their honesty sets them apart, I call bullshit on about 90% of them. Regardless of lineups, everything THREE SIXES has done and is doing is legitimately honest. We all believed that what we were and are doing, were and still are honest and straightforward. The aggression was and is still real. In my opinion, I think it’s the reason we’re still here. For us now (because everyone wants a quick description) I would describe us as Industrial Thrash. There’s a lot more to it but nowadays, everyone wants everything encapsulated and easily, mentally, digestible. So it’s a starting point. If people like that basic description, they will look further and I hope they will.
Kill: I get confused with all the “subgenres” of heavy music. It’s all rock or metal. There’s definitely an abnormal amount of attitude the three of us brought to each song on this new album. I feel we have created an upward trajectory for ourselves, with better composition and structure of each new song. I would encourage anyone hearing us for the first time to let the music flow through your mind with the subtle overtones and layers you might not hear the first time around, and do a deep dive into Damien’s lyrics – they open up new levels of interpretation to the listener. Of course, I find myself smiling each and every time I see Blake behind the kit. He’s an extraordinary talent.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as METAL?
THREE SIXES:
Damien: I agree with “by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others.” Because I think anyone who plays music does this, regardless of genre. That’s where it starts. As for myself and early on, I was always an oddball. I was a short haired guy that looked like a Punk at Metal shows that started playing guitar to the bands I listened to. Many times, by myself. I got respect from being a fan on the floor in the pit, diving or whatever. I never gave a fuck. At that time, I’d been stitched up and put back together so many times (for nothing that had anything to do with being at a show) that I felt indestructible. I still have the scars. In hindsight, I was equally an idiot as I was lucky.
Blake: The first song I really enjoyed playing on drums was We Die Young by Alice In Chains, and from there I just continued to challenge myself. Drumline taught me a lot about the discipline required to really master your skill set. My Dad went to recording school for a while and introduced me to the world of recording. Being in my first band Degravation taught me about the process of creating original music. I took all these lessons and made my own productions for a few years, taking inspiration from the music I was listening to and trying to emulate their energy. Once I joined Three Sixes, I ramped up my focus on learning and practicing, and continue to do everything I can to be better.
Kill: Man, I wish I had pushed myself, or had someone really push me to learn more music theory. Maybe I would have less limiting thoughts, or how I negate my own creativity. I’ve taught myself a lot over the years, but I also shit all over my music if I feel it’s not deserving of another ear.
6. Music often transcends entertainment. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
THREE SIXES:
Damien: All of it. For this record lyrically, I looked at the current political situation and used the politicians (metaphorically) as “gods”in a spiritual aspect. I normally don’t use our music as a vehicle of any sorts to convey any message for a particular side. However, as a self-declared Independent and definitely a Free Thinker, I do not agree with the way the direction the USA is going in. All of us have been affected. This is reflected in the lyrics. Everyone in our camp is on board with what I wrote and I’m making zero apologies.
Blake: Music has always had an element of social commentary, and some bands wear it more bold faced than others. Three Sixes has been a band that was designed from the beginning to comment on power structures, and with the decline of the church and the rise of the state, that power structure has changed, and so have the focus of the lyrics.
Kill: Personally, I try to avoid dating any type of material. However, the current state of the world…I would hope the new music will serve as a wake-up call to those interested in listening.
7. Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfillment you’re still seeking?
THREE SIXES:
Blake: There have been no rewards in this business other than the chance to express my musical ideas and hope they connect with some people. With the state of the industry and the expenses involved with music production, I need to have other ways of making money to survive.
Damien: We can’t pay the bills from what little we make. Never have. We do this because we love it, what it gives to other people. If there wasn’t a demand, this band would have died 25 years ago. People still come to the shows and we sell a LOT of merch, so we must be doing something right.
Kill: I feel there are opportunities to find some degree of success, but that doesn’t present as either a dream or an obstacle, if that makes sense. I love to write music, for myself and others. It makes it more satisfying when you have complementary pieces in your band to make it the BEST it can be. Tough love and all. In the end, it’s all about the song itself.
8. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, what’s the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?
THREE SIXES:
Kill: I think you might get a different view on this from each of us, as we are all creating separately in the process to bring it all together as one cohesive unit. Although I have shared parts, or riffs in some instances, I do prefer to submit a complete composition to the other guys. At that point, I have already added, subtracted, revised and removed doubts I have about my own writing. Blake and I go back and forth, and we provide the meat and potatoes for Damien to work it. Of course Damien and Blake have worked on ideas together that I will add some spice to, as well. I definitely want to represent their vision on this songs the best I can, and I feel they do the same for my compositions.
Blake: For my involvement with Three Sixes, I’ve been able to program some guitar parts that we’ve used in a couple songs, and those ideas usually come from new songs I hear that I want to hear go in a different direction, and so I’ll make voice notes and transcribe them later. But for the most part, Kill had songs he was working on that he felt strongly about, and once I had the guitar riffs, I interpret what energy I can bring to it through the drums, and do my best to keep things interesting. Once guitars and drums are laid out, vocals were written, and then all the backing tracks were built to tie everything together.
Damien: In the past, I had all kinds of ideas musically from many directions and we used them. While I’ve never had a child, I would say every record I’ve made was like having one. All of them are different and unique. This one was like no other in the past. While my fingerprints musically were all over “Anti-Theist” and the arrangement on “They”, Kill worked with Blake on all of the other tunes and sent them back to me. I agreed with everything they did and dropped the lyrics where they wanted them. Once they found their formula together, it just worked. I agreed with all of it and did my job. In the end, it was all very natural to me.
9. What’s been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?
THREE SIXES:
Damien: Surviving financially while still being able to play. In doing as much, it’s shaped me in the opinions and lyrics I’ve written. No apologies.
10. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And let’s talk about your latest release and future plans.
THREE SIXES:
Damien: To me, the most proud I am is right after we play, the excitement on people’s faces who I never met before who have bought me drinks, took pics, bought merch and/or asked me to sign something. It’s even cooler when someone sees me somewhere (randomly) months (even years, sometimes) after a show and says: “DUDE, I saw you with (fill in the blanks) and you guys were killer”. To know that we left a mark on someone mentally enough to approach me after the fact is something I can’t explain. I’ve always been proud of what we’ve done. To have strangers think the same, I think is the ultimate compliment. It’s beyond humbling. The demand is what will drive how we move forward. There is a lot in front of us. A lot of options. It just needs to make sense from a financial standpoint. All of the shirts we sold on each tour basically paid for fuel to travel. Every now and then we could afford a motel or AirBNB, and other expenses came out of pocket. That’s on top of none of us getting a paycheck since we’re not working our normal jobs. The last two tours we did were basically sleeping upright in a van in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Road life isn’t glamorous, even if you’re crushing it. We have offers and we want to play. We’re only asking to break even with merch sales. If we actually made any kind of money after expenses (no matter how little), I don’t see a reason why we wouldn’t tour again. Anywhere.
11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
THREE SIXES:
Damien: I read all of it. Being the voice of the band, I normally receive the most criticism and a lot if it is bad. I knew this signing up and never cared because many, if not more disagree with the negativity and love what I do. Every now and then, someone fucking HATES me and all I do is laugh. The only opinions I care about are those from whom I collaborate and record with.
Blake: It’s important to be able to deal with criticism without taking things personally. There are people out there who make comments that come from a place of wanting a better product, because they believe there’s more that can be developed and want to offer a new perspective to improve things moving forward. That’s the kind of commentary that can lead to positive reflection. But those who get too emotional or personal with it are usually just projecting their own insecurities and poisoning the conversation as well as their reputation.
12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
THREE SIXES:
Kill: There is nothing that compares to the adrenaline and vibe of playing a live show. I enjoy presenting our music with intensity, and getting that feedback from the crowd. Creating the songs in order to showcase the excitement starts with the most detailed and intimate emotions when you are putting something together.
Damien: For me, LIVE always wins. You make music to create energy. Create it in an isolated space so that you and your guys vibe to it so fucking hard that you can’t understand why anybody listening isn’t moved by it. Make it by ourselves. For ourselves. Nobody else. If we love it that much, we really don’t care what anyone else thinks because (correctly or not) it’s so badass that we know we’re crushing. Is that arrogant? Probably, but in my opinion, if you don’t believe in your own music to my degree, why should anyone else?
13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
THREE SIXES:
Blake: The messages in these songs are relatively on the nose, but general enough to apply to a fairly wide audience. I enjoy topics that stick to more universal truths, and I feel like we’ve toed that line effectively while also kicking up some dirt.
Damien: While I have always leaned on history for lyrical content, this is the first record I’ve written (lyrically) that deals with current social issues. On this one, I was very specific on every tune, except for one that could easily be misconstrued and yes, that was by design.
Kill: I’m all about sharing that energy and the power of what we have created. Definitely leave it up to interpretation of the listener, as each song will relate to different people in many ways. In the end, I am thankful for the opportunity to share this experience with the audience.
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