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- Threshold Sicks
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- When you reach the grand old age of your
mid-twenties, the haze of your childhood and adolescence, made distance by a few too many
substances and a whole lot of deadlines, can seem a little unreal, and you start to
question whether things you remember existing were, in fact, not figments of your happy,
carefree imagination. It was extremely weird for me to stumble across Threshold Sicks in
the world wide ether; having grown up in the same town, their name has been familiar to me
for nigh on a decade, but until now has remained in that twilight world that we call
‘a mis-spent youth in central Scotland’. It’s all going to change, though -
the band are readying a new album, and seem startlingly invigorated by the process of
getting it out there and touring the hell out of it. I’m not the only one who’s
going to be registering them on my musical map - with their catchy yet thunderous style
and dedication to performance, the sky’s pretty much the limit. Three quarters of the
juggernaut were present to answer my inquisition about history, creation, ambition and the
fruition of great ideas.
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- HN: Hail Threshold Sicks, how’s
it going?
- Paul: We’re rockin’
an’ rollin’, thanks! Unfortunately we are sans drummer for this. Ivan’s in
New York, climbing skyscrapers.
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- HN: For me, the name Threshold Sicks
is rather familiar, but as we have an international readership, could you possibly sketch
out the history of the band for us?
- Greg: We've been around in various
incarnations over the years. The backbone provided by me and Paul has been the
one constant throughout. Our recent line-up, however, has brought in extra focus through
Phil and Ivan, adding to the drive to bigger/better things.
- Paul: Long time running! Me and Greg
learned to play together back in the nineties and we’ve had a bunch of people come
and go for various reasons. We’ve had a couple of different names, played a load of
decent Scottish venues and had a demo, and by the time we were called ‘Threshold
Sicks’ we thought we had a pretty solid line-up, but again it kinda fell apart. Then
we found these guys!
- Phil: So, multiple line ups since
1996, with Greg and Paul. Always holding stronger, now a solid force to be reckoned with.
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- HN: What was your motivation upon
starting out? Was there a particular style you wanted to hear that no one else was
producing, or were you really inspired by an already-existing movement or band?
- Paul: Can we fast forward to this
line-up? These days, the motivation for everyone in the band is to do things our
own way and push the boat out as far as we can. We’re so not scene-orientated. I
always thought the whole point in starting a metal band was to go against the grain
anyway. We’ve got to try and do things other people aren’t doing, or else
we’d get bored playing it.
- Greg: At the very beginnings it was
all about just taking part in metal and working towards the ideals of our idols. Through
my time as a musician this has made me determined to stay away from mainstream ideals and
focus on creating something that doesn't conform to the genre based tedium that has
stagnated the 'mainstream' since the nineties.
- Paul; Yeah, the only movement
I’m part of happens once a day and I won’t be recording it or performing it live
– well, never say never.
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- HN: What on earth does your name
mean?
- Paul: Only the listener can answer
that... (I have a few different meanings for it, but we always do things with at least
double meanings. Gotta love that metaphor!!!)
- Greg: 'Threshold' essentially is a
limit, a breaking point or a moment of no return. It signifies the boundaries of life
that we should strive to break through. 'Sicks' has come to signify the level of effort,
pain or sorrow required to achieve the impossible. .... Combine the two and you
essentially have a 'limit of suffering'.
- Paul: ...or something.
- Phil: The threshold is the point of
no return or as much as you can take, as that’s exactly what we do. push our music to
the limits and make it Sick!
- Paul: You guys are so cheesy!
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- HN: We’ve come together
primarily to talk about your album, which I believe is currently in production – how
are you feeling about it? Are you pleased with the way it has worked out so far?
- Paul: It’s fucking abrasive!
I’m loving it
- Phil: I’m fucking ecstatic about
it. Can’t wait for it to be released and people to hear the messages we are trying to
get across. Each song is so different and such a different story and I want people to
relate to them, love them, hate, them, move to them and listen to all of them.
- Greg: It's been the most freeing
recording experience. Working together as a unit, the focus is very much on getting
the right energies onto tape. Considering that we have
been working/studying, as we've been in production, it has taken quite a while
to reach the finish line. But we are definitely on the right track and the end product
promises to deliver.
- Paul: It’s taking fucking ages,
though!!! Really, we always run up against problems when it comes to technology. Either it
doesn’t work properly in the first place or it breaks down, just when you need it the
most. I think it’s some kind of cyber-jinx.
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- HN: What can a new listener expect in
terms of style, and regarding the ideas the album explores?
- Greg: A heavy, groove-oriented
assault on the senses. Expect ebb and flow amongst violent dynamics.
- Paul: A pummelling. You’re best
asking Phil, since he writes most of the lyrics. A lot of it is about a certain code of
conduct that most people won’t understand. Style-wise? The music is aimed at twisting
any influence to fit our means. It’s very organic sounding. Expect metal for
individuals and people who grew up on metal.
- Phil: It’s old
school/thrash from its raw roots, death metal here and there rumbling your brain and then
something like evil circus music with groove to dance to, which makes it catchy, manic and
movement inspiring.
- Paul: If you’re open-minded
you’ll find rhythms and concepts from all over hidden in amongst the thrash/death
meltdown. Haha. Really, I’ll steal anything, destroy it, and make it Threshold Sicks.
Frankenstein riffing!
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- HN: Has the material on the album all
been recently developed, or are there some songs on there that have been developed from
earlier stages in your career?
- Greg: We're striking an even balance
between newer material and older favourites. Although it has to be said that both Ivan and
Phil have made their mark and claimed the older material as their own.
- Paul: Some of the newer songs still
have riffs on there that we wrote a decade before the rest of the tune.
- Phil: It’s a bastardisation of
the old harvested to make the new stuff, with one or two songs from their original roots
made a tad better.
- Paul: Well, there’s going to be
stuff on there that’s less than 12 months old. But at the other end of the spectrum,
there are tracks that are over 12 years old that have had a bit of reworking. We’ve
even kept back some old, old material for the next full-length...
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- HN: How does the writing process work
with Threshold Sicks; does one person lead the effort or do you work things out in a jam
situation?
- Greg: It really depends on the song.
Paul writes the main bulk of the riffs but nothing stops myself or the others
bringing ideas to the table. I will sometimes bring in riffs or whole songs, but nothing
is ever final until we've all added our contribution. It takes all four of us to bring a
song to fruition.
- Paul: I kick off a lot of the shit,
but we all started something along the way. Yeah, Greg’s got whole songs we
haven’t got round to learning yet!
- Phil: Paul comes out with these
fucked up catchy riffs, Ivan sits for a second then plays a beat which instantly fits,
Greg accents every bit and follows Paul almost just by listening and I just close my eyes,
see a picture and put pen to paper.
- Paul: That’s the simple version,
yes. It’s never really a Threshold Sicks song ‘til everyone’s had some
input.
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- HN: How about lyrics; is this a task
that is left to Phil? Are lyrics considered an important part of your creations?
- Phil: Some of the songs are the old
originals and I sing/roar ‘em out, but most are my own solo writing with tips,
hints or extra ideas from the rest of the guys. But I write a lot.
- Greg: It depends on the
song. Both myself and Paul have written lyrics in the past and these stand as
established. Phil has free reign over new material and old songs which needed a fresh
perspective. I don't think it will stop our contributions in the future. Sometimes you
can't help but hear lyrics when you're working on a riff. Certainly, in my case, sometimes
the lyrics even come first.
- Phil; Fuck yeah, they are a huge
importance! Not just the lyrics, but the vocal timing as an instrument to help accentuate
the music.
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- HN: You had a demo release a couple
of years ago, entitled "Pieces of Hate". Has there been a lot of development
between then and now?
- Phil: FUCK YEAH! Everything got more
evil, and the vocals have progressed in terms of ability a shit load! Brand new sounds for
riffs and its generally progressed to a more mature feel, I think.
- Paul: The songs we’re writing
now have a bit of a different personality, with the two newbies coming in. I’ve been
beefing up my shredding skills, too, so we’ve got more possibilities. After being
with other folks for years it takes a while to get in the groove together, but it happened
fast, and we’re there now.
- Greg: Definitely, we're more of a
unit now. Ivan and Phil were both 'fresh meat' then. In fact, Ivan had only been in the
band for three months at that time. We're tighter, gig-hardened and running on
kerosene!!!
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- HN: Did the demo achieve its aims?
Were you pleased with the feedback you received then?
- Paul: What are the aims of a demo?
- Phil: We sold ‘em all if
that’s what you mean. A good couple of hundred. Few great reviews and a few mediocre
ones, but the album is a huge improvement.
- Paul: Yeah, the reviews were
alright... we mostly get ignored by the media at large. A certain magazine even ditched
their demo review section for a month when our disc landed on their desk. I like to think
they were just scared rather than trying to drop a hint that they hate us.
- Greg: It has done everything it was
meant to. It ticked all the boxes when came to getting gigs and generating interest. We
have had feedback both good and bad although I've deliberately discounted any review
that criticised our demo for ... sounding like a demo.
- Paul: Couple of our mates keep
getting pestered by their kids to play it over and over. That’s got to be good,
right? Plus, every time I look at it, it reminds me of good times with this bunch. Like,
"How drunk were we that one time in that one weird country when you did that stupid
thing...?" So, whatever else it’s achieved, I’m happy with it for that
reason.
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- HN: Just glancing over your plans for
later in the year, it seems as if live performance is a very important part of your
self-promotion as well – is the live experience really the main priority of the band?
What was your favourite gig ever?
- Paul: I love playing live. We all do.
It beats the pants off studio time. Plus you get in to all the shows for free and see a
load of bands. Ha.
- Greg: The live show is always
going to be the most important aspect of what we do. It's where the music is made flesh. I
can't possibly choose a 'favourite' gig but our festival experience in Slovakia last year
was pretty special.
- Paul: Thanks, Majo!
- Phil: Our live show is our
calling card, our biggest weapon. It’s definitely all our favourite bit of the bands
life and is what we do it for. Best gig was Orava Rock Fest in Slovakia Aug 2008. Our
biggest gig to date, with around 2000 people, huge stage and they let me fire breathe!
Crowd was great, response was amazing and a signing tent too. Was a great weekend!!
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- HN: You have a Scottish tour booked
for autumn with Corrupt Absolute; how did this come about? Will you be appearing over the
summer as well?
- Phil: Our first (second – Paul)
gig with this line up was supporting Corrupt Absolute in Edinburgh in Nov 07. I have been
in contact with Jack since then and I’ve organised the full Scottish tour for them to
come over. We will definitely be there over the summer.
- Paul: We’re planning a mini-tour
with Nerrus Kor and Scordatura. We’d like to get into England and Ireland sometime
soon, but nothing’s finalised.
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- HN: How does the Scottish scene fare
for serious metal these days? Are there any compatriots you would recommend to our
readers? Do you receive strong local support?
- Greg: The Scottish scene is pretty
limited these days. Cowboy promotion, unreliable productions and pay to play
attitudes have done nothing to further the scene.
- Phil: Our local support is great. The
folks of Perth always pull through for us wherever we go - they are great.
- Paul: We do have a fair crew of
die-hards building up, huh? Ah, Our beloved stalkers. Hi guys!
- Phil: As far as the Scottish scene
goes, it’s biggest in Glasgow but there is a lot of shit, ruining it for the serious
bands out there.
- Paul: It’s pretty dry up here!
And I don’t mean the weather. You have to look long and hard to find a band that have
the balls to pull off real metal. A lot of candy coated MTV influenced guff. If anyone
wants to find some good ones check this lot out;
- Nerrus Kor, The Starry Wisdom Cult,
Cryptic Hate, Core, Drive by Audio, Firebrand Super Rock, Battle of the War Machines,
Scodatura and Deliver us From Evil. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but that’s the
way it should be.
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- HN: What’s your view on the
current direction of metal overall? Are you optimistic about its growth? Has the so-called
‘thrash revival’ helped you, or is it all a bit shit?
- Paul: What thrash revival? I never
stopped listening to thrash.
- Phil: It’s been better I
think...
- Greg: All I see in the new bands is
endless repetition and competition over who will be the next big thing.
- Paul: Totally. Metal in general seems
to have lost touch with the fact it’s supposed to be about rebellion, not sucking up
to trends.
- Phil: The ‘thrash revival’
has been a bit of a help, but they are still focusing on the old school stuff, styled to
the same thing again, when what it needs is the roots back with some new stems, if you
know what I mean.
- Greg: It's a very rare
thing when I find a new band that actually makes me listen.
- Paul: I already knew the bands that
rose out of it, and I already have a stack of classic thrash records. It’s time to
progress, and stop re-writing Slayer and Destruction songs! So, yeah. Something we feel
strongly about...
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- HN: What are your aims for the near
future? Are there any milestones you have set for yourselves?
- Greg: Simply making a living from
what I enjoy best.
- Paul: That’s the dream! Use it
to escape life-shit!
- Phil: Plans for the future are more
gigs, more music, bigger venues...
- Paul: Bigger everything, dude. Bigger
hair for you guys! Haha.
- Phil: ... and more tours. Music
videos, DVD release. Must get this album out soon get on to the next one which is almost
ready for recording and (hopefully) get a record deal within a year or two.
- Paul: ...so we don’t have to do
all the boring parts.
- HN: Lastly, when can we expect the
album, and where can the hordes obtain it from?!
- Greg: We hope to have this album
finished by the beginning of summer. We will delay the release until the end of summer to
try and peak interest with distributers and record companies. Watch this space ... you'll
know as soon as we know.
- Phil: I would say by July...
- Paul: If we don’t get
representation, it’s still going out. I think it’s a record that should be
heard, even just to shake things up a bit and challenge metal listeners.
- Worst case scenario, we sell it on
paypal or some shit. Or from our websites;
- www.myspace.com/thresholdsicks
- www.thresholdsicks.webs.com
- Phil: ...and at any live show, or
from any member of the band
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- HN: Thanks very much for your time;
if you’ve any further messages for the world, please go ahead:
- All: GET SOME FUCKING METAL IN YA!!!
- Phil: PUT YOUR FIST AWAY UNLESS YOU
WANT TO FIGHT! Fuck all your trends and we'll spit if you try to drop us down. We shall
not yield to you nor any man!
- Paul: Ah shit. Now you’ve got
him singing!
- Greg; Try us ... you might just love
it!!!
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