Interview by Connie Bach
Intro and edit by Miriam "NocturnalConcerto"
Welcome to the arena rock explosion! Modified self release debut "Cruel Temptation" will blast your ears with pure enthusiasm and some straight-to-face hard rock..so it was time to know some more details about Modified and this debut.We just leave the word to Tricia, the singer, from know more about this exticing new band. Enjoy!
Hi,Tricia. What is going on with the band right now?
Right now we’re focusing all of our energy into our live show. We want to make it as tight as we possibly can. We’ve also been writing a lot of new material which we are recording now, fingers crossed it should be out shortly.
First, I must ask: where did the name Modified come from?
The name Modified had already been established before I joined but the story is...the name actually came from a huge amount of pressure before playing their first show,they had been trying for months to think of a new name but nothing stuck as well as Modified. Like the word, we too are always changing, learning and becoming better musicians so why change a good thing…
To paraphrase an earlier interview,you have discussed your blend of pop and rock stylings.When did your talent develop and why did you choose rock music?
Why do we make any decisions in life... because you're passionate about them. As a individuals we all love rock music, so rather then try to make a "pop" album and try and fit into the cookie cutter mold that the industry tends to lean towards, we would rather make music that we like... even if we have to sweat a little along the way.
If you could reach, say, ten years back in your memory, would you have seen yourself as the frontwoman of a rock band? Why?
Yes and no. It was always something I wanted but never thought I would have the balls to do it (get up on stage in front of complete strangers and be judged...by all of them). I studied photography in college so I’m sure in reality I thought I’d be a photographer married with 2 kids ha-ha!!! The idea of being a "rock star" was only a dream. And you can only hear "Can't make a decent career at music, find a real job" blah blah blah so many times. I believe if you want something bad enough and work hard enough at it you can surprise yourself. Bottom line,you make your own destiny.The "rock star" part and being adored by fans is just an added bonus.
Bands are like families. What brings you and the rest of Modified together?
I believe that a band is like any relationship,in that there are ups and downs. Each relationship gains strength through pushing forward and keeping your eye on the prize or the bigger picture. Don’t get me wrong we have our petty little arguments. At the end of the day we all know why we're here and that's to make the best music that we can and enjoy every minute of it.
On an EP loaded with great elements,the song that got my attention first was "Selfless Lies".What is the concept behind this song?That's my favorite song!It's basically about a relationship…a struggle whether to move forward or end it.I don't know if that's much of a "concept" more of a personal story/experience.Song writing at times can be my therapy,it helps heal my wounds,get it all out in the open,literally...hopefully people are able to find their own way of relating to it.Can you share a couple of memories,from the creation of "Cruel Temptations"?Why do these stories stand out in your mind?Anthony:First off,working with Mike Borkosky was amazing.Hands down he is one of the most talented producers out there.And the attention to detail…layering parts and recording techniques were just mind blowing.I've never had 6 simultaneous rhythm guitar tracks.The playback at times would blow my mind.What is the next step for Modified,
after "Cruel Temptations"?First on the wish list touring,getting our brand out there and we want to continue improving on our writing and performing.Everything else will just fall into place!I have a challenge.The idea is:if all of you can think this through and come up with one response.Perhaps,it is five years from now;you guys are headlining a tour.Give me a sense of the best gig ever:
perfect venue,the kind of supporting line-up and one thing that would make it stand out.You all spend so much time working together to create a common,multi-facitted result that it would be interesting to let people see that.Anthony and James would say Skydome in Toronto with Metallica!!!!Sure that would be nice but I'd have to say be on a tour like "Mayhem" playing with tons of great bands meeting new people and traveling the world.It's about the whole experience not just one night.For this one,an individual answer from each band member would be awesome.What is the one thing that goes through each of your minds,the moment RIGHT BEFORE a set starts?Anthony: I feel pumped and excited, like a kid. It’s so much fun to be on the stage, there’s really no way to put it into words.
On an EP loaded with great elements,the song that got my attention first was "Selfless Lies". What is the concept behind this song?
That's my favorite song! It's basically about a relationship…a struggle whether to move forward or end it. I don't know if that's much of a "concept" more of a personal story/experience. Songwriting at times can be my therapy, it helps heal my wounds, get it all out in the open, literally... hopefully people are able to find their own way of relating to it.
Can you share a couple of memories from the creation of "Cruel Temptations" ? Why do these stories stand out in your mind?
Anthony: First off,working with Mike Borkosky was amazing. Hands down he is one of the most talented producers out there. And the attention to detail…layering parts and recording techniques were just mind blowing. I've never had 6 simultaneous rhythm guitar tracks.The playback at times would blow my mind.
What is the next step for Modified after "Cruel Temptations"?
First on the wish list touring, getting our brand out there and we want to continue improving on our writing and performing. Everything else will just fall into place!
I have a challenge. The idea is: if all of you can think this through and come up with one response. Perhaps,it is five years from now; you guys are headlining a tour. Give me a sense of the best gig ever: perfect venue, the kind of supporting line-up and one thing that would make it stand out. You all spend so much time working together to create a common, multi-facitted result that it would be interesting to let people see that.
Anthony and James would say Skydome in Toronto with Metallica!!!! Sure that would be nice but I'd have to say be on a tour like Mayhem playing with tons of great bands meeting new people and travelling the world. It's about the whole experience not just one night.
For this one, an individual answer from each band member would be awesome. What is the one thing that goes through each of your minds,the moment RIGHT BEFORE a set starts?
Anthony: I feel pumped and excited like a kid. It’s so much fun to be on the stage, there’s really no way to put it into words.
Tricia: Honestly… 1. Do I have time to pee 2. Are my in ear monitors working, oh please god let them be working 3. Do I have water on stage 4. Is someone at the merch table 5. And I wish I had more time to warm up…
James: I definitely have the most stuff to set up and control, a full drum kit, drum triggers, backing track etc. My main concern is having a good tight set with no technical difficulties! We never have much time to set up/warm up/sound check. So until we have a crew doing everything for us things are pretty hectic to say the least.
Tricia, Modified produces music that many enjoy. Actually this is another one for the whole band to contribute to. If there is an artist that all of you really enjoy listening to, who is it?
Anthony: I like to combine elements of 80's new wave with grunge and metal and classic rock.... so it's hard to pin point any one band... I guess I would say Metallica, Van Halen, Tears for Fears, Alice In Chains, Sevendust, Fear Factory, Meshuggah etc...
Tricia: I love female fronted Metal/hard rock.. a bit obvious no? In This Moment, Lacuna Coil, HaleStorm..
James: Metallica, Pantera, Tool, Iron Maiden...any of my favourite drummers are in my favourite bands.
What is the craziest gig story that the whole band has been through? What makes it so memorable.How and why,did it strengthen the band’s internal relationships?
Last year we were in a Ontario radio competition called 97.7 Rock Search,we made it to the Top 5 and performed a set to a packed house full of industry professionals. We came in third out of hundreds and hundreds of bands. It was overall an awesome experience and although we didn't win we were all proud of ourselves for making it that far. It might not be the most exciting thing that has happened to us but it was a glimpse of our hard work paying off... we haven't stopped since.
I pitched this question to you, Tricia but here it is for the guys: how did you develop the talent for the instruments you play now?
Anthony: I've always practiced excessively, you can't really get a guitar out of my hands. I studied Conservatory classical music and have also studied many different styles of music from all over the world. And I've always been into a lot of instrumental guitar playing like Steve Vai, Shawn Lane, Allan Holdsworth, Jason Becker etc..
James: Listening to all my favorite drummers over and over again gave me inspiration to be the best I can be. I've always been in bands with very talented musicians so it too gave me motivation to work hard and practice lots to keep up. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and won't settle for anything to be half ass.
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oh please god let them be working3.Do I have water on stage4.Is someone at the merch table5.And I wish I had more time to warmup…James:I definitely have the most stuff to set up and control,a full drum kit,drum triggers,backing track etc...My main concern is having a good tight set with no technical difficulties!We never have much time to set up/warm up/sound check.So until we have a crew doing everything for us things are pretty hectic to say the least.Tricia,Modified produces music that many enjoy.Actually this is another one for the whole band to contribute to.If there is an artist that all of you really enjoy listening to, who is it?Anthony:I like to combine elements of 80's new wave with grunge and metal and classic rock....so it's hard to pin point any one band...I guess I would say Metallica,Van Halen,Tears for Fears,Alice In Chains,Sevendust,Fear Factory,Meshuggah etc...Tricia:I love female fronted Metal/hard rock..a bit obvious no?In This Moment,Lacuna Coil,HaleStorm..James:Metallica,Pantera,Tool,Iron Maiden...any of my favourite drummers are in my favourite bands.What is the craziest gig story that the whole band has been through?What makes it so memorable.How and why,did it strengthen the band’s internal relationships?Last year we were in a Ontario radio competition called 97.7 Rock Search..we made it to the top5 and performed a set to a packed house full of industry professionals.We came in third out of hundreds and hundreds of bands.It was overall an awesome experience and although we didn't win we were all proud of ourselves for making it that far.It might not be the most exciting thing that has happened to us but it was a glimpse of our hard work paying off...we haven't stopped since.I pitched this question to you,Tricia,but here it is for the guys:how did you develop the talent for the instruments you play now?Anthony:I've always practiced excessively,you can't really get a guitar out of my hands.I studied Conservatory classical music and have also studied many different styles of music from all over the world.And I've always been into a lot of instrumental guitar playing like Steve Vai,Shawn Lane,Allan Holdsworth,Jason Becker etc..James:Listening to all my favorite drummers over and over again gave me inspiration to be the best I can be.I've always been in bands with very talented musicians so it too gave me motivation to work hard and practice lots to keep up.I'm a bit of a perfectionist and won't settle for anything to be half ass.
after "Cruel Temptations"?First on the wish list touring,getting our brand out there and we want to continue improving on our writing and performing.Everything else will just fall into place!I have a challenge.The idea is:if all of you can think this through and come up with one response.Perhaps,it is five years from now;you guys are headlining a tour.Give me a sense of the best gig ever:
perfect venue,the kind of supporting line-up and one thing that would make it stand out.You all spend so much time working together to create a common,multi-facitted result that it would be interesting to let people see that.Anthony and James would say Skydome in Toronto with Metallica!!!!Sure that would be nice but I'd have to say be on a tour like "Mayhem" playing with tons of great bands meeting new people and traveling the world.It's about the whole experience not just one night.For this one,an individual answer from each band member would be awesome.What is the one thing that goes through each of your minds,the moment RIGHT BEFORE a set starts?Anthony: I feel pumped and excited, like a kid. It’s so much fun to be on the stage, there’s really no way to put it into words.
you make your own destiny.The “rock star” part and being adored by fans is just an added bonus.Bands are like families.What brings you and the rest of Modified together?I believe that a band is like any relationship,in that there are ups and downs.Each relationship gains strength through pushing forward and keeping your eye on the prize or the bigger picture.Don’t get me wrong we have our petty little arguments.At the end of the day we all know why we're here and that's to make the best music that we can and enjoy every minute of it.
so rather then try to make a "pop" album and try and fit into the cookie cutter mold that the industry tends to lean towards,we would rather make music that we like...even if we have to sweat a little along the way.If you could reach,say,ten years back in your memory,would you have seen yourself as the frontwoman of a rock band?Why?Yes and No.It was always something I wanted but never thought I would have the balls to do it (get up on stage in front of complete strangers and be judged...by all of them).I studied Photography in college so I’m sure in reality I thought I’d be a photographer married with 2 kids ha-ha!!!The idea of being a "rock star" was only a dream.And you can only hear“Can't make a decent career at music,find a real job" blah blah blah so many times.I believe if you want something bad enough and work hard enough at it you can surprise yourself.Bottom line,
you make your own destiny.The “rock star” part and being adored by fans is just an added bonus.Bands are like families.What brings you and the rest of Modified together?I believe that a band is like any relationship,in that there are ups and downs.Each relationship gains strength through pushing forward and keeping your eye on the prize or the bigger picture.Don’t get me wrong we have our petty little arguments.At the end of the day we all know why we're here and that's to make the best music that we can and enjoy every minute of it.
learning and becoming better musicians so why change a good thing…To paraphrase an earlier interview,you have discussed your blend of pop and rock stylings.When did your talent develop and why did you choose rock music?Why do we make any decisions in life...because you're passionate about them.As a individuals we all love rock music,
so rather then try to make a "pop" album and try and fit into the cookie cutter mold that the industry tends to lean towards,we would rather make music that we like...even if we have to sweat a little along the way.If you could reach,say,ten years back in your memory,would you have seen yourself as the frontwoman of a rock band?Why?Yes and No.It was always something I wanted but never thought I would have the balls to do it (get up on stage in front of complete strangers and be judged...by all of them).I studied Photography in college so I’m sure in reality I thought I’d be a photographer married with 2 kids ha-ha!!!The idea of being a "rock star" was only a dream.And you can only hear“Can't make a decent career at music,find a real job" blah blah blah so many times.I believe if you want something bad enough and work hard enough at it you can surprise yourself.Bottom line,
you make your own destiny.The “rock star” part and being adored by fans is just an added bonus.Bands are like families.What brings you and the rest of Modified together?I believe that a band is like any relationship,in that there are ups and downs.Each relationship gains strength through pushing forward and keeping your eye on the prize or the bigger picture.Don’t get me wrong we have our petty little arguments.At the end of the day we all know why we're here and that's to make the best music that we can and enjoy every minute of it.
Welcome to the arena rock explosion!Modified self release debut "Cruel Temptation" will blast your ears with pure enthusiasm and some straight-to-face hard rock..so it was time to know some more details about Modified and this debut.We just leave the word to Tricia, the singer, from know more about this exticing new band.Enjoy!