Echo Hollow - SOA Interview

Metal Mission Magazine
• Brazil •

Interview

September 1999

Echo, still aren't very well know here in Brasil. A really small number
of people might have heard about it, and a smaller number might have
heard the music. Tell us How did the band Started: (when, where, by
who..) What is the current line up?

Guy: It all happened very fast. I think it was in 1996 that Gary called
me and said he was finished with the Tourniquet project. We had already
recorded 3 songs while he was still in Tourniquet, one of them being the
song ‘Sad.’ Gary already knew about our drummer Matt Rosenblum because
some musicians had been raving about his playing. We called Matt shortly
after Gary departed from Tourniquet. Gary and I then called Matthew
Fallentine (who is now my brother-in-law cause I married his sister))
and the band was set. Matthew Fallentine actually sang backups on ‘You
Get What You Pray For’ on the first Tourniquet album.

Could you comment Diet of Worms? What this album is about? It has been
well accepted? When did you recorded? How it sounds like? Produced by who?

Gary: The record was done in September of 1998. It is very guitar driven
with aggressive and melodic vocals. The title track is about the reformation
of the Church and Martin Luther during the 16th Century. We recorded the
album at Guy’s house in Los Angeles, and Bill Metoyer produced much of
it. Bill Metoyer also produced most of the Tourniquet stuff, Flotsam &
Jetsam, DRI, Trouble, etc.

Are you guys preparing the 2º album already? How is it going to be?

Guy: We have already started writing for the next album. Three songs are
already finished in pre-production . It is similar to the first album
but also very different and more unique. We hope to have it out before
December 1999.

Which way do you guys use more often, to share Christ with
non-christian people? Especially inside heavy metal scene?

Gary: We are called to be a witness for Christ wherever we are. At work or
at a concert, while writing lyrics or taking a lunch break-we are always
prepared to be a witness.

Guy: I’m not sure if I reach more people through our music or outside
the music. Hopefully I am reaching people where I work at Fox Sports,
and also at the youth group at my church.

Would you like to share some good experience with us about this subject?

Guy: There are so many. Here’s one. A month after the album came out,
we were live on a radio station in Los Angeles and the D.J. played the
song SAD. One guy called into the station from his car and said he was
practically living the lyrics to ‘Sad’ word for word and re-dedicated
his life to Christ.

You (Guy and Gary) have a lot of experience preaching the gospel
inside the metal scene, since you guys have been involved in it for more
than 10 years now. What do you think is most important to a Christian
band during their first years? And what it is most important for it to
be able to stand for a long time?

Gary: The important issue is the centrality of Christ. If your ministry is
founded and grounded in God's Word and trusting in just that (and nothing
more) then God will work through you. We have discovered this through the
years. If you are out there for self gain then you will be very disappointed.

Guy: It’s easy to forget why you are called to serve God. We are called
to glorify Him in everything we do. It’s ok to use music as a tool to
reach this stubborn world, but it’s difficult to do it unless you are
full on, because the enemy seeks to destroy anyone who speaks the truth
about who he is and who God is. If a band wants to play music that has
Christian lyrics, they better be doing it for the right reason or they
are better off just playing regular music. One way to stay in check is
to seek a fresh relationship with Christ every day…not every month, not
every year, not every album. It is helpful if all the members of a
Christian group belong to the same church, but in ours it is not the
case because we kive far apart. It is very advantageous to have a pastor
meet with the band regularly to keep the band accountable, and getting a
church to give their blessing on the band is the best situation.

(To Gary) You got the chance to come to Brasil in 95 with Tourniquet,
and to see a little bit of the Brasilian people energy. Unfortunately I
didn't have the chance to be at that show, cause it was very bad
spreaded. Could you say some words about that day? What is your highest
remembrances, about the Brasilian people, and what do you think about
coming here someday with Echo Hollow?

Gary: I really loved being in Brasil. The people, the music, the food, it
was all good. It went by way too quickly, though. We did an album
signing at this record store in a huge mall-it got very crazy, many people
showed up. This girl walked up to me and kissed me without warning-I guess
that falls under the heading of "a little bit of the Brasilian people energy"!
Looking forward to being in Brasil again...

(To Gary) Ted Kirkpatrick, said on Metal Mission issue 4, that Gary
left the band (Tourniquet), because he didn't want to do heavy Music
anymore. But now we can see on the last 2 Tourniquet albums, that they
aren't doing music so heavy, while Echo Hollow are doing some strong
metal. Also we can see Ted playing every instrument on the albums. Could
you comment that?

Gary: I don't even listen to Tourniquet anymore, so I can’t really
comment on that. Ted can certainly play all those instruments though,
he's a great musician.

Are there some possibilities for some reunion of the old Tourniquet?
(Guy, Gary, Ted, Erik and Victor) At least for some show (s) ?

Guy: I cannot see the future. I am having a hard time even predicting
the whole Y2K thing! Anything is possible though.

There are many speculations about what happened to Victor, and Erik to
leave the band. Do you know what really happened to them both? Are they
doing something inside music currently?

Guy: I see Victor every day. I helped him get a job at Fox Sports where
I work. He is still a very good friend, but He doesn’t play music much
anymore. I am yet to track Erik down since I lost track of him. I think
he was in a punk band last time I heard.

Well, any plans for Echo Hollow's future? This year and next?

Guy: We have plans, to keep writing music that will encourage people
who know nothing about Christ. We have plans to keep reaching people who
know a lot about Christ yet are blowing it big time. We are encouraged
by all of the letters we receive from those who we have been able to
help through this album. If we can make a small difference in this
world, then I am satisfied. Like I told Gary when we were recording the
album…"If one person gets saved from listening to this album, it doesn’t
matter if we ever break even and pay off the money we spent to record
it." Now, seven months later, there have been many changed lives
because of the album, and we still haven’t broken even, but who cares!

Thank you, Guy and Gary for spending time with this interview, and I,
representing all brasilian christian metal fans, would like to express
the desire to have Echo, playing here someday. Please leave a message
for the Brasilian people.

Guy: Thanks for including us! We would love to come to Brasil. I have a
guitar patch in my processor called "Rain Forest Crunch" that I would
like to share with you! (just kidding)

I encourage anyone reading this to ask God 3 questions:

1) Why did you create me, and for what purpose?

2) How can I fulfill your purpose for my life?

3) How can I get to there from where I am right now?

For those who already know what God wants to do with your life, go…just
go… and don’t look back. He will bless you beyond your wildest dreams
and you will never be bored, you will never be lonely, and you will
always be a leader in this world.

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