RiotGod -- was a name I had made up years ago -- just to lend a title to the music I was doing back then, a mix of personal recordings and other lo-fi affairs. When we were searching for something to call ourselves, Bob suggested we use this name and I agreed. It was/is a random connection of words. It has nothing to do with revolution -- it has no set connotations.
The Music -- 80% of the time music is given to me as a full piece or sometimes a piece very close close to completion, recorded and ready for vocals -- I sit with it for a while, playing it over and over -- and then when I know it I am always playing it in my head..
I will place it in my i-Pod as an instrumental and take it places with me and think generally, depending on the tone of the tune, of what might fit. I will write down lyrics on the spot if I have to. Some of the lyrics for Love it or Leave it were written on the way to the studio, in the back of a book. After coming up with a musical /melody schematic, a skeleton to place words over and determine initial phrasings, I practice the tune as much as I can -- even in my head -- before laying down the tracks and sometimes do a bit of pre-production on my laptop.
As time goes on I -- when we play live -- I stretch my phrasings and play with them -- which makes any song, no matter old or new, always fun to sing
The first batch of songs were written mainly by Bob Pantella -- to which Garrett added solos and I added melody and lyrics. Garrett soon offered some music he had created, as well as Jim and myself. Now the process is starting to become more unified, with ideas being offered at rehearsal and discussed. We can't wait to start recording new material
Sun: Influences: I can only really speak for me -- but I think my assumptions might be true for the rest of the members: There are no conscious choices when making the music, save for notes, key or tempo.
I don't think any one of us says "Wow -- I want to sound like this/that!" I can say that everything we have all ever listened to can certainly be called as important. From any band and any genre.
Bob when he writes I think tries to achieve a certain feel -- but of course -- one would have to ask him or Garrett or Jim specifically. When I write I think about stories or some kind of visual feel for the music -- and as fafr as influences I dig bands and songwriters that do this -- create a story.
Sometimes people will assign influences -- of course -- sometimes I like a drony feel of vocals -- now even if that is influenced by something else like monks or whatever, it might be compared to Alice in Chains. I used to love Judas Priest as a kid -- but if one achieves a higher vocal -- especially a raspier one, you get a Cornell tag. I can't speak about those choices, but my approach to the music is simple -- what fits -- practically no conscious influence vocally. We use a projector and a few lights for bigger shows -- if this is what you mean by "effects."
Put us in front of people who are into rock -- hard rock - and we are there.
Jim -- he has a Fender Precision Bass & Mosrite bass etc and plays through an Ampeg...& FVT cabinet -- but if you really need a precise account, the players can be asked individually.
Bob : Pearl drums Meinl cymbal, Vater sticks, Aquarian heads
I have a few mics, AKG, Shure, Sennheiser.