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Desirèe
Guèry from "In Tune Magazine's"
interview with Travis
I recently had a chance to interview
Travis Crider, guitarist in heavy metal band Black Earth - whose band name comes
from The Necronomicon (The Book of the Dead). Travis was the first artist to
contact us, and after speaking to him, I was not let down. You may know Black
Earth from their tributes to Pantera, Queensryche, Suicidal Tendencies, Twisted
Sister, Saxon, Scorpions, Dio, and W.A.S.P. which were released on Dwell Records
- all of which sold respectively well, worldwide.
Although Black Earth has gotten their name known by participating in Tribute
albums, they're not to be mistaken for a cover band. "We want to be looked at
in 30 years like people look at KISS, Ozzy, or The Rolling Stones," says Crider.
"That may happen and it may not happen, but one thing is for sure - it will
never happen if we are playing other people's music." However, if you're a fan
of their tribute songs, don't fret. "In our live show we will play maybe one
song from the tributes we have been on, the rest is our music.
" Black Earth has gotten their name known by their tributes, and though they're
not a Tribute Band or Cover Band, their success with their Tribute albums cannot
be dismissed. "We used the Tributes as a way to get our name out across the
country as well as around the world, and it has worked," says Crider. "But our
main focus is our original music," he reminds us. They've used the Tribute albums
as a stepping stone, and in return, they've gotten fan letters from all around
the world. "The only bad part is the some of the e-mails are not in English.
That sometimes makes it hard to respond," Crider tells us. He's working on making
their website (www.blackearth1.com) comprehendible all over the world, and is
looking into making the site in different languages.
Ironically, having done quite a few tributes themselves, Black Earth got the
honor of having another local Indiana band, Toxic Shock, do a cover of one of
Black Earth's originals. Having the tables turned on this heavy metal band was
quite a shock. "Its kind of a compliment, because you're like 'I wrote this
at 3 o'clock in the morning while setting on my sofa with my guitar getting
drunk' Whats the big deal?" But to fans of this band who have had the chance
to see Black Earth live, or hear their original songs - they know exactly what
the big deal is, and they're not surprised that other bands are doing cover
songs on Black Earth already.
Once you hear the sounds of Black Earth, you will be a metal fan for life, so
I had to ask. What are the five essential albums that every metal fan must own
in order to fully appreciate and embrace the genre? Crider found this a hard
question, but mustered up five albums that he would consider essential. His
list includes KISS - Alive I, Metallica - Master
of Puppets, Strapping Young Lad - City, Black Sabbath
- Black Sabbath, and King Diamond - Abigail. Does Black Earth
resemble any of these Heavy Metal Gods? "I think it contains elements of those
bands plus many others, but in no way is a copy," says Crider. "Our music is
unique, but it does contain the same emotion or aggression that these bands
have put out with their music."
One band Crider lists as an essential, Strapping Young Lad, is also one
that he lists as an underrated band along with SOILWORK and The Devin
Townsend Band. "I think alot of bands (including Black Earth) are just waiting
for the right opportunity to play for that right crowd or that right person
that can get them where they deserve or need to be. But the music [business]
today is more about what the trend is instead of the music.
" Heavy metal may never be a trend again, but Black Earth strives on making
their music worthwhile. Whether it's tribute songs, or their original work,
Black Earth works hard on getting their music distributed all over the world.
They have spent this summer recording their new album (which you will be able
to purchase on their website), and are getting ready to hit the stage once again
in August. As Crider confides in us, "Most kids want to be policemen or firemen.
Not me. I wanted to be GENE SIMMONS from KISS, and I still do to this day."
Black Earth may or may not become a heavy metal legend such as KISS, but there
is nothing wrong with pushing a dream forward, and breaking through the trends.
Stay In Tune,
Desirče Guèry
