| Exposing
promising metal acts across the globe there comes a time in reviewing
new band demos that shapes ones perspective completely raising
an eyebrow to musical awareness. This is such as with the unsigned
act from Los Angeles, California known as EVE’s
DOWNFALL a band of combative feisty energy enthralling
all those whom come across this web of intensity. Spinning the
snare of captivity lead vocalist/guitarist Myssi Sauder sheds
some light as to why the groups downfall from Eden.
Jussi:
Hey there Myssi wanted to say thanks for allowing this interview
to take place. Wanted to ask you how did EVE’S DOWNFALL
come into existence?
Myssi: Thank you Jussi for letting us be interviewed.
The metal underground would not exist without folks like yourself.
EVE’S DOWNFALL formed in early 2000 in
Southern Illinois where I went to college. I had material building
up that I needed to perform so I basically traded drum positions
with a friend and we shared a bass player also a mutual friend
just so we could play out. I played drums in his band and he played
drums in mine. Sadly neither one of us were very good drummers
but it seemed like a good deal at the time. That obviously disbanded
with the end of college so when I moved to Los Angeles I naturally
took the name I had trademarked and the material I had with me.
Jussi:
There is mention that the band draws from L7, Babes in Toyland
to Black Sabbath style influences, but when listening to the bands
material it seems else wise due to the more intensity filled almost
melodic black metal twist to the band. Did the sound more or less
evolve to something more of an extreme nature when writing the
music?
Myssi: Yeah it’s really the vocals that give it
that vibe. Like I’m descending into hell or something. The
music itself is basically Sabbath-y riffs with a slight hint of
the straight up rock-n-roll tone that you might hear in an L7
tune. I think You Will Never Win is the clearest display
of this on our demo.
Jussi:
Lyrically the content depth is written from various points of
expression do you find yourself more pulled to write something
darker in nature? Or it depends how you ultimately create it to
the music more or less?
Myssi: It actually depends on whatever I’m feeling
at the time. I’ll usually have a riff we’ve been jamming
on for a minute and the lyrics will come to me in a fit of rage
one night at 2am when I can’t sleep because the latest Dubya
speech made me want to go beating republicans randomly or something.
Or you know a personal experience that made me want to do the
same thing. But sometimes I’ve just got done reading the
Tao and think living for another little while sounds like an interesting
adventure. So sometimes they can be from an overabundance of positive
feeling as well.
Jussi:
Why the name of EVE’S DOWNFALL?
Myssi: John Lennon once said, “Woman is the nigger
of the world”. Being brought up in a predominately Christian
society I thought using the name Eve was relevant to symbolize
what woman is put through in all societies throughout the world.
Not only are we the same exact species as the male gender but
we are also the physical givers of life but because we are women
we are constantly looked down upon and treated like objects present
for child birth and the pleasure of the male in this country and
the same thing in other countries on a much grander scale where
women aren’t treated as well as dogs. In the bible Eve’s
“Downfall” is responsible for the misery of all mankind.
But in reality without Eve there would be no mankind. Or shall
we say womankind?
Jussi:
Where do you see the band within the next five years?
Myssi: Within the next five years I will be out on tour
if it kills me dammit. I want to release a full length within
the next year or so (it’s all a money issue presently) and
start doing some west-cost dates. I’m not as concerned with
label support as I am with self-promotion but when I feel we are
ready I am going to play that angle as well but not until a full
length has been completed.
Jussi:
As a vocalist/guitarist do you find it difficult in being the
bands main mistress/songwriter?
Myssi: That’s an interesting question. It’s
my band. I own the name, write all the songs etc. But I try to
make sure that all of us have a say in all the decisions made.
Sadly though sometimes because something is yours that means that
others may not be as motivated to do stuff like book shows get
press etc (which of course is a full time job in and of itself
on a large scale) and that can make it hard.
Jussi:
Since being from the Los Angeles area do you find it a challenge
for the band to establish a name for themselves within the local
area music scene there?
Myssi: I actually came from Chicago and found the rest
of the band out here. And yes the Los Angeles music scene is extremely
disconnected. Which can make it very tough to build support even
between bands. Most of the friendly bands are all transplants.
But on the other hand there is just so much more going on out
here with the industry in general I mean you never know who your
going to run into. I was filling in on bass for this one band
about a month ago and we had CC Deville, Dizzy Reed and Joe Elliot
in the audience! I mean for a little girl from Chicago that’s
quite an exciting adventure to play in front of those cats.
Jussi:
How did you meet the following members of the group?
Myssi: I met Eric through an add in music connection
and it was an instant match I could not have been more fortunate
to find him of all people through a newspaper ad. I know we’ve
all got our horror stories about that. Michelle came from another
all female metal band we were in together called Burn The Empire
which is now disbanded.
Jussi:
If EVE’S DOWNFALL can share a stage with any named acts
who would they be?
Myssi: I think the best band we could possibly tour with
for what we’re doing and our sound would be My Ruin. Other
bands we’ve got a vibe with are COC, Clutch and Kittie.
As for the underground though I’d love to play with a band
like YOB or Sleep. We’re a bit different from that traditional
doom sound but I think we’d still fit in nicely with something
like that. I’d also love to play with Bottom or Crowbar,
which may be a more achievable goal for the not too distant future.
Jussi:
Any plans in recording a full length release in the near future?
If so what can one expect to hear?
Myssi: Yes as soon as the money is there the full length
will be. If I have to charge it though I’m not going to
wait much longer. Within the next year or so I will have it completed.
The full length would pick up right where the demo left off with
a few blues-y and melodic twists.
Jussi:
Asides from the group are there other musical projects going on?
Myssi: The three of us aren’t currently jamming
together in any other projects. I don’t think Eric and Michelle
have time for anything else (they would in theory but they’re
both Pisces so you know how that goes). I don’t have time
for anything else either but because I can’t conquer the
world in my sleep I am currently playing guitar in Riot Grrrl
style project called She Monster which is totally the singer’s
EVE’S DOWNFALL if that makes sense. I’m
not doing any writing or anything I’m playing cause I believe
in what she’s doing.
Jussi:
Who are your musical influences that drew you to guitar playing?
Myssi: Biggest and most obvious is Toni Iommi. Some of
my favorite guitarists are Randy Rhoads, Slash, Zakk Wylde etc.
But my guitar influence is almost completely drawn from Toni Tommi
with a bit of Woody Weatherman and Pepper Keenan thrown in there
as well.
Jussi:
Any future shows lined up for EVE’S DOWNFALL?
Myssi: We’re doing an in store at Penny Lane Records
on July 24th in Whittier CA. We’re also playing a big show
at The Gig in Hollywood August 30th.
Jussi:
Wanted to say thank you Myssi for taking the time out for this
interview. Many extreme metal blessing to you and EVE’S
DOWNFALL.
Myssi: Thank you Jussi for taking the time to do this
interview we really appreciate your support.
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