American melodic death metal band from Chicago, Illinois, with a sound forged in fire and baptized in blood, Starkill are making moves and have earned their place in metal.
Incorporating different styles and sounds, this foursome has provoked critics to categorize them under a plethora of genres, including melodic death, power, symphonic, among others; however, with the release of Virus of the Mind, they’ve definitely become a band to be reckoned with.
We caught up with them to discuss YouTube trolls, riffs and Pantene…
STARKILL is Parker Jameson (lead guitar, vocals, keyboards), Spencer Weidner (drums), Tony Keathley (guitar, backing vocals), and Shaun Andruchuk (bass guitar)
For those who don’t know you, describe your sound in seven words.
Amon Amarth + Dimmu + Amorphis + Dragonforce + Dethklok + Bodom
Nice assortment! How long did you take to record Virus, was it a long process?
It took about four weeks to actually track the album, then we kind of took it easy and it was mixed and mastered over the following six or so weeks. It was pretty stress-free experience.
I dig stress-free. Growing up, what inspired you to play music?
Just seeing the skill and power delivered from my idols’ performances. Specifically, I can remember being younger and watching live DVDs of Rush and Joe Satriani and just internally freaking out over all that stuff. It made me want to take guitar and music seriously.
Who’s the prankster in the band? There’s always one! Tell us about his best/worst prank!
I think our drummer Spencer is the only one who’s not a prankster, as he’s usually the responsible one who keeps shit in line. But the rest of us, I dunno, somehow our stupid ideas and stories always revolve around food. Stealing it, throwing it, hiding it in places to rot, etc.
We try to keep the pranks to a minimum on tour, as I’d personally rather not have my stuff messed with when I’m trying to deliver a perfect performance every night.
What do you say to the internet assholes who say you’re just ripping off Children of Bodom?
I’d suggest they watch the music videos with their eyes closed. Just because I play a V guitar and wear eyeliner, that doesn’t make our music sound any more like COB. I think it’s a huge compliment to be compared to Alexi since he’s one of my biggest influences, but I think there are plenty of other bands’ influences that are more prominent in our material than Bodom.
STARKILL – Before Hope Fades (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
[embedplusvideo height=”350″ width=”600″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/1szwdzW” standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/_SskDNSplMY?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=_SskDNSplMY&width=600&height=350&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep6200″ /]
What’s got you excited about the future of the band? Where do you see it in say, five years?
Touring is the ultimate source of excitement and entertainment. It’s not a lifestyle for everybody, but all we want to play our music live as much as possible. Hopefully in five years we’re in a position where we can have our own bus and be headlining our own bigger shows. I think that’s every band’s dream.
What were your jobs before being ultimate shred masters?
You mean what *are* our jobs still? (laughs). When we’re not touring, we’re usually doing audio related gigs. Shaun is a guitar tech, Tony does a lot of studio work…that sort of stuff.
STARKILL – Virus of the Mind (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
[embedplusvideo height=”350″ width=”600″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/1szxPd1″ standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/Z2wY7ndQx70?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=Z2wY7ndQx70&width=600&height=350&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep2211″ /]
If you weren’t playing music, what would you be doin?
Probably recording it.
Have you ever invented an ice-cream flavor? If not, what would your flavor be if you could?
 I have not, but I think they really need to sell cartons of Nesquik flavor ice cream. That’d be awesome.
I feel ya there. How do you get your hair that shiny? Pantene?
Silk Drops, dude.
Adding Silk-Drops to my arsenal of hair products. Any parting words?
Spaghetti.
Of all words to part with, I think Spaghetti says it all!
