Screaming At Demons: Shimon Moore (vocals), Chris Clemence (bass), Russell Ali (guitar)When former Sick Puppies frontman Shimon Moore formed the brand new band Screaming At Demons along with Chris Clemence and Russell Ali, neither expected to immediately be involved in making a difference to one of the nation’s biggest public issues. Homelessness affects hundreds of thousands in the U.S. and when Shimon’s lifelong friend and creator of the Homeless Rockstars project Nigel Skeet asked Screaming At Demons to help promote the cause it was nothing short of a no-brainer. The Homeless Rockstars project aims to break down the stigma surrounding the homeless through the means of photography and has already formed a huge following. So it was up to a brand new band in the shape of Screaming At Demons to keep the movement alive…
Hi guys! How would you introduce your new band and its music compared with other projects you have been involved with in your careers?
Chris Clemence: Screaming At Demons is an exciting band because we all come from pretty diverse projects. The way I’d say this band differs is our approach and message. We are turning everything on it’s head and going against the grain and the traditional way of releasing music. We’ve partnered up with the Homeless Rockstars campaign to help members of the homeless community get back into society and realize their dreams. The only way you’ll be able to get our first single, “Rockstar”, which won’t be on iTunes or Spotify, is to donate to the charity. Once you watch our video for “Rockstar” on our VEVO channel on October 6, there’ll be specific instructions on how to text to donate and get the single sent directly to your email.
Screaming At Demons have already been given a huge opportunity early in its life with the involvement of the brilliant Homeless Rockstars movement. Was it an easy decision to make having known Nigel Skeet for so long?
Shim: It was a very easy decision. I would have done anything to help Nigel but the fact that this is such a great spin on helping an issue I already felt so connected to, was an added bonus.
What can you tell us about the song and video you have created for the movement? What was the writing process like for such a meaningful issue?
Shim: The song took very little time to write. I spoke to Nigel originally and asked what the cause really meant and what it was trying to say. After a lengthy conversation and coming to a deep understanding of why Homeless Rockstars was so effective, the song wrote itself. I literally put the whole track together in one day.
A Chat With Shimon Moore And Nigel Skeet
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It must be very rewarding to not only help a lifelong friend but contribute to “restoring the relationship between the homeless and the community at large” (as it states on the Homeless Rockstars website)?
Chris Clemence: it’s extremely rewarding and the best part is the results are so tangible. With other charities sometimes it’s hard to see how your donation makes a difference. With Homeless Rockstars, you’ll see individuals, all with their own unique stories, and their rise back to where they belong. By donating you’re not only helping change someone’s life, but you’ll also get our new single “Rockstar”!
Shimon, you’ve had some previous experience directing a music video for your old band Sick Puppies with the notorious ‘free hugs’ video, which turned out to accumulate an incredible 77 million views on YouTube! Did this experience prove useful when creating this new video?
The reason I knew the Homeless Rockstars video would work for the song was specifically because of that. The FREE HUGS clip was an accident. This won’t be!
Did that music video have anything to do with your decision to take on this new task for Homeless Rockstars?
No. I just knew how much the visual component would help the song touch people, and therefore make them want to donate to the cause. Plus making videos is my favorite thing to do.
Are there any plans for a debut album from Screaming At Demons within the near future?
Chris Clemence: Right now we are launching with the first single “Rockstar”, but we have several other amazing singles that will be following it up, leading to an EP.
Screaming At Demons – Rockstar
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Some artists prefer fans to buy an album rather than downloading the tracks in order for them to have the whole experience. How important is that to you?
Not that important at this time, because the consumer these days usually listens to singles on new technology. A song is an experience within itself and is also very satisfying to create as an artist.
What are some topic areas or sounds you would want to pursue in the future?
My favorite topic for lyrics is something that makes people feel less alone. And also makes us feel like we can do anything, because we can.
Finally, what would you say are the band’s long-term ambitions?
Chris Clemence: We just want to write the best music possible that connects with our fans. If we can help change some people’s lives with our music as well, that’s what it’s all about. We are super excited to release this new music and I think everyone’s going to really dig it.
