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INTERVIEW: Stephanie Stevens talks with Tim Fluckey of Bakersfield, CA band Adema - READ IT HERE

8/14/2020

BY: STEPHANIE STEVENS

Bakersfield, Ca band ADEMA turned heads in 2001 when their debut album entitled ADEMA hit the music world. With hit singles THE WAY YOU LIKE IT and GIVING IN hit the radio airwaves and videos were all over MTV the guys dreams were all coming true. Through great times of the band and some not so splendid times founding member and guitarist Tim Fluckey stuck to his belief in the band and got the band through some rough spots. After years of success the band took a small hiatus until a rebirth was founded in 2019 and the guys got offered a tour with Powerman 5000. That is when the momentum and inspiration came back when Ryan Shuck of Orgy fame and Julien-k took the lead vocalist position. That tour in 2019 brought the guys back to life. Dave Deroo-bass, Mile Ransom-guitar, Kris Kohls-drums along with Fluckey and Ryan havent let 2020 break them, they are writing new music and just did a livestream concert for their fans!
I was able to chat with Tim recently about his time as a frontman for the band, what band he would love to collab with and his songwriting. Check it out
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Q: Your known as one of the guitar players of ADEMA, but you also took the helm of vocalist for a bit. How did the atmosphere change when you did that as a entertainer for you?

A: I was definitely thrust into that position. Our singer quit the day a tour was supposed to start but we still felt obligated to do the tour. I have done backup vocals for years but I never was a frontman. The guys asked me if I could do it and I said I’d try. I sat in the van on the way to the first gig playing guitar and seeing if I could sing the songs at the same time. We didn’t have a chance to rehearse so it was a trial by fire on the road. It seemed to work out and our fans were great and supportive. It was a different world from just playing guitar, I was used to moving around the stage and not being anchored to a mic. I also had to talk to the crowd as a frontman and it’s harder than people think but I did get better and better at it. It made me a better vocalist but I definitely like being just a guitar player who sings backups because I can put on a better show. I also think it’s better for the fans to see a true frontman like Ryan up there with a full band and not just the guitar player shifting over to sing.
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Q: For any vocalist/frontman out there what do you give them the biggest kudos for after standing in there shoes for a bit?

A: Like I was saying before being able to genuinely engage the crowd and keep them into it. It’s definitely a skill and takes time and experience to be good at. So many singers have that awkward silence or say things that sound fake or don’t make sense. I had my cringe worthy moments for sure. Anyone who puts themselves in that vulnerable of a spot, especially now when every show is put on social media, deserves kudos for that.
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Q: As a guitarist what was your "moment" when you wanted to make this a career?

A: I wanted to do this even before I learned how to play guitar. I can remember being in the 3rd grade watching MTV and holding my mom’s tennis racket like a guitar and acting like I was in Ratt thinking this is what I want to do with my life.
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Q: What brings you the biggest satisfaction singing, guitar playing or songwriting? And does each inspire you differently as a artist and if so in what ways?

A: I think of myself as a guitar player who writes songs it’s how I express myself. And when you get it right and are able to move someone emotionally or have a shared experience through music there’s nothing better to me. Singing has always been something outside of my comfort zone but I feel a sense of accomplishment by taking on that challenge and getting better over the years.
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Q: ADEMA formed in 2000 and you were a part of this from the beginning. Looking back on this journey with the band do you have a "humbling moment" that you realized I made my dream a reality and do you still step back and are taken back by it?

A: We had so many moments like that in the beginning but one that stands out was early on we were in New York to play a show for K-ROCK. On that day we heard our song on the radio for the first time and played a show with Disturbed, Papa Roach, Linkin Park, Stone Temple Pilots and Jane’s Addiction. Howard Stern was on the side stage watching and it was like “is this really happening?”. It was an amazing moment and after all those years of doing it, it WAS happening.
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Q: For someone struggling with fear of failure or not being good enough as a musician or any creative talent, what would you advice them with to help them take a leap of faith?

A: Fear of failure is the most important thing to overcome. You won’t learn anything unless you fail multiple times. But you have to learn from those failures and realize what you’ve done wrong. I made a list of all my failures and what I should fix and I had a record deal 10 weeks later. And always be honest with yourself and your music, you know in your heart if you’re going down the right path, trust yourself.
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Q: What is in store for ADEMA going deeper into 2020 and 2021?

A: We have been writing new music throughout the pandemic and can’t wait to finish that soon and get it out there. Ryan has us all inspired and excited. He came in as a fan of the band and it reminded us that we need to be true to them and write songs that live up to what our fans deserve. We hope to tour as soon as this pandemic is over and we can do it safely for our fans. We had a lot of momentum going into this year and we hope to pick that up again.
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Q: How has Ryan changed the dynamics of the band and what are you learning from him?

A: As I mentioned before he’s come in and made us more focused on what we need to do as a band. We finally have a great frontman again which has been exciting for us. We’ve learned a lot from him when it comes to how to move a band into the future and give our fans a better experience overall. Our fans have always been loyal so it feels great to be able to deliver to them what they deserve.
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Q: If you could collab with anyone in another genre of music who would it be and why?

A: I always thought it would be cool to do something with Depeche Mode. I think their use of electronic music and dark chord progressions and melody would be cool with a heavy band behind it.
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Q: One song that blows me away and is rarely played or talked about in your discography is the song PLANETS. As a writer for that song how do you define the atmosphere when writing that track and what does the song mean to you?

A: Planets was a song that when I wrote it I was reevaluating my life and where the band was going. So many things changed in a short period of time and I was letting that all effect me too much and not moving forward. It’s about coming to terms with those things and realizing you only have control of what you’re going to do not the past. And ultimately get over yourself from holding yourself back with self pity and excuses. That is one of those songs where I think I got it right.
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Q: What is the most important thing about music/art that can help people in your opinion?

A: Music is something you can turn to that’s always there for you and doesn’t judge you. It’s helped me through so many tough times and made the good times even better. It’s why I wanted to do this, I wanted to be part of something that means so much to me. To be there for people like my favorite artists where there for me.
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Q: What do you hope people will remember most about ur art/music?

A: Just that it was honest music coming from five regular guys that chased their dreams. Hopefully it helps them and reminds them of some of the best times of their life.
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Q: If for some reason this never became you career path what do you think you would be doing these days?

A: That’s hard because this is all I’ve ever wanted. Being 6’9” I do have a background in basketball and I played college basketball so I would probably be a coach. I’ve done it for my son and it’s rewarding help kids improve and meet their goals.
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Q:Empower another artist by telling us someone u admire and why you admire them?

A: Speaking of my son I named him Abbott after “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott. He taught me you can be yourself and carve your own path and achieve your dreams. You don’t have to compromise who you are or be something you’re not to be successful at anything. You are good enough by just being yourself.

Merch store
https://ademastore.com/
Facebook: @adema
Instagram: @ademamusic

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INTERVIEW: Stephanie Stevens talks to the Alabama metal band Oracle as she talks with them about their new album Hindsight Is 2020 and much more! - READ IT HERE

8/14/2020

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BY Stephanie Stevens

ORACLE came onto the Alabama scene in 2016 by a father/son combo who shared a love for all things metal! Trey and Ray Ozinga along with Jason Long formed the band to showcase the musicality and creative metal attributes they each had a passion for. What came from that passion is a truly unique metal assault that breathes heavy with groove a ton of epic passages and brutality at its finest that will get the attention of metalheads worldwide!
The band just released the 4th full length album entitled HINDSIGHT IS 2020 through Pavement Entertainment and I was able to find out a little more about this band and the musicians.

Q: Your band name comes from Greek History what does the meaning of ORACLE mean to you and how does it define the band?

A: As with most bands, we kicked around many names when forming the band. We decided on Oracle because of lack of genre specific sound and meaning. Our lyrical content can have many different messages and meanings that are important to us yet, many people can inject many different meanings upon and relate to them. Us, as a band and a bringer of these messages, only felt right.
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Q: Trey and Ray are a father/son combo in the band how was growing up in a household that I would see as musically inclined and what have each of you learnt about each other being in a band?

A: We always had such a great common ground and goal with our lives that made life easy. Of corse, there were battles on certain topics but, we debated and grew in a positive healthy manor because of our common goals. Both of us bring such a unique trade to the band that works hand-in-hand. Learning to let each other do what we are good at has been our largest lessons taught because we are a better overall product because of it.
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Q: Where did you Find Jason and how has he influenced songwriter and pushing the band to new heights and growth?

A: Jason was in other bands in the past that we have had shows with. We first met him at a show that he was playing and we was impressed by his work. After a few years we three found ourselves at a crossroads of needing like minded people that worked hard and had open minds. He fits the bill and he influences song writing in a positive way for us and we all learn from each other.
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Q: Since your inception in 2016 it seems like you have been releasing an album a year. Did you guys have a back log of stuff you had written before you got together or was the bond you had when you formed just songwriting coming easy?

A: Well, song writing never comes easy. There are times where it seems to fall out of you as if it already existed and just needed a medium in which to flow forth. We didnít have a back log of material as we wanted all of our influences to blend together to form a unique band. There was some prior written material on the ep but, no, itís important for us to write for the here and now and where we are. We wouldnít want to have to palette to paint a masterpiece and put out material that was created long before our palette had so many colors.
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Q: You came out with a new record June 12th entitled HINDSIGHT 2020 on this album you guys are broadening your depth and creativity. How is that differing from past albums you have released?

A: This album seems to be a eureka moment in which all three of us knew how to speak out with solidity. We stripped some things off of the first two albumís approaches and made the third album, Seven Deadly Sins in an attempt to get to the roots of what we are good at and can grow from. That album was kind of a reboot for Oracle.
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Q: I love THE CROW off the new disc. What was your inspiration for that track and do you consider this the platform song off the album and what was it about the track that made you know it was a release pre- release?

A:The message. The lyrics. We feel like people could really inject theirselves into that song because of the emotional roller coaster that modern social media and life in general can cause. We donít want the song to be considered a suicide song as much as killing the negative inside of your head and maybe in your own personal physical world. Jasonís wife battles with extreme depression and anxiety and he wanted her to simple talk about all of her feelings and emotions through all of it. He then took pages of her words and created the lyrics. We think this song personified the condition to where someone suffering could relate.
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Q: You guys have a broad sound palette from death, thrash, black and nu metal aspects in your sound if you had to pick one genre you feel is the hardest to come up with ideas or sound patterns for which one would it be and how do you work out the kinks to come up with fresh sounds for it?

A: Honestly, we all have such a vast and eclectic background that the ideas arenít lacking. Working out the kinks come with perseverance and hard work. Making them work together and making music that is simply good is the real battle. But, itís a battle we take pride in and have a love for.
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Q: If you could partner up with any other musician to collaborate on a song together who would it be and why?

A: I think it would be Mario Duplantier of Gojira because Trey is an outstanding drummer but, also a killer guitar player. There is nothing that couldnít be possible and thatís what is exciting about that thought.
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Q: If you could only see one band live ever again what band would it be and why?

A: Avatar because they put on the simply best show we have ever witnessed and we have all seen them multiple times. Itís not only a musical masterpiece from front to back but, a spectacle for every band to aspire.
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Q: What else is on the horizon for the band? And what social media platform is the best one to keep up to date on stuff with the band?

A: Due to so much chaos with the condition of the world at the moment and our love for creating music, itís a very simple answer. More music. Maybe better music. That is the goal. We do hope to get out on the road but, that is not in our hands at the moment. Until then, hit us up on all social media platforms and please go to YouTube and subscribe. Look us up on all of the media by typing Oracle extreme metal.
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Q: Any words of wisdom to your fans and the music community before I let you go?

A: Work hard. Be open minded and always remember; there is no failure if you keep trying. Thatís how you learn. The only failure is quitting on your dreams. That's the only resolution of assuring the dream died and will not be obtained.

https://oracleextrememetal.com/

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NEW MUSIC: Chicago Metal band Vile Cynic Unleashes their new EP "Agony" CHECK IT OUT HERE

8/3/2020

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LISTEN HERE

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INTERVIEW: Stephanie Stevens talks with Tim Fluckey of Bakersfield, CA band Adema - READ IT HERE

INTERVIEW: Stephanie Stevens talks to the Alabama metal band Oracle as she talks with them about their new album Hindsight Is 2020 and much more! - READ IT HERE

NEW MUSIC: Chicago Metal band Vile Cynic Unleashes their new EP "Agony" CHECK IT OUT HERE

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