They started as strictly a tribute band. A couple of years in, they found themselves paying tribute to one of their own, drummer Michelle Smith, whose premature death spurred the penning of the 2005 EP Never Broken in her honor.
Now, with John Myslinksi of AC/DC apers Back In Black infamy manning the throne, "New England's Premiere Godsmack Tribute," Badmagick, officially enters the arena of originals with Fallen, their first full-band recording (Broken contained no percussion).
Your friendly neighborhood Nightcrawler caught up with Badmagick bassist Brian Markelonis to talk Godsmack, songwriting and rock 'n' roll lineage before his band's CD release party, slated for Oct. 6 at Chicopee's Maximum Capacity. Here's how it went down:
Nightcrawler: Is this a 100 percent shift to originals or will you guys still be Smack-ing it live, too? (Sorry, can't resist.)
Brian Markelonis: We do both. Of course, we're excited about the originals right now, but we also do genuinely enjoy playing Godsmack tunes, because we're all big Godsmack fans ourselves.
Obviously, we know what your musical influences are for the originals. But what's going on lyrically with Fallen?
You know, we write about our life experiences… relationships. One song, "Guilt," was actually written about a scene in Saving Private Ryan.
When we last talked, of course, all of the tunes were written about the tragic loss that had occurred. And I wondered whether Badmagick would continue.
Yeah, you know, we lost our drummer, but more so our friend. Overall, though, the whole experience brought us closer as bandmates. And instead of dissolving the band, it gave a purpose to keep going.
Which reminds me that, in addition to the disc, things are going quite well for you guys on a couple of other fronts, correct?
It has. For one, we just released our image for use in a movie called Boot Camp, due out this fall with Peter Stormare of Fargo and Mila Kunis of That 70s Show. They'll be using our band in a music store scene or something like that, I've been told. We also have our music featured on Extreme Fighting International's most recent DVD.
That's great, but I'm not surprised. You guys have some great rock lineage working for you.
What do you mean by that?
Well, Godsmack took their band name from an Alice In Chains title, and you have yours from a Godsmack tune. You're practically AIC's illegitimate stepchildren!
Never thought of that… that's some bloodline. I'll take it!
Meanwhile, another popular group, The Mammals, are readying for a self-imposed one-year hibernation. But not before one last show at the Bernardston Unitarian Church this Friday, Oct. 5. Considering that this folk-pop quintet featuring Tao Rodriguez-Seeger—the grandson of singer/activist Pete Seeger—has toured for six years straight, the hiatus seems well-earned. Turns out it is really rooted in procreation—Mammals Ruth Ungar and Michael Merenda are expecting a little mammal of their own.
Lastly, Somerville-based singer/songwriter Chris O'Brien pairs up with fellow Prairie Home Companion alums The Powder Kegs for an Oct. 7 Iron Horse engagement while a unique, politically-charged series of performances called the Honk Festival occurs all weekend in his hometown. For more info on the latter, kindly point your browser to www.honkfest.org.?
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 698-9373 or email Garycarra@aol.com.
