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"Johnny, what inspires you to get on stage and sing night after night?
“The kids who still fucking care! Goodnight and Thank You.”" |
HIMSA - PUTTING SEATTLE BACK ON THE METAL MAP
FPE is proud to present the following exclusive interview with the new kings of metal Himsa. What does that band name mean you ask? Well, the word “himsa” is a Sanskrit word meaning “rage and wrath.” So that should give you an idea about the power and speed of Himsa’s precise metal masterpieces. Himsa hail from Seattle and consist of band members Johnny Pettibone on vocals, Kirby Johnson and Matt Wicklund on guitar, Derek Harn on bass, and Chad Davis on drums. Himsa’s music is laced with dueling guitar leads and harmonies, dark and thought-provoking lyrics, and a tight, pounding rhythm section. These guys can play. The band’s latest Prosthetic Records CD is entitled Courting Tragedy and Disaster. Check it out.
Who are your musical influences?
Chad (Drums): “Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Nick Barker (Dimmu Borgir), Ted Kirkpatrick (Tourniquet), Nick McBrain (Iron Maiden) and Chris Adler (Lamb of God) . Just to name a few.”
Johnny (Vocals): “Tim Singer from No Escape/Deadguy, Dwid from Integrity, Zack from Inside Out, Glenn Danzig and Thomas Lindberg. All of them have so much passion, anger and angst in their stage presence and show real emotion that backs their words. For lyricists it would be Steven Morrissey, Peter Murphy, Dave Vanian and Ian Curtis. There is a beautiful fight behind every song they wrote that anyone can relate to in their own life. They strike so deep and stir up such strange emotions.”
Kirby (Guitar): “Carcass, Testament, Iron Maiden, Danzig musically. I'm a big fan of the blues and the influence it had on many of the great 80's guitar players.”
Matt (Guitar): “My main musical influences are Mike and Chris Amott from Arch Enemy, Jeff Loomis from Nevermore, Jason Becker, Yngwie Malmsteen and Beethoven!”
Derek (Bass): “Cannibal Corpse, Slayer, Early Soilwork.”
How do you each warm up before a show?
Chad: “I have a practice pad for my hands and one for my feet. I warm up for about 20 minutes before we play. I do the same set of exercises every night.”
Johnny: “I stretch about 45 minutes before we play and listen to either Bauhaus or Unbroken on my headphones.”
Kirby: “I usually stretch for a little bit. After sitting down and driving all day it helps to loosen up and get a little blood flowing. Guitar-wise I will run through some basic scales and runs then bend the shit out of the strings to make sure they stay in tune and strengthen my fingers.”
Matt: “To warm up before a show I generally spend about 30 minutes running through basic scale patterns and arpeggios up and down the neck....starting off slow and then working it up to light speed!”
Derek: “I stretch out my neck and then I play the kazoo, then I meditate with candles.”
 Kirby and Matt, do you have any specific exercises to keep your picking technique in shape?
Kirby: “Michael Angelo's guitar lesson "Speed Kills" is full of good exercises for alternate picking.”
Matt: “The picking exercises that I try to do are just basic alternate picking through the scales and modes and then economy picking through them. Also, I spend a lot of time sweep picking through arpeggios and tapping. It’s all about the right hand. If you have a strong right hand your fretting hand will follow. A lot of guitar players neglect the right hand and their playing suffers from it. Just make sure you start slowly and make all of your pick attacks solid....then slowly build up the speed.”
Derek, do you play bass with a pick or your fingers?
“I started out using my fingers and then decided I liked the sound I got off the pick better. Now it's all pick except for in a few parts where I'm controlling the sampler and making love.”
Chad, how do you do it? How do you play drums like that?
“Well, I made a little deal with you know who and now I have hoofed feet, kidding. It's just hard work. I spent a lot of time practicing before shows and when were home I sit and play for hours trying to perfect my playing. That's about it.” What bands are you currently listening to?
Chad: “Lamb of God, Fear Factory, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Soilwork.”
Johnny: “Tragedy, From Ashes Rise, Heroin, Angelhair, Everytime I Die, Anterrabae, Joy Division, Some Girls, Discharge, Disfear, The Damned, Chain of Strength, Lifetime and Some Kind Of Hate.”
Kirby: “The Crown, King Diamond, Carcass, Soilwork, Megadeth.”
Matt: “I am currently listening to Lamb of God, Arch Enemy, Nevermore, Soilwork, and Beethoven.”
Derek: “Cannibal Corpse. That's it.”
Johnny, what inspires you to get on stage and sing night after night?
“The kids who still fucking care! Goodnight and Thank You.”
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