I was really blown away by this group with their emotional but yet hardcore vibe!

V.M.U catches up with Detroit, MI based "INFLEXTION"

VMU: Hey guys how are you?
Steve: things have been going pretty great for us lately, thanks.

VMU: Could you tell us where you’re from and who is the current line up?
Steve: we're from Detroit, MI.
Steve- Vocals
Jay- Guitar, Programming, Backing Vocals
Mike- Guitar
Joe- Bass
Chris- Drums

VMU: How many releases have you put out and who produced them? (and where)
Steve: To date, we currently only have our one industry demo recorded. We
recorded it with Tony Gammalo at Spider Studios (Chimaira, Zao) at the end of
2003. We are currently working on the new album, which we are hoping will see a
release within the first half of 2005... which, we plan on recording with Tony
also.

VMU: Were the recordings done digital or analog? (if computer what programs)
Steve: Everything was recorded digitally with MAC computers and Pro-Tools

VMU: I noticed samples and some keys in your music like "Sea of Grey" and "72nd
Hour" (very emotional song) How do you pull that off live? I didn't see a
Keyboardist in your line up online.
Steve: actually, the programming is a quite intrical part of our music and we
structure a great deal around it. All of the programming is recorded digitally
on the Triton, and then ran through the keyboard itself into the PA.

VMU: Could you tell us what gear you use live and in studio? (in detail)
Steve: I use AKG microphones live... in studio, I leave that up to the
studio/producer
Jay: Ibanez RG 7-strings, Ibanez early 90's Saber 540 LTD's Marshall 9200 power
amps, ADA preamps, Seinheisser Wireless system, 2 Marshall 4x12 vintage 30
cabinets, Korg Triton Pro X, Roland amps, and Monster cables.
Mike: Marshall 9200 Power Amp, Digitech 2120 Preamp Processor, Ampeg 4x12 Cabs,
Ibanez Guitars, AudioTechnica Wireless, SKB Cases, Korg Tuner, Diadario
Strings, Dunlap Jazz 3 Picks. EMG 85 Pickups and Monster Cables.
Joe: Warwick 5-string bass, an ESP LTD bass, Mesa Boogie 400+ bass amp and a
Mesa Boogie Powerhouse bass cabinet
Chris: Sonor drums, 18" Sabian crash, 19,22,21,18,13" Zildjian cymbals, Tama
Iron Cobra double-bass pedals, Vatar sticks, Mapex stands, Evans drum heads,
Roland kick-trigger with a Yamaha module

VMU: What do you express in your lyrics?
Steve: I like my lyrics to be individually interpreted by each listener, and
allow them to take what they do from it, as it applies to them personally. Some
songs will be a little more straight forward of a point, such as Know Yourself,
which is basically just a song about knowing who you are and having strength
and faith in yourself. Others will be a little more personal and somewhat
vague, but I want everyone to be able to associate with it on their own level,
not always just from my point of view.

VMU: Do any of you own a home studio? (if so what gear)
Steve: None of us yet.

"I like my lyrics to be individually interpreted by each listener, and
allow them to take what they do from it, as it applies to them personally." - Steve

VMU: Do you prefer studio or live performance?
Steve: They're really two completely different experiences, I love the process
of creating an album, but nothing can really compare to performing live, it's
what I live for.
Jay: Well, the way I feel is that they are two totally different worlds, and its
really hard to pick which one I like more. On the studio side, you really get
to express the creative side to the music, and explore new paths the music can
flow into. On the stage side of it, that is where you get to express the
emotional side of the music, and feel the energy from the people coming back to
you. They really are two great experiences.
Mike: Live... It's all about the fans, I'm a fan!
Joe: Live.
Chris: Both, live gives me more a rush, but studio makes me a tighter player.

VMU: Did you guys record 1on 1 or live in your CD releases?
Steve: We record one on one, it kinda gives the producer more chance to fully
focus on each individual part and take the most from each separate entity

VMU: How do you feel about the mainstream music scene here in the USA and Over
Seas?
Steve: I feel it can really go both ways, there is some of it that is pure and
true, that just happens to break through to the "mainstream" and that's great,
however, I feel most of it is empty and driven towards sales, just going with
the flavor of the week... and when that happens, you can usually just hear it
in the music... it just doesn't have the same honesty bands that aren't
necessarily mainstream, such as bands like Sick Of It All or Agnostic Front
Jay: Frankly, I'm sick of mainstream music. To me it just feel like its all
over-produced, pumped out, generic garbage. The music industry finds a popular
formula, then saturates every market they can jam it into and the original
product which was probably good, looses all notoriety and respect, and just
gets lumped together with the rest of the knock-offs.
Mike: In the US the radio just doesn't play anything heavy. They play the same
songs over and over. Metal is back in a big way and they don't realize how big
the following is!
Chris: The scene could be better, it's all garage rock bullshit here... but it
seems that you get more appreciation with hardcore and metal overseas...

VMU: (optional had to throw this in) What are your comments about the
presidential election we just had for 2004?
Steve: Completely disgusted. I think it's a real sad state of our world, when so
many people can be so easily swayed without looking at the facts... not to
mention how many people are so concerned about their religious agenda in a
nation that was suppose to be based on freedom from persecution and
discrimination, that they're willing to sacrifice civil rights and our failing
economy.
Jay: Well, personally I did not vote. Even though I was pulverized with the
media message of "it's you right" or "vote or die!" (which is idiotic, might I
add!) I exercised my right to vote, by not voting! I respect other peoples
opinions and they can vote for whoever they want, but everyone acts like they
know the whole spectrum of the world of politics, when for the most part, they
just repeat what they have heard. All the so called "facts" that they hear, I
felt, were twisted by personal opinion, whether it be from the media, news, or
the guy who works at seven eleven. Most of people I talked to acted like they
were political experts, when most of them didn't even have a High School
Diploma. These people in particular, then take offense when you don't take
their opinion as fact. So leaving all pretensions aside, and the fact that I
did not feel that I was personally educated enough on the subject of a "good
vote", I decided not to vote.
Mike: Either way were screwed !!! (laughing)
Chris: Bush sucks! but they are both crooks...


VMU: How do you feel about bands expressing their beliefs through music?
(religious or political)
Steve: Well, personally, I do a great deal of it, most of our songs in fact...
so I am all for it. I don't think anyone should force their beliefs on anyone,
however, no one should have to silence their voice either out of concern of who
they may offend either.
Jay: Well the beautiful thing about America, is that we have the right to
express ourselves through any medium we so choose. It's one of our greatest
gifts from this country and I respect anybody's right to religion. To me,
religion is a private and personal thing and I don't like to press my beliefs
upon anyone else, whether they be negative, or positive.
Mike: You should write what's inside, that's where the real music comes from.
The topic or views are an expression of who you are.
Chris: I believe lyrics should be more about themselves, occurrences that have
happened to them, and what they are feeling with their heart and soul...

VMU: What are your musical influences?
Steve: Quite a few, some most notable for me would have to be Phil Anselmo, Evan
Seinfeld, Lou Koller, Jamey Jasta and Max Cavalerra... among many others.
Jay: Fear factory, Hatebreed, Carcass, Rammstein, Chimaira, a lot of different
classical, big band and more or less anything that my ear likes.
Mike: Anything and everything metal from the 80's
Joe: A lot ranging from old school hardcore to more recent genres.
Chris: Vinnie Paul Abbot, Raymond Herrera, Joey Jordison and Spug, among others.


VMU: Any deals or tours in the works?
Steve: Maybe... (smiles)

VMU: Any bad experiences playing live?
Steve: Oh, of course, you’re always gonna have those nights where things just go
wrong... the key is to just shrug them off and move forward.
Jay: I think there might be too many to list! (laughs) everything from bad
sound, to equipment problems, there only being one person in the bar and
falling flat on my ass! But there really is no such thing as a bad experience,
unless you don't learn anything from it!
Mike: For me there are no bad experiences, you learn from your mistakes and
others.
Joe: Playing with a 103 degree temperature and a broken foot.
Chris: When my bass pedal broke in the middle of our show and the bass drum head
split...

VMU: What could you say to the struggling bands and musicians around the world?
Steve: Don't say you want it, if you're not willing to do the work. It's how
hard you work for what you want it life that determines the outcome.
Jay: I think the key to making it in this industry is not scoring a big record
deal, or the millions of dollars. I think the key is to find a band and keep it
together, that really is the hardest part. Finding a few guys who can get
together and set aside all the petty issues, and really work together as a team
for the common goal. Anyone who does that, its pretty much a guarantee they'll
go far in this industry.
Mike: Don't ever give up on your dreams.
Joe: Work hard and stay dedicated.
Chris: Keep working hard, no matter how bad it gets, never give up. Play for
yourself and with your heart.


VMU: Thanks very much for your time! Any last words?
Steve: Thank you Vic, and thanks to everyone reading this, listening to our
music, buying our merch... and just everyone who supports us and is helping us
make this dream come true, YOU mean the world to us!
Jay: Thank you to all the people who have supported the real roots of this
industry, the underground bands!
Mike: Just would like to thank everyone who has been there for us, without you,
this would not be possible... THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!!!!!!!
Joe: Thank you!
Chris: Rock out with your cock out!

http://www.inflextion.com
http://www.purevolume.com/inflextion
http://www.myspace.com/inflextion
 

VM UNDERGROUND