12 Quick Ones with ANDREW WETZEL of NINE SHRINES – April 2017

According to a recent press release: “Mascot Label Group has announed the signing of Nine Shrines, alongside plans to release the EP Misery on April 21. The quintet will begin touring next month, bringing the band’s repetoire to stages across the U.S. on a tour with Hinder and Nonpoint (itinerary follows below).  Founder and ex-Attack Attack! drummer Andrew Wetzel is based in Columbus, Ohio while Andrew Baylis (guitar), Devon Voisine (bass), Evan McKeever (guitar) and Chris Parketny (vocals) are based in Cleveland” We get bassist Andrew Wetzel to answer our 12 Quick Ones about the bands most recent new material and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Misery is our debut, full release with Nine Shrines. These songs are very emotionally charged and begin to reflect what we have been through individually and together over the years we have been playing music. As we continue to tell our story as a band and as individuals, I expect listeners will continue to find little details in our music that help really bring the songs to life in their minds.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

My mom told me that I needed to play an instrument when I was about 9 years old. I originally tried playing piano, but eventually asked for drums instead. I got my first drum kit when I was 10 and I have played nearly every single day since then. The rush I get when I’m on stage is indescribable, it’s the only place I am truly happy.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Deftones, Incubus, System of a Down, Korn, and Five Finger Death Punch currently.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

Very tough call, but I’d have to say Jonathan Davis from Korn.

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

The sound of our pent up aggression.

6. You are heading out on the road and will be playing the World Famous Machine Shop in Flint, MI on May 15 supporting Hinder and Nonpoint.  Any insight or thought on playing an iconic venue that every band on the road seems to have played, wanted to play, or still wants to play?

We are very honored and privileged to be playing The Machine Shop on our first tour as Nine Shrines. We are very lucky to share the stage with such great artists in such an iconic venue.

7. What is it about smaller venues that make them special from a performance standpoint?

For us, smaller venues are much easier to control crowds in. There’s a much more personal feel to shows in smaller venues and it gives us a better opportunity to feel the vibe of the crowd while we are on stage and adjust our show to reflect the energy in the room.

8. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Playing on stage.

9. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Devon is the cook, Evan, Baylis, and Chris are always at the bar, and we don’t really jam out acoustically.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

I have always been into mechanics and working with my hands, so my dream job would most likely have something to do with those two things.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

Nine Shrines is still in its infancy as a band, but I’m sure that all of us could tell stories about things we wished we had done differently in our old bands. However, while I could give you a million examples of things I wish I had done differently with Attack Attack!, at this point in my life, I realize that I needed all of those bad things to happen in order for me to find everyone in Nine Shrines and really take my musical career to the next level. To answer your question directly, I wish I had met these guys back in 2013.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Battle for Los Angeles by Rage Against the Machine. That record really defined my early teen years and I jammed that album front to back countless times.

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Category: Interviews