A Dirty Dozen with JOSEPH IZAYEA of FROM UNDER CONCRETE KINGS – January 2020

We get Joseph to discuss new music, influences, and much 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?

We recorded all of the vocals, reamped guitars, mixed and mastered this release with Chris Daniele over @ Yucky Studios in Easthampton, MA. I’ve been working as a vocalist with primarily Chris for 7 years now, and consider him my go to guy for tracking and post-production work. I’ve worked with him on countless projects now, and he’s had a hand in at least 8 releases of mine to one degree or several. Something a listener might not grasp the first or second time listening through Modus Exodus is the depth and complexity of the vocal patterns and vocal harmonies. I’ve put a tremendous amount of time and thought into the vocal production for this record, and consider it my best work to date. There aren’t really any hidden nuggets one might find save for lyrical connections to another project, and the more direct nuggets referencing our strange senses of humor.

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

I was 14 and had a hard crush on a sophomore girl in high school. I found the courage to talk to her, and she eventually invited me out to my first local metal show in Fall River, MA. I hadn’t been exposed to much metal outside of Metallica at this point, and it opened my eyes. I remember watching the “headlining” band, how impressive they seemed to my young and undeveloped senses, and saying to myself, “THIS. THIS is what I wanna do.”

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

I was introduced to lots of bands back then that I still follow and or listen to today. Skinless, Six Feet Under, Hatebreed, Killswitch Engage, Norma Jean, & Atreyu all come to mind. My own experiences in the New England Metal & Hardcore scenes since those times have guided my personal tastes since then. I would support a touring band on a local or regional show, and seeing them live would often lead to me getting into and exploring their material.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

James Brown, Frank Sinatra, Chris Barnes, (Cannibal Corpse, Six Feet Under) Ronnie James Dio, and most importantly, my colleagues and band mates that I work with today. I take great joy in writing vocals that are appropriate to what music they give me to write for.

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

I’d love to work with Dino Cazares or Lee McKinney on a thing. I feel like I’d be able to do some serious damage with some riffs like theirs.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Brutal AF, Hateful, but pretty and silly in parts with A LOT going on. I often get compared to Howard Jones a lot as a vocalist. I try to take it as the compliment it’s intended to be, but I disagree with it and sometimes cringe because I do things much differently. From Under Concrete Kings has fortunately not been compared to anything in particular yet.

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

I get to create things that last forever and I get to meet a lot of different people from all walks of life while I do it.

8. 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?

We all get the drinks in. The rest… Hard No. Hahaha (To be fair, I’m a pretty decent cook).

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

I met Donald Gibb from Revenge of the Nerds, Most Importantly, Bloodsport a few years ago at a convention. Coolest dude ever.

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

Pilot.

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”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Agreeing to play shows with large headliners and having to sell thousands of dollars in tickets for no money comes to mind. Time and resources can be much better spent than playing for 20 minutes in front of people you mostly already know.

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?

I’m not sure. I would have loved to have just been a fly on the wall while What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye was being recorded in 1971. That record and especially its title track really moves me to this day. We’re still asking the same questions.

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Category: Interviews