A Dirty Dozen with SETH SALOIS from PSYCLE – April 2020

According to a recent press release: “Rock band Psycle will release their new album titled Kill the Machine on June 16,2020. The band released their debut single, also titled “Kill the Machine” along with the accompanying lyric video on March 24th. Solid, Hard Driven, Melodic, and Strong are just a few words to describe the music of Psycle. This 4 piece consisting of front man / guitarist Seth Salois, drummer Jay Spyne, bass player / vocalist Mike Kaz and lead guitarist Joe Nicolazzo are ready for whatever is thrown their way. Joining forces in 2016 Psycle has continued to work on one major thing…writing a better song than the last.” We get front man Seth 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?

Our release Kill the Machine is the follow up to our 2017 EP Surfaces. We spent about a year and half writing and making sure the songs were treated with care and scrutinized. We wrote 10 songs for the album and decided on 8. We felt that an 8 song album would be a nice follow up to our 4 song EP from 2017. The first single off of the album is the title track. We recorded/mixed/mastered the album with producer Chris Piquette at No Boundaries Studios in North Kingstown RI. We also worked with Chris on our EP Surfaces. As far as something people might not catch on the 1st or 2nd time thru, I think that there is a common thread that runs thru each song’s DNA. This album is really about the danger of external influences and how they can affect our thoughts, our decisions and even our internal dialog. There isn’t really anything hidden on this album per se since we really stripped back and wanted it to be a true rock and roll record. However, on our 2017 EP Surfaces we have a song called “The Road I’m On” which has a tambourine on the chorus. We can thank Chris Daughtry for the tambourine.

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

Music was a big part of my childhood which I got from my parents. I was a very quiet and reserved kid. I was the token introvert and was consumed by sports. When I was in high school, I developed asthma and had to quit a few sports. When this happened, I turned to bass guitar first, then acoustic/electric guitars. I was always a writer even when I was younger. The moment that pushed me to be a musician was a night in college. I used to help run a coffee house which always had open mic, comedians and such. I decided that I would go and try to perform a song at the open mic. We usually had about 5 people who would show up. I made the mistake of telling people I would do this and when I showed up to perform the place was mobbed. I performed “With or Without You” by U2 – solo bass and vocals. It was probably awful hahaha but I got an amazing response and it was the cornerstone of my endless push to be a musician.

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

Two words…Freddie Mercury! I was such a huge Queen fan growing up and his voice still to this day just resonates with me. His conviction, his emotion in every note. Freddie made you feel like he felt, see what he saw, and heard what he heard in every note. As far as an album, one that I always go back to is Opaline by Dishwalla. Besides Freddie, J.R.Richards is someone I go back to all the time for inspiration. I am lucky enough to be able to speak to him thru social media and his wife Min is just a wonderful person.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Queen, 90’s Seattle Sound (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, AIC – add Bush here too), Elton John, Alter Bridge, and The Beatles.

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

I would have to say Dave Grohl. I love the Foo Fighters but it’s more about the energy that Dave brings. He truly loves all kinds of music and his acceptance of the purity of rock and roll and songwriting is second to none. His influences tie into a lot of what I look at as a songwriter. Melody…Melody….Melody!

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?

Someone once called our music a certain (never heard of haha) genre. He called us “Modern Classic Rock.” At first it took us back but it is spot on. We tend to infuse a lot of our influences from 80’s metal to punk to Sabbath to 90’s grunge. It definitely feels like old school rock and roll just with an edge.

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

For me I would say it’s the outlet it provides. I love the fact that your music, your words can have a profound impact on others and hopefully give them a feeling of hope.

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?

Now the real fun begins! We have some epic gatherings with the band and our families. For cooking, we all tend to cook but we have had a few amazing “dinners” at our bass player Mike’s house. Mike cooks a mean steak and our guitar player Joe may make the best steak tips I’ve ever had. The drinks usually come from the other 3 guys. I don’t drink which is great for everyone else hahah. Joe and our drummer Jay will always bring an assortment of beer to rehearsal however Joe always enjoys almost any beer. Mike also has what he calls the Cooler of Doom at his house. That is for another story! We aren’t the sing along type but we do love going to see other bands together.

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

I’m not sure I have even been star struck. I did however get to roadie for Ben Folds Five while in college. They were such amazing people and they brought our beer and other essentials after the show. We all hung out sitting around Ben Fold’s piano talking about their life on the road. That was an amazing moment. Again I have never drank or did any drugs before so as you can imagine… I did the driving.

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

My dream job would be photography and design. I got into it to help out the band and I fell in love. That’s why I would love to travel with music so I can take pictures of all the things we only get to see online.

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?

There are so many things good and bad that have happened. So much heartache, tragedy, and struggle. I wouldn’t change it at all because it gives me a way to give back to others who are struggling with the same issues and to know they aren’t alone.

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 don’t know why this just popped in my head first but Back in Black by AC/DC. First album after that tragedy and maybe one of the best albums of all time. Mutt Lange producing… man to be a fly on that wall.

PSYCLE LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Category: Interviews