A Dirty Dozen with TK from LEVITHAN PROJECT – May 2021

According to a recent press release: “Leviathan Project is a powerful new Metal ensemble, featuring, Bobby Koeble (Death), Matt Nardo (Producer), Tk (Britny Fox) and Tim “Ripper” Owens (guest vox, x-Judas Priest) exploring the ongoing study of our human condition through music, writings, and visual communication. The result is an aggressive and captivating sound that combines traditional Heavy Metal with catchy melodies, haunting vocals and other worldly guitars. Leviathan Project will release the first of two EP’s It’s Their World on June 4th digitally and as a Limited Edition (only 100 copies) cassette.” We get TK to discuss new music, influences, 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 you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

This new EP features Bobby Koelble from Death on Lead Guitar, Matt Nardo a producer from Philadelphia on Bass and co-writing, and Ripper Owens doing the Lead Vocals.  Imagine shredding technical lead guitar in the vein of early Shrapnel Records (Tony MacAlpine/Vinnie Moore), melodic haunting vocals with hook laden classic metal songs. One listen is definitely not enough for this. Bobby has so much going on in his lead playing and Rippers vocals are layered all over.  There is a lot of hidden stuff in this music if you are a fan of Ripper or Death.  There are also some Black Metal moments in the music if you know your Black Metal!

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

My first real interest in music was listening to Journey’s Escape cassette.  After that I was pretty much hooked.  My Father played guitar, so I guess I inherited that from him.  It’s just something I was born with.

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

As mentioned, it started with Journey and went from there.  Shortly after I got into Mötley Crüe’s first album and Judas Priest’s Turbo. Then I heard “Jump” by Van Halen and went down the VH rabbit hole for a long time.    This just led me into exploring more bands and more types of music.  Now I like a lot of Black Metal and New Age instrumental music.

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

I would like to work with Vorph and Xy from Samael.  I love the production and the mood of their music.  I don’t always have to focus on the guitars or lyrics when I listen to them.  For me it’s about the overall experience with their music.  This can be difficult to achieve.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I walk and eat junk food.  For my day job I am a teacher so being in the studio is where I am happy.  Perfecting that drum sound or getting that feeling or mood of the song just right is what I enjoy.  There is nothing better than finishing a song in the studio.  The great thing about recording digital is that you have the power to make it sound exactly how you want it.  You can do something a billion time or just once.  It’s great to have that flexibility.

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?

I would describe the music as shredding technical lead guitar in the vein of early Shrapnel Records (Tony MacAlpine/Vinnie Moore), melodic haunting vocals with hook laden classic metal songs.  My good friend Chris Akin of the Classic Metal Show has great advice when it comes to reviews.  Don’t read them and don’t go online.  Simple enough.

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

Ripper is the cook, Bobby makes drinks, and Matt sings Queensrÿche while playing acoustic bass.  Just kidding.  I don’t really know any of these guys and generally don’t like humans.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

The only time I was starstruck was when I saw Lemmy Kilmister.  I was drunk, went up to him and told him I was a big fan then asked him what he was up to.  He told me if I was a big fan, I would know what he was up to.  Ha-ha dick.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part is expressing yourself with art.  Well my day job is a teacher so I would want to be a musician.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I prefer when interviewers to do their homework, then good questions will come.  I think like most bands/musicians probably get tired of explaining their newest release.  It’s in the press bio and most of the fans already know the general idea.  Also, if you let musicians talk, they will talk, lol.

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?

Not really.  Everything happens just the way it should.  I believe most of what happens is based on what you did and learned previously.  The key is to learn from your experiences and apply them to what you do next.  If you live in the past you are doomed!

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 would have liked to witness LA Woman by the Doors.  It’s a favorite of mine and always captured a free spirit feeling to me.  A band that had nothing to prove at that point.  Then Samael Reign of Light is a close second.  That album reminds me of being in the silent snow late at night in South Jersey.  When the snow is falling at night most people are inside and it’s the most quiet.  The Doors remind me of being in Montana alone in the middle of nowhere. Another great feeling.  No people, no noise, no nonsense.

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Category: Interviews