Please introduce yourself and the band members briefly?
Hello everyone my names Simon, I'm the drummer of the band. The rest
are Justin McKittrick - Vocals, Alex Kamburov - Guitars, John Morris -
Guitars, and William Sullivan – Bass
What does the band name mean and how do you get it?
The band name originates from the movie "The Dark Crystal". I'm a huge
movie buff and i grew up loving this movie. One of the characters is called
the Scrollkeeper. A real devious asshole.
Where and how was the band founded?
Well the band was formed around October 2016 and I wanted to do
something that I had a passion for but never really played and that was
traditional heavy metal. I had always played in other types of metal bands
before that. Justin then joined and later we found Alex. John and Will
came soon after.
Have you played in other bands before?
Yes I was in a New Orleans, LA heavy metal band called Antisocial
around 1996, a Houston, TX black metal band called Laldabaoth in 1999,
a death metal band called Coffin Grinder back in 2001, a math metal band
called Calculus in 2002. Also i was in Post Punk band called L.A.
Slumlords in Los Angeles, CA along with an AC/DC cover band called
AD/HD and a power metal band called Mercenary Angel.
Was it hard to find suitable band members who fit musically and humanely
with the band?
Not really, i mean we had a few auditions that weren't great but over all we
came together quite quickly.
What does the band name mean?
Scrollkeeper is a character in the movie The Dark Crystal that changes
history to benefit himself. A right asshole.
What are the lyrics about and who of you is writing them?
We like to write about historic events but we deviate sometimes. Fortune
Favors the Bold is about William the Conqueror and the lyrics where
written by Justin, Not of this Earth is about the movie Raiders of the Lost
Ark and the lyrics where written by Simon, Surrender is about demons and
vampires and the lyrics where written by Alex, and Path to Glory is about
the Bulgarian ruler Khan Krum and the lyrics where also written by Alex.
Which bands inspired you and how would you describe your music to
someone who has never heard a sound from you?
The bands that inspired me were The Cult, Billy Idol, AC/DC, Van Halen,
Judas Priest, Slayer, Metallica, Death, Obituary, Morbid Angel, Carcass,
Iron Maiden, and Coroner. There are so many more. I would tell people
we sound like an evil Iron Maiden. Ha!
Why should people listen to our music?
Because I believe we have our own sound that is unlike most bands.
Many bands these days are just going through the motions and giving the
public nothing new. It's boring these days. I think we add orginality to our
songs which i hope people will like.
Path to Glory is a twenty minutes ep and your debut work. How long did
the production last and who helped ?
Yeah, we recorded the bulk of the EP at Sound Arts Recording Studio with
Brian Baker over one weekend. We also did record some guitar tracks and
vocals at Nocturnal Sound Studios. It was mixed and master by Ricardo
Camargo at Tidalwav Studios.
Can we look forward to an entire album in the near future? or since you
are currently busy with the promotion of Ep?
We are busy promoting the EP but we definitely want to record a full
length.
What was your first concert as a fan? and what memory do you have of it?
The first concert i experienced was Billy Idol at the Summit in Houston, TX
back in 1987. I was blown away with his raw energy on stage. It was
amazing!
Do you think that the possibility exists that you will play live in Europe?
I definitely think there is! That's all i want to do really. Europe's where it's
at and we also really want to hit Central and South America. Tell you the
truth we want to play the world!!
What were your live highlights and with which bands did you play?
Antisocial cause it was the first band i actually played live in and recorded.
Coffin Grinder cause it was full of great guys and i did my first tour with
them. AD/HD cause we were actually getting paid good money and of
course Scrollkeeper cause it's the first band that I built from scratch and i
think we're fucking awesome!
If you'd like to play live and if you would like to ?
If you're asking who'd i'd love to play live with i think it would have to be
Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Those guys are fucking legends! I could die
after that and my life would be complete.
With what do you earn your money except with the music?
I do have a job outside my music cause we're very new and not making
the big bucks yet. It would be my dream to just play music for a living.
How important are social media for you as a band?
In this day and age social media is extremely important. We can reach so
many awesome people like yourself over the entire globe. I think it's great
that everyone around the world can listen to any band they want anytime
they want. More fans!!
What would you (her) want to achieve with the band?
I want to be a band that tours globally and make enough money to where i
can quit my day job. I think that's very possible.
What do you think about the Texas metal scene in general?
Overall, the metal scene in Texas always seems really strong. There are a
lot of great musicians here in Texas and especially in Houston. Everybody
thinks Austin is the place for music but i disagree. Houston's were it's at!
Maybe you can recommend some bands from your area?
The ones that come to mind are The Scourge, Oceans of Slumber, and
Insect Warfare!
In texas there has always been a very good metal scene. Do you know
some of the old heroes in person? Or will the younger bands stay with
each other?
Tell you the truth I don't know any of the old heros in person. My other
bandmates are more social and longtime Texas metal heads so they
would know more people.
PERSONAL QUESTIONS!
Where did you grow up and how was your childhood?
I had a great childhood. I was born in Australia but my whole family is
British. I grew up in the oil business. My dad was a geologist so we moved
around a lot. I've lived in England and the US.
How was your school time you were rather the good student or the break
clown ?
I was a good student for awhile but in Junior year in High School I
discovered alcohol and partying and music. Man, that's all i wanted to do
so my grades went to shit. HA!
How did your parents react when you started making metal music? did
they support you and how do you feel about your music today?
My parents were totally supportive. They always have been. They of
course don't like metal but they understand how important it is to me and
they'd never take that a way.
Would you be successful in making music as a musician?
That's all i want is to be successful in music. I just want to make a living off
it.
Are you someone who loves the hustle and bustle of the big city? Or
rather looking for peace and relaxation in nature?
Oh man i'm a total city kid! I love the city and the people.
Do you actively practice sports or are you more of a passive spectator?
I used to be big into English Football and was really good at it for awhile
but that went to shit after i moved to a different school. I still love the sport
and watch it when i can.
How do you see the problem with the haters on the internet who have to
announce their mental garbage in anonymity always and everywhere?
There will always be haters. Unfortunately the internet lets everyone spew
out their garbage. The trick is just to shut them out. Don't take it so
seriously.Obviously they are very unhappy and their lives are shit. They
have nothing else except hate. It's pathetic.
What do you think about the internet in general? A blessing or a curse?
Well for me i think it's both. There are so many things you can now do
which weren't possible before but also it's a curse for the same reason.
That's technolgy for you. It came make life a lot easier but it can also be
the worst thing ever when it goes wrong.
What would you personally like to do in your life?
Travel the world playing music!
Which question would you like to have answered and why?
Who decided the hours of work are from 9 to 5? It's fucking ridiculous.
Texas
It's a great state but politically it's shit! Austria
Sounds like a great country and would love to visit sometime.
Barbecue
Not a fan.
Bud Light
Disgusting!
The Alamo
Seen it from the outside but never been in it.
Coffe
Not a fan.
Football or Basketball
Are we talking about American Football cause if we are i'll go for
Basketball. It's more of a sport.
Space Center Houston
I love science and space so it's good in my book.
Houston we have a problem
And we still do it's called Ted Cruz. Fuck that guy!!
Iron Maiden or Dio
Iron Maiden all the way! I have nothing against DIO, i just find him a little
boring.
Family
Well, if you talking about mine then their awesome but if you're asking me
if i want a family with kids then no i'm good with my wife and my cats. Kids
are not my thing.
Savatage or Emperor
Emperor all the way!! I don't care for Savatage.
Movie or Series
Now-a-days both. TV is just as good as movies these days.
Your top 10 all time album faves
Oh man thats hard. I'll say
Symbolic by Death,
Electric by The Cult,
IX Equilibrium by Emperor,
Powerslave by Iron Maiden,
Painkiller by Judas Priest,
Seasons in the Abyss by Slayer,
Paul's Boutique by The Beastie Boys,
Tara by Absu,
Never, Neverland by Annihilator
Horrorscope by Overkill.
The closing word is yours?
The hatred Morbid Angel gets for the album Illud Divinum Insanus is
unwarrented. As a whole the album is not good but as an EP it fucking
rules. Take out the shit and keep the best 5 or 6 tracks and you have
some of the best stuff Morbid Angel has ever written. HA! Stay metal
everyone!!
SCROLLKEEPER
HEAVY METAL
FROM
TEXAS
Band Question
answer by SIMON MARFLEET
© 2019 by Haschi`s Metal Corner
