Ixion: Who am I speaking to, and what is your part in Twice The Sun?
Damian: This is Damian, band�s keyboard player.
Ixion: How long have you been experienced with the keyboards, and what equipment do you use?
Damian: Well I�ve been playing keyboards for a little over 14 years now. I use a Korg 01/W Pro, Boss SP-202 sampler, the Roland MC-303 Groovebox, three Boss distortion pedals (DS-1, HM-2, and OS-2), a Boss Octave Pedal, Boss Compression/Sustain Pedal, a Boss Pitch Shifter/Delay Pedal, Morley Steve Vai Wah Wah Pedal, and a Boss Volume Pedal. I also use an Alesis MidiVerb 4, the Sonic Maximizer 462, and a Crate Power Amp. And it all finally comes out of a pair JBL TR125 speakers.
Ixion: Twice The Sun is a pretty interesting name. How did the band come about choosing the name, and is there any concept behind it?
Damian: Well we all wanted a name that could both stand out and be an exaggeration that we would have to live up to. So James(vocals) came up with the concept and it stuck.
Ixion: How did TTS form?
Damian: Well all of us originally were in other local bands James(vocals) was in a bad called 16guauge, Peter(guitar) was in Idol Minds, Tommy(drums) came from Debase, and Tony(bass) and I came from a band called Aesir. Unhappy w/their situations Tommy and Peter got together and stared jamming out. One night I was online talking to Peter�s brother and heard they were starting a project and asked to hop on. I later brought in Tony, and then we stole James from his band. And we just took it from there.
Ixion: I've spoke with and interviewed a couple bands from the South Florida scene(Scars of Life, Simplekill, etc.) which are great bands... and with breaking of such bands as 40 Below Summer, Darwins Waiting Room, Crossbreed and more recently, Poison The Well, why do you think there has been such a surge of metal coming from the scene?
Damian: I don�t think there has been a surge in the music scene. There have been great bands down here for more than a decade and I think the music industry finally woke up and saw what was happening. Which is about damn time!
Ixion: Are there any bands from the local scene that you'd like to point out and give some recognition to?
Damian: This place is a melting pot down here. There are many great local bands and not all are metal. Bands like Comus, The Day Music Died, Wasted Circle, Xeon Switch, Aboriginal, Elementz of Soul, and gimp. are all bands everyone should keep an eye out for.
Ixion: For a band that hasn't been together long at all, you've certaintly gained a lot of recognition. To what do you give credit for that?
FANS, FANS, FANS, FANS, FANS! Our fans are the best fucking fans in the world! There are a lot of people we are greatful for, they have helped us without asking for anything in return. Starting w/ my girlf-friend Carla(she�s responsible for things like the street team and mailing list, I love her and thank you), a good friend of mine George Albertini he�s kind of like the band�s dad the guy is great, Phil Santa-Maria, and did I mention the fans?
Ixion: Are there any labels showing interest?
Damian: There are a couple which when the time is right we�ll let people know. I think some people might know already but we don�t want to jinx anything.
Ixion: What goals have TTS set for itself?
Damian: Right now the main goal is to get signed and start touring.
Ixion: If you could do a tour, and bring out any bands you want with you(local or nation)... who would you choose, and why?
Damian: Personally I�d like to bring out Comus and/or gimp.
Ixion: How did you get your start as a musician, and how & when were you first introduced to music?
Damian: The first time I remember actually liking a song was on the bus ride to kindergarten and it was the Police�s "Every Breath You Take" that was a long time ago like 1982 I think. Later after cracking a tooth my parent�s took me out of sports and forced me into piano classes. I�m glad I cracked that tooth now that I think of it.
Ixion: Were there any bands/individuals that directly influenced you?
Damian: My two main influences came from two long time friends(Rudy Santayana and Alex "Zeus" Garcia) and teachers/friends(Glynnis Nieves and Kenny Nieves) as far as bands I�d have to say NIN, Tool, Dream Theater, Rush, Yes, The Police, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, etc... pretty much anyone who played great or had keyboards.
Ixion: Every band out there would like to think that their sound is original. What is it about TTS's sound that you would say sets it apart from other bands?
Damian: I think it�s a combination of things... first of all James� voice never seizes to amaze me. It�s probably what sets us apart from the usual radio bands, then there are little things. Tommy�s an amazing drummer(though I wish he believed in himself a little more) who brings this incredible energy that makes our music explosive, Tony brings an unusual melody with his bass, and I think Peter and me mix things up really well. And when you get all those elements in one room good things happen.
Ixion: What song do yo think best portrays TTS's sound?
Damian: "Last of Me", it really lets the band show off it�s abilities.
Ixion: Does that band have any plans for the immediate future(tour, recording, etc.)?
Damian: We hope to go back into the studio sometime in the next month or so.
Ixion: Is there anything else you want to add?
Damian: Lick my balls!
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