Your Name (s):  Lew Morris of Coilback

Your Age (s): 29

Your Location (s): Dallas, TX

Genre: Metal

Main Musical Influences:
Metallica (old), White (Rob) Zombie, Pantera, Korn, Ministry

How would you describe your music?
A mix of old school metal (i.e. Metallica) with a more modern punch and aggressive sound

Who do people say you sound like?  
Usually Metallica mixed with White Zombie (with some Pantera mixed in)

How did you come up with your band/project name?
I work for a pyrotechnics company.  When we formed Coilback, our drummer was also an employee for the company.  We looked
everywhere for a decent band name that wasn't cheesy.  We looked at paint names (i.e. Young Fir, Mustard Yellow), sayings and
everything.  Then we looked at this box that some of our pyro cable comes in and it said the dispenser on the box "prevents kinks and
coilback."  Since Kinks was taken, we figured why not Coilback...

How did your band (project) form/develop?
Originally, it was myself and Vlad (who left the group a few months ago) who formed Coilback.  I had played in his band called Liquor Goat
and got frustrated with the musicians that were in it.  They were not that serious and really couldn't play that well.  When the band broke up
- we both decided to start a new project, but I'd have more control over the sound since I'd be playing an instrument (guitar).  I only sang
and wrote lyrics in Liquor Goat.  Now, I actually contribute to the riffs and general arrangement of the songs.  With the new members, the
band is much stronger sounding.

How long have you been playing (together)?
This lineup has been together for about 6 months.  Coilback as a band has been together almost 5 years.  Of course, I've been in the
longest since I was one of the ones that formed it - Steven (Green, drums) has been in for about 3 years now.

What do you want your listeners to feel/gain when listening to your music?  
My songs are pretty much an extension of the emotions I've actually gone through or are going through.  I know that sometimes you don't
want to listen to "feel good," music, but instead want to blow off some steam.  I hope that people can relate to some of the songs and
release their negative energies in a positive way with our music.  Most of our songs deal with the frustration of handling the "idiots" we all
run into in life.  A few stray from that - but that seems to be the main focus.

Do You Play Live?
Yes, as much as possible.

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What is your favorite thing about playing live?
The energy we get when people are really into the music.  It's great watching people down there in the pit having a good time and getting
into it.  I love to entertain people, so it's good to see that sort of confirmation that we are doing just that.

What do you think is most important when doing so?
Well, obviously entertaining the people.  Ultimately, musicians are entertainers (well, ones that play live at least) and if you aren't
entertaining the crowd, then you aren't doing your job.  I think it's important to try and give the crowd a good show - not sit on stage and be
self indulgent.

What was your favorite show that you played and why?
Hard to say, there are quite a few good ones.  I enjoyed a little show we did in the small town we rehearse in (Princeton, TX - hometown of
the late Dave Williams of Drowning Pool).  This little smoke shop opened up and wanted to do a metal fest.  It was outdoors, but we got to
bring our own PA, light rig and use pyro.  It was great to see all these people singing along and getting into the show.  They were totally
excited.

What was your least favorite? Why?  
Well, there's been a few I can think of.  The Dallas scene isn't what it used to be.  Many of the people booking clubs are a joke and the
people themselves are very fickle.  Dallas is more of a dance town now - the live scene isn't what it used to be and lot of the big people who
supposedly "support the local scene" with their showcases are very close minded and keep picking the carbon copy bands that sound alike
and usually get nowhere.  The worst show was probably a toss up between a venue with band power (my amp kept flipping the breaker) or
another club where they screwed up the booking and each band only got to play about 20 mins.

What would be your ideal venue/show to play?
I think ultimately I'd love to play the Whiskey in LA just once at least.  It's such a historic club and many of my favorite bands came from
there (The Doors, Van Halen, etc.)  Of course, headlining our own "Ozzfest" type show would probably be the ultimate as long as we got to
pick the bands :)

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Are you signed?  
Right now we are independent.  We are in the process of forming our own label, but we are still not technically "signed."  If the right label
comes along then we will hop on board, but we enjoy the control we have right now.  I'd love to find a label that will let us do it our way.  
We've found that many times, when we get it done ourselves, we seem to do a lot better than when someone tries to figure out how to
market us.

Do you want to be or are you actively seeking a label?
Semi-actively is the best I could put it.

What would be your ideal label to get signed to?
One of the big boys (WEA, Sony, Etc.), but with terms that we have more control than most bands would.  I'd give up some of the money in
order to get some of the control over singles, releases, etc.  Record lables are good at doing bands in because their marketing people just
don't get how the buying public works anymore.

Do you think its important to be signed?
For getting out there ?  It makes it much easier.  At the same time - there are many bands out there that have done good on their own.  I
think ultimately you have to have someone "taking care of business."  I think it'd be great if we could somehow get out there to everyone
without needed a major label to do it for us, but that's going to take a lot more work.

Why/why not?  
I guess I answered that one up there.

What is the most important consideration as a band, do you feel to be successful in the music industry?
To be remembered.  If your CDs end up on the clearance rack at the local used CD store - you failed on the long term aspect.  I think if
people look back at your stuff 30 years after it was put out and still go "These guys were badass," then you've done something right.  I don't
want to be the next Linkin Park or Backstreet Boys, I want to be the next Beatles, or Doors.

What are your plans for the future?
We are hoping to get the money together to get our label going and start producing our own local shows in the area.  We've left it up to the
"has-beens" for too long.  The Dallas scene needs a swift kick in the ass and if the "scene masters" aren't going to help us - then we will
attack it ourselves.  First Dallas, then the world...

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