PSYKILL Frontman SPYDER Z. PRIME - "I've Built Guitars For HELLYEAH, MEGADETH, MACHINE HEAD And TRIVIUM; Pretty Nifty Job..."
May 3, 2009, 15 years ago
Gothic.nu recently caught up with Spyder Z. Prime, frontman for Florida's metal / gothic / industrial act PSYKILL, which also features DOPE / ex-GENITORTURERS drummer Angel. An excerpt is available below.
Q: Can you give our readers a short history lesson about Psykill?
SZP: "I started PsyKill in 2000 after Angel and I were requested to help out with an industrial project with a singer a friend/manager had in mind. The manager at the time wanted it to be called CELL THEORY and be strictly industrial. But we started jamming and the framework of what you hear of PsyKill today was quite evident and, for lack of a better term, magical. In my opinion, you don't try to change that magic to fit a mold. So eventually, us and the manager parted ways amiably. You can read more than you ever wanted to know about the name PsyKill in our blog titled 'What's in a name?'"
In 2001 or so, Angel got an offer to play for Genitorturers and due to his tour schedule, didn't have time to commit full time to PsyKill. I tried out several drummers before going with recorded tracks that I programmed for live shows. We played pretty much every venue from 2000 to 2004 with different people on bass. In 2004 the old singer and I parted ways and I went solo for a few years to refine and record what I wanted to shape PsyKill into. As well as learn the singing skills needed to be the singer. Between that and learning the recording programs, it's taken a few years. Then in 2008, I hooked up with Sally and James. Angel continues to be a presence as well and when he's not available, I'll just use the tracking like I did before. And I truly believe that this line up is the strongest PsyKill has ever had."
Q: I read the blog and the presentation about the other band members and some of their side projects. What are you, Mr. Spyder Z. Prime up to when you're not doing something with Psykill?
SZP: "During the day, I have a job building high end USA custom guitars at Dean. I've built guitars for HELLYEAH, MEGADETH, MACHINE HEAD and TRIVIUM just to name a few. Pretty nifty job for making contacts and getting inside info on the music industry. I've also done tech work for Genitorturers and HANZEL UND GRETYL as well as many local bands in the Tampa scene. But my goal is to be ON the stage not beside it. Which is why I've pretty much dropped all my peripheral projects and am focusing on PsyKill stuff: Getting the live show coordinated with programming sequencing. Trying to get merchandise together. Practicing with the new line up. All sorts of stuff."
Go to this location for the complete interview. Click here to check out PsyKill audio samples.