| This “5 and Dime” interview was conducted in person with American Head Charge guitarist Bryan Ottoson when the band played the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey on February 20, 2005. Brian died less than two months later. Our condolensces go out to his family, his friends, and his bandmates. God bless you Bryan. Rock on. |
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Tell me about your band, your sound, yourself and your bandmates.
We are a six piece “industrial metal” band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our sound is somewhere between Faith No More, Ministry and Nine Inch Nails. We started about ten years ago in a rehab facility. Chad started the band there, writing music, and we picked up a few new people along the way. And here we are! I’m Bryan Ottoson, a guitarist. Chad Banks, who I justed mentioned plays bass. Our newest guy, Karma Cheema is also a guitarist. Martin Cock sings, Justin Fowler is on keys, and Chris Emery drums.
Tell me about your band’s current, or soon to be released CD, its musical direction, where we can hear it, and where we can buy it.
Our latest CD “The Feeding” was released Tuesday February 15 and you can buy it pretty much everywhere. There is an e-card at our website and there’s three songs you can download. This time we tried to get away from our influences, Nine Inch Nails and Ministry. We sound like what WE sound like.
Tell me about your band’s current tour.
We’re out touring with OTEP, Candiria, Bloodsimple and The Autumn Offering. This tour goes through March 17 in Los Angeles, then to England for 10 days. Then we’re confirmed for 2 plus months with Mudvayne and Life of Agony in 2 to 3 thousand seaters. Plus, we’re going to New York City . I’ve never been there, I’m excited to go but I don’t know the venues.
What does your band have in store for your fans in the next 12 months?
Mayhem! We’re on the road with no more than a day off at a time. The shows are getting more intense. Martin was climbing around on the P.A. last night. We started out really focused on the music since we were pigeon-holed as a “shock rock” kind of band. Our focus was to not have the antics, but slowly it’s becoming more mayhem on the stage. That’s what our fans can expect!
Feel free to promote anything else you’d like that applies to your band.
Our website is www.headcharge.com and our CD “The Feeding” just came out Tuesday. We have a DVD upcoming this summer with all of our videos and some backstage stuff. We just shot a video for “Loyalty” which is our first single. We’re hosting Headbanger’s ball on April 9.
Please share your thoughts on Dimebag Darrell.
I never sat and talked with Dimebag, I was intimidated. We visited his strip club in Dallas and later went to Vinnie Paul’s house. I saw Dime across the room. I gave him a head nod and he gave me one back. It was respectful; “like hey, how you doing.” Plus, we just played at that club in Ohio. We brought one candle up on stage with us, for Dime.