Interview with ‘The Opening’

Having released their debut album, ‘Closing Arguments’ entirely for free, The Opening have impressed us with their music even more than they have with their generosity. They have been quiet for quite some time but our reason for concern was wiped away with the release of 2 brand new re-released tracks.

The Opening is here to stay and we’ve asked The Opening’s founding member and guitarist, Jeff  a couple of quick questions regarding their rise in the world of thrash metal!

The Opening are:

Jeff – guitar
Will – vocals
Chris – bass
Julian – drums

Headbang Today: There seems to be just as much character in your on stage outfits as there is in your music; what’s with the burglar masks?

The Opening: If you have to ask, then you don’t get it! Nah jk….I guess to me it’s about standing out from the rest of the crowd and making a memorable impression. Whether or not you like the music; the outfits usually seem to catch people’s attention. Plus we are huge fans of the show “Delocated”  on adult swim as well as bands such as slipknot, GWAR and Blue man group, so it just felt natural for me. I always wanted to do a masked band but never had the right line-up to do so. It wouldn’t have worked with my past band Simplekill.

Headbang Today: What led to deciding to release your debut album for free?

The Opening: It is free online for download (entertheopening.com) as well as packaged as a physical release on CD for purchase, mainly at our shows with our merch. It is also available on iTunes and CDBaby too. But anyway….to me, it’s more about people hearing my music than me making a dollar or two from it. I’d rather have people hear it than not hear it all… which is most likely to happen if you don’t release it for free. I know I personally only really get into albums once I’ve got the whole thing on a cd or my ipod for a couple of weeks…not just hearing 2 songs on youtube from my computer. My intention is to make fans then just a couple of dollars… if that makes sense? It’s going to be free anyway… might as well gain some exposure from it.

Headbang Today: There are hints of Slipknot influence in your music, especially with the vocalists’ singing style. Is this correct? From which single band do you draw most inspiration from?

The Opening: Yes, we do get this often and while I do agree that the vocals are similar at times, I don’t think our record is that close to any slipknot record if you take the time to listen to it. We are huge slipknot fans so I take it only as a  compliment when we get a comparison to such a massive band, but I also think we both have our own distinct thing going on; not to mention with them being 9 people and us being just 4…(so I guess its really a compliment then!) I guess I just feel that if you sit with our record for a couple of days…you’ll hear that it is more than just slipknot or even metal. For me personally, the single band I draw the most inspiration from is Tool, and I’d say the direction of the new music is going in more of that way than anything…

Headbang Today: You’re playing with Wayne Static from Static X on the second of February at The Culture Room. You’ve also been on tour with Wayne in the past… What is the bands’ relationship like with him?

The Opening: Unfortunately, I think you might be confusing us with being on tour with Wayne Static for being on tour with Nonpoint. We have only toured with Nonpoint so far and I go way back with all (well most now) of those guys; being they were the local band I used to go see on the weekends when I was in middle & high school in south florida. Our relationship with Nonpoint is great and I can’t thank them enough for all they have done for us and myself. I only hope/wish they would take us out more! ::hint hint:: But ya, this coming month will be the first time I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Wayne Static/Static-X and I am def Looking forward to it! We have locally opened up for (hed) PE, Mushroomhead, Nonpoint, & Motorgrater so far, and we have only been playing shows since summer of 2010.

Headbang Today: With you recording and mastering your very own tracks, we realise that it’s not a walk in a park to simply just come up with a new album, but.. When CAN fans of The Opening expect a new album?

The Opening: Actually….we seem to write so fast/easy i’m sure we could turn one out in a couple of weeks if we wanted/had to and have it be not bad at all. We actually have 2 “unreleased” tracks that are on our website (entertheopening.com) available for download now that i’m sure will be re-recorded for the next album, as well as 5 or 6 rough song ideas to finish up…so that’s half the new album right there already! The debut “Closing Arguments” record has only been released for barely a year now (early 2011) so I feel like we still need to get the word out about TheOPENING and the debut album more than write a new record. Not to mention that album was released only after the band being together for like 6 months….so I feel there def is time to wait. But honestly, we just set up the microphones in the rehearsal room…jam out & record it for a couple of hours and BAM…there’s pretty much enough material right there! We click with each other very well….but I guess to answer your question; we will probably start writing more seriously this year and release something new by next year of 2013…since Closing Arguments was released 2011..but nothing is set in stone.

Headbang Today: Have you ever considered touring abroad to tap into overseas metal fan bases? South African headbangers, for one are very warm hospitable creatures, you know.

The Opening: I am down to go anywhere/everywhere money and opportunity takes me/the band! Right now, that is our main problem…we have very little tour support. We are still a fairly new band but I think there is a lot of potential for us. Hopefully soon we will see you in south Africa! Trust me, if I could, i’d be there now!

Headbang Today: Where do you see the band in 5 years’ time?

The Opening: I’m hoping further than where it is now! Ha jk but I’d love to be a full time touring band with a fanbase to support it. I’d love to see this type of music come a little back into popularity as well, since it def is not anymore. I just want to be able to do what I love while being able to support myself at the same time… That’s all I ask for and I think that goes for most musicians.

Headbang Today: Thank you for your time. With is becoming fans of ‘The Opening’, we simply cannot wait to continue to present any new material to the rest of the world on your behalf. Any last words?

The Opening: keep checking back; we post videos/music on our facebook all the time so make sure you add us there – facebook.com/theopening. I just started posting some instrumentals from the record, as well as any shows we get. we’ll start working on new material more seriously soon im sure and post those asap too. Hopefully more touring oppurunties come our way as well and that will all be posted there and on EnterTheOpening.com -thanks Headbang Today!