Centerlink Interview

Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing Centerlink. This Boston area hard rock/heavy metal band has a sound that combines the best aspects of old school traditional heavy metal and modern metal. If you have not yet read my review of their demo be sure to check it out. You can find a link of the review at the bottom of this page.

Andy-You were formed in 2006 correct? Can you tell us a little about how the band came about?

Centerlink-Yes, We were formed in 2006. Jon's mom had passed away and we hadn't actually talked in about 7 years. I learned how to record on the computer and was sending it into a local radio station and a dj was using it for her background fill. Jon and I talked about it as his mothers wake and Jon wanted to learn how to do it so I told him I would set him up at home so he could use his electronic drums and record his own music. So we went to Best Buy and guitar center and got all the equipment and set him up. Then at that point we decided to collaborate our recordings and started a band. Jon knew Billy from the previous band he was in which was UpperHand and Billy brought his 4-track recordings on board and Centerlink was formed.

Andy-Before Centerlink came about did you all play in other Boston area bands?

Centerlink-Jon and I started back in 1986 and formed a band in 1991 called Den of Thieves. That lasted for about 2 years which we never found a singer for and eventually went our separate ways. Jon hooked up with Billy in 1992 with a band called UpperHand and they were together for about 7 or 8 years, until they called it quits. I put down the guitar and didn't touch it for almost a decade. Then I learned how to record music on the computer, and about 3-4 years later is when I hooked up with Jon.

Andy-What is the current heavy metal scene like in Boston?

Centerlink-Well the current Metal scene is Boston is really somewhat dead. You need to go to southern Maine, out towards southern New Hampshire, or out towards Worcester Mass if you want to find a metal scene in the New England area.

Andy-Where did the name come from?

Centerlink-Parky came up with the name. We went through thousands of band names and researched them all over the web and myspace at the time before facebook came about and Centerlink nobody at the time had. Parky worked in the automotive industry for 16+ years at the time and a centerlink is the link between the two front wheels of a car that has a steering box type steering system.

Andy-Your demo shows a band that appreciates old-school thrash/heavy metal as well as the modern metal scene. Tell us a some more about the bands that helped shape Centerlink.

Centerlink-We all have different taste's in Metal but a lot of them are similar. Billy is old school metal like Ozzy, Black Sabbath and AC/DC but also likes Pantera and BLS along with KISS and Jon has the similar taste's along with Rush. Parky likes the Sepultura, Pantera, System of a Down and Korn even Hate Breed and Slipknot. Billy likes some of those bands as well as Jon but not so much, so we kind of cover the whole spectrum and incorporate it into our music.

Andy-Is the 3-track demo your first release?

Centerlink-We did release a ton of demo material on a Blue disk, which most of it you can hear on www.reverbnation.com/centerlink but as most of our fans will tell you they really do us no justice as compared to our live set and this new 3 track demo recorded in a recording studio.

Andy-Your heading back into the studio this summer is that correct?

Centerlink-Yeah....we are!!!!! We are hoping to get another 3 songs done to add to this and eventually go back in and finish it off with another 3 to make a 9 song album....so to speak.

Andy-That is so cool. So, how would you describe the newer material?

Centerlink-It's not really new. We have over 100 songs of material and at least 40 of them are complete with lyrics. We have just yet to release all of them.

Andy-That's pretty impressive! Who are some of the band you've played with so far?

Centerlink-We have played with mostly local bands in the area.

Andy-Other than recording new material does Centerlink have any other plans on the horizon?

Centerlink-Just playing out and trying to get our music out to as many people as we possibly can. Maybe even do a video after we get finished in the recording studio, or even try and get noticed by a record company and get on a tour somewhere.

Andy-Final thoughts?

Centerlink-No real final thoughts. This is a band we feel has potential. We don't sugar coat anything. What you see is what you get. Three guys who enjoy making music there way and are not trying to copy anyone else. We want to stand on our own and bring back straight forward in your face Heavy yet understandable music for the masses!!!!!!!

Andy-Thanks for taking the time to talk with us today. Good luck with everything! If you have a chance to check out Centerlink live be sure to.

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=centerlink (Review of 3-track demo)

Centerlink-Centerlink

Self-Release
2012

Centerlink are a Boston area hard rock/heavy metal band that was formed in 2006 by members of UpperHand and Den of Thieves. This 3-piece band includes Parky (vocals and guitars), Billy-K (vocals and bass) and Jon Carota (drums) and they list bands like Black Sabbath, Black Label Society, Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Ozzy, Rush and System of a Down as influences. Now, despite the fact that the individual band members have years of experience under their respective belts (playing in other bands ) with Centerlink the group have been building up a new following in the Boston area. How have they managed that you might ask? Sure, if a band plays out enough times (and has the "will play anywhere/with anyone" attitude) they are sure to get noticed. If this 3-track demo is an indication then I'd say there is more to the story then just flooding the scene. After listening to all this self-release has to offer (several times through by the way) I have no doubt in my mind that the band's hard driving & high energy style must be a beast live. As for their studio work? What they have laid down to tape is likely to fall under the "modern metal" banner. As much as I dislike that term what you are looking at with Centerlink is music that pulls from as much from older Metallica ("The Fallen" is Black era Metallica material) as radio rock like the Foo Fighters. Given that information calling Centerlink modern metal is not too much of a stretch. On the band's self-titled demo you also get some Motörhead/Pantera aggression thanks to the number "You Fight Back". Midway through the number though the band throws in some old fashioned heavy metal/NWOBHM style guitar solo giving it that little extra zing. "Vindictive" morphs groove metal with Metallica and Black Label Society resulting in 2 and half minutes of uptempo metal rock. Now with only three tracks there isn't much to this demo obviously. It's only 10 or so minutes long so I did the next best thing and checked out the group's Reverbnation page for other material. "Bitter Pill" (while slow paced) borders on grizzly power metal while "Darkened Days" shows the influence bands like System Of A Down have also had on Centerlink's development. With material that shows strength as well as room to grow the future holds promise for this Massachusetts act. Find out more at the links below.



https://www.facebook.com/Centerlinked



http://www.reverbnation.com/centerlink

Centerlink-"All it Takes" & More

Self-Release/Independent
2013

Earlier this month (Jan. 13 to be exact) I covered Centerlink's new song "Distant Voices" (link below). At the time I believe I mentioned that this Boston 3-piece was in the process of completing a new album. I'm still not sure if everything new (song-wise) they have posted on their Facebook page is it (track-wise) or if there is new material on the horizon. Either way here's the deal ladies and gentlemen: These 3 guys rock. Period. OK, let me elaborate. "All it Takes" is a bit like "Distant Voices" in that it's also heavy on the Rob Zombie-style metal while still maintaining it's own identity. Centerlink have always been able to draw on their influences (Metallica, Foo Fighters, Motörhead, Black Label Society, Pantera) solely as a template unto which they can easily convey their own style. On "All it Takes" Parky (guitars, vocals) lets loose with some sick lead guitar work. This is the sound of a talented and professional band at play. This is the kind of band who that can be as heavy as Pantera and yet still write material with rock and roll riffs. "Hopes and Dreams" is another example of how to put together a song that on hand is hard & heavy (in this case the band channels some Helmet) while still having a sound that fits right in with today's modern metal market. It's plain to see that this group has grown musically with each new song. All of the new material on display at their ReverbNation page shows improvement. The leads from Parky are more adventurous and Jon (drums) and Billy-K (bass, vocals) offer up a tighter rhythm section that is superbly grounded in heavy hard rock. Take a listen to "See a Change" and you'll hear how the pair not only hold there own, but give off their own bit of magic in the process. All 3 members of Centerlink have evolved in their playing as the new material is more mature. Of the new material the most curious number to me is the modern metal track "Withered". It's a love letter presented in the form of modern metal and it simply bleeds both passion and hurt. "Withered" is a move in the right direction for this band as it's something different. In a way writing a song like this is actual a risk. How can writing a modern metal pseudo-ballad be a risk you ask? Well, you face a potential backlash from your established fan base. The fall-out from writing a "ballad" can sometimes turn hardcore fans against you. In this case though it's right type of song for Centerlink in that it shows they can write a variety of music. While the album/new material is ready to be heard (link below) the band does not have the actual CDs ready yet. Hopefully that will be sooner then later.

http://www.reverbnation.com/centerlink










Review of "Distant Voices" and link to other articles on the band:


http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Centerlink-%22Distant+Voices%22

Centerlink-"Distant Voices"

"Distant Voices" is a new single by Boston's own Centerlink. I have previously covered the band  before. I reviewed their 2012 demo (below) and also did an interview with the band (also below). With a new album on the way this serves as just a sneak peak/appetizer. Before I get into "Distant Voices" be sure to heard over to the band's Facebook page and "like" these three guys. Or at least like Centerlink anyway! Support local music the best you can. Centerlink might not be local to me (they are technically closer to Metal Mark then they are to me), but they have the "local metal band with heart" vibe going for them so I'm pulling for them. Anyway, "Distant Voices" is a fair bit heavier then I remember these guys being. It's got a Rob Zombie fronting a super group made up of members of White Zombie, Danzig, Black Label Society and Metallica sound going for it with a nice solo planted mid-way. It will be interesting to see what the band pulls off for a full-length as so far I've only heard bits and pieces from these guys (ie demo tracks, variations, etc.). I'm curious what these guys do with a whole album as far as style, song-structures, etc. In the meantime "Distant Voices" is worth checking out if you like the heavier end of hard rock/traditional heavy metal.


 https://www.facebook.com/Centerlinked






 Check out the new track here:
 http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/15793906




 For the interview and review of Centerlink's 2012 Demo click here:
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=centerlink