Welcome to an exclusive interview with "A Moment of Violence," a dynamic and electrifying hard rock band hailing from the vibrant tropics of South Florida. With their angelic melodies and head-banging energy, this five-piece ensemble is making waves in the metalcore scene. Having recently debuted their first song and now with their second single, "Scrape," already creating a buzz, their music combines bright and happy instrumentals with powerful growls and screams, delivering a captivating and unforgettable experience. Blending classic metalcore vibes with their own modern flair, A Moment of Violence creates a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. Get ready to dive into their creative process, influences, and aspirations as we delve deep into the metalverse with A Moment of Violence.
1.Can you introduce yourselves and give us a brief history of how "A Moment of Violence" came to be?
Well, my name is Desi Pena or Dez. I am the founder/leader of the band. I play lead guitar and typically would be considered the chief songwriter for the group. I’m joined by Alex Xcean (vocals), Brent “The Metal Cowboy” Richardson (rhythm guitars), Scott Eriksen aka “Scotty Balls” (drums), & Brian Tomsak prefers to be called “Womp” (bass)
Scotty, and I were on the same softball team for a few months without knowing that each other played instruments. Until one day some metal was being played in the parking lot after a game and we got to talking about music and how we were both musicians. It wasn’t until several months later that we actually dove in and decided to start a band. While we wrote the first two or three songs, we had active adds on social media searching for the other pieces of the puzzle. We searched high and low for another guitar player to compliment myself while playing leads, but had no luck in finding the right person until my neighbors wife and I were talking out front one day and she mentioned that her husband at the time (Brent) was a guitar player. I contacted him, had him come down, yet the music was that of something he wasn’t used to playing as he typically played acoustic rock and blues. However, he worked harder than anyone I’ve ever seen to learn and perfect these parts. So, a three piece we were. We ended up going through four or five bass players prior to hiring Womp to play. Other guys were cool, they just didn’t work out for personal reasons they had at the time. As far as finding a vocalist…… that has been a daunting task that can frustrate the heck out of you! Until we did actually find the right fit in Alex. He also worked like an animal to get where he needed to be for the position as our front man. In January of this year (2023) we dropped our first single as a finally complete band, and are making quite the impact on the scene.
2.Your debut song was released in January. How has the response been so far, and what inspired you to release music with such a bright and happy instrumental feel combined with growling and screamed vocals?
The response has been AMAZING! We’re are insanely grateful to have gotten the response that we did. It seemed to be immediately received well with just about anybody in many different genres. We worked incredibly hard to push that very first single, and are very proud to say that the reactions from people who have heard it, have been overwhelmingly positive, and super supportive!
3."Scrape" is your second single, and it showcases a blend of melodic and heavy elements. Can you tell us more about the song and the creative process behind it?
So, for the guitars parts, I was just jamming on my guitar one day and started with the main riff and thought it was a cool sounding heavy chugging part. And then (like with most of our songs) I decided to put some midi drums behind it and then moved onto the verses, the chorus, and the interlude. Once I had that going, we practiced it as a band for a bit before Alex was even on the team. But once he was, we made the decision to actually record it in our studio. Alex and I then sat there once the music portion was complete, and came up with the lyrics collectively. Typically, I like the listener to tell me what they think the song is about. However, to us it’s about being in a bad place in a relationship that turns sour, and trying as hard as possible to get out from under it.
4.Your music has been described as having a nostalgic feel. What influences and experiences have shaped your sound and songwriting?
I grew up as a big fan of Megadeth, and Pantera to name a few. Nowadays, I enjoy bands like As I Lay Dying, and We Came As Romans, etc. As a listener, I enjoy much heavier tunes than what I actually write. However, my father is a musician and has always preached about things being catchy, and tasty sounding. That said, it was drilled into my head that this was the best way to do it. And quickly I became a melodic, yet heavy guitar player that was able to switch back and forth as called for within the particular song.
5.How would you define the unique sound and style of "A Moment of Violence" within the hard rock and metalcore genres?
I’d say just that….. it’s not just metalcore. It’s not just Hard Rock. It’s not just NuMetal. It’s…………….. Ready for this????????? “NuMetalCore”. In our opinion, it’s truly something new, unique, and refreshing that people are wanting to hear.
6.What are some of the recurring themes or messages in your lyrics, and what inspires your songwriting?
Seems a lot of the time a sour relationship is the topic of a lot of tunes. But literally, we tend to stray away from being about the same occurrence or type of event. Another challenge of being a good songwriter is to have fresh ideas to write about that may be slightly out of your normal realm of what your typically would do.
7.As a band from South Florida, how has your local music scene influenced your development and growth as musicians?
I’d say that there are some really incredible bands down here in Florida for sure. We’ve played with several. So similar to 25 plus years ago when the Seattle scene blew up with all of these amazing bands coming out, I feel Florida is the next area/region to go. That said, everyone we’ve had the pleasure to play with, has been amazingly supportive and we also return the favor.
8.Can you share any memorable experiences or stories from your live performances that have stood out to you?
I would say that there’s not really one time over another that really stands out where maybe something crazy has happened. However, we go out there each and every time and give it the best performance possible. The crowd loves it for sure. We always get asked for an encore song which is awesome! I will say that once we have a mosh pit in front of us, that it fuels us even more to give the additional performance boost that the crowd wants and deserves.
9.What are your thoughts on the current state of the hard rock and metalcore genres? Do you feel that your music aligns with the trends or offers something different?
I feel that now is the time that Metal makes a huge come back. Here in the United States the music biz has been dominated by hip hop and R&B for the last couple of decades. But I feel now, more than ever is the best time for heavy bands to come out and push for their dreams. Secondly, we have a unique sound. You may hear elements of our musical influences here and there. But overall, it’s different and something that people have been waiting for.
I have to be kind of vague on this one. However, the plan right now is to write and record a boatload of tunes, with a show here and there. Maybe like once per month. But otherwise it’s down to business in the recording studio. I will also say to everyone who reads this to be on the lookout for what we do over the next 5-7 months. We’ve got big things happening very soon. Stay tuned! We’re very excited to share with you what’s happening but can’t just yet. Once it’s public, then you’ll understand why we have to be discreet.
11.How do you approach the balance between creating music that appeals to a wide audience while still staying true to your artistic vision?
Hmm, that’s a good question. I really believe the only answer is that I’m blessed or more fortunate in one way or another. I’ve been playing music for 30 years or so. That said, I’ve always been truly grateful that my songs have remained current and fresh. And I’ll say that I’m always a fan of new and current music which will keep my writing and production up to pace with what’s happening in the world of heavy music at that time. You see, most people that I know listen to music for the words, or the way that it makes them feel. As do I, but I’m also listening for the production value as well. And I will always remain up to date with my production. And put the most amazing sounding mixes.
12.Are there any specific bands or artists that you dream of collaborating with in the future?
In the near future I’d like to open for bands like “Motionless in White”, or “Falling in Reverse”. Our plan is to take this band to the moon very soon!! Which is starting to happen already and we’re stoked about it!!
13.What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are looking to start a band and make a mark in the industry?
Never give up. The minute after you decide to quit, is the minute that your dreams are about to come true. Also, to stay positive, and understand that there will be more losses than wins overall. But the wins have a much greater reward and feeling.
14.How do you handle creative differences within the band, and what strategies do you employ to ensure effective collaboration and decision-making?
Well again, our process starts with me and writing the initial idea. But to keep everyone involved and to make sure that everyone’s opinion is valued I’ll simply have everyone sit in on the mix down of the song. And if there’s a dispute, we typically will put it to a vote. It rarely happens that way. And we’re very like minded as a group.
15.Finally, what message would you like to convey to your fans and listeners, and why should they check out "A Moment of Violence"?
I would like to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to listen. Time is the most valuable asset and we appreciate yours 100%. Keep liking and sharing our content. We put a lot of effort to delivery fresh and current stuff. But most of all, come out to see us at a show soon. We’re very approachable. We talk and hang with everyone. We’re all humble down to earth dudes. And be sure to follow us on all major platforms, including our website.
Again, Thank you!
Dez & AMoV
Thank you for your time, and we look forward to hearing more from "A Moment of Violence" in the future!
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