Spineshank - Roadrunner Records UK

It's been over two years since Spineshank released their sophomore album, The Height Of Callousness, but upon hearing Self Destructive Pattern it is clearly evident that it was time well spent. Self Destructive Pattern is the sound of a band hitting its full creative stride and bringing to fruition all of the possibilities that had thus far only been hinted at. “We realized where we stood in our career,” drummer Tommy Decker explains, “and that we needed to put out a great record and we concentrated on that. We felt it was time to change, and made our sound more of a punk rock type thing. There are fewer loops and less electronics, and we simplified some of that and made a rock 'n roll record. We wanted to stay true to kids who loved our last record, and we wanted to make stuff we liked.” While serving those two masters is sometimes impossible, Spineshank manages to improve upon the sound of its past and further assert that they are creating the sound of the future on Self Destructive Pattern. While many of the songs maintain the aggression of The Height Of Callousness, they also display tremendous growth in both song structure and melody. The Height Of Callousness enjoyed both radio and video airplay thanks to the singles “Synthetic” & “New Disease”. It also saw the band touring the world and sharing the stage with Disturbed, Mudvayne, hed PE and Orgy and landed Spineshank on the 2001 Ozzfest Second Stage. It was a grueling year and a half spent on the road and the band was tired and ready to rest. But there is no rest for the weary and the band headed into the studio with producer GGGarth Richarsdson (Mudvayne, Chevelle, Kittie) only to find that perhaps the road wasn't that bad at all. It took every collective ounce of blood, sweat, energy, and creativity from their bodies to come up with the tracks that comprise Self Destructive Patterns. It was a process fraught with stops and starts and trials and tribulations. Once during the recording, the computer, on which a major portion of the album was saved, crashed. The band thought three months of hard work was lost, but GGGarth managed to save it intact. Guitarist Mike Sarkysian says, “It took us 16 months to make this record. It's like giving birth. Some moments happen quick, and some don't. It takes its toll on you. But we stepped back, and looked at it differently and tried different things, which was exciting and challenging.” “Recording this album was like the equivalent of getting tattoos,” drummer, Tommy Decker quips. “The artist is working on you for a long time. Then he stops, and sprays the area with the water, and it feels good. Then, when he starts up again, and it's worse than it was and you wish you never took that break.” From all of the pain though, came inspiration, and Self Destructive Patterns truly benefited from the labor expended to achieve it. As a whole, the album covers a much more expansive spectrum of sounds and styles. Sarkysian admits that “there are more peaks and valleys, whereas our last record was straight up punching you! There was 37 minutes of kicking your ass. Now, we kick your ass and then let you think it's over and you're getting away, and then we'll just kick your ass again.” In true Darwinian fashion, the fittest, most Spineshank-like songs survived the cut from the 30+ songs the band entered the studio with. Singer Jonny Santos also knew that Spineshank had to step up to the plate more now than ever. “It's another evolution. If you listen to Strictly Diesel and then The Height Of Callousness, it's almost like a totally different band. We had to grow again. We wanted to make an extreme record. We didn't follow any rules. “Violent Mood Swings” is brutal. But then songs like “Forgotten” are almost Nirvana-esque, in that slow, “Rape Me” style. We were like 'Where did that come from?' But it felt good.” A lot of personal issues manifested themselves in Santos's lyrics. “I had such a bumpy road the past couple years,” he reveals. “It has ruined a lot of my personal and social life with people that I thought were close to me. I didn't want to write angry hate songs, because there is enough anger in Spineshank to go around already!” Other subjects broached on the album include having an addictive personality (be it to a drug or a person). Santos and Tommy co-wrote almost all the songs together, and the two really gelled. Santos admits that self-reflection was a major source of inspiration. “A lot of people don't reflect on themselves. When writing songs, it's always about someone else, and you point the finger at them and not at yourself,” Santos admits. Santos finishes, “This is most focused this band has been, ever. Everyone had a different goal on the first two records, which is good. But this time, we knew exactly where we wanted to go, and we had to figure out how to get there. There was a lot of hard rock, and the occasional fight. But I'm married to these guys. Right now, it is my favorite record in the world. It's fucking Spineshank. We tapped into something we haven't been able to tap into. We took a lot of risks and chances on this one.” 11/02/2009 - ROADRUNNER ALBUMS REDUCED TO £4.99 ON ITUNES A whole heap of Roadrunner albums have been reduced to just £4.99 on iTunes! Log in to your account to take advantage now of picking ... 23/12/2008 - DIGITAL SPECIAL EDITIONS OF RR FAVES TO BE RELEASED DEC 29TH Fancy getting your mits on some RR classics of the digital variety? Then head on over to iTunes where you can now pre-order some upcoming ... 12/02/2008 - ETID DVD According to the OFFICIAL EVERY TIME I DIE website, the band have a DVD in the pipeline, and are surrently in the process of filming. ... 12/02/2008 - THE ALL-STAR SESSIONS- THE FULL MONTE 4 team captains, 55 artists, 45 bands- but who does WHAT we hear you cry?!!!! Here for your salivation is the full run down of ... 12/02/2008 - 57 ARTISTS, 47 BANDS, 19 TRACKS, 1 RELEASE ROADRUNNER UNITED - THE ALL-STAR SESSIONS, 57 ARTISTS, 45 BANDS, 19 TRACKS, 4 TEAM CAPTAINS. 1 GROUNDBREAKING ALBUM Roadrunner Records has put together a groundbreaking ... 12/02/2008 - FU*CK1N' BRUTAL In a recent interview with FearFactoryFans.com Dino Cazares had the following to say about his contribution FearFactoryFans.com: What can we expect on your part of ... 12/02/2008 - MORE ALL STARS ANNOUNCED In celebration of Roadrunner's 25 Anniversary, we are releasing an 'All Stars' album...and more confirmations on this release are in. Press release on the news ... 12/02/2008 - ON THE ROADRAGE WITH TRIVIUM, STILL REMAINS & 3IOB As I'm sure you are ALL aware ROADRAGE is here. The tour that has brought you the likes of Chimaira, Ill Nino & Spineshank now ... 12/02/2008 - THE METAL ZONE!!!! Roadrunner Records kicks off it's 25th Anniversary celebrations at retail by entering the Metal Zone, well Music Zone, really. We've teamed up with the 59-store ... 12/02/2008 - ROADRUNNER ALL STARS UNITE ROADRUNNER "ALL- STARS" ALBUM, A CELEBRATION OF LABEL'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY New York, NY - Roadrunner Records is in the process of putting together a groundbreaking ... 12/02/2008 - FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS FOR THE ROAD RAGE TOUR!! In celebration of Roadrunner Records' 25th anniversary, the 2005 Road Rage tour will feature 3 of Roadrunner's rising metal stars, Trivium, 3 Inches Of Blood, ... 12/02/2008 - Jonny Santos Seeks Musicians Former SPINESHANK singer Jonny Santos is currently seeking musicians for a new band. "He is looking for a drummer and a guitarist in the L.A. ... 12/02/2008 - Roadrage £7 & £8 Bargains Further to the last news update about the stonkingly cheap Roadrage campaign kicking off at Virgin this month, we can now tell you it's actually ... 12/02/2008 - Metal Mayhem For those of you with Scuzz on your Sky TV package, keep an eye out for a new hour of programming called Metal Mayhem. It ... 12/02/2008 - Ex-Spineshank Singer's New Band August 11th, The Key Club, Los Angeles with Daijabou. If you are in Los Angeles then don't forget to check out this performance by Temper ... 12/02/2008 - Mr And Mrs Decker Congratulations going out to happy couple Mr & Mrs Decker! Tommy & Amie were married on August 1st. All here hope you both had a ... 12/02/2008 - Do You Want To Be In Spineshank? As Jonny Santos has left the band, Spineshank are looking for a new singer, and it could be you! If you think you have what ... 12/02/2008 - This Was Not An Easy Decision Posted on the official Spineshank messageboard, comes this message from Jonny Santos, on his departure from Spineshank and his new plans for the months ahead. ... 12/02/2008 - Jonny Leaves Spineshank Vocalist Jonny Santos has parted company with SPINESHANK. Over the last week there had been rumours circulating on the web that Jonny had left the ... 12/02/2008 - A Very Metal Christmas Christmas related questions put to Ill Nino, Chimaira, and Spineshank.... 1. What Xmas song would you cover? Mike, Spineshank: "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" ... 12/02/2008Roadrage £7 & £8 Bargains Further to the last news update about the stonkingly cheap Roadrage campaign kicking off at Virgin this month, we can now tell you it's actually ... 12/02/2008Get A Free Roadrage 20-Track DVD A ROADRAGE DVD is available exclusively NOW via Virgin/V.Shops for a mere £7.99 or utterly free if you buy 3 RR CD's for £20 or ... 23/12/2008DIGITAL SPECIAL EDITIONS OF RR FAVES TO BE RELEASED DEC 29TH Fancy getting your mits on some RR classics of the digital variety? Then head on over to iTunes where you can now pre-order some upcoming ... 12/02/2008HOC Digi and Latest Album News Spineshank has been back in the United States for a while now. What have they made of their time? Since their return, they have basically ... 12/02/2008Officially Rumblefish Courtesy of our U.S office comes this little interview update with Rumblefish... Upon speaking with guitarist Jason DeCosta Monday afternoon (Dec 2), here is the ... 12/02/2008Mr And Mrs Decker Congratulations going out to happy couple Mr & Mrs Decker! Tommy & Amie were married on August 1st. All here hope you both had a ... 12/02/2008Updates From The Studio some current notes of interest from the studio this week: 36 Crazyfists They start pre-production of their second Roadrunner release on May 1st up in ... 12/02/2008New Tracks In and Words from Mike Somewhere amongst the grubby fists of our A&R Department here at Roadrunner, one can find 4 new Spineshank tracks. A few days ago the band ... 12/02/2008Terror In Tinsel Town "I'm fuckin' awesome right now, I just met Tony Soprano," tells Chimaira vocalist Mark Hunter whilst standing outside of Paul Brown's studio in Culver City, ... 12/02/2008Sooner Than You Thought Just a heads up that the new Spineshank record will be hitting shop shelves sooner than you thought. The release has been pulled forward a ... 12/02/2008Tracking Complete The latest from the recording of Spineshank's new album, as told by drummer Tommy Decker: We are finished tracking the record!!!! Happy new year everybody. ... 12/02/2008New Album and Interview with Rob Spineshank is elbow deep in getting together their third release.How go things? Words from drummer Tommy Decker are as follows: What's up everybody!! I know ... 12/02/2008Latest Album News So June 10th has come and gone. What's the latest on the new album? We'll let Jonny Santos tell you himself... "We are still all ... 12/02/2008Spineshank Pre Production Begins The band start pre-production on their third release come Monday 10 June. They will be joined in the studio with Howard Benson and Mike Plotnikoff. ... 12/02/2008Finally Finished The latest from Spineshank camp, as told by drummer Tommy Decker: Hello biatches... I've got some good news, the record is finally done!!!! We finished ... 12/02/2008More Music For Less Roadrunner will be releasing a batch of 13 titles available at mid-price from April 21st. Among them is the remainder of the Fear Factory catalogue ... 12/02/2008The Great L.A. Shoots This is West Coast, yo... news from our US office. Rumblefish and Spineshank have been busy this past week whilst their respective upcoming releases are ... 12/02/2008Having A Mood Swing Words from Spineshank's Mike Sarkisyan on the new record 'Self Destructive Pattern'... "The new album is more extreme in every respect. In the three years ... 12/02/2008Valentine's Day Massacre! Love is in the air and no doubt you're looking for the perfect present for your loved one. So, how about some music that will, ... 12/02/2008Spineshank Confirmed For Download Festival We're thrilled to report the return of the mighty Spineshank to UK shores! Spineshank have been confirmed for the Download Festival at Donington on June ... The Height Of Callousness (Digital Special Edition) The Height Of Callousness (Digital Special Edition) Self-Destructive Pattern Self-Destructive Pattern The Height Of Callousness The Height Of Callousness Strictly Diesel Strictly Diesel