Hello and thanks for taking time out to talk with us.
Our pleasure, thank you! By the way, my name is Scott Pustilnick (Bass, Keyboards, Vocals)
Can you first introduce the band and give us some background to how it all started and what brought you all together? LIFECYCLE is a hard-hitting Alternative Metal band based out of Jackson, NJ. LIFECYCLE features Asim Rizvi (4Karma), John Soden (Legion), Joe Viggiano (formerly Ataraxia), Kevin Hightower (formerly Noosphere), and myself, Scott Pustilnick (formerly MCA recording Artist Familiar 48).
Have you been involved in other bands before? If so has that had any impact on what you are doing now, in maybe inspiring a change of style or direction?
Everyone in the band has been in other bands to some degree. Personally, I was in a band signed to MCA records (When that label existed). All of us used our prior knowledge and hard work ethic to get the band off the ground. The direction is a million times better with this band than with other bands. Very focused!
What inspired the band name?
We actually had the song title “LifeCycle” picked out before we named the band, “LifeCycle”…A Black Sabbath – “Black Sabbath” kind of deal. As we wrote more music, we realized a lot of what we were writing focused around aspects of life itself. When we realized the motto of that song was on point with what we generally write about, a light bulb went off.
Was there any specific idea behind the forming of the band and also in what you wanted it and your sound to offer?
I wanted to play with musicians that had the same vision. The vision is to write great songs that can appeal to a massive audience. In addition, we love to entertain so finding a group of guys that are totally dedicated and are passionate about music was really important. The band writes 3-4 minute songs that are have heavy guitar riffs but offer melodic vocals.
Do the same things still drive the band when it was fresh-faced or have they evolved over time?
The band is very new. The debut single “Lifecycle” just dropped on all digital media stores. We all still love each other! Lol.
How would you say your sound is evolving so far?
Due to the band being new, the evolution is tough to call out. I can tell you that song writing is very easy with this band. There is NO shortage of material and we constantly have new content ready to release.
Has the growth of the band and its sound from birth been more of an organic movement or more the band deliberately exploring new things?
Completely organic, thank you tiny baby Jesus! We have 5 members with 5 voices. We write what is best for the song and if it isn’t broken, we don’t fix it! The sound is natural and nothing is forced.
Presumably across the band there is a wide range of inspirations; are there any in particular which have impacted not only on the band’s music but your personal approach and ideas to creating and playing music?
The band has a real good formula for creating music. I think the inspiration is really working together. Everyone is very close and we really enjoy being around each other and having fun. Due to this inspiration, the band decided to make a YouTube series that documents this fact. The name of the YouTube series is called “A Day in the LifeCycle” and it can be found on our YouTube Channel. People seem to love it and we have way too much fun making it. New Episodes drop every 2 weeks.
Is there a particular process to the band’s songwriting?
Most of the time, our talented guitarists (Kevin, Joe) bring killer riffs to the table. We then sit in a room and work out the music portion. We feed off of each other’s ideas so I really believe we inspire each other during this process. At that point, once we have a legit framework of a song, we listen and listen and listen. It’s organic and it changes and gets tweaked. We let the song dictate the path. This is really important for us. If the song calls for a part, it’s getting done. If the song doesn’t need a blazing fast shredder solo……it’s not part of the song. Asim (lead singer) writes most of the words in the band and he is also a part of the creative process with the music. The method works and we are very happy doing things this way.
Where are, more often than not, lyrical inspirations drawn from?
As for what LifeCycle songs are about……Music in general can mean different things to different people. One person’s interpretation of lyrics/ song can be completely different from another person’s. That is part of the beauty of music. So Asim will not typically like giving a song a definitive meaning because the way he sees it and writes it, may be interpreted another way by someone else. Doesn’t mean anyone is wrong, it’s just their perspective. However, as a songwriter Asim typically likes to focus on aspects of life itself. Love, lust, greed, vulnerability, purpose, life and death are all common themes in our music, all served with a side of metal.
Give us some background to your latest release, that first single.
The debut single, “Lifecycle” dropped on 1/15/2020! It’s everywhere. You look at a digital store and it is there for the taking. You can also grab it on Sound cloud or YouTube if you don’t subscribe to one of the big four. The plan is to drop the acoustic version of “Lifecycle” at the end of Feb 2020 and then follow it up with the next single, “Burnout” mid-April 2020. Constantly new content coming!
Are you a band which goes into the studio with songs pretty much in their final state or prefer to develop them as you record?
We enter into the studio one thousand present ready to record. We don’t develop new parts during the recording process. Here is why: we have recorded our song prior every time we write a new part. Organically, we have a dozen or some versions from step 1 to the last step along with way , already recorded on someone’s phone. By the time we get in the studio , we are ready to work and no longer write.
Tell us about the live side to the band, presumably a big favorite aspect of the band?
We’ll do it live!!! The band is super high energy. No one just stands there and looks down at their instrument. We see it with other bands and it doesn’t work for us. The band is excited to play so when we hit the stage its go time. Constant movement and having fun. We do not take ourselves so seriously…..come see us. We will make sure you have a great time and are not bored to death!
It is not easy for any new band to make an impact regionally let alone nationally and further afield. How have you found it your neck of the woods? Are there the opportunities to make a mark if the drive is there for new bands?
Yes there are opportunities everywhere I believe. The secret is not only working hard but being smart about it. Don’t waste your time with anything that is not moving the band in the right direction. Think about it and have a plan. Without a plan or direction, there is wasted time and that is the most precious resource we all have.
How has the internet and social media impacted on the band to date?
In a world where we all live our lives through the internet, how has it particularly aided the band?
It’s great! It allows people we have never met an opportunity to see the band, hear the band, laugh at the band, and either like or hate the band. Our episodic YouTube Series, “A Day in the Lifecycle” is doing great and people seem to love it. Without YouTube, no one would be able to enjoy the comedy side of the band along with the behind the scenes footage of live shows.
Do you see it as something destined to become a negative from a positive as the band grows and hopefully gets increasing success or is it more that bands struggling with it are lacking the knowledge and desire to keep it working to their advantage?
If bands struggle with the internet and social media, I would assume that they don’t quite understand one important thing…..This is a marathon, not a sprint.
Once again a big thanks for sharing time with us; anything you would like to add or reveal for the readers?
Thank you! We love writing and creating and playing our music for everyone. If you REALLY want to learn more about the band, go to YouTube and pull up our YouTube series called “A Day in the Lifecycle”. I know I mentioned it prior, but it’s a great way to see why Joe hates white bread, why Asim is sponsored by Hi-Chew, why John doesn’t talk and on and on. Thanks for the opportunity to talk!
-Scott Pustilnick (LifeCycle)
Check Lifecycle out further@ …
https://www.lifecycleband.com https://twitter.com/lifecycleband https://www.instagram.com/lifecycleband https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN4sHHIMmtMno__3t9wl4eA/featured
Pete RingMaster 27/02/2020
EP opener, Pieces, immediately demanded attention, the rapier like swings of drummer Ross Curtain landing with contempt as the song forcibly stirs with the bass of John Brodie beginning its grievous grumble. That alone has us more than attentive and with increasing focus as the guitar of Micheal Germon began unwinding its sonic wiring. Out the senses challenging start, rousing grooves wind around ears before, within a breath or two, the melodic tones of Lorraine Brodie complete the creative palette as the track’s imagination really takes off. It continues to prowl, severely growl, and harass but equally weaves a deviously infectious tempting which is echoed in the dual styled vocals of Lorraine.
Nothing Dramatic opens up with its title track and immediately had ears pricked with its initial spindly riff, a hook even more enticing as a mass of noise bred temptation brews up around it. Straight away an infectious coaxing is at play, becoming even more mischievous as the band’s alternative rock bred sound erupts with a devilish swing and melodic tempting. The vocals of bassist Jake Tilley are just as magnetic as the enterprise around them, his and drummer Stevo Somerset’s manipulative rhythms caging the inventively magnetic exploits of guitarists Josh Pearl and Alex Young. Blending muscular and forceful textures with more poised and seductive hues, the song sets a high bar for the release and a moment which remained our favourite though closely nudged throughout the EP.
Too Dead To Dance sets the EP off and alone convinced there was something special going in within ears, its declaration subsequently echoed across its companions. The outstanding opener instantly had its hooks under the skin as the rich clean vocals of guitarist Caleb Freihaut align with the rapier swings of drummer Kai. The guitars of Jake Morgan and Nathan Simpson add to the emerging theatre with the waiting throat scathing roars of fellow vocalist Jarett Clark poised to erupt upon the already alluring mix. With every passing second the track simply escalated its captivation, the grumbling swing of Patrick Reuben’s bass adding further threat within the melodic enterprise embracing Freihaut‘s expressive dexterity.
It is a great start to the release driven by the rhythmic powerhouse of drummer Frazer Parker and bassist Pete Cook; their muscle complemented by craft as echoed within next up Epitaph. Similarly the prowess of Allison’s delivery and tones are a potent essence in the track’s adventurous stroll, the guitars of Jamie Parker and Lewis Wheeler writhing and creating around all with sonic and melodic dexterity. As all tracks; it too is an offering which revels in its mix of metallic and melodic strains which teases of others yet never shares anything less than individuality.
The first of two EPs which together unveil an elaborate story with themes looking at “dystopia, a dictatorship, and the use of technology for a chance at a better world…but at what cost?” the swiftly fascinating Lucian opens up with the single Silence the Crows. Immediately a guitar cast wire entangles ears, winding around their flesh with intimation and dexterity as rhythms gather their bait and in turn the quickly captivating vocal blend of guitarist Rhys Evans and the supporting tones of bassist Sam Green and drummer Max Hill steps forward. There is a flirtatious touch and lure to the song from its first breath but equally a snarl in its melodic almost deceitful smile, an edge which is as much threat as it is sonic enterprise as Evans guitar reveals greater flavouring and invention by the passage.
The increasingly magnetic and impressive start is easily continued by the album’s title track. It too springs from a seductive sonic lure if one which lances the senses rather than caresses them. The emerging web of guitars ensnared ears with swiftly nagging and devious intent; a strength of coercion matched in voice and rhythm. There is a touch of Mudvayne to the track at times which does it no harm or indeed the atmospheric winds which bring haunting melodies amid seemingly calm but dark aural intimation.