Interview with Black Arrow Project’s Scott Bryggare

By Neon Blonde

November 11, 2002  

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Q:  When was BAP founded?

  BAP was founded about 7-8 years ago with our singer Brian who is now the only remaining member since that time. Dan Castorina, Troy Light, Bruce Sheldon, and Chuck Bardroff were the other members.  Chuck as you may know is now the guitarist in the Dallas band Broken Toyz and Troy, Dan and Bruce have gone to pursue other projects.

  Q:  Who came up with the name Black Arrow Project?

  Well the only remaining original member is our Singer Brian. And according to him the name was taken from a top-secret military missile project, it could have very well been because one of the members at the time was of Native American decent. Chuck was also in the armed forces.

  Q:  I listened to “Show Me” and it sounded like Deep Purple.  Are they one of your influences?

  I like Deep Purple but I rarely ever listen to them and I really cannot say that they are one of my personal influences, same with the other members of the band.  That recording is fairly old and the band itself has changed quite a bit since then. We are going to put some newer material on the site as we speak so be sure to check it out!

  Q:  Who are some of the other bands that have influenced you guys?

As I mentioned, the band has changed dramatically since it first started and we have had several member changes. Currently our lineup is influenced by more progressive type bands such as Fates Warning, Queensryche and Dream Theatre, which we play a selective cover from each of these bands.

  Q:  Tell us a little bit about what BAP is all about.

  BAP is all about having a good time; never give up and trying to write songs that will get you to start thinking about things.  We just want to jam and have fun and try not to take this whole thing too seriously.

  Q:  I read that BAP is going into studio to start working on the new CD.  Tell us about that.

  We have been trying to do this for a long time now. We now have enough originals to complete a full length CD. BAP made a CD years ago but 3\5ths of the band has changed as well as the music style itself.  We have the recording equipment to make a demo ourselves and we are going to start this the week of 11\18.  We are looking forward to completing this as soon as we can.

  Q:  How was it that you feel because of personnel changes you had a loss of following?

  I guess it was mainly because other members of the band who are no longer with us had lots of friends who would come out to the shows as regulars.  With the music scene the way it is now in DFW it is difficult to get yourself promoted and heard by enough people to gain a really decent following.  It seems like there isn’t a large main rock\metal club that people just like to go to and hang out, kinda like the old Dallas City Limits and Vampire lounge.  The clubs seem so spread out and only a bands friends and a few regulars are at shows, not very many people there just to hang and watch bands anymore.

  Q:  How does it feel to you now?

  We definitely feel that BAP is at the top of their form now with the new members that we have acquired.  We have been playing lots of shows lately and have gained a few fans here and there.  We just enjoy playing live and writing songs that we like and not really too concerned about creating a massive following though that would be an added bonus J

  Q:  What do you want to accomplish through your music?

  We want to create songs that we can be proud of and hopefully the audience can also enjoy them as much as we do.

  Q:  Who are some local bands that you guys have played with?

  We have been around for a long time so just about everyone in our genre, but to name some of our fav’s GROUND, STRANGERS, TYR, Little green men, Habitual, Tornado alley, The Realm, BFE, Spittin Jonah, John Inmann just to name a few….

Q:  Have you guys opened or shared the stage with any big bands?

  So far the only big band that we have had the opportunity to play with was the Velvet Poker dogs with members of Lillian axe.

L.A. is one of my all time favorite bands so it was quite a thrill for me.

  Q:  Who are some artists you would like to work with?

  Of course we would love the chance to open for any national acts, but we enjoy playing with the above-mentioned bands and look fwd to playing more with them.

Q:  Tell us about your song writing process.

  It usually starts with a good base line of riffs either from myself or my co-guitarist Mark Williams, we will come up with the basic song structure and then Mark will put down the vocal lines and arrangements to it. Then our drummer and bass player will go in and put their chops to it and then we give it to the singer to complete the vocal melody.

  Q:  Recording songs:  All in the studio?  Do you guys record, say like guitar tracks, at home or in the studio?  How does that work?

  We usually come up with ideas and record them at home using a little 4-track recorder, burn them to MP3 and send them to each other via e-mail for input.  Once we have the basics worked out we practice at the rehearsal studio until we are happy with it. Then we will record with our own equipment, which is basically using pro tools on a PC.

  Q:  How do you guys work on promoting the band?

  To be honest we really do not do much promotion at all. IF anything it is over the internet posting messages or sending out e-mail’s or contacting people such as yourself for interview’s or posting MP3’s on various sites.  A good word from Club owners goes a long way as well.

  Q:  How receptive are people/clubs, etc. when you are out there promoting?

  We do not go out to clubs to promote our music per say, maybe after we get the full length CD done we will be hitting them for this reason.  We try to gain a few fans along the way at live shows and we always get a great reception.

  Q:  What inspires you?

  For me personally it is just the fact that I absolutely love to play and without speaking for the rest of the members I think they feel the same way as well.  We are all in our 30’s now with families, houses, bills and day jobs and have been doing this in different bands for many years. I think the music industry is way messed up as the ones with the most talent don’t usually win. It’s all a BS game that we do not enjoy playing so that is why we are really doing this for our own personal enjoyment and satisfaction and if something comes out of it then that’s great but I won’t be disappointed if I don’t get a record deal or go out and tour the US.  When I was younger I of course had the dream of becoming a “rock star” and doing all the things I thought only rocks stars get to do. But the reality of it is most bands do not make it and end up giving up and having nothing to show for what they have done. They end up giving their lives only to be burned out by the greedy record label or promoter.

  Q:  What do you feel the defining moment was when you knew music would be your life?

I think it was when I saw a small orchestra quartet come to my school when I was in the 5^th grade.  Watching them make sounds that made me have this incredible feeling inside as I listened, it was then that I was determined to learn how to play a musical instrument.

Q:  About how long does it take to record an album, barring any problems or delays?

  That is difficult to answer and I don’t think you can put a time limit to it. First you need the material, and that can take years to accumulate a volume of music that you are happy enough with to record it.

Then it is just a matter of your musicians. If you have good members in your band it won’t take long to get it just the way you like it once you start the recording process.

  Q:  When you guys write an album are you happy with it or do you re-work often till it feels it can’t be made more perfect?

  By the time we are ready to record, the songs have already been worked out to the point where we are happy with them just as they are. Then it is just a matter of getting a good recording of them. As far as the final mix, you can spend days tweaking your sound with all the new digital gadgets that are available.  We like to sound as close to live as possible without it sounding too raw.

  Q:  What goals do you and the band have for yourselves?

  Right now the goal is to finally complete our full length CD then get out there and try to play as many good shows as we can and get as many people as possible to check us out.

  Q:  How hard has it been on you guys physically, mentally, and emotionally to do what you do 24-7?

  Bands are like little families; lucky for us we are really really good friends and we have lots of fun still after several years. Yes there have been those times where you just want to throw your gear away and quit, but that’s not BAP!!!

Q:  How can the fans get your CD’s?

  Right now they can get an old copy by contacting us on our web site. As soon as the new one is done we will have them at shows as well as on the web site.

  Q:  What is the best way to reach the fans?

  Still trying to figure that out…. I think the most ideal thing would be local radio airplay or if the local clubs would step up and help promote the people who help bring them business.

  Q:  What makes you write the style of music and songs that you do?

  I suppose you could say it comes from what I grew up listening to and what I like to hear. I like a song that says something, has a hook to it and makes you wonder…. what did that mean? Or what are they talking about there and then gets your head to start rocking back and forth to the music behind the words.

  Q:  Where do you see metal in the future?

  So many changes in music these days. I never thought I would see the day when the bands could get up there and play 3 chords and scream into the microphone and people actually call them talented musicians.  I don’t agree with that at all.  It used to be that the band had to have some type of outstanding talent like say a great drummer, singer or guitar player but then again times change and sometimes we stay stuck in our old ways.  I do hope that the days of hearing a good guitar player jam a cool solo over some cool riffs with a real singer come back to the U.S.

  Scott this has been cool!  The floor is yours!!  Thanks a lot, bro!!

  On behalf of Black Arrow Project I would like to thank Neon and all the people who have supported BAP and the local scene and to the guy’s in the local bands out there who we have become good friends with, you know who you are!  We hope to see you soon!

KEEP ROCKIN'!

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