INTERVIEW WITH TYR GUITARIST AND FOUNDER—RUSSELL CONTRERAS

BY NEON BLONDE

NOVEMBER 22, 2002  

www.tyrrocks.com

  NB:  Where were you born?

  RC:  I was born in Dallas, TX in 1969.

  NB:  I was born in Ft. Worth in 1968! laughing

  RC:   laughs

  NB:   When and where was TYR conceived and is it your creation?

  RC:   Well back in late 1996 I had left a band I was in called Shotgun Wedding.  It was kinda like a Bon Jovi type band.  It wasn't hard enough music for me. Haha!   Anyways I left to form the band of my vision. Loud Guitar, Great vocals and tight rhythm section.   So some of the guys from SW came with me to form TYR.

NB:   That's cool!   Who were the guys that came with you?

  RC:   Well the drummer (Reece Stanley) was the first one to come aboard.  Later the rhythm guitarist (Greg Sargent) joined.

NB:   So when did you get Rick, Glenn, and Wayne?

  RC:   Well before those guys TYR has had several musicians we had gigged with other line-ups before we got the line up now.

NB:   Have you guys started working on the new CD yet?

  RC:   Well we got 3 new songs and possibly a 4th one in the works.  One song is ready, and 2 of the other songs need new lyrics and the last song was recently written, still in the works.

  NB: Cool! Can't wait!

NB:   Is ILLUSION the only CD that TYR has done?

  RC:   No, we actually have a 5-song demo out first.  Illusion is the 2nd cd, but the first one that was ready to be released.

NB:   I didn't know that. Is there any way to get a hold of this demo anymore?

  RC:   Sure.  We only at the time had 50 made, cuz of the lack of money.  I had even given my copy away, cuz it was in high demand!  Haha!  I do have the master cd though.  I can burn you one on cd.   The cd is self-titled as TYR.

  NB:   Oh you would be too cool to do that!!! I owe you one!  I’ll do a review of it!

  RC:   The single was played numerous times on 97.1 for promotions for the Unmodern Rock shows live.

  NB:   That's awesome!

NB:   Have you guys ever worked on a tribute album or been asked to?

  RC:   No we've never been involved in a tribute.

NB:   Would you ever consider it if it felt right?

  RC:   Yes, for the right reasons.

NB:   I know you guys have had several local accomplishments. Can you tell us more about that?

  RC:   Well our first break was getting asked to open up for Firehouse at the Galaxy club back in 1997.  We'd only been gigging a few months too.  From there on, we've opened up for Skid Row, Lillian Axe, Samantha 7, Union, Omen, and Faster Pussy Cat.   We've won best Unmodern Rock band of 2000.

NB:   Cool. That was gonna be the next thing I asked you about.   In what way do you feel like this has helped out the band and opened doors for you?

  RC:   Well it helped the band get known from the get go.  Those opening acts, showed people that we are a band to be reckoned with.  I guess it has given us a lot of exposure and credibility.  You can ask about to anyone if they seen TYR and the answer would be, yes.  laughing

NB:   I know that's a fact. I've grown very fond of you guys and will see ya'll every time possible. I guess I'm a TYR groupie now!  laughing

  RC:   We can always use a new fan. laughing

  NB:  Well you definitely have one!!

NB:   The first time I saw TYR was at the Saw Mill in Azle, TX.   After that was at the Lone Star. You didn't have James with you at this gig so Eric from Deja Vu and 51% and George Call from ASKA helped you guys out on vocals. You now have a kick ass vocalist by the name of John Grady. If you care to answer what happened with James?

  RC: Well lol here goes…James was bitten by the Rock star bug.  So if he didn’t get his way with things, he would get pissed and threaten to quit.  One thing with me, if you threaten to quit, I will hold the door wide open for them!  Haha!  Anyways, he had gotten himself fired, and to prove to him that TYR isn’t built around him, we decide to do the show at Lone Star without him!  James was going downhill with TYR once the cd was made.  He got LSD (Lead Singers Disease) and wanted more credit than he deserved.  He and I never really saw eye to eye on music, because I was a Pro and he was an amateur.  So the band marched on without him to show him that he wont stop us.

NB:   Well I will be the first one to tell you that I think John is a great addition to the band and he works really well with you guys. He's got a great stage presence and great energy.

  RC:   Thank you.   But that show at Lone Star, wasn’t the last show James got fired from us permanently.

  NB:   I also know from talking to you at The Underworld that you had given James every opportunity and he just kept hanging himself with it. After a while you have to cut your losses and move on with someone bigger and better and you guys have done that.

  RC: Well James, would do things and get himself fired or he would out right quit if he didn’t get his way.  So he cut his own throat in TYR.  I won't stand for such rubbish.

  NB:   Right I remember you telling me that also.  I know TYR is very important to you because with it being your 'baby' everything that was done individually or as a band was a direct reflection on you and the other three guys that contributed to the band's productivity.

  RC:   TYR's second singer was a far better singer and performer than James.  He had a drug problem and it hurt the band.  We'd given him chance after chance, but he would let us down. So we had to move on.  We did it once with him and were not about to do it again with James and his drug problems.   Tyr is very important to me.  It is my way of expressing myself through my music.

  NB:   Absolutely. Talk about dragging everyone down with you. I don't think anyone could ever fault you for what you had to do. It was purely business.

  RC:   I’m not afraid to let someone go if they aren't pulling their own weight.

NB:   The one thing that I noticed about TYR right away was the passion. The lyrics are very important too but I love to look for the passion in a musician because if it's there you have a keeper if it's not there what's the point?

  RC:   Well the music usually comes first. I believe in writing in riff, hooks and grooves. Catchy tunes catch attention. Then the lyrics come secondly.   I write lyrics, Wayne writes and our vocalist writes.   Most music I write just basically depends on the moods I'm in.  It could be from Dark, to moody, to happy songs.

NB:   Well I want to go on record and publicly say 'thank you' to TYR for playing at my birthday party at The Lone Star. I had actually emailed my friend George Call (ASKA) and asked him if you guys were available. Needless to say I was totally happy when I found out that you guys were gonna play!

  RC:   Well I'm glad we could play on your B-day. We enjoy stealing ASKA fans! laughing

  NB:  laughs

NB:   Tell me how is TYR's relationship with local bands such as ASKA, Habitual, Panic, Spittin' Jonah, etc?

RC:   Well those 3 bands, we get along well! We are all good friends and enjoy one another’s bands. You can't help but be competitive with other bands. You always want to be the best and bad ass! Haha!  Panic, we've played with before but can’t remember them.

  NB:   A little competition keeps the soul and heart young! laughs

  RC:   Yeah, you get to see what the other band is writing and want to one up one another. laughing

NB:  I know that you said Wayne, your drummer, and John, your vocalist, write also. If it's not a trade secret how do you guys get ready to record?

  RC:   Well usually I come up with the main idea of the song, if not come to rehearsal with it already done. Everybody contributes to a song as long as it doesn’t take away from the original concept. Wayne, John and myself write lyrics. So it just depends on what the song is going to be about, is how we write the lyrics. TYR has a basic way of writing, and we stick to that way. If a new vocalist comes in, we just tell him how the song is structured, so he can write accordingly to fit the song. Wayne and I see eye to eye on how a song should be written.  We just make sure that all songs are done and final before we go into the studio.

NB:   Well I want to get this question out of the way. It's for inquiring minds, you know! You are very sexy! Are you single?

  RC:   Well, yes I'm single in not being married. haha! I do have a girl I've been seeing, but you never know! I'm a Rocker what can I say, but I'm not George! laughing

  NB: hehehe!!! I'm not gonna touch that one! laughing

  RC:   You know where I'm coming from! laughing

  NB:   Yeah I do!!! Lol It’s all that sexy hair, the leather, and the bad-boy image that just sucks us right in! We are powerless against it! laughs

  RC:   Well, I've found out all that helps attract women, but once they get to know me, then they really want me! laughs

  NB: hehehe! So does that mean take a number??? laughing

  RC:   Serving #57! laughing

  NB: Well...I could be bad and say....nah...I'll be good just this once!

NB:   When did you start playing guitar?

  RC:   Wow, I used to keep track of this too. haha! Hell I started when I was in 6th grade, so I don't know how old I was. I was 11 or 12 yrs old

  NB: Well I guess it's safe to say it's been a long time! laughs

NB:   Russell, who are some of your influences?

  RC:  Well my favorite guitarist when I first started was Alex Lifeson of Rush, and then I got into Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple and Rainbow. Tony, Iommi of Black Sabbath, Yngwie Malmsteen and George Lynch of Dokken.

  NB: Most excellent musicians!

NB:   Did you always know that you wanted to create and play music?

  RC:  Not really, but my older brothers had guitars and played in their little garage bands. That became really interesting and seemed fun to me. Then of course MTV had a big effect on me when it first came on TV. I would sneak into my brother’s room when they were gone and played their guitars. I would learn by watching them play. I would always get busted though, cuz I would change the settings of their amps. haha

  NB: Ah so you were the typical little brother pain in the butt?! laughing

  RC:    yeppers

  RC:  Eventually they sat me down and showed me a few chords and then I just learned by ear, playing along with the radio or record player.

NB:    One of the many things that I love about TYR is their originality. The songs are very melodic and have depth. Was this what you wanted to come through in your music?

RC:    Exactly! I wanted to write very melodic material. I guess Dokken had the best way of writing for me to follow. It is just a form or writing in which you can self-express your feelings truly.

  NB:   I got to see Dokken in 2000 when they came with Cinderella, Slaughter, and Poison. They are very melodic and very original. Good band to learn from.

NB:   Who are some musicians that you would love to work with or have worked with?

  RC: Local musicians?

  NB: Local or otherwise.

  RC:  Well I could go on and on about working with Pro's like Don Dokken.

I'm kinda picky when it comes to playing with musicians. First they must have the same vision and passion for what I'm doing.

  NB:   It's very important for people to be on the same page and want to achieve the same things.

  RC:   That’s very true.

  NB:   A friend of mine and musician that I did an interview with, Kelly Keeling, got to work with Don on Long Way Home and couldn't say enough good things about him. As a matter of fact they are the very best of friends.

NB:   When TYR first started how do you feel the band was received then and now?

  RC:   Well when TYR arrived on the scene, there were several good metal bands out there still. But a lot of them were kinda cheesy. Also times were changing and all that unplugged/alternative bands like Nirvana, and CRAP wimpy music was King of the radio. I think TYR was a surprise to most, because of the musicianship and melodic way of writing. A lot of bands just jam out and have no structure of passion to their writing. Also TYR was a band full of basically a bunch of nobody's.  Meaning that here is a Kick ass new band with killer guys in it, but WHERE DID THEY COME FROM! haha

  NB:   Absolutely!!!

NB:   Do you feel that the band has grown musically and lyrically since its conception?

  RC:   I think the band is ever growing. Though in the first line up in TYR, there were several writers and egos. Now, it's more my vision. I get in talented guys to help that vision out. However, they are free to put in input on a song. I learn from them and vice versa.

  NB:   That's cool.

NB:   What would you like for people to say of the band and the music?

  RC:   Well I would like them to enjoy the music and live performances. I get a lot of people telling me, that they haven’t heard a band like TYR in forever. It reminds them of good times, and good music. TYR has touched a lot of people new and old school. If they have negative things to say, it goes through one ear and out the other. haha. I don't expect everyone to like the band, but if the music of TYR touches people in a good way, then mission accomplished!

  NB:   This is true! I haven't been disappointed with any of the shows that I've been to. Five now I think. You definitely have a good time when you go see TYR! I have a little quote I like to use: Those who can, DO and those who can't CRITICIZE! It's not worth listening to the naysayers anyway!

  RC:   Righto!

NB:   What do you like to do for fun and entertainment?

  RC:   Well going out to rock clubs and promoting for TYR. lol! I like to go to rock clubs, Rock concerts. And when I'm all mild and manner, I like to chill out at home. Watch TV. play guitar, Surf the Internet, chatting. I like fitness, running, riding my mountain bike. Playing with the dog. I'm a die hard collector of Horror movies and some sci fi's, specializing in late 1960's, 70s and early 80's horrors and sci fi's.  I like to collect Concerts on videos as well as cd collecting (Hard Rock and Metal music). I'm quite different from being the "Man in Black" on stage. It's like night and day! haha

  NB:   I can't imagine you being anyone other than the 'man in black'!

  NB:   I love old horror movies. My favorite types of horror flicks are the vampire ones. Salem's Lot and old black and white ones with Bela Lugosi. I love the newer ones too like Queen of the Damned.

  RC:   You need to check out NEAR DARK. Lol  or the japanamation VAMPIRE HUNTER.

  NB: Okay I will. Have you ever seen Vampires: Los Muertos? It's got Jon Bon Jovi in it. It's pretty good.

  RC:   I haven’t seen that one.

  NB: I love Lost Boys too.

  RC:   There is a good one of a remake of Nosferatu (Spelling) with William Defoe as Nosferatu.

  NB: Oh yeah! I wanted to see that one. Is it any good?

  RC: It is very good; he does a good job it is supposed to be a story about the making of that movie.

  NB: Well I guess I'm hitting the video store this weekend! laughing

  RC: lol if you like cheesy ones just let me know! I got several!

  NB: Actually...hhmm...I do!!! laughs

  RC: I got a lot of hard to find videos I guess that is a big passion for me, when I’m not playing.

  NB: Have you ever seen Razorblade Smile? It's an English vamp movie but very good cuz the heroine/villianess is kick ass! She makes Barb Wire look like Strawberry Shortcake! laughing

  RC: I can’t say that I have it sounds like a newer kind of movie.

  NB: I think it came out in 2000 or 2001.

NB:   What inspires you to write the style of music that you do?

RC:   Well I guess the type of mood I'm in at the time. I guess a lot of heartbreaks and bitterness, you can see in the heavier TYR songs. And the up beat Tempo songs, I guess something is going right for me, and I express it in a happier sounding song.

NB: Well I have to say that my favorite TYR song, right now, is Play The Game. What inspired that song?

  RC:   I have to say that song is my favorite too. I was listening to a lot of Dokken songs at the time and I wondered If I could ever be a writer for Dokken. haha! I guess, I kinda emulated what the next Dokken hit would sound like. I basically had written it in a Dokken frame of mind. I wrote the song about my g/f at the time, now ex about how we met. It is basically telling the story about a guy going out to a club or bar and sees this chick he likes. And the chick likes him. So they play this cat and mouse chase game in the bar.

  NB: That's what I got from it too. But I do love that song!

  RC:  Thank you.   My ex didn’t like it! laughing She wanted a love song, a ballad!

  NB:  Well I love a ballad as much as the next person but I want the kick ass, riff-riddled songs too!

NB:   I'm going to embarrass you now! What kinds of things turn you on?

  RC:   I don't know if you can write that kind of stuff on your site! haha!  Turn on as far as women?  I guess, a good head on their shoulders. haha! Someone that understands me is the biggest turn on.

NB:   How can the fans get your music? Are ya'll on mp3.com?

  RC:   Fans can listen to our music at www.mp3.com/tyrrocks.com or at www.tyrrocks.com. or they can email me at Rdcontreras@yahoo.com to get a copy.

  NB: Cool!!!

NB:   What would you say is the hardest part of being a musician?

RC:   For me, it's the time I put into it. It takes away from other things like, g/f's and family. I'm just so die hard about TYR. Also dealing with club owners that treat you like shit! (I wont name any names!) laughs

  NB:   About the club owners I can only imagine. My fantasy is to someday have the money to open up my own club so I can cater to bands like TYR, ASKA, etc. I can dream can't I?? laughs

  RC: ME too. If I ever came into money, I would open a metal club and start a new Metal Radio station! laughs

  NB:  Ditto on the radio station! I miss Z-Rock!

NB:   What's your favorite song to perform? I bet I know!

  RC:   Well "Play The Game" is such a high-energy song. I have to go with that.

  NB: See! I know you and understand you! laughing

  RC: laughing

NB:  How do you balance it all? Working, TYR full time, rehearsing and playing shows, etc.?

  RC:   Well my day job, which is family business, allows me all the time to do my music. We rehearse twice a week and gig about 3-4 times a month. I like to be busy I guess.   Not good for relationships though! laughs

  NB:   That's good that you have a way to be flexible with your work and as not being good for the relationship if she knows what you do then she knows what she's in for and should be as understanding as possible!

NB:  Well Russell this has been a lot of fun! Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview with me! If there is anything that you would like to say to the fans and the people out there the floor is yours! Take care and I will definitely be seeing you on Dec. 14th!

  RC:   Well I would like to say Thank you to all the fans for supporting TYR and supporting us in times of change! Tell all your friends about us! Everybody Have a Happy Holiday! And thank you Neon for this interview and being a friend and fan!

KEEP ROCKIN'!

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