HETERODOX ROXX INTERVIEW

WITH

AARION LEE---VOCALIST, LEAD GUITAR, and FOUNDER

BY

NEON BLONDE

DECEMBER 11, 2002

Where did the name Heterodox come from and what does it mean? 

I got the name Heterodox from the dictionary. It means different from acquired standards. And I think it fits what I am trying to accomplish here to a T. It also has to do with some kind of religion but wasn’t put out there that way. I seen it in the dictionary and said to myself that’s it. That is the name of the next band.

 I did have to add Roxx to it. I found another band out there that had the same name. So to save a lot of hassle down the road I added Roxx to the name.

What influences you to write the style of music you do?

   Well I really wouldn’t say any one thing influences me, if I’m down about something, I’ll write something dark or if I’m in a good mood I’ll write something upbeat. However, a lot of things that are going on in the world get me to writing and sometimes I’ll have a dream and wake up and write it down. I don’t set around a try to write something it doesn’t work that way for me. If I’m working on something and I can’t come up with a different passage or a riff for the transition between passages I’ll put my guitar down, take a break, and then go back to it. It’s also the same when I write lyrics. But pretty much I play what I like to hear. If I don’t like it, there is no sense in playing it because I won’t enjoy playing it. If I don’t like it, in my mind, no one else will either. Sometimes I’ll turn on the four track and just play what comes through my fingers. Then go back later and sift through the riffs

What inspires you?

 I really don’t know what would or does inspire me. Sometimes a movie, or a story, a book, or a dream. When it comes to me, I write it down and try not to forget it. But I have probably forgotten more than what I know now. But I am influenced a lot by Steve Harris from Iron Maiden. His style of writing. The guys inspire me also. Since I am the principal writer, to me I have to write a better song than the last one (even though it doesn’t always turn out that way).

What’s the best way to get the music to the fans?

Play, play, and play. People have to hear it to know it’s out there. In addition, the type of music that we play is not going to get played a lot on the radio stations. We don’t have nice perky tits or a male model face (even though I am good looking) with a bunch of damn bureaucrats backing us telling everybody to go and buy our stuff and that this is what you want to hear. Therefore, people have to hear about us through word of mouth and then come see us play. It seems to me that metal is carried by word of mouth. Nevertheless, I think that the Internet is starting to play a big role in the music scene. There is so much good music out there I know I’ve ran across a bunch since I’ve been hooked back up to the net. In addition, the recording plays a big part in getting the music “to the fans” so to speak. If they like your stuff and you don’t have it down on tape or CD then it’s a waste of time because the only way then can they hear you is to go out and see you play. If you play it they will come!! (Ha, ha)

When do you hope to be on Mp3.com?

  We are on Mp3.com now. The address is: http://www.mp3.com/heterodox_roxx.

Or you can get there from our web site.

I have uploaded all the songs from the Dark Shadows CD on the site. To my dismay, I had to cut 2 songs from the CD because of a time issue. Mp3.com only allows 61 minutes to their CD production in which I think totally sucks but a band’s gotta do what a band’s gotta do. The CD was at 74 minutes long. I am in the works now on getting a few more songs uploaded and then putting a different 4 or 5 song Demo CD together.

Where do you see metal in the future?

Riding on the coat tails of bands like ours (ha, ha) seriously metal is on a comeback and I hope to be at the front of the line leading the charge.

Do you think that “Corporate Radio” has played a major part in the demise of metal?

I really don’t see that metal music is in demise.  Metal has always been word of mouth music. But yes in the sense that it doesn’t get the airplay that it should. I have been writing since 1983 and I have A LOT of songs that are better than what is being played on the radio now.

What’s the hardest part of being a musician?

Learning lyrics, trying not to forget the lyrics. Trying to remember was it 2 times or 4 times on that passage. Getting the respect that you deserve. Last but not least, when you go out and play. I think musicians that set up their own equipment would agree with me, set-up and teardown.

What’s your favorite song to perform or that you’ve written?

That is a tough one on my part, I have so many that it is hard to choose. Out of the songs that we play now, I think I would have to go with either The Reaper or Angel of Death. They both rock and I get to wear a costume on each of them. But we do have another in the works that will probably bump at least one of those down a notch. As far as the favorite song, that I have ever written I think I would have to say it would be “Pass Away” off of the acoustic album. It is written in remembrance to a friend of mine that got killed in a car crash. (Who happened to be my bass player at the time).  

I have seen the song Dragons Kiss on your song list. That song intrigues me. Can you tell me a little bit about this song?

  Well it’s pretty much a in your face grind rocker. The lyrics from it was inspired by a video game called “Panzer Dragoon” it had a good story and I thought I could do a good job in interpreting it. It turned out pretty good and it will be on our next album.

When will that be released and do you have a title?

  I’m not for sure on the release date just yet but we will start recording as soon as Jerod gets the songs down a little better. So far, we have 8 songs to put on it, and I still have a bunch that we haven’t gotten to yet. I’m sure I’m going with the title “Old School” since some of the songs are more blues oriented, Ac/Dc, and Ozzy type songs. Not all, but some. But never fear we are sticking to our name and changing styles of the music on each album. So number 3 will be back to the real heavy music.

What do you look for in a record label?

Someone to give us a deal and isn’t out to fuck us the first chance they get.  

Do you feel like you guys write and play technical music?  Explain:

Well, in a way yes, and in a way no. Some of the music is straightforward in your face rock, and some of it has a lot of changes in them. But some of the ones with a bunch of changes takes time to write and arrange just like “Honor” it took me about a week to write it and when I got it done I timed it and it was 25 minutes long. Needless to say I had to cut it back about 15 minutes but I really didn’t take anything away from the song I just shortened up the passages a little. But I am somewhat of a perfectionist; I like to have things as near as perfect as possible but sometimes things can’t be helped and there are a few spots on the album that couldn’t be redone without redoing the whole song again because of timing issues so I just left them the way they were.  

You say, “absolutely no covers so don’t ask!”  Why?  

No Covers Don’t Ask is our creed. It’s just that I have been in so many cover bands in the past and if I have to hear someone ask me to play “Cocaine”, again I think I would go off on them and hit them over the head with a mic stand (ha, ha). So if they know up front that all we play is original music I won’t have to worry about it. But seriously, the main reason why we play all originals is the live experience. When I go to a club to see a band I expect to hear some original music if they don’t play any it’s a waste of my time and theirs. For example if I want to hear some Iron Maiden or any other band for that matter I’ll put a CD in my player and crank it up.  I don’t need to go out and pay anywhere from $3 to $10 to listen to a band that does a shitty job at covering the music. I have my P.A. in the living room and if I want to hear a cover song at bar noise level, I can do it here and it doesn’t cost me anything. (Although all of the cover bands that I was in if the song didn’t sound good and everybody didn’t do their part in getting the song as close to the original as possible then we didn’t play it or had arguments about whether to play it or not. So it also saves a lot of headaches) it also gives something for the fans to talk about. I would rather go see a band that plays all original music than a band that plays nothing but cover songs. How about you?

Where did the name Aarion come from?

  Well my first name is Aaron but our first bass player his name was Aaron so I just added an "i" to mine. For stage purposes and I left it that way.

What are some things that you look for in order to write a song?

  To start out with it has to be in key musically. It has to have a good beat and some good guitar passages. As far as the lyrics go, they have to tell a story and make sense. Some of this rap shit that is being played, it's like they went to the thesaurus dictionary, found a bunch of words that rhymed and then put some more words in between them. It’s stupid. What is the sense of saying something if it doesn’t have a point, or tells a story? All of my songs tell a story or have a point to them. I take great pride in that fact.

Who does the songwriting?

  I am the principal writer. Like I said, I’ve been at this since 1983. Lyrically I have over 250 songs/poems. Musically I’d say around 50 songs completed, hours of unfinished riffs and I’m coming up with riffs all the time. We have started working up a song of Levi’s but then I had to fire him. He wouldn’t call. Hell, I haven’t talked to him for 3 weeks so I went and got a different bass player.

What’s the process for recording like?

  Well since I do it myself  it's a hell of a lot cheaper. But setting up everything getting a decent sound level takes probably about 1 – 1 ˝ hour.

Then, play the song. Adjust the EQ, play it again, listen to it. Adjust any levels and start over. I think the most songs that we got done for the “Dark Shadows” album in one sitting was 3 in an 8 hour session. Once the levels are set, it’s up to the drummer. As long as he doesn’t mess up, it’s a take. I can take it from there and finish up the song. That right there is probably about another 3 to 4 hours on each song if not longer. It can be nerve racking especially for me cause I’m the guitar player singer and recording engineer when we record.  

Have you guys ever been on any kind of tour?  If so, with whom?

No not me.  I’ve just been doing the local thing. But I’m ready to take on the world. I traveled with a circus one summer does that count? (HA, HA)

Who are some musicians you would like to work with?

Strange as this sounds I would like to be able to write a song with Lionel Ritchie. That is just the tip of the iceberg so to speak. I’d like to work with Steve Harris from Iron Maiden. Ronnie James Dio. Both of those guys are my writing heroes. Steve for the music, and Ronnie for the lyrics.  Not to say that Steve can’t write lyrics because we all know that he can.  I could go on for days on this subject so we will keep it to those three. Oh, I would like to work with the guys from Iced Earth. I think a “Heterodox Roxx / Iced Earth show” would be killer. The first album I heard of theirs was “Horror Show” I about freaked out. I thought to myself that Jon Schaffer and I could be twins musically. It was weird as hell.

How long have you been playing music?

 I’ve been singing since I was in grade school I was in choir just about all the 12 years I was in school. I originally got my first guitar when I was 16 but I was more into partying and chasing girls to even have the time to learn. But I got my head out of my ass in 1984 that is when I started playing seriously. I was shown a couple of bar chords, given 1 scale and I taught myself. Just about like every other guitar player, my first song was “Smoke on the Water” I bet I haven’t learned a cover song (all the way through) since 1996. I don’t have the need for it.

What’s the first rock/heavy metal concert you went to?

The first rock concert I ever saw was “Kiss” Kiss Alive 2 killer concert I felt the heat when Gene did the fire-breathing bit. And I could smell the wires in Ace's guitar when it caught on fire. From then on out, I was hooked.

Describe to us what a “Heterodox Roxx” show is all about.

The main thing is the music. Nevertheless, it is a musical journey of story telling into the past into the future. A little humor, some rockin’ music and a message of peace for the world. With a little theatrics mixed in. All in all, a good balance of music to keep just about everybody happy. And loud enough to keep everybody awake!!!!!!!!!!  

  I know that you have branched out and done an acoustic CD.  How did this come about and how do you feel about it?

Well it’s not so much I branched out. The songs on this CD were done way before this band was formed. The main way it came about. At the time, I recorded it; all I had was an acoustic guitar. (So when in Rome) I was playing it all the time, and writing. So, the rest was just inevitable. One of the main reason I put it down to the CD was I gave it to my mother for Christmas. She likes my music but the acoustic CD I thought was a better gift for her than the “Dark Shadows” album. The way I feel, well it’s a total 180-degree turn from what we play in “Heterodox Roxx” but they are my songs and I stand behind anything I write. I could hear some of them being recorded by other artists.

Some of them will never see a “Heterodox Roxx” CD. But. 3 or 4 songs from it will. The other main reasons I put it out there was that it needs to be heard. There are some “Radio friendly” songs on it. You never know some of it might even get some radio play one of these days. The music that “Heterodox Roxx” plays is what I’m about now. That was just my 'no distortion phase' (ha, ha). I am planning on putting it on Mp3.com in the near future though.

I saw on the web site that you write poetry and I have read them.  They are very good by the way.  My favorite one is Broken Wing.  Anything in the works to make this a song?

  Glad you read the stuff. Yes!! Actually, started working on it about 3 weeks ago. Well I have anyway. The main riff is Levi’s. He showed it to me about 3 weeks ago and I’ve been working on it getting the melody down and arranging it. Since you liked the lyrics, you are going to love the song. Tell you what, as soon as we get it done and the next time we have a recording session, we will record it and I’ll put it on Mp3.com for you. But we probably won’t do any more recording until probably March of next year

I’ve had a chance to listen to Dark Shadows and there are lots of very good songs on that CD.  I really like War and the story of Four Horsemen-Angel of Death.  Would you describe this album as a concept album?

Well I could give you a rundown of each song if you like.

  The Reaper - That was the first song that Heterodox Roxx put together. It started out with a slow riff at the beginning (written by my old guitar player) and then I took it from there. When he was playing it, I could hear the rest of the song in my head. We don’t even play his beginning anymore. I already had the lyrics written.

  Scalla – This song is about a local legend around these parts. The legend was the Mothman. I had seen it when I was a child (about 2 or 3 yrs old) a lot of people thought it was a crane but I believe that a cult had summoned it from hell. The song is based on a dream that I had about it.

  War – Most of the lyrics for this one were written by my old bass player. And he was plunking around on his bass with the basic idea for the beginning riff and I put it together and arranged it. The beginning riff is a lot harder to play than what it sounds it’s even worse into the song a little bit. This song I had to cut from the CD.

  Dark Shadows – The beginning rhythm intro I have had for years. I wrote the music for this one when I was on the road driving truck it took about 2 weeks to finish this one. I wrote the lyrics along with the music, which doesn’t happen very much with me. It’s about all your fears of life and death. And what is hiding in the shadows

  Oasis – I came up with the riff at practice one day and worked it up from there. The lyrics were already written. The lyrics are about your journey through life and the reality of what might be ahead and the illusions of what is really there.

  Knights – I had written this song years ago and lost the original recording to it. Nevertheless, I kept the melody in my head. It’s not written exactly the same as the original but it is better. The story is set in mid-evil times. A knight protecting his kingdom from invaders.

  Four Horsemen / Angel of Death – This story pretty much came from the Bible. Revelations is the only book in the Bible I have read from start to finish. I am a big fan of Saxon and the intro is kind of a tribute to them. (In the way it was written) the intro is 3:45 long and it took me 5 hours to record it. I think it was well worth the time it took to record it.

  The Battle – The story is set in World War 2 a friend of my Dad's was there, he used to tell war stories, and it is more or less a contemplation of all of them.

  Open Your Eyes – The lyrics for this song is part of the largest poem for peace that is compiled by the International Poets Society. I submitted that back in 97’. But the music took me about 2 weeks to get together to where I could sing it and play it at the same time. It does have a slight punk feel to it.

  Honor – This one my old bass player came up with the chorus riff and I worked out the rest. This song was originally 25 minutes long when I first finished it. But the story is a tribute to all of our pilots that lost their lives to protect our freedom. This is the other song I had to cut from the CD.

   As far as a concept album, I would have to say yes. The concept is about war, death, violence, and what we are doing to ourselves in this crazy world of ours. Actually World of Confusion was supposed to be the title and that song was going to be put on this album but I changed my mind and put Dark Shadows as the title track.

  Well this has been fun!  I hope that you enjoyed the interview!  The floor is yours if you would like to add anything!

Well I’d like to thank you for taking the time to check us out and do all of this for us. I’ve had a blast I hope we have another Heterodox Roxx fan in you and to everyone that reads this. Come check out our site and listen to our mp3’s. I know you will like them. Then you can be a Heterodox Roxx fan also. It definitely will be worth your time in the download department and don’t forget to sign our guest book while you are there. Keep Rockin’, keep your ears to the speakers, and if you can hear the person next to you talking TURN IT UP!!!!!!!! And remember:

Metal Rulz and

Heterodox Roxx.

PEACE!!!!!!

KEEP ROCKIN'!

If you would like to contact me for interviews or reviews, email me at the link below and I will get back with you as soon as possible.