Sons Of Tonatiuh Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

The band is basically a concept I came up with some time ago that has to do with native cultures in general to which I’m particularly interested in. Over the course of a couple of years there have been several lineup changes due to people’s individual obligations and what-not. At this point though, the Sons lineup is pretty solid with me on guitar and vocals, Darby on guitar and backup vocals, Tim on drums, and Mike on bass. We are a straight up doom/sludge/crust punk band with influences ranging from Neurosis, Eyehategod, Buzzoven, Floor, Sleep…etc

2. How would you describe the musical style that you went for on the new album?

There really wasn’t a specific “style” per say we were going for other than just tunes we had been working on for the past year. Though I guess you could say we had a general taste for foreboding and doomy material which I think we concocted well. 

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects that you covered with the new release?

For the most part they’re anti-religious, sacrilegious, anti-American, pro-native, and partially historical lyrics. “Adam & Evil” is a prime example of some anti-religious beliefs I have personally with how as a kid I was brought up to believe in the myth of Adam & Eve and the creation of all things by “God”.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band's name?

Tonatiuh is an Aztec sun god. One of the many gods to whom the Aztec’s worshipped. Tonatiuh was the protector of all the warriors that went into battle. Tonatiuh is also the god to which the Aztecs made sacrifices towards. We, as the band, are hence the “Sons” of Tonatiuh. Kind of a play on words. I know there’s a ton of bands with the whole “Sons of” thing going on in their name, but I don’t know many that actually made it past year 1 of their existence. Haha… yeah, of course that’s sarcasm.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

Most memorable shows would have to be opening for Withered here in Atlanta Georgia, Zoroaster, Black Tusk in Birmingham Alabama, Dark Castle, Salome in Baltimore Maryland, Khann in Orlando Florida, Hawg Jaw in New Orleans, among many others.

Our stage performance is pretty much an anything goes type of scenario. Haha. We try to keep it fresh every time we get up there. No horseshit rants between songs. We just want to destroy each and every show. Pure volume and raw energy.

6. Do you have any other side projects besides the band, or is this a full time group?

For myself, Tim and Mike it is a full time group. Darby however, is currently also playing in a punk band called Whiskey Shit Vomit as well as Noble Rust.

7. How has the feedback been to your music by sludge/doom and crust fans worldwide?

We seem to get a lot of attention from Europeans. I’ve been selling quite a few albums to them this past year so far. For example there are some distros in Germany, Russia, and Italy to which I’ve sold to. So I guess you could say it’s been pretty good so far.

8. How would you describe your musical progress over the years and what direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?

I don’t really believe in “progress”. There is only change. We may have gotten better as musicians if that is what you’re implying. The direction is generally for a bigger sound as I experiment with cleaner vocal styles. But for the most part, we’re just trying to get off the ground and see where it takes us.

9. What are the touring plans for the future?

Currently planning on a southern tour in Jan that will start in Florida and go all the way out to Texas and back. There is also in the works a tour of Mexico which will probably happen in March or April. Next summer we’d like to head up north again and possibly later the far West. And finally possibly much later we’d like to go out to Europe.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

See question #1 for that answer.

11. Outside of music, what are some of your interests?

Anti-corporate sticker ideas, raising my 6 year old daughter right, classic literature, electrical engineering, stand-up comedy, women…

12. Any final words or thoughts before we close this interview?

Nothing is final. The infinite universe will reign supreme as humans cease to exist thousands of years from now. Our words are only meaningful within the small scope of time to which we are “allowed” to exist in. As humans we are sad creatures always seeking acceptance from other humans that are seeking acceptance from other humans. It’s a cycle of life to which we will inevitably devour ourselves until there is no more “us”. Sons of Tonatiuh can only hope to influence others to be more forward thinking even though this in of itself is futile. Enjoy what you can now and savor every last breath…

Sons of Tonatiuh
http://www.myspace.com/sonsoftonatiuh (MySpace)
http://sonsoftonatiuh.bandcamp.com/      (Bandcamp)
https://twitter.com/sonsoftonatiuh           (Twitter)