Double Page Article Draft
Form: Interview
Title: Screaming in Silence? (artist: Silent Screams)
Stand first: All new British rock band, Silent Screams lead
singer talks exclusively to Revive about their formation and new upcoming
works…
Background story/intro:
Five girls, one idea. When put together,
Silent Screams is what has been created. After dropping out from college, lead singer
Chantelle got into contact with friends to start up a band. Things are looking
up with possibilities of a successful future career with their new and first
single, “Do What You Want”.
What made you decide you wanted to start a
band?
After visiting my home country, a little
village in the Philippines, I realized I’d chosen what I thought was a really
bad time to go on holiday. A typhoon hit nearby and practically trashed most
homes. Deaths of loved ones and people really close to me left me devastated. I
was an emotional wreck! I mean, you see these things in movies and on the news
but when you actually experience it, it really is life-changing. It kind of
helped wake me up in a way; it made me see things in a new light. Life is short;
you never know when you’ll die and you should make the most of it – follow your
heart and your dreams; don’t let anyone stop you or get in your way! I want to
do what I love – singing - and I was not going in that direction. I was
doing what would please others and not thinking about myself but what’s the
point in that? It’s my life! I was doing this for myself and I wanted to do
something I would enjoy, this way I could enjoy it with others whilst making a
difference – no matter how small – to society.
What inspired your new song?
Well we had to start somewhere, and we
thought a song that presented our message was a great way to begin. It’s called
“Do What You Want” which we thought conveyed it pretty well along with the
lyrics. The title itself already says it all: do what you
want, live it now and remember it later. Don’t miss out on chances and life
opportunities you’ll regret later. You don’t want to live the rest of your life
thinking ‘but, what if?’
What makes your band any different from
other new bands that are starting up?
I think every band is original in its own
way; no band is the same or have the same sounds, this makes them unique.
However, I do think with our music having a purpose makes it different in a way
because I find that rare in music nowadays. Our lyrics aren’t all about love
and romance and break-ups and what to do to your crushes partner - its reality.
Its real-life issues we think people would be able to relate to. What I also
find uncommon in bands today is multi-culture so we thought we’d mix it up a
bit by having some Philippine, African and Irish background though we’re all
British.
What existing bands/artists have been your inspirations?
I could sit here all day listing various
bands, which cover different sub-genres, but I guess the most inspirational
would have to be a range of Iron Maiden, Blur, Marilyn Manson, My Chemical
Romance, Mindless Self Indulgence and The Pretty Reckless. There are others and
all for different reasons. Marilyn Manson and Mindless Self Indulgence are
inspirations in the way that Marilyn Manson don’t care how different they look
and don’t try to fit in with society and how MSI sing what they want and
use the lyrics they want. The Pretty Reckless is also a major inspiration,
especially by lead singer Taylor Momsen’s background of finally going against
what others expected of her.
What kind of work have you done so far?
While
we were still attending college, it was actually something we would joke about
and do just for fun. It was a way to get away from reality and to entertain
ourselves; our few hours rehearsing where we don’t have to be serious all the
time. We never thought that it would be what we’d be doing professionally
over the years. It started out playing at small parties, in peoples basements, which
then stepped up to small events and over time, the audiences kept growing. After
choosing to drop out, we finally decided to go to the studio to record a few
covers and our own song “Do What You Want”. We got signed by Reprise Records
and are now working on our debut album which we’re hoping to be successful, not
necessarily a major hit.
What can we expect?
Well, our album’s more a mix of hardcore,
alternative and electronic rock so really looking forward to seeing its
reaction but also quite anxious. But we really enjoyed making it, it was hard
work but in my opinion totally worth it so, yeah. I guess the experience counts
too, I just hope people will like it enough to buy it *laughs*. Other than the
single though, you’ll have to wait and see, it’s our first album – we don’t
want to give away too much. Oh, and we’re going on tour, we’ll be opening for Pierce
The Veil, Sleeping With Sirens, Falling In Reverse, Mindless Self Indulgence
and Tonight Alive. It’s gonna be a blast! So psyched!
