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Label Contact
Mike Cusanelli
mike@worldsound.com
Tel : (203) 895-3924
Management
Julie Hines
julie@worldsound.com
Tel : (206) 444-0300 ext 33
Press Contact
Chip Ruggieri
chip@chipsterpr.com
Tel : (561) 691-1652
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Carbon 9 |
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Grinding the Axe with Carbon 9's Darwin DeVitis
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There is nothing like the sound of a screaming guitar. The instrument itself has as distinct of voice as that of a band's lead singer, and the sound for different guitarists is just as unique. But what makes those axe grinders tick? Where did their inspirations come from? What of their backgrounds? What drove them to pick up this amazing instrument and spin forth their amazing musical talents through its strings?
Welcome to Grinding the Axe. A place where you can find out more about those awesome guitar players you know and love and be introduced to the awesome ones that you don't.
Today features an artist that I have come to admire and respect as musician, but even more so as a person. A man with a love and passion for music, for life and for being true to who and what you are. Darwin DeVitis of Carbon 9.
I got to know Darwin through the wonderful world of Myspace when I received a friend request from the band's page, in which he manages. I fell in love with the music instantly and have featured their work in previous issues of Road Crew Magazine, including an interview with lead vocalist Stacey Quinealty. But it wasn't just music that forged a friendship between us, it was Superbowl season and it was then I discovered that Darwin is a HUGE Steelers fan. If you know anything about me, then you know that I myself am a die hard Steelers gal, so I was excited that we could talk about more than just music, but on a personal level as well. Through football season, hockey season, music, just life in general, I know that my life is more enriched through the different topics of conversation that I've shared with him.
When I asked if he would like to be the first artist featured, he jumped at the opportunity to do so, but at the same time was so very humble about it, genuinely appreciative of the chance to share more about himself and Carbon 9. So, without any further ado, I'm going to turn you over the amazing axe grinder for Carbon 9, Darwin DeVitis.
Hey There! Let me take a moment to introduce myself to you all. I am Darwin DeVitis, guitarist for the band Carbon 9 based out of Los Angeles, CA. I was recently asked to take part in a new column called "Grinding the Axe" by Melisa Cross and jumped at the opportunity to introduce both myself and my band, Carbon 9 to you all. Before I get to the questions, here is a brief history about me, at Melisa's request...
I was born on December 24th (nice xmas gift for Mom and Dad - at least that's what they tell me) in a small town just south of Pittsburgh, PA with my 2 sisters (Jamie & Marcie) and brother (Charles). Some say they could tell by my screaming that I was meant for a future in rock-n-roll. Before I ever picked up a guitar I was, and still am, a sports freak. Being from Pittsburgh, PA I am a fan of the Steelers, Penguins and yes...even the Pirates. I somehow love and enjoy sports enough to respect and admire all of the teams and people that work hard to make their dreams happen. To this day I relate a lot of what I learned through team sports to playing in a band and how they are quite similar from peewee, to the pros and playing parties and clubs to being signed and touring. Most of my daily routine is writing, practicing or just playing the guitar. When I can, I work out, watch sports and spend quality time with my wife, Sandi, and our boys. (Cole, Rusty & Vito_our dogs) These are just a few of the things that help balance my life and get me through. So enough with the background check and on to all those great questions that hopefully will inspire you to pick up a guitar or instrument of choice and start creating away!
Road Crew: At what age did you start playing guitar?
Darwin: I actually started off singing in grade school chorus and plays. Then I started playing the guitar at the age of 10 when a neighbor friend of mine showed me a guitar and we wanted to start a band and take over the world. From that time on my whole world would change!
Road Crew: Did you take lessons or are you self taught?
Darwin: I'm a Mutt...lol. I started out taking lessons but my teacher didn't want me playing the kind of music I wanted so I stopped and taught myself off of cds and magazines. I would jam along to them in my bedroom at all hours of the night driving my Dad nuts. I have been currently studying the last few years with a great teacher and friend, Dale Turner. He is just amazing. He took me from a self taught mess to being able to understand what everything is supposed to mean.
Road Crew: Who are your influences?
Darwin: Musically, starting out it was Eddie Van Halen, Warren DeMartini, Jake E. Lee, George Lynch, Dimebag, Zakk Wylde, Nuno and all the "Guitar Heros". As I started writing more songs and different styles, I now look at all music genres and try to take and learn something from each that will help me to grow and be better. In life it's been my family and friends and all I choose to surround myself with. I am blessed and very thankful to have some really great people in my life.
Road Crew: When did you realize that this is what you wanted to do as a career?
Darwin: I don't look at playing the guitar as wanting to do it as a career goal. I look at how it takes me to another place whether I am practicing, writing or playing. Around the age of 16, I started focusing more on bands and playing live and once we started playing live that's when I knew this was something special!
Road Crew: How did you break into the music scene?
Darwin: With a lot of hard work, practice, writing songs, playing live and always promoting and meeting people. Eventually all the hard work paid off and you meet the right people and filter out the others.
Road Crew: What type of gear do you use?
Darwin: I use Wayne guitars (custom built Wayne and Michael Charvel), Schecter A-7 (7 string guitars), Ovation acoustics, Rivera Knucklehead amplifiers, GHS strings, Rocktron effects, Boss overdrive, noise gate and compressor pedals, Dunlop 95Q Wah, BBE and Troy Barry's Scream Regulator (for lead boosts)
Road Crew: Being from back east, what was the transition like, moving from back east to out west?
Darwin: I am from a small town just south of Pittsburgh, PA and I moved to L.A. just after school. Where I grew up it was kind of rural, so I actually looked forward to living in the city. I lived in a small apartment with nothing but my guitars and a Laney half stack. I have worked every kind of job that would let me play in bands and gig without the 2 conflicting. The hardest part is having all your family and friends on the East coast, but it makes you work harder at your goals cause you know you have them pulling for you as well.
Road Crew: When did you hook up with C9, and how did that come about?
Darwin: I joined C9 early 2003. I was in another L.A. band at the time (Cut Throat) and I got a call from Curtis (C9 bassist) to come down and jam with the guys. I learned 5 tunes and we got together at a rehearsal place and it was awesome! The blending of my rock/metal background and the mix of Stacey's programming just gave us something special and we've been writing and pounding away everyday since then.
Road Crew: What track off of The Bull holds the most meaning for you and why?
Darwin: Most meaningful track for me would be "Butterflies " My Mom had just passed away and the song was written for her. I even got to write and read a poem in the bridge section. It's been the hardest thing I have been through and every time I play that track I know my Mom is close by.
Road Crew: How are the tour dates coming along?
Darwin: Being in a new band just coming out it can be a bit tough trying to find the right people to work with and all but we are making progress everyday and can not wait to bring our live show to the venues in other cities.
Road Crew: If you could play one venue or festival in particular, what would it be?
Darwin: That is so tough cause I just want to play! If I had to choose something it would probably be CRUEFest or OzzFest in the U.S. and Download Festival in Europe cause I am a huge fan of the bands that are usually on those bills and I would love the opportunity to sit and pick their brains to learn.
Road Crew: What advice do you have for up and coming guitar players?
Darwin: Practice, Practice, Practice, record yourself and Practice more... Make it fun and something you want to do. Play and create the music that you are passionate about and want to share with the world. Don't be afraid to make mistakes or take criticism, they make you stronger. Have fun!
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Year of the Bull: Carbon 9 Ready to Rock the World
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The music industry today has become an industry where record companies are churning out artist by the day. Homogenized music that is now about the music anymore. It's all about the money. Let's face the facts, if you are an aspiring musician wanting to make it in the music industry today you better be prepared. So, many new acts in the last couple of years have faded from the limelight, i.e, Fuel, Puddle Of Mudd and Theory Of A Deadman to name a few. No saying that these bands are no longer making music, what we are saying is that mainstream media like MTV and radio don't play their music anymore. But where there is a will there is way. The internet and satellite radio has provided an outlet for bands and musicians today. Example, Arnel Pineda the new lead singer for Journey. If it wasn't for Neal Schon checking out YouTube, he would have never found him. Today's rock band has to take advantage of today's technology and use it to their advantage. But technology alone will no guarantee you success. You have to pay your dues. Which brings us to a band that is a great example of what using technology and working hard can get you.
Considered as the “Hardest-working band in LA”, CARBON 9 is unlike any other. Their commercial hard rock style of music is cutting edge, relying heavily on advanced technology and state of the art sounds. Although they utilize technology to their advantage, the message is very clear, “Know who you are, know who you are not and while doing so, do not lose sight of humanity. Beware of the advancements in technology splitting apart the human psyche”. Their latest release titled, “The Bull”, is untouchable. It is part three in a series of information that guides the listener on their passage through real life. The underlying message, “You are not alone”.
CARBON 9 has accomplished more than any other unsigned band in Los Angeles with their mind altering two hour power-live performance at LA’s top venues, countless awards and recognition, as well as their unplugged acoustic show that fills the audience with laughter and tears. They have sold over 5000 copies of their records, placed songs in many feature films, have ring tones available on the Internet, and a MySpace fan list in the five digits growing daily. Utilizing theatrics and synchronized video in their live performances, the energy and electricity radiating from this band is unsurpassed in today’s mainstream music scene. They have that magic ability to bring all demographics together with a commercial style of music that consists of rock, industrial and tribal influences, with melody to die for.
CARBON 9’s music is crafted by the charismatic Stacey Quinealty (vocals & sequencing) along with the sonic crunch of Darwin DeVitis (guitars & vocals), the creative, artistic vision of Danny Cistone (backing vocals), and the pounding precision of rhythm section Omar D Brancato (bass & vocals) and Matty Milani (drums). Their music can be heard all over the US via the numerous radio stations playing their songs as well as the World with the advancement of satellite radio. They have been in the top ten XM Radio Unsigned Artist Playlist numerous times and have recorded for the likes of McDonalds, Radio Shack, Honda, Warner Bros., NBC Universal, Tokyo Pop and Mitsubishi just to name a few. They have a strong following in Germany and Russia and are soon to be released in Japan. Following their “COTM, Renewed Beginnings” record, their new release, “The Bull”, mixed by Frank Gryner (Rob Zombie, Perfect Circle, Powerman 5000, Tommy Lee, etc...) and mastered by Tom Baker at Precision Mastering in Hollywood, CA has upped the ante for unsigned artists.
CARBON 9’s primary goal is to maintain the high quality of creativity and musicianship that has allowed their music to touch and inspire so many people so passionately. With a new disc on the way, a strong web presence, and multiple music videos, Carbon 9 has advanced to the ultimate level. They are a self-sufficient machine, accomplishing on their own what others fail to achieve with major-label backing. For Carbon 9 2009 could very well be "The Year Of The Bull".
The Rocker and I had a chance to talk with Stacey Quinealty. He gave us the lowdown on their latest releae, 'The Bull'. This is what he shared with us…
AAM: First off Stacey, congratulations on getting signed to World Sound Music.
Stacey Quinealty: Thanks so much guys. This is really an exciting time for us.
AAM: The new album in entitled, 'The Bull'. What is the story behind the title?
SQ: 'The Bull' is about a man battling technology and humanity. It is the third chapter of a trilogy that began with our first two releases. In this third chapter the man finds that he has the strength and grace to keep moving forward in life.
AAM: How long were you in the studio recording the new album?
SQ: Well… that's a good question (laughs). As far as recording goes, it was off and on in a year’s time. In regards to the new album, we really, really put all of our energy into it. My goal was to make a record that, one day when my kids grow up and tell me, 'you don't understand what I'm going through', I can sit them down and tell them to listen to this album. So we actually recorded 30 songs. Then we narrowed them down to 20 then choose the 15 that made the album. I wrote and produced all the songs. Then we sent them off to Frank Gryner. He met with us, heard the music and loved it. He wanted to mix all the tracks, so we had Frank mix the final tracks. He did an amazing job.
AAM: So tell us, how did you hook up with World Sound Music?
SQ: You know it’s interesting; Warren Wyatt the owner of World Sound Music managed Carbon 9 for years back in the beginning when all the hype was happening. Then we parted ways. Warren had moved the company to Seattle because the company was growing. But we've always stayed in touch. You know World Sound Music is just like family to us. Anyway, we finished our album and I believe Warren gave me a call just to touch base. I told him, 'Man, you have to check out our new album'. Talk about perfect timing, it just so have happen the company was looking for rock artist. So we connected together and that is how we hooked up.
AAM: The one thing that stands out about the new album is that each song stands on its own. Really showing a diversity as far as musical influences go.
SQ: I am glad you guys recognized that. One thing that has been extremely important to me is, that I have my style, which is the signature Carbon 9 style. But it’s the individual members that bring their own thing to the band that really lets the songs and band be unique. If I controlled everything then all our songs and albums would sound the same and that's not how I work. For me, to have these guys bring in their personalities and influences as well as being truthful to the songs takes Carbon 9 to a whole new level. We wanted an album that had variety and we accomplished just that.
AAM: What was it like working with Frank Gryner (Rob Zombie, Perfect Circle, Tommy Lee, etc.)?
SQ: Frank is awesome, just plain awesome. I'm a music producer and engineer. I always say, 'you can't mix your own records', which I believe one hundred and ten percent. Nobody has ever been able to do justice for us. Every time we've had people come in, no matter how famous they are, they just don't capture what we are all about. So, what I did was pre-mix the album and gave it to Frank and told him, 'here is what I'm hearing, now do your thing.' When he sent it back to us, I was just blown away.
AAM: Did he make any changes to your mix or did he stay true to it?
SQ: No, he really kept it the way we had it as far as the energy of the songs and the production value. Now, he made some creative decisions on his own, which we gave him full power to do, that were brilliant. It's just the sonic quality that he had. He just knew how the energy was going down. We have so much dynamics in our songs. He was really able to capture that. He did an amazing job.
AAM: Talk to us about how you decided to cover Danzig's "Mother". This is a first for Carbon 9, isn't it?
SQ: We've been thinking about doing a cover song for many years. I just couldn't really buy into it until I found the one song that we could really make it Carbon 9. For some reason, when "Mother" popped up, I said, that's it. After the thousands of songs that were thrown at us for years. That was the song that we could really make our own and still stay honest and true to the original. I didn't want to alter what Glenn Danzig already done. We wanted to make it our own. I think we were successful in doing that.
AAM: So, tell us, how exciting is it for Carbon 9 to finally get exposure on a level and international level?
SQ: You know what guys, it’s funny you ask that. I was just telling the band the other night that the most incredible thing about the whole experience from all the hard work we put in. It's not that the band is not moving forward or succeeding. it's more so, that we prove to ourselves that if we just don't quit we can get to some level and beyond. It really never stops. My motto in life is, "Move Forward". I'm always telling my friends, 'You got to keep on moving forward.' As long as you are moving forward, you're okay. For me, to see us move forward through hard work, not through chance or luck, is just awesome.
AAM: What goals have you set for yourselves as a band?
SQ: Our primary goal is touring in the States as well as touring in Europe and Asia. That is our primary goal. Also, we would love to jump on tour with someone that has a huge draw. So we can get in front of all these new faces. That would be the ultimate experience for us.
AAM: Carbon 9 is one of the many few bands in L.A. that haven't given up or thrown in towel. What are your thoughts about that?
SQ: I have lots of friends that are in bands that have given up so easily. They feel like they are working so hard and nothing is happening. The music industry is tough and as a band you have to have focus and lots of patience.
AAM: Your huge following here in Los Angeles are familiar with your stage show. We feel this is where Carbon 9 really stands up head above the rest.
SQ: We love playing live. We are all professional performers. We all love theater. For me, I believe, if you go see a band, you should have an experience. If your going to pay $10 or more to see a rock show, it should be an experience. We as Carbon 9 want to bring a whole different level to each and every one of our shows.
AAM: Just wait until the kids in Europe and Asia see Carbon 9 live. How exciting is that going to be for you guys?
SQ: This will be the first time we will be playing in Europe and Asia this year. We are very excited. I've been to Europe a number of times for different reasons. When I am there, I always tell myself, we just belong here. We belong here playing in stadiums for thousands of people to see us and they would really love what we do. It's like that anytime we play outside of L.A. and in different cities. People that come to our shows are just floored. So yeah, we are definitely excited and looking forward to meeting new fans and bringing the Carbon 9 experience to Europe and Asia.
AAM: You mention playing stadiums overseas. What about playing festivals here in the States like, Ozzfest?
SQ: That is in the plan. Hopefully everything works out. We are confident that it will. We'd love to play Ozzfest. It's going to be a very busy year for us that’s for sure.
AAM: Is your set-list going to be made up of songs from the new album only?
SQ: The majority of the songs that will be on our set-list will be from the new album. But I think will be adding a few songs from our past.
AAM: Are you satisfied with the response you are getting so far, in regards to the new album?
SQ: What's fascinating is all the e-mails that I've been getting about the new album from our fans in L.A. Saying things like, "We are really glad to see a real L.A. band is moving forward with success." That hit me like a ton of bricks. That is just amazing and we really appreciate that so much. I am so thrilled to live in L.A. and be called an "L.A. Band". You know… To live and die in L.A.
AAM: Stacey, The Rocker and I along with All Access Magazine are so stoked about the new album and your upcoming tour. You guys are ready and the world is ready to experience Carbon 9. Thanks so much to You, Darwin, Danny, Omar and Matty for giving us music fans here in L.A. reason to get down and rock and roll. We wish all the best in the world my friend.
SQ: Thank you guys for the support! We are ready, All I can say is... BRING IT ON!
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Carbon 9 To Unleash The Bull
Freshly signed to WorldSound Music, it shouldn't be long before Los Angeles' best-kept secret, Carbon 9, is launched upon an unsuspecting world - especially after hearing their latest release, 'The Bull,' Mixed by Frank Gryner (Rob Zombie, Perfect Circle, Tommy Lee, etc.) 'The Bull' manages to balance electro rock sounds with strong pop melodies and anthemic choruses - resulting in a sound that sounds custom-made for crossover success.
Comprised of members Stacey Quinealty (vocals and sequencing), Danny Cistone (backing vocals), Darwin DeVitis (guitars and vocals), Omar D. Brancato (bass and vocals), and Matty Milani (drums), Carbon 9 has already made numerous impressive inroads into the music industry, including their music appearing on XM Radio and commercials. Also, the band has received rave reviews from L.A. Alive ("I have seen the future of rock, and it is Carbon 9"), Music Connection ("The music is so overwhelming no one is spared"), and KNAC.com ("Carbon 9 craft memorable songs while still keeping the head-throbbing beats"), and has headlined such renowned clubs as the Whisky A-Go-Go, the Viper Room, the Roxy, and the Troubadour, among others. But it's the numbers that speak loudest - the group has sold over 5,000 copies of their earlier releases, while their Myspace page has over 14,000 friends signed up.
If you're still unsure, just check out the handful of songs from 'The Bull' that are currently posted on Carbon 9's label page for the proof - including such originals as "My Friend" (a song that according to Stacey is "Directly about that one person that constantly stabs you in the back yet we continue to keep them close within the circle"), "Somebody Like Me" (which is "A very egocentric song that states the fact that we need a significant other but usually demand someone to follow our ways and do as we do"), and the title track ("It is about the strength in belief of the self"), as well as a rockin' version of the Danzig classic, "Mother" ("This was our first cover song to ever record and we chose it very carefully"). While they've often been noted as the "hardest working band in L.A.," with the arrival of 'The Bull,' perhaps a more fitting description of Carbon 9 is the "hardest rocking band in L.A."
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