On April 30th local rock bands The Supernormal Band and Lynchpin will be representing Trinidad in the W.O.A Caribbean Metal Battle Caribbean. Since we last spoke to them at their The Fire Inside Album Launch in April 2015 The Caribbean flavored rock band has been destroying the local rock circuit at major concerts such as Frost Fest 3, Skyy Rock Festival 2 and several shows at The Big Black Box just to name a few. Lynchpin held their fundraiser to support their band's trip, at that event Supernormal band members showed their support for their competition. Their guitarist Johnathon Agostini gave us some his thoughts on the upcoming competition.
You guys did a lot of events in preparation for this, how well were those events
received?
The events were very well received, all of them, it was
overwhelming how much people came out and supported us. The shows were
phenomenal , some of the best that we've had as a band, the pending trip to
Suriname really made us amp up the performance and execution of the songs on
stage.
How ready is the band for the big show?
We've been preparing for this show even before we got it. I left my job last year November with the hopes of playing a show in South America. We were getting a lot of attention from Venezuela through some Facebook ads that I ran over there. We told ourselves that somehow we were gonna play in South America as it's so close to Trinidad, we were looking at Guyana, Venezuela and Colombia.
Our goal for 2016 as a band was to play abroad and find ways to make money as a band in Trinidad to sustain ourselves financially and that's what we got. Not the way in which we had originally planned but the Universe has its plan for everybody. We asked for a gig in South America and we got Suriname also we raised all the funds for the trip through the bands efforts, such as merchandise sales and gig attendance, which was eye opening to us about the possibilities of what a band can do in Trinidad.
Lynchpin is the next T&T competitor, what do you think of them and their music?
Sievan and the guys are very serious about their music and I respect that about them, their show at shakers to help raise funds for their Suriname trip, went all out. They rammed out shakers, nobody could've walked to the bathroom when they were on stage because the place became crowded and everybody was jumping on top of everybody. That was fun to watch. It's movements like that that help build the Trini rock scene.With regards to their music... I don't listen to much 'Deathcore' as they call themselves; the hardest bands I listen to are probably Lamb of God and Pantera but I'll tell you after hearing Not For You, Softest Floor and Meathook over and over again I find myself grooving to it and it brings out the part of me that wants to break stuff and head bang like a motherfucker.
Have you heard the other Caribbean bands and what expectations do you have of them?
Of course! A couple minutes after we heard the news. I was at Andy's house, which is where the band room is, waiting on Tony and Mitch to come to practice and Tony called and gave us the news. Almost the next thing I did was pull up the other bands from the list. They are from Aruba, French Guiana and Suriname. I'm sure that all the other bands are coming hard, very hard, everybody wants to go to Germany and play in Wacken, it's a huge opportunity, so I have very high expectations for all the bands playing on the night. Its gonna be Super heavy, dangerous mosh pit.
How do you feel about being in the spotlight representing the country?
Very good, its giving The Supernormal Band and Lynchpin a
reason for the local TV stations and newspapers to give us press. It's making
the rock community stronger, its growing it, since February as soon as carnival
was over there has been a rock show almost every week. It's great that us local
bands are getting the spotlight.
Winning the competition would send The Supernormal Band to Wacken Open Air in
Germany, how prepared is the band for that stage?
I'll tell ya when we reach! We prepared for any stage no
matter how big. It's what we want as a band, just give us the stage and we will
own it.
What support has the band gotten from sponsors and or fans since entering the
competition?
Tons of support from fans and family! A sincere thanks once
again to everyone that came out to our gigs recently. If those people did not
support us we would have never had had a chance.
Supernormal is an original music band, will the band be performing only
original music?
As usual.
How do you feel about original music in Trinidad?
Recently, a lot more bands have been pushing their original
music and its fucking awesome! If the rock scene was really dead its back with
a vengeance now! People are more interested in seeing original music these
days. It building the rock scene, local rockers now have more bands than ever
before to look forward to and have fun with. These bands give people a sense of
hope that anyone can achieve their dreams.
What's one thing you would like to tell fans before you head off to Suriname?
Well Jesse... To the fans, supporters, family. Thanks! It is yall that put us in Suriname and we will always play for yall. Keep
following your dreams. Peace and Love - Johnny
We asked the Lynchpin band members similar questions here's a snip of what they had to say.
Supernormal is the next T&T competitor, what do you think of them and their music?
Jiggy: I personally am a big fan of Andy and all his bands from yesteryear. This band has a great sound; it isn't the heavy metal that we portray but still its great music.
Sievan: Out of all the bands, they sound local or Caribbean in an international limelight. It’s always great to see Andy and the crew play. I'm happy that he has this opportunity too.
Gerard: I know most of the band and they're cool guys. Musically, they're on point. I have their CD in my car and I like it! I find myself singing a few of their songs randomly during the day. I like that they are giving a rootsy, local flavor to the rock and are seeing success with it. Even though we're competing in Suriname I'm still supportive of them.
Aaron: Andy and Mitch have been around ever since I started getting into local rock, somewhere in the mid-late 90’s, so I consider them pillars of the local rock scene. Jon and Tony are proficient players and very entertaining to see on stage. I’m a fan of their heavy blend of local themes, experiences and our vernacular with the rock n’ roll, and I’m looking forward to seeing them perform in Suriname.
Have you heard the other Caribbean bands and what expectations do you have of them?
Jiggy: The other Caribbean bands are very talented from the little YouTube clips we saw of each of them. I am pretty excited to hear all bands!
Sievan: It makes you realize that if we as the Caribbean work together more often we can have a vibrant rock/ metal community. Think bigger.
Gerard: Yup! The first thing we did was to look them up! I remember thinking about one of them in particular: "wow, they should be signed!” I expect them to be at a high standard and to bring their A games. I can't wait to hear them live though, and one of the benefits of this competition, to me, is that I get to find out about all these other good bands in the region! It'll definitely help networking after the event and hopefully pave the way for some exciting things!
Aaron: Oh yeah! The other bands expected to perform in Suriname have some really great music. I’d been familiar with a couple bands from Guyana and Barbados before, but they generally weren’t as heavy as what existed on the Trinidadian circuit, so I was pleasantly surprised to find out what else is out there.
Full Q&A with Lynchpin
Full Q&A with Lynchpin
The Supernormal band is sure to give Suriname a show they will never forget. REDM will be following the progress of these bands on their trip.
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