Before I get started, let me just say that this was my first interview for Magazine33 ever, and as such I was very nervous. I had gotten lost twice, but thanks to the helpful employees of 7-11 and Walgreens, I was able to make it to the show just in time. The venue was odd, to say the least - A cinema café, with the seats moved around to accent a tiny stage where the movie usually plays. It was cozy, though, and upon entering I was greeted by a Marine. Chris Smith, the bassist, lead me into the venue and I quietly took a seat in the back row after introducing myself to Chad Bailey, the lead guitarist and vocalist. Well, SiNN wasn't having any of that. They waved me over to come sit with them, and I quickly became more comfortable. The movie projector was being put to good use showing clips from Dimebag Darrells life, seeing as this was a tribute to the icon himself. The proceeds were also going to Toys for Tots, just to show that metal can be productive as well. After having a few laughs with Chad, Chris and Rusty, (The "Redneck Roadie") Trent finally showed up in all of his mohawked glory. It wasn't long before the show was on.

X-Legacy played first, and seemed to be the youngest band there. They had talented players, the singer was prone to screaming for most of his songs however and my ears just don't agree with that. I could see a lot of older influences in this band however, combined with the new and it seems to this writer that in today's market they could get somewhere with a bit of elbow grease and some help. Chad was certainly into the show, however, and he was the first one up on his feet to support them. His willingness to stand up when no one else was and the bands raw sound quickly got others up on their feet, but before long it was finally time for SiNN to take the stage.

From the very beginning you can tell you're in for an energetic show when SiNN busts out one of their signature tracks, "SiNNergy". The ground vibrates with the ferocity of a mere three people, bringing to your ears an almost malicious sound. The drummer, Trent, goes absolutely crazy, never letting up on complex drum rolls all while keeping perfect time for the rest of the band.

I mentioned earlier that the band only has three members total, but that doesn't hold them back in the least bit. In fact, if you had only heard them you might be convinced that they had at least four. The next song rolls in with a metal meets funk riff from Chris, the "Bass Ninja". At first I was worried that I wasn't going to be able to hear him clearly but each sound emanates with its own unique vibe and combines into a perfect collage. Even when he's following the guitar, which is a feat in its own right, he brings something to the band that would be dearly missed without.

Did I mention Chad's guitar? As they finish off "Will We Ever" he lets loose a vicious solo that threatens to rip apart your eardrums even as they are reeling in ecstasy.  If he's held back by having no dedicated rhythm, he doesn't let it show for a second and plays effortless leads that never lack. His personality surfaces from the lyrics in every song as he belts out throat melting vocals while still playing his guitar. If he wasn't chained to the mic, I'm sure he'd be jumping around just as much as the people in the crowd, and if he gets the chance you can be sure he will.

The entire band obviously has played together for a long time, as the most subtle cue changes in the music are met and answered with no need for visuals. During the new albums title track "Wreckreation", they would jump from riff to riff with masterful precision. Every song has been meticulously crafted, never leaving you with a hollow feeling from missed opportunities. If there is supposed to be a solo, there is. If it feels time for a thousand note a minute breakdown, there will be. These people are obviously dedicated to their craft and worked hard to make sure they bring the SiNNers what they want.

A different tone is taken with "Everything for Nothing", another new track on the upcoming CD "Wreckreation". The usual roaring vocals are toned down just a bit and the music is downright apocalyptic. A sense of dread overwhelms your ears as you hear it, then mixes with lyrics speaking of lost opportunities and betrayal. He brings back in his trademark vocals at just the right times to produce the effect he wants. A person who seconds ago I thought was wildly crazy focused his sound into something so complete, it's a work of art.

As "Rise" begins the first thing that hits me is the incredible drumming. It carries the song and creates a template for the rest of the band to go crazy on, and leaves you wanting more. Chris brings back that deep bass sound, ripping his fingers to the bone to bring a downright ridiculous level of skill onto the stage. He's coordinated but also fast, and one look at his fret board and you can see that he's making full use of the 5 string bass he carries. Have you ever heard of a bassist tremolo picking with his fingers? Well, look no further.

Before the band rips into one of their new albums best tracks "196" Chad shows more of that slightly insane side. After plugging some of the upcoming bands and pumping the crowd up, he shouts out to one of his friends who came all the way from North Carolina just to be here. "Uhh, got to pick somebody random." "Are you ready, Eric? This ones just for you." He then proceeds to blow him a kiss and start the track, which by the way sounded almost exactly like the track itself. It just makes you want to thrash around, which is what they were going for, but it also brings you into the music  by speaking of things that everyone had felt at sometime. They were singing your song, they were fueling their music with you. These are not rich kids with 20 years of formal training who decided to get even richer. These were normal everyday people like you and me, and they were doing it for you.

Even as the song ended the crowd was never left out, promptly raising his glass and calling them all to join. Chad brought up his story about the day Dimebag Darrel died, and you could see a wave wash across the crowd as feelings that had been buried were quickly risen. He was driving to work when he had heard the news, and was shattered. The entire day was miserable for him, as it was for every metal fan. Without him, most of these bands probably wouldn't have been on this stage today. He inspired and invigorated them, and brought something to music that has been lacking since that day.

They finished off the brutal set with a classic Dimebag cover. Pantera is not an easy band to cover but they did so with style. It wasn't just Pantera, it was every bit SiNN as well, and I think that if the man himself had seen it he would've approved. This entire thing was for him maybe even more so than the people.

Stay tuned for Part 2:  SiNN - The Interview, by Ryan Mason appearing in Magazine33 on April 1st!

Find more SiNN at:

MySpace.com/Sinn

SiNN.BigCartel.com

By Author: Ryan Mason

Ryan Mason was born in Hampton in 1989. He grew up listening to the generic bands on the radio before discovering classic rock and expanding his horizons. Now you'll find him listening to just about anything, from Pink Floyd to The Sound of Animals Fighting. Naturally this lead to him playing music himself, and he is the proud owner of a Gibson SG and a 5 string bass guitar. Unfortunately he sucks at them both, but hey, there is always Magazine 33! Some other bands he likes are Stiff Little Fingers, the Velvet Underground, Bob Dylan, Incubus, Hendrix, Lamb of God, The Doors and the Gorillaz.

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