Q: How can readers sample music by 5 Billion Dead?

Matt: The best way is come out and see us perform LIVE! Although our recordings sound great, there's no comparison to seeing a 5BD show first hand! In the meantime there are several websites where everyone can listen or download our music including: myspace.com/5BillionDead.

Q: Where can they go to buy music?

Matt: Visit 5BillionDead.com.

Q: When can we expect new music from 5 Billion Dead?


Matt: Honestly there isn't a solid date set in stone, as 5BD has been working a lot behind the scenes to land a record deal with good distribution. We have our fingers crossed that the next release will be a full length album on our new record label, so it really boils down to money and the pieces of the puzzle falling into place where we can put out a great sounding album.

Q: What was it like for 5BD to headline the Native Noize stage during this year's Earth Day Birth Day concert put on by Real Rock 101 One?

Strain: It was one of the best experiences I've ever had! What a moral booster. One of the heaviest Metal bands in O-Town headlining the Native Noize WJRR stage? Holysh*t!

Matt: WJRR having the BALLS to give a band like us a shot in front of a huge sea of people is just incredible! I think the crowd really went nuts because we were by far the most energetic band of the day, and you could just feel the whole vibe of the day go from a nice friendly rock concert, to an all out, no holds barred rock and roll PARTY! Easily one of the most fun shows we've ever been a part of.

Q: 5BD also played this year's Florida Music Festival. What are your thoughts on this festival?

Strain: Fun! Although, we tried to talk to more industry people this year, it just ended up a huge party!

Matt: After EDBD, going into FMF, 5 Billion Dead were the talk of the town, and we heard all sorts of crazy things about how we were going to get signed, etc. We loved every minute of it, and had a great time playing on the same stage as our friends in Indorphine that night. Our stage turned out to be the BEST of the whole event, very cool vibe, and perfect for the situation. We were heralded as rock stars all throughout that event, so it couldn't have been more fun for us hanging out and partying with so many "big shots" in the industry.

Q: We chatted at this year's Hard Music Awards in Tampa. How important do you think an awards show of this nature is for the music scene here in Orlando and in the state of Florida in general?

Matt: As the originators of the Orlando Metal Awards (2001-2003), we both know from first hand experience how something like an awards show can both help and hurt a scene. It all hinges on the execution, attention to details, and the credibility of those who put an event like that together. An awards show can really add a much-needed boost to a local scene, because the fans need a 'spectacle,' something interesting to get them involved in their local music scene. However, any time you create competition within your scene, or bands, like an Awards show, or a Battle of the Bands, a few people walk away happy, but many more people walk away pissed as hell that their favorite band didn't win. Metalheads are very skeptical people by nature, so there is absolutely no room for error, and no room for politics. Orlando's Metal scene has prospered since the inception of the Orlando Metal Awards, just as Tampa did when the Tampa Bay Metal Awards were in existence. Now if only we could go back in time and relive some of those amazing moments.

Q: Why do you think it's so difficult for local musicians to get air play on Orlando radio stations?

Strain: The key word here is "Business." Even though we are a heavy band and they do play us on the weekends at 1am in the morning, we will never be played during business hours, because we're not signed to a major label. Bottom line, if we're not signed or giving the radio stations money to play our music they won't play it.

Q: With the plethora of musical talent in Orlando and in the state of Florida, can you tell us why no one has thought of doing an outdoor concert featuring just Florida bands on the lines of something like what the Vans Warped Tour does with multiple stages?

Matt: Once again it comes down to business, and more importantly money. I'm sure that it's been thought of before, but putting together a huge event of that magnitude would surely require a large investment. Not only that, there would have to be some sort of National Headliner to attract more attention. In a way, it's already been done, during the MusicCom festival with Static-X and Damage Plan, 5BD, and several more local acts, and if you were there, you know how that turned out. Great concert, great time, awesome stage and lights, but in the end the organizers lost their shirts! It really just comes down to executing it from a "FAN" perspective, and not a 'business' perspective. With the Warped Tour as an example, the organizers had enough street cred., and smarts from a fans perspective to KNOW how to give the fans what they want.

Q: How do you think the closing of Lost and Found in Longwood affected the music scene here in Orlando?

Matt: Things in Orlando have never been the same, and we're still riding the downward spiral, trying to fill the empty void the Lost and Found left behind. We're all still waiting for a place like that to open up again, because there are so many of us rock, and metal fans that are still "displaced" a year and a half later! Sure there are lots of places to play in Orlando, but very few for Rock and Metal that were anywhere near as cool, and fun as the Lost & Found was. Now that Will's Pub is close to being a thing of the past, Orlando is really in for another terrible loss to the local music scene. Things aren't too bad now, but without Will's, Orlando will have another huge void needing to be filled for all the Indie rockers, alternative, and punk bands, as well as the rock and metal bands without a true "home." Anyone have any cash to help me open up a new bar? We'd be rich!

Q: What is the status of the Orlando Metal Awards?

Matt: In Orlando we have HUGE venues like the Hard Rock Live, and House of Blues, and then we have little places like the Haven, BackBooth, and the Social. There are no medium size venues (500-1000 people) to accommodate the next Orlando Metal Awards. Therefore, it's just a matter of having no venue to make the next OMA happen, which is really a terrible thing. Some people ask, "Why not have it at the Hard Rock?" or "Why not have it at the Social"? (I've heard it a million times!). From day one, I always said the OMA would only be worth doing if it were bigger and better than the year before. INTEGRITY is the primary issue, as I would never put together an event that didn't live up to the hype and expectations. Believe me, people WANT another OMA, I get asked about it every single friggin' day! I believe the fans recognize that the OMA had the integrity, credibility, and was offered to the fans the way an event like that should be done. There was no glitz, no glamour, no politics; it was just the Metal community coming together as a huge family to support the scene. When you get involved with venues such as the Hard Rock, or the Social, there are a lot of monetary requirements, rules, and restrictions that prevent the OMA from maintaining the integrity, and the precedent already set. It's gotta be MY way, or it's not getting done, because I have a vested, genuine interest in supporting the scene, not my bottom line, or how much liquor sales I've made. So who knows if there will ever be another OMA? I would love to make it happen, but right now all we need is a place that can handle 500+ people for 2 more nights of Beer drinkin' and Head bangin' fun, Orlando style!

Q: As a veteran of the Orlando music scene what advice would you give a young musician or band trying to break into the market?

Strain's 10 Steps:
1. Always remember this is a BUSINESS!!!! You may want to play out and have fun, but that comes with the performance, not the other side of a band. The other side is the next steps to get your band somewhere… and be PROFESSIONAL!!!!!! (Don't send e-mails to fans or people that you want help from with "swear words" in it, or computer cool shorthand like "u", or the cool looking "whuts up", makes people think you are unprofessional, and what did I say in number 1 of how to start a band, be PROFESSIONAL, or no one will take you seriously!!!!!!)

2. Have good gear to play with live (when I hear a band even if they suck, I'm usually impressed that they spent the money on the gear to at least sound good while they are sucking)

3. Practice, practice, practice (did I mention practice). We practice 3 times a week, and practice at home when not at practice.

4. Flier the shit out of your band for your shows and have your website address on it.

5. Play out everywhere and make some band fund money for recording and buying merchandise. But be careful not to overexpose yourself in one place! You don't want to be the "house-band" at the local dive bar! Make the fans WANT to come out and see you, always leave them wanting MORE.

6. RESPECT! NEVER talk shit about any bands (period)! If you don't like a band keep it to yourself. Always show professionalism, be humble, and that you respect everyone. This will get you places. (If you don't know what the word humble or respect mean look it up, I'm not kidding.)

7. Don't record just anywhere that's cheap. Record at a good place and get a good sounding demo. 3 songs, that's it! 2 reasons: one, you're broke, and two, Record guys have NO TIME for anything!! If you can get the record guy to listen to half of your first song you'll be lucky. Record 5 or 6 and let the producer listen to them after all, then ask him which ones he thinks should be first, second, and third. That's what we did. We went to audiohammer.com. Also, try to avoid recording your demo on your home computer, that's just a waste of time, because there's no substitute for good microphones, and the outboard gear that real studios have.

8. Then have it mastered!!! Take your music to a REAL studio like Morrisound in Tampa and have a professional master it. This is the most important factor of the recording process, and can't be emphasized enough as the huge difference this process will make in the final outcome of your music. Remember if your demo doesn't sound like it was recorded professionally, a professional won't even waste their time listening to it. Those days were over long ago!

9. Love what you do and show others how much you love it. Keep that smile going off stage, and then look mad and pissed on stage.

10. "I can only show you the door; you have to walk through it." - Morpheus

Q: We're several years into the 21 century, yet many venues here in Florida haven't embraced the idea of having a website for their venue. Why do you think they would ignore such a great marketing tool?

Strain: They don't understand yet, and they don't want to spend the money on something that they THINK is useless. We all know how damaging this Internet is, that's why we're getting heard!!

Matt: Sometimes these bar owners are simply computer illiterate, and they MIGHT have a computer to check their email, but that's it. They don't know enough about the computer to surf the Internet and realize what a great big world we have out there! Both me and Strain are in the website business, so if anyone needs a website, look us up!

Q: If you could do a show with any three (3) bands/Musicians who would you pick and where would your dream concert be?

Strain: Damn! If I could be Phil Anselmo on stage with Pantera back in the day, then anywhere would be the place. Dimebag forever bitches!

Matt: Black Sabbath, Slayer and King Diamond with 5BD at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Q: How Important do you think online publications like Florida Entertainment Scene are in helping to promote bands such as 5 Billion Dead?

Strain: Very Important! Very Important! Very Important! Very Important! Very Important! Very Important! Did I mention Very Important!

Matt: Definitely! Keep up the good work!

Q: Where do you see 5 Billion Dead say Five years from now?

Strain: On tour with Trivium and every other new metal band popping up.

Matt: On tour in Europe with Iron Maiden.

Q: Do you have anything to say to the people who read this Interview?

Strain: Support local music, go see a f*cking show! And buy some merchandise while you're at it and wear it proudly! F*ck the System!

Matt: Check out 5 Billion Dead online at 5BillionDead.com and myspace.com/5billiondead and thanks for your support!

5 Billion Dead is: Alex V. (guitar) - Matt W. (bass) - Chris B. (drums) - Strain (vocals). 5 Billion Dead are from Orlando, FL and regulaly play shows in Florida. Music can be sampled at 5BillionDead.com or myspace.com/5BillionDead.

Interview by Michael Montes - Copyright © 2005 Florida Entertainment Scene - All Rights Reserved.

Florida Entertainment Scene Interviews nationally known bands. We also Interview select local and unsigned bands/musicians. Click here to learn how to get a Florida Entertainment Scene Musician Interview for your band.