Music
Press
"These boys churn out metal in the vein
of Mudvayne and Sevendust, with huge
ringing bass notes and melodic
screaming by Sevin Leonard.”
Dan Berry of the Hartford Advocate
- Hartford Advocate
"These boys churn out metal in the vein
of Mudvayne and Sevendust, with huge
ringing bass notes and melodic
screaming by Sevin Leonard.”
Dan Berry of the Hartford Advocate
- Hartford Advocate
Stacey: How did you come up with the band's name?
Eric: We were looking for a name that constituted change. The name means abrupt change and new beginnings. The curtain hitting the cast literally is talking about the end of a show. In turn it is the start of this new band after all our old projects.
Stacey:Curtain Hits the Cast has a unique sound. Who are your musical influences? What kinds of music did you play before Curtain Hits the Cast?
Eric: Our musical interests are very broad. As individuals we listen to everything from Slayer to Radiohead and everything in between. We wanted to take the aggressive style of our metal sides and combine with some real singing. Screaming is a huge part too but we try to keep it minimal and in parts of the songs where aggression is key. Before Curtain Hits the Cast some members had played together before in projects and others had not. The styles of the previous projects were either straight up hardcore bands or rock bands in the vein of CHTC maybe just not as metal influenced.
Stacey: I heard your promo spot on WCCC. A lot of exciting things have happened since you were featured as WCCC's Homegrown band in September. Tell me about the highlights.
Eric: The WCCC Homegrown spotlight was huge for us. We are getting a lot more show offers and our fan base has grown too. Now they are running a one-minute promo spot a few times a day talking about us signing to East Coast Empire Records. This is sparking huge traffic through our website and everything is growing from there.
Stacey: What has changed since you've been signed to East Coast Empire Records?
Eric: Signing with East Coast Empire Records has definitely matured the band. David Duncan is the owner and he is doing well steering us in the right direction. The contract was just finalized last week so there really hasn't been time for major changes but he is working hard on some really big things for us. Since the talks started we have picked up many sponsors, which help a ton, ranging from Spector Basses to Bridgeport Republic Clothing, owned by Beattie of Hatebreed, to Fifth Dimension Skate and Snow. Already we have merchandise available and those are going quick. You can preview and purchase our stuff over at http://www.ecer.bigcartel.com
Stacey: CHTC has only been around for a year and you've had tremendous success. Do you attribute it to hard work, luck or a little bit of both?
Eric: Hard Work is a huge part of it. We have fought hard to get to where we are. Between our first demo, which was self recorded, and the This is Romance promos we have handed out well over 10,000 cd's. We made them all ourselves and have gone to 100's of shows and summer festivals with backpacks full. But luck has also been on our side, with every growing band things just need to happen at the right times. What we try to do is build upon every opportunity as soon as it happens creating a snowball effect of promotion and an effective forward drive.
Stacey: What are your plans for the future of CHTC?
Eric: For the near future East Coast Empire Records is releasing This Is Romance nationally with all new packaging and some bonus material. We are also writing material for the follow up hopefully to be recorded around next summer. Right now we are playing live a ton trying to spread the word about the band and just trying to keep positive on the future of Curtain Hits the Cast.
- Musicscenezine
Stacey: How did you come up with the band's name?
Eric: We were looking for a name that constituted change. The name means abrupt change and new beginnings. The curtain hitting the cast literally is talking about the end of a show. In turn it is the start of this new band after all our old projects.
Stacey:Curtain Hits the Cast has a unique sound. Who are your musical influences? What kinds of music did you play before Curtain Hits the Cast?
Eric: Our musical interests are very broad. As individuals we listen to everything from Slayer to Radiohead and everything in between. We wanted to take the aggressive style of our metal sides and combine with some real singing. Screaming is a huge part too but we try to keep it minimal and in parts of the songs where aggression is key. Before Curtain Hits the Cast some members had played together before in projects and others had not. The styles of the previous projects were either straight up hardcore bands or rock bands in the vein of CHTC maybe just not as metal influenced.
Stacey: I heard your promo spot on WCCC. A lot of exciting things have happened since you were featured as WCCC's Homegrown band in September. Tell me about the highlights.
Eric: The WCCC Homegrown spotlight was huge for us. We are getting a lot more show offers and our fan base has grown too. Now they are running a one-minute promo spot a few times a day talking about us signing to East Coast Empire Records. This is sparking huge traffic through our website and everything is growing from there.
Stacey: What has changed since you've been signed to East Coast Empire Records?
Eric: Signing with East Coast Empire Records has definitely matured the band. David Duncan is the owner and he is doing well steering us in the right direction. The contract was just finalized last week so there really hasn't been time for major changes but he is working hard on some really big things for us. Since the talks started we have picked up many sponsors, which help a ton, ranging from Spector Basses to Bridgeport Republic Clothing, owned by Beattie of Hatebreed, to Fifth Dimension Skate and Snow. Already we have merchandise available and those are going quick. You can preview and purchase our stuff over at http://www.ecer.bigcartel.com
Stacey: CHTC has only been around for a year and you've had tremendous success. Do you attribute it to hard work, luck or a little bit of both?
Eric: Hard Work is a huge part of it. We have fought hard to get to where we are. Between our first demo, which was self recorded, and the This is Romance promos we have handed out well over 10,000 cd's. We made them all ourselves and have gone to 100's of shows and summer festivals with backpacks full. But luck has also been on our side, with every growing band things just need to happen at the right times. What we try to do is build upon every opportunity as soon as it happens creating a snowball effect of promotion and an effective forward drive.
Stacey: What are your plans for the future of CHTC?
Eric: For the near future East Coast Empire Records is releasing This Is Romance nationally with all new packaging and some bonus material. We are also writing material for the follow up hopefully to be recorded around next summer. Right now we are playing live a ton trying to spread the word about the band and just trying to keep positive on the future of Curtain Hits the Cast.
- Musicscenezine
November 13th 2007
Official Curtain Hits The Cast Press Release:
East Coast Empire Records announced today that the first band they will be adding to their roster since it's resurgence is Curtain Hits the Cast. The interest sparked when CHTC was heard on 106.9 WCCC's Homegrown show. After seeing the band's live performance several times and through negotiations the two have reached a multi-record deal.
ECER will be re-releasing the band's debut, “This is Romance” with new packaging and some added bonus material available shortly after the new year. Also, T-shirts and hoodies have already been sent to printers. They will be available at all shows and through the ECER web store, www.ecer.bigcartel.com.
For those not familiar with the Connecticut based band this is what Dan Berry of the Hartford Advocate had to say in this year's Grand Band Slam edition, where CHTC walked away with the Reader's Choice award. “The timing couldn't have been better if it was scripted. Curtain Hits the Cast just released their debut CD, “This is Romance”, at the same time you told us they were worth rocking out to. Surprise — it's not a smooth jazz album! These boys churn out metal in the vein of Mudvayne and Sevendust, with huge ringing bass notes and melodic screaming by Sevin Leonard.”
More info and mp3's are available on Curtain Hits the Cast's my space, www.myspace.com/curtainhitsthecast.
And for a preview of the new merchandise visit www.ecer.bigcartel.com.
- East Coast Empire
November 13th 2007
Official Curtain Hits The Cast Press Release:
East Coast Empire Records announced today that the first band they will be adding to their roster since it's resurgence is Curtain Hits the Cast. The interest sparked when CHTC was heard on 106.9 WCCC's Homegrown show. After seeing the band's live performance several times and through negotiations the two have reached a multi-record deal.
ECER will be re-releasing the band's debut, “This is Romance” with new packaging and some added bonus material available shortly after the new year. Also, T-shirts and hoodies have already been sent to printers. They will be available at all shows and through the ECER web store, www.ecer.bigcartel.com.
For those not familiar with the Connecticut based band this is what Dan Berry of the Hartford Advocate had to say in this year's Grand Band Slam edition, where CHTC walked away with the Reader's Choice award. “The timing couldn't have been better if it was scripted. Curtain Hits the Cast just released their debut CD, “This is Romance”, at the same time you told us they were worth rocking out to. Surprise — it's not a smooth jazz album! These boys churn out metal in the vein of Mudvayne and Sevendust, with huge ringing bass notes and melodic screaming by Sevin Leonard.”
More info and mp3's are available on Curtain Hits the Cast's my space, www.myspace.com/curtainhitsthecast.
And for a preview of the new merchandise visit www.ecer.bigcartel.com.
- East Coast Empire
Discography
Curtain Hits the Cast - Closer EP - Indy 2007
Curtain Hits the Cast - This is Romance - 2008 - On East Coast Empire Records
Photos
Bio
Combining elements of several diverse musical genres, Curtain Hits the Cast's style is best described by them as, emotional music written for everyone to feel a part of. Using such styles as rock, emo, punk, and hardcore CHTC produces a sound they hope is a little off the edge. Without trying to recreate the sound of rock music, the main focal point of the band is not to fall into the same old song. Emerging from such different musical ventures, the project at hand sometimes seemed like a distant one. The common ground was a difficult one to find, especially when it came down to vocals. Curtain Hits the Cast comments that at least 15 people tried to fill the position. After months of frustration and endless hours of sitting through mediocre rehearsals, the missing link was found. Taking songs that were written months beforehand and combining them with the now set vox was a time of recreation. Many were tossed and the rest were rewritten. Curtain Hits the Cast admits they are writing their new music with a sense of making people reach inside themselves and analyze what they find. Whether it be a memory or a feeling suppressed deep within, the songs are written to help an individual cope or relate to that instance that has left some imprint on their existence. With an outcry of new music and many goals at hand,CHTC has no intentions of letting up. The plan is to flood the regional music scene with their passion and strong musical outlet to people who are ready to relate.
Check them out live @
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMQ2cWb_LoQ
Links
