When Words Attack
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When Words Attack

San Antonio, Texas, United States | SELF

San Antonio, Texas, United States | SELF
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This band has not uploaded any videos

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"When Words Attack is Back!!!"

When Words Attack is Back!!!

By: Toni Torres

After a two-year hiatus, When Words Attack is back with all new material, a new line-up, and a fresh start…

WWA is:
Cindy Osbourne -- Vocals
Steve Sonic – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Philip Capitano – Drums
Jay Decay – Bass, Backing Vocals

Where did you get the name When Words Attack and what's the meaning behind it?

Philip: We got it from a really long list of stupid band names. It was the only one that stuck out other than maybe Moose Knuckles or Wolf-Bait; Camel Toe and Children of the Bong were already taken. The meaning behind it is just basically sticks and stones may break your bones but words can kill you. A black eye usually heals faster than an emotional scar. We can all relate to being teased at school and often times what kids say can be cruel and a lot of times true. It hurts and sticks with you…When Words Attack!

Cindy: It has multiple meanings. Sometimes people say things that upset you or sometimes you're the one who says the wrong thing. You may have the best intentions, but what you say can often be misconstrued. Also, in our first incarnation of the group, some of us were going through band break-ups, which led to a lot of angry, "attack-like" words in the songs.

Your show July 12th at Jack's Patio is your first one in two years. Where have you been and why the resurrection?

Philip: We've been busy writing all new songs. I also think we all just needed a break to clear our heads and get a fresh start. I must say it feels great to get the band going again. Everything in life happens for a reason and I'm having more fun with music and a band now than ever before.

Sonic: To be honest, we had a "falling out", not due to a lack of friendship but due to a lack of communication. I spent a year and a half going, "What happened?" rather than discussing it. Now we are back, and in my opinion, stronger as a band and friends than before. I count my blessings and thank my significant other for this opportunity again.

You have had some member changes. How did the current line-up come about?

Philip: We lost a member and I decided to switch from bass to drums.

Cindy: Philip, Steve, and I jammed together without a bass player for several months and then Philip found Jay through My Space and he fit right in.

Sonic: Speaking of which…Phil…you rock on the drums. Don't get me wrong, you are a good bass player but damn, JERRY, you got skills on drums as well!! Cindy, you've really grown as a singer.

Cindy: Aw, shucks, Cowboy.

Your bass player is in the military. How has that affected the band?

Philip: We had a big scare and Jay was almost deployed in June before our first show back.

Cindy: We were pretty freaked out about the situation. We had a friend from Austin who was willing to fill in and even came down to one of our practices. Luckily, Jay found out that he'd be here until at least September so that was a huge relief.

Sonic: It also goes to show just how any type of conflict in our world, despite the scale, can affect the "so close to home" factor. We hope he as well as all our men and women serving will be kept from harm's way.

What's the writing process like for you all?

Philip: We usually just get together and start jamming and before you know it we are feeding off one another like rabid dogs and the next thing you know, we've mauled out a tune.

Sonic: During that process, some livers are harmed. It's a necessary evil.

Do you have any songs online? How has the Internet affected your music?

Cindy: We currently have four songs on our My Space website (www.myspace.com/whenwordsattack) with more to come. The Internet has been incredibly helpful in promoting our music.

Where did you record?

Cindy: We recorded at Steve's in home studio, Sonic BOOM! StudiosÓÔ. Steve has learned so much about the recording process and his knowledge grows with each session. I can't wait to hear what the next few songs we record will sound like.

Sonic: Thank you for saying that and for giving me an incredible opportunity to do that!

How would you describe your sound?

Philip: We sound a lot like two geeses mating. No, seriously, it's hard rock with a twist of metal and a dash of alternative and all the tunes have a constant groove. Like my ol' gran' pappy used to say, "If you can't shake your ass and tap your foot to it, it's not worth listening to." You can shake your ass to these tunes.

Sonic: Matured and simplified in the most complex way. Ha! We sound like we are having a blast and that's exactly how it is.

What can we expect from the new material and how does it differ from the old?

Philip: I think the new stuff has a harder edge and it's raw. Cindy belts out some wicked screams, which is kind of new for her and it fits perfectly. Steve's guitar playing continues to amaze me. He's a great songwriter. Jay's a new member to the group and he's a great bass player. When I saw the picture of him on My Space playing a stand up bass and breathing fire, I knew he was the dude for us.

Cindy: We've evolved as a group. It's definitely heavier and more diverse than before.

We changed our tuning; the beats are more straightforward; the choruses are more open; and the lyrics cover a broader spectrum.

Will you be playing any of your old material?

Philip: No, there's no reason to dig up the past. We feel like the new material is stronger and songs keep coming easily so we're moving forward with the new stuff.

Sonic: Yeah, it's almost night and day as far as comparison. No discredit to our old stuff, but it would sound like too much of a contrast at this point to revisit the old material.

What can people expect from your live performance?

Cindy: Tons of energy and a drunken good time!

Philip: Singing and dancing kind of like the movie Dirty Dancing only drunk and on mushrooms.

What are your thoughts on the local music scene?

Cindy: It would be nice to see more unity amongst the bands and their fans. Some bands are really cool about helping each other out, cross promoting, etc. while others treat it as a competition, which I have never understood. You can't create a scene with only one band. We need each other.

Sonic: Agreed and from what I've seen, the scene is still in a transitional phase. To what? I'm not sure but at least we still have a scene and thanks to Randy Bonillas of 99.5 Kiss for continuing the local scene support and it's a damn pleasure to see The Edge continuing it's pledge to bring the word of rock to the masses each month.

What's next for WWA?

Philip: We'll be demoing more songs at Sonic BOOM! StudiosÓÔ and playing more live shows.

Cindy: We plan on playing more events and spacing our shows out more rather than playing every single weekend. Also, a few of our songs will be featured in a comedic short film called "Chortz". We'll keep everyone posted as to when and where the screenings will take place when the information becomes available.

Any closing thoughts?

Philip: Come see us live and support your local music scene. There are a lot of great bands in this town and more people need to go out and be exposed to them.

Cindy: We would like to say thank you to all of our friends and fans who have stood by and supported us for the last couple of years. People have really been rooting for us and it means a great deal. We're playing Saturday, July 12th at Jack's Patio Bar with Oridium (CD release party) and Darkwater; Saturday, July 19th at Click's Billiards with NSP and Seven Perfect for a St. Jude's Children's Hospital benefit; and Sunday, August 3rd at The Scout Bar with Open Chapter and Faktion for 99.5 KISS' Texas Traxx Live Show hosted by Randy Bonillas. Come out and represent!

Sonic: Congrats to Oridium on their CD and all their success. Again, some livers will be harmed in this process. It's a necessary evil but we don't make the rules. We just choose which ones to follow!
- The Edge Magazine


"When Words Attack"

When Words Attack
Interview by Toni Torres

Who are your influences and what are you listening to right now?
Cindy: There are so many influences—Motley Crue, Kiss, Black Sabbath, Hole, Nirvana, No Doubt, Tool--but my main ones would be Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac. I’m currently listening to the new Flyleaf and Paramore CDs that I received for my birthday.
Philip: I’ve always been wired for sound and love all kinds of music. If I had to pick a few favorites they would definitely be the innovators like Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Black Sabbath, The Misfits, DRI, Kiss, Tool, KoRn, etc. Currently, I’ve been listening to Gnarles Barkley, Circa Survive, Cold, and Demon Hunter.
=sonic=: My influences, to range them, go from Cheap Trick to Pantera to Willie Nelson. Been listening to old Kiss and Oghr.
Jay: My influences run the gamut of rock and roll, lots of underground punk and rock, all kinds of folk rock, psychobilly, rockabilly, old outlaw country (if the radio plays it, it ain't outlaw), Horror-punk/rock, east coast punk, west coast, some early 90's grunge, big band and dark noir music...I could go on but this would turn into a novel quickly...My playing style is a little more specific and is influenced by Hunter Burgan (AFI), whoever the bassist is in New Model Army, Matt Freeman (OpIvy/Rancid), Les Claypool and Flea...At the moment, I am into Tom Waits, Bouncing Souls, AFI (just played a great show in Austin), Hank III, Manu Chao, Boysetsfire, New Model Army, Tiger Army, Ghoultown, Bad Religion and the Toy Dolls.

What bands do you like to go out and watch as well as play with around town?
Cindy: I like to go check out NSP, Top Dead Center, Drowning Mona & Slurly to name a few. I enjoy playing with the bands previously mentioned as well as Oridium, The Heroine, Lokey and The Electric Mangroves. I’m trying to keep the lists short but it’s difficult!
Philip: I think this town is full of talented bands in all genres. Some of my local favorites are The Sons of Hercules, Top Dead Center, The Heroine, Before the Bloodshed, and the mighty LoKey. Jar of Flies is one kick ass cover band too.
=sonic=: Deadpool, Before the Bloodshed (though I keep missing them as of late), Drowing Mona, Lokey, Kritickill and Slurly.
Jay: My favorite local bands are Turbo360, Lil Bit and the Customatics, Drowning Mona, Sean Castillo. There are others; I just can't think of them.

Where else in Texas have you played?
=sonic=: Temple, Corpus Christi, Dallas and Austin.
Cindy: and more to come…

Your self-titled CD is coming out this month. Give us all of the details.
Philip: It was recorded and mixed by Keith Krouse at Monster Music Studios and then David Castell (Blue October, The Toadies) mastered it. Henry Quiara did the artwork and I think the disc came out really good. We recorded 10 songs in 6 days so that raw energy is definitely there but it still sounds polished.
Jay: It's gonna rock socks.



Can you describe the new songs?
Philip: They rock. We’re a female fronted band with balls.
Cindy: They range from radio friendly to edgy and aggressive. There is something on this disc for everyone.
=sonic=: The CD is a good representation of our sound but to describe a few; “Crawl” is a “hook” drenched instant radio single and “In the Bedroom” displays a heavier darker side. Some new material that we have played live, like “Pretending”, will be on a future release but it gives a glimpse at our progression forward as a unit and received great feedback at our last performance.
Jay: They sound kinda like the old ones, but completely different.

What is your favorite song on the album and why?
Cindy: My favorite song is “In the Bedroom”. I remember hearing the musical accompaniment the guys came up with and thinking that it sounded kind of creepy. Lyrically, I wanted to write something very “Forensic Files” or “Cold Case Files” to it. Then I thought of how cool it would be to write about women who kill their husbands because there is another show, “Snapped”, that’s pretty much about just that. My next favorite song on the CD is “Stripped”. It’s really hard to pick though and if you ask me this question on a different day, you could very well get a different answer.
Philip: My favorite is one through ten.
=sonic=: “In the Bedroom”. It starts off all nice and sweet but then, out of nowhere, goes into this wicked crunching pattern and Cindy’s vocals are just smooth and yet hair raising. The music is just solid, man.
Jay: I'm a big fan of “Reminiscing” because it is the most fun to play and oddly one of the more difficult songs, and to me, you can't help but feel the raw emotion behind the song. I'm always out of breath after we're done playing it…or even after just listening to it.

What can people expect at your CD release party?
Cindy: They can expect to hear most, if not all, of the new songs from the CD as well as a new song or two, a couple of new covers; be a part of plenty of energy and receive a guitar giveaway from Sam Ash music as well as other giveaways. Oh yeah, and there will be hot chicks there too!
Jay: 2 parts debauchery, 3 parts Jagermeister, 10 parts rock!

When Words Attack is being featured on a CD compilation from Pennsylvania. How did you all get on the compilation?
Jay: The community College I went to in PA actually had a great Music Merchandising program that I was a part of and apparently is still going strong. Someone recently got the bright idea to put together a compilation of current and past graduates of the program and somehow they tracked me down way out here in central Texas.
Cindy: The proceeds will go to various charities such as the Central Pennsylvania Food bank and Habitat for Humanity.



Your band has had to deal with some negative press and a few haters in the local music scene. How have you handled it and how has it affected the band?
Cindy: Blow it off. Who cares?
Philip: Sometimes it’s hard not to take it personal, especially when someone gets personal in his or her writing but you just have to realize it’s one person’s opinion. We never set out to be everything to everyone. I don’t think any band can do that now a days. We’re in it for the love of music and some people will love it and some will hate it. You have to learn to take it with a grain of salt and if you can pull anything constructive out of it, that’s a good thing. I think it has made our band stronger because we believe in one another.

What are your long-term goals?
Cindy: Take the music as far as we can before we die.
Philip: Keep on rockin’ in the city of Compton and then see how far it goes from there!
=sonic=: Friendship, musical progression and hellafiedness!
Jay: Keep rockin' until my arthritic fingers don't move anymore.

What’s your favorite drink?
Cindy: When I’m at home, I prefer red wine, preferably Cabernet Sauvignon but when I’m out and about, it varies from Rum & Coke to Jack or Crown and Coke to Jaeger with and/or without an energy drink so it really just depends on what sort of mood I’m in.
Philip: Jager Bombs and Budweiser and let’s not forget the occasional “safety meeting”. =sonic=: Bullblasters, Orange Whips and Liquid Sunshines!
Jay: Titos, Sailor Jerry.

Any final thoughts?
Philip: Support your local music scene and make it out to the CD release. It’s going to be a great show with Drowning Mona, Goodnight Ether, Coda Vary & Sev7sky. Cheers!
Cindy: Check out the new website at whenwordsattack.com.
=sonic=: Thanks to my bandmates and all our family and friends for the support. To The Edge, we greatly appreciate your support of the music scene and to all the bands known and unknown to us, please keep feeding the scene with your music and we hope to share the stage with ya’ll someday!
Jay: Don't pet the sweaty stuff.

Check out When Words Attack live:
Saturday, December 19th at Zombies *CD Release Party
Saturday, January 23rd at Click’s Billiards *Manopalooza
Thursday, January 28th at Nightrocker’s Live *Nightrocker’s B-day Bash

whenwordsattack.com
myspace.com/whenwordsattack

When Words Attack
Interview by Toni Torres

Who are your influences and what are you listening to right now?
Cindy: There are so many influences—Motley Crue, Kiss, Black Sabbath, Hole, Nirvana, No Doubt, Tool--but my main ones would be Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac. I’m currently listening to the new Flyleaf and Paramore CDs that I received for my birthday.
Philip: I’ve always been wired for sound and love all kinds of music. If I had to pick a few favorites they would definitely be the innovators like Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Black Sabbath, The Misfits, DRI, Kiss, Tool, KoRn, etc. Currently, I’ve been listening to Gnarles Barkley, Circa Survive, Cold, and Demon Hunter.
=sonic=: My influences, to range them, go from Cheap Trick to Pantera to Willie Nelson. Been listening to old Kiss and Oghr.
Jay: My influences run the gamut of rock and roll, lots of underground punk and rock, all kinds of folk rock, psychobilly, rockabilly, old outlaw country (if the radio plays it, it ain't outlaw), Horror-punk/rock, east coast punk, west coast, some early 90's grunge, big band and dark noir music...I could go on but this would turn into a novel quickly...My playing style is a little more specific and is influenced by Hunter Burgan (AFI), whoever the bassist is in New Model Army, Matt Freeman (OpIvy/Rancid), Les Claypool and Flea...At the moment, I am into Tom Waits, Bouncing Souls, AFI (just played a great show in Austin), Hank III, Manu Chao, Boysetsfire, New Model Army, Tiger Army, Ghoultown, Bad Religion and the Toy Dolls.

What bands do you like to go out and watch as well as play with around town?
Cindy: I like to go check out NSP, Top Dead Center, Drowning Mona & Slurly to name a few. I enjoy playing with the bands previously mentioned as well as Oridium, The Heroine, Lokey and The Electric Mangroves. I’m trying to keep the lists short but it’s difficult!
Philip: I think this town is full of talented bands in all genres. Some of my local favorites are The Sons of Hercules, Top Dead Center, The Heroine, Before the Bloodshed, and the mighty LoKey. Jar of Flies is one kick ass cover band too.
=sonic=: Deadpool, Before the Bloodshed (though I keep missing them as of late), Drowing Mona, Lokey, Kritickill and Slurly.
Jay: My favorite local bands are Turbo360, Lil Bit and the Customatics, Drowning Mona, Sean Castillo. There are others; I just can't think of them.

Where else in Texas have you played?
=sonic=: Temple, Corpus Christi, Dallas and Austin.
Cindy: and more to come…

Your self-titled CD is coming out this month. Give us all of the details.
Philip: It was recorded and mixed by Keith Krouse at Monster Music Studios and then David Castell (Blue October, The Toadies) mastered it. Henry Quiara did the artwork and I think the disc came out really good. We recorded 10 songs in 6 days so that raw energy is definitely there but it still sounds polished.
Jay: It's gonna rock socks.



Can you describe the new songs?
Philip: They rock. We’re a female fronted band with balls.
Cindy: They range from radio friendly to edgy and aggressive. There is something on this disc for everyone.
=sonic=: The CD is a good representation of our sound but to describe a few; “Crawl” is a “hook” drenched instant radio single and “In the Bedroom” displays a heavier darker side. Some new material that we have played live, like “Pretending”, will be on a future release but it gives a glimpse at our progression forward as a unit and received great feedback at our last performance.
Jay: They sound kinda like the old ones, but completely different.

What is your favorite song on the album and why?
Cindy: My favorite song is “In the Bedroom”. I remember hearing the musical accompaniment the guys came up with and thinking that it sounded kind of creepy. Lyrically, I wanted to write something very “Forensic Files” or “Cold Case Files” to it. Then I thought of how cool it would be to write about women who kill their husbands because there is another show, “Snapped”, that’s pretty much about just that. My next favorite song on the CD is “Stripped”. It’s really hard to pick though and if you ask me this question on a different day, you could very well get a different answer.
Philip: My favorite is one through ten.
=sonic=: “In the Bedroom”. It starts off all nice and sweet but then, out of nowhere, goes into this wicked crunching pattern and Cindy’s vocals are just smooth and yet hair raising. The music is just solid, man.
Jay: I'm a big fan of “Reminiscing” because it is the most fun to play and oddly one of the more difficult songs, and to me, you can't help but feel the raw emotion behind the song. I'm always out of breath after we're done playing it…or even after just listening to it.

What can people expect at your CD release party?
Cindy: They can expect to hear most, if not all, of the new songs from the CD as well as a new song or two, a couple of new covers; be a part of plenty of energy and receive a guitar giveaway from Sam Ash music as well as other giveaways. Oh yeah, and there will be hot chicks there too!
Jay: 2 parts debauchery, 3 parts Jagermeister, 10 parts rock!

When Words Attack is being featured on a CD compilation from Pennsylvania. How did you all get on the compilation?
Jay: The community College I went to in PA actually had a great Music Merchandising program that I was a part of and apparently is still going strong. Someone recently got the bright idea to put together a compilation of current and past graduates of the program and somehow they tracked me down way out here in central Texas.
Cindy: The proceeds will go to various charities such as the Central Pennsylvania Food bank and Habitat for Humanity.



Your band has had to deal with some negative press and a few haters in the local music scene. How have you handled it and how has it affected the band?
Cindy: Blow it off. Who cares?
Philip: Sometimes it’s hard not to take it personal, especially when someone gets personal in his or her writing but you just have to realize it’s one person’s opinion. We never set out to be everything to everyone. I don’t think any band can do that now a days. We’re in it for the love of music and some people will love it and some will hate it. You have to learn to take it with a grain of salt and if you can pull anything constructive out of it, that’s a good thing. I think it has made our band stronger because we believe in one another.

What are your long-term goals?
Cindy: Take the music as far as we can before we die.
Philip: Keep on rockin’ in the city of Compton and then see how far it goes from there!
=sonic=: Friendship, musical progression and hellafiedness!
Jay: Keep rockin' until my arthritic fingers don't move anymore.

What’s your favorite drink?
Cindy: When I’m at home, I prefer red wine, preferably Cabernet Sauvignon but when I’m out and about, it varies from Rum & Coke to Jack or Crown and Coke to Jaeger with and/or without an energy drink so it really just depends on what sort of mood I’m in.
Philip: Jager Bombs and Budweiser and let’s not forget the occasional “safety meeting”. =sonic=: Bullblasters, Orange Whips and Liquid Sunshines!
Jay: Titos, Sailor Jerry.

Any final thoughts?
Philip: Support your local music scene and make it out to the CD release. It’s going to be a great show with Drowning Mona, Goodnight Ether, Coda Vary & Sev7sky. Cheers!
Cindy: Check out the new website at whenwordsattack.com.
=sonic=: Thanks to my bandmates and all our family and friends for the support. To The Edge, we greatly appreciate your support of the music scene and to all the bands known and unknown to us, please keep feeding the scene with your music and we hope to share the stage with ya’ll someday!
Jay: Don't pet the sweaty stuff.

Check out When Words Attack live:
Saturday, December 19th at Zombies *CD Release Party
Saturday, January 23rd at Click’s Billiards *Manopalooza
Thursday, January 28th at Nightrocker’s Live *Nightrocker’s B-day Bash

whenwordsattack.com
myspace.com/whenwordsattack



- The Edge Magazine


Discography

Self titled CD out now on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, E-music; Encore Records & Tapes ATX; Hogwild, CD Trader, Cracker Box Palace SATX and at live shows! Featuring "In the Bedroom", "Bare", "Confession", & "Reminiscing".

Photos

Bio

BIO:
A weary breath draws through hopeless lungs as an inner dialogue that is the culmination of all the world’s sorrow, joy, hate, love, rage, adulation and every sentiment in between rushes from a bleak existence. A cacophonic symphony of raw energy, emotions and experiences filter through fire, blood, guts, guitars and pulverizing beats translating into the distant familiarity of an original idea. The rhythmic heartbeat of a group whose time has come resounds through valleys constructed to shepherd the unassuming. Walls crumble as the valleys flood with sound and a world turns to listen...this is When Words Attack!

Formed in 2005, When Words Attack quickly gained respect and recognition for "a heavy sound that fuses alternative and metal" (Jim Beal Jr., San Antonio Express-News.) The group was awarded Best New Act in The Edge Magazine's Best of 2005 Reader's Pick’s Awards. In December of 2009, When Words Attack released their self-titled debut CD on Capone Records. The music is “…Hard rock built not on clichés but on excellent songs and first-class musicianship. " (Jim Beal Jr., San Antonio Express-News) with song content ranging from love, fun and good times to profound emotion and tragedy. When Words Attack has opened for national acts such as In this Moment, The 69 Eyes, Dommin and Fates Warning and is proudly sponsored by El Perrito tequila.

MEDIA:
"Every member in When Words Attack is a master of their craft and is sure to blow your mind with their professionalism...Arranged and produced magnificently, When Words Attack give us a full album [10 songs] of great music that is meant to be listened to as a whole. From the opening tune, titled Confession, which wastes no time in setting a powerful pace - to the heavy rhythm of Reminiscing - to the bold music and message of Liquid Sunshine - to the empowering closing track titled Crawl...When Words Attack are a breath of fresh air...with their dedication and passion to the music they create"--Zach Marcotte, The Edge Magazine

“Striking a daring balance between brainy musicianship and seductive melodies, the new self-titled release from When Words Attack blends bewitching vocals with stormy goth-metal thunder that evokes the echoes of Evanescence , the chill of Cold and the twitchy sci-fi of Tool and VoiVod.”—Metal Dave Glessner

On When Words Attack's debut CD, "I have it in my bedroom."--Randy Bonillas, 99.5 KISS FM

"When Words Attack...bring(s)...groove-heavy riffs and unique musical style to the forefront...the experience and professionalism that this band exudes on stage really makes a difference and their fans notice that."--Matt Mirabella, The Music Life

"When Words Attack (has) a heavy sound that fuses alternative and metal. (Their) work ethic is intact."--Jim Beal Jr., San Antonio Express-News

“The music of When Words Attack is edgy and bittersweet...Cindy’s voice is clean and melodic on the slower numbers, but she can effortlessly summon vocal strength powerful enough to neatly slice through Phil’s pounding...rhythms and weave amongst Steve’s masterful guitar licks.”--Elizabeth Lutri, The Edge Magazine

“…Hard rock built not on clichés but on excellent songs and first-class musicianship. "--Jim Beal Jr., San Antonio Express-News

AWARDS:
Best Bassist
Best Website
Best New Act
Most Supportive of the Music Scene
--The Edge Magazine's Best of 2005 Reader's Poll