Trying to be different in an over-saturated scene in metal is so hard nowadays. The internet has opened the world to a plethora of bands, resulting in copycat bands and for genres of music to be the next big thing before disappearing underground once again. Warpath are four Native American Indians and offer something that little bit different to that of the norm, if not musically then definitely more so lyrically. Warpath utilise dual vocals, there are clean vocals mixed with hardcore shouting over groove metal and more than a hint of Pantera. Have a look at the attached video and you’ll see what I mean. They are currently causing waves around their local area and beyond in America, and with a second album on the way, things are looking good for the Warpath Nation.
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Chance Perez, the Bison and Dean Osuna, the Bear, are tribal members of the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel. Harrison Whitecloud, the Buck and Danny Trujillo, the Rattlesnake, are tribal members of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. Both tribes are located in San Diego County, California, USA.
You are from the Santa Ysabel and Barona Indian tribes. How did you meet?
Being from the reservation we’re all family and we all grew up together.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
To answer both questions we are a perfect blend of Native American culture and heavy metal music.
You recently released a self-titled album. How does it feel to finally get something out there after all the blood, sweat and tears during the process?
We feel very proud, accomplished, and rewarded.
Is there a main lyricist within the band? What would you say the main themes of your lyrics are?
As of late, Chance has been the main lyricist. However, we are now working on the second album collectively. We have no specific theme. We write about anything that means something to us.
How often is the band able to get together and rehearse in the studio? Where do you get together and record?
We get together religiously twice a week and record at PSI studios, which is our bass player’s studio.
How are the songs constructed in the studio? Are there the main songwriters of songs that take care of everything or is Warpath a band where all members contribute to the songs?
The songs were constructed before we went into the studio but were refined once we were in the studio. And in Warpath, everyone is a lyricist, everyone is a guitar player, everyone is a bassist, and everyone is a drummer.
Being a four piece and having different musical influences within the band, is there sometimes a lot of negotiating in the studio or do you feel you are writing the music you want to for the band?
Every single song is run to the gauntlet so to speak, but the end result winds up being what Warpath truly is.
You have been playing on the live front for some time now with some big bands like Marduk and have some exciting gigs coming up with Jinjer, The Iron Maidens and Soulfly. What can we expect from a Warpath show?
A kick-ass, high-energy show!
How hard has it been to juggle the touring side of things with the everyday jobs? Do you have plans to go on more bigger tours and further afield in 2019?
No problem at all! We are blessed with a flexible schedule. However, for the rest of 2019, we are mainly focusing on writing and completing our second album.
How hard is it for a metal band like Warpath to survive in the current climate where bands have to tour non stop and sell merchandise in order to bring money back into the band?
It’s gruelling but everybody has to do it. It’s just how the industry is nowadays.
Before the internet, magazines and fanzines were the places to find out about new bands and trends. Now publications are replaced with thousands of websites catering for all genres. Do you think that some of the passion has been lost or do you think that the internet has been a good thing for music and Warpath?
The passion hasn’t been lost. It’s just been altered. The internet is a double-edged sword. The internet killed album sales but it made bands more accessible.
What are the rest of your plans for 2019?
We plan on spending our time writing and recording the second album.
Being from the San Diego area, are there any other bands from your local scene that you would recommend?
The Dead Serial Killers and the Unsung
A fun question to end this interview. If you were a DJ and were allowed to bring 5 CDs to the party, what would they be?
Chance Perez: Slipknot – Vol. 3
Dean Osuna: Queensrÿche – Operation Mind Crime
Harrison Whitecloud: Van Halen – Van Halen
Danny Trujillo: Pantera – Cowboys from Hell
Any last message for our readers here at Moshville Times?
Chance Perez – Thank you, Warpath Nation, for your undying support.
Dean Osuna – I would like to encourage all of the young musicians to follow their dreams.
Harrison Whitecloud – Be safe, be cool to one another, and listen to Pantera.
Danny Trujillo- Thank you, Warpath Nation, for an incredible year! Without you, there’d be no us.
Warpath: official | facebook | instagram
Photos courtesy of Corinna Gregory Old No 11 Brand Photography: facebook | Instagram
