Interview with Rick Ferrante of Sasquatch

Sasquatch play a very 1960's/1970's influenced style of metal. They are based in LA and are on Small Stone records. I recently interviewed drummer Rick Ferrante to find out more about this band.

MM-Tell us some about the history of this band?
Rick: Can’t really remember dates, but it started in Philly by Keith, and then he moved to LA. I {Rick} met him in 01 or 02 through stonerrock.com. He met Clay & Tom Oz, played with them a while, then I came in.



MM-What are you currently working on?
Rick: Writing songs for CD #3, TRYING to line up a Euro tour & more US dates. IF the gas prices don't get too fucked up.-You changed bass players last summer.



MM-How is the current line-up working out?
Rick: Great! We knew Cas from other friend's bands, plus we shared a rehearsal space with him already. Great guy, responsible, plus he is Italian! Now we have an all Wop band!



MM-Is Cas from LA or did he move them from some place else like he rest of the band?
Rick: He is from Chicago & used to play in the Small Stone band "Tummler".



MM-What is the most difficult thing about adjusting to living in LA?
Rick: Traffic, crowded, expensive to go out, rent, competing with trendy "Scenester" band bullshit to get good shows at good clubs.



MM-Has your approach to playing and writing changed any since this band formed?
Rick: I think just by staying together long enough, makes you want to try new things. We try to be somewhat consistent as well. We don't really mess with alternative/artsy/odd time/curve ball shit in songs. We still focus on a groove & a hook. It's all about "songs".



MM-You toured Europe with Roadsaw last year. How did that go?
Rick: We never did get to do that, the thing kinda fell through with the booking agent. This year hopefully.



MM-How are audiences in Europe different than over here in the states?
Rick: From what I gather, they seem to be more "into it" or appreciative of bands that come all the way out there to show them a good time. That is just plain bad ass cool! In a lot of those countries, it's all those kids have & they really show up & support. Here they seem to be more "Trend Followers".







MM-Obviously you like a lot of 1970’s hard rock/metal. What do you think made bands from that decade so special?
Rick: Feel, Soul, Identity, great singing & Blues influenced guitar playing. All that is really non-existent anymore. Listen to the acoustic song "Nikki" from our 2nd CD. That's old school "Singing".



MM-Since you are in LA have you shared a bill with any bands that you thought were way different from your style of music?Rick: Well, not by our choice, but sometimes we end up playing with a Punk influenced band, or a College/Alternative/Underground band or a "Modern" style Metal band. We prefer the latter. Not a lot of "our kind" of style Rock around here. You play on a mixed style bill; that band’s crowd sometimes ends up leaving after they get done. Wankers.



MM-On your Myspace page you talk some about your live show. What are you guys doing live that no one else is doing?

Rick: I would say focusing on good, old school guitar leads for one. Kind of a lost art it seems. A shame really.



MM-What do you hope to accomplish in 2008?
Rick: New CD & playing out more, Europe & here.







MM-Are you “Planet of the apes” fans or did you just think that picture would make a good cover for your second album?
Rick: Both! Roddy McDowell ruled! Plus, it symbolized the 70's influence & the ape/Sasquatch connection.



MM-Pick the band from the following pair that you prefer and tell why.

Fireball Ministry or Nebula
Rick: Both. Fireball for the old school solid Brit Metal {Preist/Saxon} that we dig. Nebula for the loose trippy Blues, Detroit/garage vibe.



Cactus or Mountain
Rick: Both. No explanation needed! Rest in Peace Rusty.



Budgie or Pentagram
Rick: Budgie. More Bluesey & Rock-n-Roll. But the darkness of Pentagram is great as well.



Electric Wizard or Orange Goblin
Rick: We are into more Rock than Doom, so I would say OG. I like the more Rock stuff from OG better than their older Punk influenced. stuff as well. I like the Electric Wizard stuff the same way I like the Pentagram stuff. Jus & Liz are nice people as well. Wish they would come back soon, we want take them to the pub for some beer & grub again! We can do German this time.



MM-Is there anything else that you would like to say about your band or your music?
Rick: Just that we hope to make some sort of mark & re introduce kids to the way Heavy Rock used to be like & should be like. Again, Bluesey influenced guitar leads & singing, feel, good hooks & grooves, solid drumming with a slight jazz influence with nice little fills...I am the drummer so I must throw that in...ha ha......Cheers brothers & Sisters!



http://www.myspace.com/sasquatchrocks



-Thanks to Rick for doing the interview.