Recently I caught up with Alex Davidson (Drums) and Kyle Medina (Vocals) from Bodysnatcher. Give it a read and get to learn about this dominate FL Beatdown outfit. We talk about the start, the present and future of the band.
Please introduce yourself and what you do in Bodysnatcher?
Alex: Hello, I am Alex and I drum for Bodysnatcher.
Kyle: I’m Kyle, I do vocals.
How did Bodysnatcher get started?
Alex: Well Ben, Colton, and I used to be in a pop punk band called “Behind These Dreams” and by the end of it Ben (guitar) and I had been so sick of playing pop punk, and had been listening to a lot more heavy music (ie: Silence, Gideon, Sworn In, etc…) and that is all we really wanted to do. So once that band died (well we called it quits… kind of) we started writing heavy music together. After writing a little bit we picked up Colton (bass) because he was one of our best friends and we knew he would be down to play this. We met Kyle (vocals) through shows (well they did- I actually went to middle school with him and we were pretty good friends throughout it) and brought him in, since then we’ve just been writing and getting ready to play shows.
Kyle: Well, I guess Colton, Ben and Alex had just been in another local band, Behind These Dreams, and they wanted to play some heavier stuff, so one day, Ben and Colton messaged me and asked if I was interested in possibly doing vocals, months later and here we are.
If you could sign with any label who would it be and why?
Alex: That’s a hard one, we know for a while we are going to DIY it- mainly to not try and rush into “getting signed” and stuff like that. But, some of our favorite labels that have some of our favorite bands probably would have to be Sumerian, Rise, Facedown, and Mediaskare.
Kyle: Honestly, if it were up to me, Sumerian or Artery would be sweet, but honestly, I think we’re going to go the unsigned route for a while and not rush for a label.
What does the rest of 2014 hold in store for Bodysnatcher?
Alex: Well, we’re still writing for our EP, which we kind of already have mapped out. We’re going to go back to Jesse Kirkbride to do it, and hopefully it will be released this winter, honestly we’re super stoked for it. Also were trying to pack the summer with shows, we’ve currently got a few “runs” planned with a band here that we’re pretty good friends with that we’re really stoked for. And also, we’re trying to go out west a little bit, and hook up with our friends in Overthrower, because those are seriously the best dudes.
Kyle: Well our EP should be finished by Winter and we’re recording through Jesse Kirkbride, so be on the lookout for that! Other than that I know we will be doing some runs with some of our friends in other bands in the summer time!
Musically who inspires you to make music and why (Go in-depth)?
Alex: This list is kind of going to be all over the place, but these are the bands that have pretty much made we want to be in music/play music, etc…: Korn, Underoath, the Deftones, Slipknot, The Devil Wears Prada, Comeback kid, etc…
Kyle: Me? I would say Immoralist, Genocide District, Overthrower, Feign, Betrayal, Just anything heavy and pissed off haha. I mean, vocally, all of them have very aggressive lyrics and vocals which just makes me want to get better at what I do.
People have been saying the FL “scene” is dead, what is your take on this?
Alex: I do not think that the FL scene overall is dead, but the local scenes around FL are totally dying out, shows are getting more and more towards ‘if it’s not a big band playing, I am not going’. So it really sucks for local bands. But on the other hand, the FL hardcore/metal/etc… scene is definitely alive. Hell, in the past 6 months we have had probably two of the biggest fest in hardcore that aren’t like TIH or Sound/Fury (RIP), (those being Southeast Beast, and F.Y.A fest).
Kyle: Honestly, in some areas it is. Its quite sad, I go places and see all these people that could be attending shows but just don’t because “they aren’t big, so I dont like them” or “I’d rather sit at home and do absolutely nothing.” But, go to Tampa, Miami, or Orlando, and its quite the opposite, I guess you just have to be in the right area.
If you could tour with any three bands, who would they be and why?
Alex: Hmm, this Is kind of hard, so I am going to take it in two aspects, a) bands that are somewhat realistic but still pretty farfetched, and b) bands that are pretty much imaginary for us to tour with.
a) Black Tongue, Dealey Plaza, Gideon
b) Korn, Oceano, Slipknot
Kyle: Thats easy. Overthrower, Dealey Plaza, Voices. Those guys are all super chill and have dope music haha.
What message would you like to or do convey to the listener through Bodysnatchers music?
Alex: We’re not trying to fall into the new “sad boy” trend that’s happening, but we’re kind of putting out all of our pent up anger through our music. So if you need something to get your anger out, give us a listen, if not listen to Nails because that also does the trick.
Kyle: Don’t take anyone’s shit. It’s better to be angry than to be sad. Remember that when you’re going through something tough.
What would be your favorite FL venue to play and your least from favorite and why?
Alex: Hmmm… Our favorite so far would have to be the Goat House in Tampa, that venue is seriously sick, and the people who run it are seriously the best; any band hitting Tampa should go there.
Kyle: my favorite would have to be The Goathouse in Odessa, shows get nuts there haha. and my least favorite? Honestly playing anywhere would be awesome, just as long as people enjoy it and are having fun!
In closing is there anything you would like to add for the readers?
Thank you for reading this, and also if you’ve checked out our music/liked us on facebook/whatever seriously thank you. Hopefully we’ll be playing a city near you and you can possibly come out and headbang. We seriously can’t wait for what’s to come.
