Christian nu metal act P.O.D. is hitting the road this spring to promote their latest record, Veritas, which will be released May 3rd. With a bill that includes Bad Wolves, Norma Jean, and Blind Channel, the I Got That Tour kicks off at the 98 KUPD U Fest in Phoenix, Arizona. Tickets available now at payableondeath.com!
4/26 – Phoenix, AZ – 98 KUPD U Fest 2024^
4/28 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
4/29 – Santa Ana, CA – Observatory
5/1 – Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco Theater
5/2 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
5/4 – Colorado Springs, CO – Sunshine Studios Live
5/5 – Wichita, KS – TempleLive at Wichita Scottish Rite Center
5/7 – East Moline, IL – The Rust Belt
5/9 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre
5/10 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre
5/11 – Jacksonville, NC – Hooligans
5/12 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome to Rockville 2024^
5/15 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave/Eagles Club*
5/16 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple Festival 2024^
5/17 – Reading, PA – Reverb
5/18 – Ledyard, CT – Foxwoods Resort Casino*
5/19 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
5/21 – New Kensington, PA – Preserving Underground
5/23 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
5/24 – Turtle Lake, WI – St. Croix Casino Turtle Lake Hotel
Louisiana-based metal project We Are The Virus is releasing new music on February 29th! Put together and performed by front man Ryan Henry, “Get Bent” is an instrumental piece that clocks in at 3 minutes, 20 seconds.
The driving beat and intricate thrum of the bass form a solid foundation, and for the first minute or so, a rock-oriented riff is crafted upon this pedestal. But don’t let that lull you into complacency! At roughly the 1:14 mark, the listener is carried into a journey of guitar work, from delay effects to a shredding solo that speaks of WATV’s classic metal influences. The song then falls back into a maelstrom of drums, bass, and guitar, building to its rather abrupt ending.
The story behind the track? According to Ryan, the inspiration was a literal “get bent” to those people who are nothing but a problem in your life. Where words fail, music speaks, as they say, and “Get Bent” is a musically blistering “not anymore” to those who need to be dismissed for your own peace of mind.
Don’t miss “Get Bent” on your favorite streaming service, and be sure to follow We Are The Virus on their various socials so you never miss an update! And, if you would like to learn more about the band, check out the interview I did with Ryan back in November 2023.
We Are The Virus is a project from Louisiana that spans metal and all of its subgenres. Front man, and sole permanent member, Ryan Henry brought WATV to life in the wake of Covid, as a way to vent the emotions of everyday life.
I was given the opportunity to talk to Ryan about the beginnings of We Are The Virus, the inspiration behind the music, the latest album, Civil Disobedience, and more.
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How was We Are The Virus formed, and what’s the story behind the name?
Ryan: The, let’s call it “project,” of WATV formed in early 2021, basically out of a Covid-ridden landscape. I had played guitar for most of my life – close to 25 years – and never really attempted a project “solo”. I was 2 years out of a divorce, and my (now) wife had been pushing me to really get back to my musical roots. Really connect back with the music again. We had made it a huge part of our relationship, and she could see how much playing and creating meant to me. She pushed me back into it, and I dove in head first. The name was actually a suggestion from one of the collaborators on the album, Mike O’Brien (Texas Murder Crew; who is also a firefighter as I am). The name really RESONATED crazily with me – I’ve worked in hazardous material response for most of my adult life and was an extreme zombie movie fanatic for years, so it truly fit.
Who are your major influences? Did you and the others involved all come from similar musical backgrounds, or did you have to blend different influences into the sound y’all have created?
Ryan: The collaborators on the album Civil Disobedience have SIMILAR backgrounds; however, the difference in proximity to each other has for sure played a huge influence. I collaborated with Mike O’Brien and Aaron Bazen (Truth and Tragedy) on the album. Both had the heavy musical influence, but the direction was different. Mike being from a Slam/Deathcore background and Aaron being from a Hardcore background brought a few different flavors to the mix. I am the sole constant member in the band, but I feel like it’s very important to fill in my gaps with someone able to express their 100% creative freedom. And I’m lucky to have worked with these two because of the sheer ethic and drive they both have.
Speaking of Civil Disobedience, it was released back in August. Can you tell me a little about the writing and recording process for the album?
Ryan: The writing and recording process for Civil Disobedience was a huge hurdle for me. After being guided into the musical process again by my wife, it was a gateway of emotional sputum. I did not realize what I had inside after my career of firefighting and going through life changes that needed to come out. My writing process was pretty erratic. I didn’t know when or why; however, when it felt as if it needed to come out, it was TIME. There were many times my wife and I were having a normal day together, and I would tell her, “Hey, I need to play, it needs to come out.” Most of the songs were put together quickly, like when it was time to happen, it got spewed out onto the page.
How do you feel your career as a firefighter influences your music?
Ryan: My career, as much as I hate to admit, probably has influenced my music quite a bit. There’s a lot of really dark shit to deal with in emergency response. I’ve seen a lot of death, sometimes natural, sometimes not, but on the contrary, I’ve also been a part of saving lives. It’s an extreme polar bounce of emotions thinking of how it could have influenced. There was one really particular incident where my music and response crossed inadvertently. Years ago, without giving too many details, we worked a fatal car accident involving a young teenage driver. While I had been into heavy music most of my life at this point, I noticed in the deceased’s vehicle there was an album in the back seat, an album that I also owned at the time. That call has always haunted me for many reasons, but the connection of music between the driver and us trying to save them has really stuck with me. Sorry for being vague! It’s out of respect for the patient.
Let’s talk further back. What was it that first inspired you to create? Was there any particular band/artist, or a moment you remember thinking “that’s what I want to do”?
Ryan: To create, I feel like the best answer to this is the feeling or need to express. Behaviorally, I do feel I’ve always been reserved and almost empathetic or too in tune with how others are feeling or have felt. Creation and expression of the music reverses that for those moment and makes me feel powerful. Mentally, it’s helped me considerably to each day take time out to work on music and gotten me back on a track where I’m feeling confident and as if I can take on the world. Growing up, there was a turning point as far as artists that really inspired me. I grew up listening to my dad’s vinyl collection of Deep Purple, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and ZZ Top. These bands paved the way for me to get into Black Sabbath and the darker aspects of music. But two bands really solidified me and inspired me to play, and those were Metallica and Korn. These two bands made me want to pick up a guitar every day and play, particularly Metallica’s The Black Album, and Korn’s Life is Peachy.
While we’re discussing your musical tastes, I have to ask, just for fun, is there anyone you listen to that you think would surprise people?
Ryan: Well, as a teenager, I would never have admitted any sort of guilty pleasure. You know, the older I get – I really start to feel like none of my musical pleasure should be guilty (although it could be slightly embarrassing). I love the band The Police. Copeland was an amazing drummer, and I focus on it each time I hear the music. Also, country artist, if you would really call it that, Cody Jinks. Cody Jinks has some really deep stuff. He has very obviously been through some shit in his life, and his song “David” always strikes a cord with me because of my emergency response background. Essentially he, as a police officer, responds to the death of a childhood friend. Listen to the song and really explore it lyrically, really great stuff.
As far as songs that resonate, which one of your own tracks from the new album do you connect with the most? (If there is such a song.)
Ryan: “One Dark Highway,” without a doubt. Musically, the song was written at a super low point. It was my droning song to myself about being in the middle of a dark intersection in the middle of nowhere. Looking in all directions with no headlights, just darkness and a chill in the air. Lyrically, I had given Mike O’Brien the name of the song, and he wrote the corresponding lyrics without any sort of prompt from me other than the name, and the lyrics just sent it right home. “So I walk on this highway, searching for a change” gives me chills and is my favorite, beyond a shadow of a doubt.
What are your plans for the rest of 2023 and beyond?
Ryan: The rest of 2023 is getting used to the live performance aspect of the album. Generally I’ll just play the guitars live with a backing track. I’ve lined up some shows and am hammering out all of the kinks of performance like that. It’s still absolutely crazy to me when I see people vibing to the music I’m playing because it seems surreal. It was selfishly in a way written for me to get my emotional crap out, but people are resonating with it, and it’s odd to get used to it, but I love it.
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We Are The Virus dropped the debut album Civil Disobedience on August 18th. You can stream it here.
Mudvayne is touring this summer, and they’re bringing along one hell of a lineup: Coal Chamber, Gwar, Nonpoint, and Butcher Babies! Get your tickets at mudvayne.com.
7/20 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
7/21 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds
7/23 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
7/25 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
7/26 – Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
7/28 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
7/29 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
7/30 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
8/1 – Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
8/2 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
8/4 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
8/5 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
8/6 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
8/8 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
8/9 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center
8/10 – Bonner Springs, KS – Azura Amphitheater
8/12 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
8/13 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
8/15 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
8/16 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
8/17 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
8/19 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion
8/20 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
8/22 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
8/23 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
8/25 – West Valley City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
8/26 – Englewood, CO – Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre
Mostly Music 