This month, we had the pleasure of sitting down with two of our monthly studio tenants, Killotine and Loversteeth, who will be performing together on September 7th at Doors Pub! We took this opportunity to gain some insight into what it’s like to be a band in Hamilton and to have your own studio space at Main Stage Rehearsal Studios. Let’s kick things off with Killotine!
Main Stage: Hello, Killotine! Thank you for taking the time to do this interview with us. Could you start by telling us a bit about your band?
Killotine: We are Killotine! We are a heavy metal band from Hamilton and we love to play fast and loud! Our four members are Matt Fraser (vocals/guitar), Jesse Luciani (guitar), James McNeil (bass/vocals), and James Beck (drums).
Main Stage: That’s awesome! What are your influences and how would you describe your style?
Killotine: You can definitely hear some major influences from bands like Slayer and Metallica in our music, but everyone in our band listens to so many different genres, that it’s hard to name every single one of them.
Main Stage: It sounds like you guys make a lot of loud music, so what’s it like having your own space at Main Stage?
Killotine: It has been amazing here! Matt and James have been monthly tenants since April of 2022. Finding a space to rehearse at isn’t easy, so we’ve been very grateful to find a place as wonderful as this. The convenience of being able to just walk in and play is fantastic! We love the fact that we can come in and rehearse whenever we feel like. There are also vending machines and a snack stand that has you covered if you need a drink or a snack.
Main Stage: Killotine – What’s your take on Hamilton’s music scene?
Killotine: Hamilton has been our home all our lives, and we definitely love the scene here. So many great bands of so many genres come from this city and it’s great to see them come through Main Stage, whether they are monthly tenants themselves, rehearsing in the hourly rooms, or putting on a show in your Showcase room.
Main Stage: Thank you, Killotine, for the insight!
Main Stage: Now, let’s hear from Loversteeth about their experience as a band in Hamilton.
Hello, Loversteeth! We know you’ve been actively performing and touring across Canada. Could you tell us a bit about your band and your music influences?
Loversteeth: Hey my name is Brandon, I sing and play bass in the band Loversteeth along with my friends Zach Fratoni (Synths & Guitar) Karl Lebel Viens (Guitar/vocals) and Charles Capretta (Drums, Programming) We’re a four-piece alternative metal/Post-Hardcore band, we’re all over the map and we like extremes. The lush beauty of bands like Slowdive pairs nicely with the intensity of something like Norma Jean. Maybe we’re in a weird world of our own somewhere between those two.
Main Stage: You’ve got such an interesting blend of genre influences! What’s it like being a monthly tenant at Main Stage Hamilton?
Loversteeth: We have been at Main Stage for a few years now. Coming in prior to COVID, during previous management. Safe to say that was before the Main Stage crew literally breathed life back into what used to feel like a ghost town.
Honestly, having a secure space to write and record in has been essential for this band. We self-produced and engineered all of the strings and synths on all of our releases to date, as well as do photography for promo edits and show posters. Without Main Stage that wouldn’t be possible.
Main Stage: As a successful band, what are your thoughts on the Hamilton music scene?
Loversteeth: Being a musician in Hamilton is great. There are so many great people and players on all levels across all genres, and it’s almost guaranteed running into a friendly face at Main Stage, or Doors Pub.
Thank you to Killotine and Loversteeth for sharing their insights on being a band in Hamilton!
On September 7th, don’t miss the chance to see Killotine and Loversteeth perform alongside other local talents—Deadlite, Tarbox, and Throne to the Wolves—at Doors Pub. Be sure to catch the show and support local musicians!
