They say practice makes perfect, and with the amount of experience that the members of Allentown, PA rock band Vicious. have, this new project is easily some of their strongest and most confident musical endeavor to date. Formed in 2016, Vicious. is the brainchild of ex-I Am King frontman Sam Sky (Vocals), Dan Artim (Guitar), AJ Larsen (Guitar), and Chris Arcand (Bass), who all came together with a common goal to write music that isn’t confined by one single sound, message or genre. Instead, Vicious. write from the heart, chronicling the human condition and the ups and downs in their own lives, regardless of how ugly things may get.
Last month, Vicious. release the music video for their honest new single, “Everything Sucks,” and they’re starting November off right with the release of their cover of “Sabotage” by The Beastie Boys. With more new music coming soon, you won’t want to take your eyes off of this band. Learn more about Vicious. and watch the video for “Everything Sucks” below!
Interview by Dom Vigil
Can you tell us a little bit about Vicious. for any readers who might not be familiar?
First of all thank you for having us! Stoked on this interview! Vicious. Is a kick your teeth in, rip your heart out kind of band. Or at least I think (hope) it is haha. Dan (Guitar) and I (Sam – Vocals) are former members of a band called I Am King (Rise Records), and this is our new project.
As a relatively young band, what were some of your goals for this project when you were first starting out?
Just trying to earn some market share back if you will. It’s been an incredibly humbling experience starting from absolutely nothing again, but makes us work all the harder. We love the challenge and the process. If we could make a mark in the Tri state area this year and next year, and some of the outlying states, we would be really stoked on that.
Are there any lessons you learned while involved in previous projects that you feel you’ve been able to apply to this band moving forward?
99 percent of “Music Industry people” are full of shit, no one has your back like you do, and not to work with people who are afraid of hard work. Certainly trying to do things a much smarter way this time around. However, a lot of things are timing, and flat out luck in some cases. The game has changed a shit ton from even 5 years ago. All we can do is hope the doors open up and things line up and continue putting 150% into everything we do.
Is there anything that you want to touch on lyrically or accomplish musically with Vicious. that you maybe haven’t had the chance to do in other projects?
We really aren’t married to specific message or sound for that matter. I think if there’s one thing I want to do lyrically and musically is wrote things that are true to what I, or my band is going through and the human condition for all that it is, and at the same time make it accessible to other people. There’s nothing like the feeling of listening to a song, and feeling like that artist/band wrote that song just for you. That’s what I want, and I think that goes for the other members as well. That connection in such a real way. To speak for someone who maybe otherwise wouldn’t have been able to express that, whether it be a positive, negative, or complex feeling. Just capturing that honesty.
You recently released the music video for your new single, “Everything Sucks.” What inspired this song?
Past three years, for me and Dan largely, has been a totally shit show, roller coaster, so that’s how we felt about a lot of things. I think this virtue signaling positivity bullshit that people and artists try to play on is disingenuous and more hurtful than just being honest. Life is no fucking joke, it will eat you up, and spit you the fuck out. Sometimes everything sucks, and that’s okay. It’s important to acknowledge the ups, and the lows and downs.
What do you hope listeners will take away from “Everything Sucks” – especially those who have been having a rough 2017?
I think 2017 has been terrible for most people for one reason or another. Just want them to know and feel that they are not alone. Regardless what political spectrum you fall on, race, gender, age, blah blah blah all that other bullshit; you are a human, sometimes everything sucks. And again, that’s ok to acknowledge.
With “Everything Sucks” out now, can fans expect to hear any more new music before the end of the year?
Oh hell yes. Got a new release dropping November 1st, and three releases after that! We cant wait to get it out there!!
What’s the next step for Vicious.?
Play shows, connect with people, get out of state, build the brand. Its going to be an exciting year of grinding. Find what you love and let it kill you is what we live by.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Just very thankful that you took the time to reach out for us, we are always very grateful for every opportunity we are given. So that being said, THANK YOU for having us! Much love to anyone who still supports us from since way back in the I Am King days, and the same love to all the new friends we have yet to make with this new project!
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