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Not very often do we come across a local band that just seems to get it. And not too often do we come across a band that has IT. So when I came across a band named Serianna, it was music to my ears...in more ways than one. Their music is extremely refreshing to those metalheads, myself included, who are begging and pleading on hand and knee for good, pure metal. None of this gift wrapped, prepackaged corporate shit that is shoved into our eardrums by the suits and ties sitting in their penthouse mansions. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Serianna.
- Hometown: Janesville/Madison, Wisconsin
- Since: 2007
- Website: myspace.com/
seriannarocks - Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/
Serianna/213548163239 - Other Social Media: purevolume.com/Serianna
- Upcoming show dates/locations: December 11th at the Annex in Madison, Wisconsin
Hard-Rock-Reviews.com: Describe your music to me as if I'm someone who has never seen or heard you perform before.
Chris Ferraro (Drums): I would say it's honest, intense, hard-hitting metal-core.
Chris Ferraro (Drums): I would say it's honest, intense, hard-hitting metal-core.
Kris Meyer-Ruef (Guitar): Riffs, breakdowns, Sing-alongs, everything we love about metal!
HRR: Is there a message that you're trying to portray with your music?
Chris Ferraro: Our lyrics strive to push people to challenge themselves and their surroundings. From our experiences in life, nothing comes easy, and that's what makes life worth it.
James Milbrandt (Guitar): Everything we write is as a whole, each of us constantly challenging each other to play/write to the best of our abilities.
Kris Meyer-Ruef: There’s so much negativity in the music scene these days, I guess we hope to set an example with our music to stay positive, and look at live critically; spread tolerance and awareness.
Kris Meyer-Ruef: There’s so much negativity in the music scene these days, I guess we hope to set an example with our music to stay positive, and look at live critically; spread tolerance and awareness.
HRR: Who are some of the national bands you've shared the stage with?
Serianna: August Burns Red, Chiodos, Miss May I, Attack Attack, Bless The Fall, Bury your dead, Misery Signals, Emarosa, Suicide Silence, and we played side-stage for Disturbed/Killswitch Engage Music As A Weapon Tour.
HRR: Who would you say are some of your influences are? Are these influences evident in any of your albums/songs? (Examples)
Serianna: Bands like August Burns Red, As I Lay Dying, Misery Signals, and After The Burial, Veil of Maya, Our Last Night, Killswitch Engage, Parkway Drive, Thrice, and For The Fallen Dreams are huge to us, they are all very intense bands
James Milbrandt: Basically bands that can keep their heavy parts heavy yet their pretty parts pretty, play a huge impact on me.
James Milbrandt: Basically bands that can keep their heavy parts heavy yet their pretty parts pretty, play a huge impact on me.
HRR: With thousands of local bands out there, what sets you apart from the others?
Chris Ferraro: Our passion and belief in the music scene, I know that sounds cheesy, but music has played such a big role in all five of our lives. We want to reach people the same way we were reached when we were younger. Shows were my escape when I was younger, I didn't see bands because they were "famous" I went because music spoke to me.
James Milbrandt: We put everything we have into writing each and every song. We rack our brains down to every last note. I think our determination and work ethic to make every song better then the last sets us apart.
Kris Meyer-Ruef: I see kids at shows less and less, and the ones that still do come out don't seem to care. I think a big part of this is that the bar has been lowered on new music out there. I like to think that with as much time as we put into our songs, that we are raising that bar again. I think we have the spark to get kids pumped about good metal again.
HRR: It's the zombie apocalypse and each of you only get one weapon to defend yourselves and behead the undead...
Chris Nutting: I’d say a samurai sword. Cutting up those zombies would be like slicing through butter. Plus it’ll tone my upper body swinging that thing around.
Chris Ferraro: Hahah, For those who have read the Zombie Survival Guide, you would agree that the Machete is the best weapon for that.
James Milbrandt: I would be too tired after like 4 swings with a melee weapon...unlike you guys apparently...My weapon of choice would be a jet pack. I would take the bigger man approach and walk away from a fight...or in this case...fly away from a fight.
Lee Milbrandt (Bass): Sawed off shotgun! They always seem to work best and look the coolest in hand!
Meyer-Ruef: Is a tank a weapon? I'm really feelin' a tank.
HRR: Why did you guys choose to play metal?
Chris Ferraro: It's musically the most intense, and lyrically the most honest. Nothing gets your blood moving like a good metal song!
Chris Nutting: I like the emotion behind it, as well as the intensity of metal. No other genre can compare.
James Milbrandt: When I listen to music, the thing that always catches my ear is guitar riffs. I’m a huge fan of riffs and breakdowns and no other music out there grabs my attention like metal does. That…and I’m rebelling against my parents! (I’m just) kidding!
Lee Milbrandt: It’s super intense! Who goes to a concert to just stand. That’s what CD's and DVD's are for. We strive to make the live show fun and exciting for anyone that comes out. Even if you don't like our kind of music, you'll appreciate our live show.
Kris Meyer-Ruef: You know...I never really bothered with guitar lessons and I grew up listening to metal. Riffing just made the most sense to me when I started playing. To be honest, I don't think I could play other genres at this point if I wanted to.
HRR: In your eyes, what's the biggest challenge about breaking into the music scene or expanding your fan base?
Chris Nutting: I think the biggest challenge is getting anybody to help with your music.
Obviously you have to earn it, but its hard getting help with promoting, or booking shows out of state because if you’re not on a label these days, not too many people will help.
Lee Milbrandt: Helping other bands as well as to always better your own band. Investing money in good recordings, MySpace pages, band pictures, promotions and t-shirts. Just looking and acting professional leaves a good lasting impression on every person you meet and play for.
Kris Meyer-Ruef: Apathy. It seems like getting kids to care these days is like trying to yell through a brick wall. The genre is over saturated, and I think in some ways, bands that don't put the time in make kids less stoked on paying for admission, albums and merchandise. Also, record sales are at an all time low (no pun intended), Torrents are destroying the best way for musicians to make money.
HRR: Anything you'd like to say to your fans?
Chris Nutting: We want to say thanks to the fans for all of your support so far. The music scene in Wisconsin seems to be down, so it’s awesome to still see kids coming to see us play.
Without their support, we would be stuck playing in one of our garages for the rest of our lives.
Lee Milbrandt: It’s a hard genre to become successful with. We have had lots of haters with heavier music. A few of us are from a town that doesn't support heavy music, but we stand strong in what we believe is good music.
Kris Meyer-Ruef: Man, we've made friends and lost friends. I think image is overplayed in metal these days, and often times kids bail before your 30 seconds into a set because our ears aren't stretched, we aren't wearing basket ball shirts, and we're not here to "spread the hate". Standing by your convictions in the industry, and staying positive isn't always easy.
HRR: Do you have anything big coming up within the next couple of months?
Serianna: Actually, we are finishing up our first full length album that we will have done by the end of December that we’re very excited about. This new music is a pretty big step up from our last EP that we released, so we can’t wait to share it with everyone. We also have some tours coming up in January in support of our full length so see if we're coming to a town near you!