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| DOPE Photo credit-Stephen Jensen |
One of the things we keep seeing happen over recent years is "side projects" that band members come up with. Drummer Angel Bartolotta is one of those musicians that has his own thing going on when he's not touring or working with Dope, so he's been very busy with TC while Dope's been....well, not busy.. His collaborative work with his own band Team Cybergeist has channeled attention nationwide from both music lovers and fellow musicians and seems to appease a good deal of Dope fans chomping at the bit for new music.
Angel took some time to share a few things about himself, both in his professional music career and also in his personal life, with his new bride. Remember the lovely, metal babe with long blue hair that rocked the stage and made heads turn at last years Bandcamp? Well, that was none other than Sally Debauchery, bassist for Team Cybergeist, now the new Mrs. Bartolotta. We also talked with Angel about some past experiences at Bandcamp and what he's been up to.
Angela Villand: Tell us a little about Angel Bartolotta, the man, off the stage. You're newly married to Sally, your bassist; how did the two of you meet? Do you have a "day job" outside of music or are you a full-time musician?
Tech Talk...
Angela: I know our readers would love to hear about your extensive gear in your kit and you just might be the most endorsed stick-man I’ve ever known. How many kits and endorsements are there?
Bandcamp: Looking Back...
Angel took some time to share a few things about himself, both in his professional music career and also in his personal life, with his new bride. Remember the lovely, metal babe with long blue hair that rocked the stage and made heads turn at last years Bandcamp? Well, that was none other than Sally Debauchery, bassist for Team Cybergeist, now the new Mrs. Bartolotta. We also talked with Angel about some past experiences at Bandcamp and what he's been up to.
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| Sally & Angel |
Angel Bartolotta: I met Sally in 2001 when I was on my first tour as the drummer for Genitorturers. We met in the parking lot of The Brewery in Raleigh, North Carolina and immediately became friends. Though we lived in different states, we kept in touch throughout the years. Then years later, in 2009, while both living in Florida, we started dating and she became the live bassist for my project Team Cybergeist. (This has nothing to do with the fact that we were dating. She is an amazing bassist and performer) On November 10, 2010 (our 2 year dating anniversary), I asked Sally to marry me. We got married on April 23, 2011.
I'm pretty much a full-time musician; I'm always working with different bands. I have a home studio where I record bands, do remixes, music videos, and anything else that a band might need. I also give private drum lessons. I try to do anything I can to help the music world, especially the local scene in Florida.
Angela: Let’s go back in time for a minute, to Jr. High and High School. What kind of kid were you? Was music an integral part of your teens? Good grades? What kind of music were you into, what was your first band, etc...?
Angel: I got pretty good grades in school; nothing amazing, but I wasn't failing. I was heavily into surfing, got my black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and I loved writing stories and making home movies. I always had my hands in different things, but the one thing that remained constant was my love for music. I've always been involved in the music scene, even as a kid. I remember banging on cereal bowls with chopsticks and pencils. I loved music, all genres. As a teen, I was into grunge and industrial rock. I started my first band when I was about 13. I did my first National tour (with Genitorturers) when I was 19. Since then I've played drums for PIG, Crossbreed, Switched, The Undead, Rikets, and many other bands. In 2006 I started my own project, Team Cybergeist, right around the time I joined Dope.
Angela: What's the last CD you bought?
Angel: It was a bunch of oldies that Sally and I played at our wedding; fun songs that kept people on the dance floor.
Angela: Are there any bands you wanna pimp out? Ones that you wish would get more attention from people? This is your opportunity to "shamelessly" promote another band.
Angel: I'm heavily involved in the local music scene and I do everything I can to help push and promote local bands. A few of my favorites would be As Bridges Burn, an amazing metal band from Venice, Florida. A Vacant Soul from South Carolina is another one. We’re All Virus is one of my favorite local bands in the Southwest Florida scene.
Tech Talk...
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| Angel Bartolotta, Drummer Dope & Team Cybergeist |
Angel: Which one? Which kit? (Laughing) I have 5 acoustic kits and 2 electronic kits, and I still have my first drum kit. I'm endorsed by DW and PDP Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, ProMark Drumsticks, Evans Drumheads, and Pintech Electronic Percussion. I also have endorsements with Westone In-Ear Monitors, Pick Guy Guitar Picks, Tsunami Cables, and TK Audio Guitar Cabs.
Angela: No one still has their first drum kit, that’s insane. (Laughing) Where do you go to buy new gear? Do you shop locally or do you deal directly with your sponsors?
Angel: I normally order gear straight from the manufacturers and companies that support me. Better service and I know exactly what I'm getting. I've built relationships with these companies and it's like family.
Angela: Why do you like your gear set up the way you do and what is it about your kit that you would recommend to another drummer?
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Angel: All I can say to other drummers is set your kit up so that it's comfortable for you. There's no right or wrong way to set up a drum kit; if it feels right, it is right! When I get a new kit, I sit down and play "air drums” and wherever my feet land, that is where my pedals will go. Wherever my sticks land, that's where my snare, toms, and cymbals will go. Everything is perfect, everything is natural. Don't worry about looking cool, just make sure you are comfortable.
I play with all of my drums low, flat, and even with the top of my kick drum. All of the cymbals are high and flat. A lot of other drummers don't like this because they think it's uncomfortable. But I don't care. It works for me, and that's all that matters.
Angela: Who inspires you to be a better drummer?
Angel: Animal from the Muppets! (Laughing) No really, it's the fans that inspire me to be a better drummer.
Angela: Who inspires you to become a better person?
Angel: My wife and my family.
Angela: What's going on with Dope? It's been AGES since you guys recorded anything new and fans are itching for news. Are there DEFINITE plans to record this year?
Angel: I can't really say anything official about Dope's plans for the future. All I can say is to stay tuned.
Bandcamp: Looking Back...
Angela: Dope has played the JJO Band Camp stage every year since JJO began putting on this summer show. I’m betting with so many Band Camp performances under your belt, you have some stories to share. What were your best experiences and were there any bad ones regarding gear, weather, travel, etc?
Angel: I have two "best experiences" My first time playing Band Camp was obviously amazing. At the time, it was the biggest crowd I have ever played in front of and it was insane! Then, in 2010, I got to play Band Camp with both of my bands, Dope and Team Cybergeist. I played the second stage with Team Cybergeist and the Main Stage with Dope. It was a long day.
I can't really say I've had a bad experience at Band Camp. The closest thing would probably be in 2009, Dope's set was delayed because of tornadoes touching down in the Madison WI area. The wind was blowing gear right off of the stage; it was crazy! Dope and some of the Static-X guys were staying "safe" by sitting in a little trailer; it felt like the thing was made out of cardboard. (Laughing) I kept looking out the window expecting to see people flying through the air! The festival promoters were telling people to go to find shelter, but everyone stayed and chanted "Dope! Dope! Dope!" In the end, the crowd was pumped and Dope played a great set.
Angela: What can a first time band camp attendee expect from a live DOPE show?
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| Angel on stage w/Dope |
Angel: Pure chaos, but in a good way! Expect to have fun; Dope is one of the most energetic bands I've had the privilege to be a part of.
Angela: What is it that you want people to know about the music Dope has made in the past? If you had to recommend only one Dope CD for someone to purchase and get a taste of what the band is all about, which CD would that be and why?
Angel: Dope has an amazing catalog of material. I've been a fan since their first album, and every album since then has just been better and better. I joined Dope in 2006 and recorded the drum tracks on the bands newest album No Regrets. In my opinion, this is the bands best work; great lyrics, amazing song writing - a great package all together. The band really stepped it up on this one, and I'm not just saying that because I played drums on it. (Laughing) I really do love that album.
ABOUT TEAM CYBERGEIST:
It began as a studio project 2006, about the same time Angel joined the band Dope and initially was something to do when he wasn't out on tour (w/Dope or any other band). It's a collaborative project featuring guest performances by members of Stone Sour, Eye Empire, Shinedown, Morbid Angel, Static-X, Kittie, Adema, Soil, and too many others to even mention. (Full details on cybergeist.com) In 2009, Team Cybergeist played its first live show; in an attempt to keep the collaborative nature of the project, the live band lineup often changes Nine singers, 7 guitarists, 1 bassist, and 1 drummer, not to mention different guests at live shows, and Angel is very happy with the lineup that TC currently has. With Angel on drums and samples, Sally Debauchery plays bass, Jason Schmidt and Rick Ace both play guitar, and new singer, Cassandra Calo. Angel says :This is by far the strongest lineup TC has had since the beginning. I think I'll keep these guys around for a while."
Team Cybergeist has released a few EPs and remix CDs over the years, but the first full-length album, How To Destroy Something Beautiful, debuted in 2010. It’s a 26-track double-disc album that took almost 4 years to put together, due to the nature of the “collaborations” with so many featured artists. It’s available digitally on Itunes or you can purchase the CD on the official Team Cybergeist website www.teamcybergeist.com.
Written by Angela Villand
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ang@hard-rock-reviews.com
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