1.Hello Cruz please introduce yourself to the readers?
Hey everyone I am Cruz I live in Long Beach Ca, and I am one of the guitarist from Guillatine.
2.When did you first discover metal music and who were the first bands you heard? Who are some of the current bands that have caught your attention?
I started listening to hard rock like early 6th grade and my friend Nick Diaz , RIP introduced me into Slipknot and Korn around age 11-12. I thought that was insane until my neighbor Sal, that got me into playing guitar, gave me a Guitar World Magazine. The issue was about the BIG FOUR, Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, and MegaGay (hate megadeth). I went out and got Master of Puppets copy and Show No Mercy copy and it was wrap from there.
Currently I try to focus on locals or my peers and see what they’re putting out. I been stuck on Torture Rack from Portland of Headsplit Records, fuuuuuuk man they fucking rip! The homies from Transcendence put out “Towards Obscurities Beyond” and I gotta say goddamm! Ensepulcher from Fresno I believe has always caught my ear, they’re a must see and the tunes are ridiculously heavy! Of course, our brother from another other Disciples of Death.
3.Cruz when did you first become interested in playing the guitars? Are you self-taught or did you take lessons when first starting out?
My childhood friend Sal, the guy I mentioned that gave me the Guitar World Magazine, he got me into guitar. We use to play Yu-Gi-Oh cards lol and one day he came over with a guitar. Sal would show me everything his teacher would show him, I was playing with my dad’s old shitty classical guitar that had the action 7 feet high haha. Since Sal was being taught by his English teacher at his school I asked my history teacher, Ms. Wood , to teach me to play guitar. She used her guitar to sing a song for a lesson she taught us so I knew she at least knew basic stuff.
I ended finding out that Ms. Wood was a true Rocker and as tough as they come haha. In her day she played with some solid punk bands, was signed to a few labels, and toured with some very impressive acts. Ms. Wood taught me the true meaning of Rock N Roll that blossomed into
my passion for music and has lead me to where I am today. She would bring over the lead guitar players she use to jam with and have them teach me songs and give me lessons. After I felt like I had a good understanding of how to play I ventured off on my own and subscribed to Guitar World, Guitar One, and any other guitar magazine I would fine.
4.Who would you say are your biggest influences and favorite guitarists? Besides the guitars do you currently play any other instruments?
Even though I think Megadeth sucks big donkey dick, I have to give it up to Marty Friedman. He is an insane guitarist. I had found this old tab book that looked liked an old note pad at school one time. I found out it was the tabs for a guitar workshop he filmed so I checked it out and fuck can that dude play. Aslo some gut that goes by the name Sultan of Strings or something like that. I have always found Egyptian and Japanese scales very interesting.
5.You started Guillatine back in 2009 when did you first get the idea to start this band? How did you choose Guillatine for the name of this band?
I already had a band at the time named Toxic Waste and Guillatine was my side project with the homies from the North Side of town. When we first started I use to play drums, Chris Miller played Guitar, and Andrew Carillo played based and did vocals. Toxic Waste didn’t work out so I focused 100% on Guillatine. We found a drummer and I hopped on Guitar with Chris.
Chris actually proposed the name because he told us about the metal heads that his mom and dad use to hang out with. It turns out that Marcy and Bobby (Chrises mom and dad) use to kick it the with the OG Guillatine from Long Beach, that was Thomas Perry, Steve Anderson, Thomas brother RIP, and the rest of the guys. Marcy always being so support of our arts set up an arrangement with OG Guillatine, it was Thomas, Chris, and their bassist. We bbq and sat down for hours hearing old stories of gigs, old bands, and the scene. Then it came down to it they asked Chris and I to play a song of we composed to see if we were worthy enough. They heard to songs then whispered and snickered a bit, and told us it was a go! We were blessed by the Godfather’s with the name.
6.What is the current line-up of the band?
Chilango – Vox
Cruz – Guitar
Daniel – Guitar
Tn- Bass
Dylan Cutler - Drums
7.Who would you say are the bands biggest influences and have they remained the same over the years? For the readers who have never heard Guillatine's music how would you best describe it to the readers?
I know Daniel’s favorite band is Necrophobic from Sweden, I would say Tn has a solid Cannibal Corpse influence. Chilango likes a lot of Grindcroe and actually plays and sings in two Grindcore projects, Eskupe and Mariyien. Me personally, I would say Cryptopsy , Suffication.
No I think it changes through out the years we just like to keep it traditional.
We like to focus on rhythm and groove, we really like to have the listeners’ head bobbing the whole time. The goal is to try to get you to pit haha we want to create an intense empowering feeling so intense you makes you feel like you can dominate the pit.
8.Beheaded is the bands newest release that is being released through Chaos Rec. when did you and the band first come in contact with this label?
The first time I heard of Chaos Rec was because of the band Question that is on their roster. I really dig that band, man, do they fucking rip!!! PINCHE METAL MEXICANO!!! I was curious to see who was putting their stuff out and found Chaos Recs. I heard their bandcamp and was impressed with what they were releasing.
The Ep is being released through 3 labels, Chaos Rec from Mexico doing a generous 500 CD release for us, Rotted Life Rec. doing the American Pro Tape version for us, and Unholy Domain Rec. doing the European Pro Tape Version of the EP.
During the process of making the album we were buying art work and started getting our Press Kit ready, so as soon as we got our final mix we sent it out to all the labels we hold in high regards. Chaos was one of the first one to reply and was immediately on top of things as soon as we agreed. Very professional and easy to work with, shout out to our label Chaos Rec. for holding it down for us! We greatly appreciate it.
9.How long did it take to write the music for the new EP.? does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member usually write everything?
I can’t recall how long it has taken us to write the EP, if I had to give a specific time I would say like a year or so because working with Dylan is so natural and effortless. We can put out jams all day. The whole band does take part in the writing and it varies. Sometimes one of us comes to the table with a complete song, other times a few riffs. There are time were we play a game were each person has to add a new riff as we pass it along, other times it spontaneous and we write riffs from a free style jam we did. We just try to enjoy ourselves and keep pushing each others’ musicianship skills.
10.Who usually handles writing the lyrics for the music and what are some subjects the band writes about? Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?
We usually let our front man handle all the lyrics but with chilango its more of a collaboration because he’s consistently asking for our opinion and input, which we really like and appreciate.
Chilango sings in English and Spanish so we have bilingual lyrics. From our EP titles like “God Stomper” has more dark, anti-religion, a big fuck you to the western God, and letting Satan represent the rebelliousness of conformity. Titles like “Decapitated Thought” has lyrics of mind control, being easily influenced, and not thinking for one’s self. “Majia Negra” which is Spanish for “Black Magic” is about a witch and what a vindictive, conniving , cunt she is.
11.Besides the upcoming Beheaded release does the band have any other releases or merchandise currently availible? If yes what is availible and where can the readers purchase it?
We actually do thanks for asking. We have a 2 song demo of a raw live recording from our jam spot through Kulto De Noche Media and Analog Overdose Recs.
Here is the link:
https://kultodemedianoche666.storenvy.com/
12.What does Underground Metal mean to you?
The shit that’s not mainstream, you know all that trend hopping shit. The metal that’s put out by the scene for the scene, shit that’s true to your soul. It’s not about selling out or making a living out of it cus lets face it. How many Cannibal Corpse or Slayers can there be? Underground metal is the filthy and uncensored!
13.Guillatine comes out of California's death metal scene what are your thoughts on the scene in California over the years?
What can I say, we are blessed to have the Meca of Metal in our own backyard. Southern California alone is a pivoting touring ground, on tour it’s a must hit. California plays a huge part of the of the death metal scene today, from acts like Skeletal Remains, Crematory Stench, and Transcendence from Southern California then North Cal has Necrot , Acephalix, Mortuous. Like FUCK DUDE! Hahah all those bands are heavy hitter coming out of California.
14.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of California and are their any new bands you could recommend to the readers?
I wouldn’t be able to just name one haha but if I had to recommend some band I’d say check out Disciples of Death, Eskupe, Mariyen, all Long Beach cats that get down.
16.Thank you Cruz for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Hopefully our art inspires younger metal heads to pick up an instrument and keep carrying the torch. Band Contacts https://guillatinewcdm.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Guillatine
