Special Ops are a strong four piece based in Montreal, whose sound is literally impossible for me to describe, so just download the song and I wont have to. Guitarist Sam did an email interview with me in June/06.
What do you think it is about the four of you that work so well together?
Sam: The fact that we are so different. We are all from different backgrounds both ethnically and musically, for example, Waldo is a jazz nut, Akbar's background is metal and Arabic music, and Abe is all about numetal and rap. So it all melts together if you know what I mean.
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Having made three videos, what's the most enjoyable part of the process for you?
Sam: Being done! I hate being in front of the camera lol. put me on a stage and I'm right at home, put a lens in front of me and I freeze! Aside from that the outtakes are awesome for scrap books and practical jokes on each other.
How was your cross Canada tour? Any interesting stories you'd like to share?
Sam: It was fun, we met the weirdest people, nice but weird, picked up a few hitch hikers in the Rockies one of which ended up being the girlfriend of the promoter who books us in Ontario, small world eh. Aside from that there were a few squabbles between the boys but that is usual I mean we were stuck in a van for over a month! what did u expect! Did I mention how beautiful Canada is. seriously, I recommend it to all those people who go else where, you idiots your own back yard is way nicer!
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How did the hookup with Sid's Cycle Show happen?
Sam: Well we (just like a few hundred bands) answered an add in the paper and sent in our songs. Next thing we know there is a meeting with this extremely cool guy SID! He told us there were a few bands he was working with and every time after that we would meet him he would ask for more music, because he thought the other bands were not professional enough, plus he kept singing the songs over so that helped!
Anyway one thing led to another he ended up agreeing to helping us shoot a video, on top of us doing 95% of the soundtrack for the show which is now airing on men TV and global so that's over 6.8 million viewers.
What's going on with Earth Tone Music?
Sam: Ah that didn't pan out, what did pan out were 2 record label deals that we signed recently, we have a deal with Astral records for world wide distro and merch, and artist development and booking with WMF Canada. All thanks to NDG.
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Sam on recording Phase I: In Search of Madness
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'Oh man, that was fun. We all had experience recording before but this was our first serious everything, working with a pro.'
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Tell me about the recording process for Phase I: In Search of Madness.
Sam: Oh man, that was fun. We all had experience recording before but this was our first serious everything, working with a pro. It was run like a tight ship, and I loved every second of it. We got to experiment a bit but not as much as we are now with our second album. It all started with us taking all our songs and performing them for our producer at the time, and he picked the 12 he liked and from there it was minor editing and that was that. The whole thing took under a month, and that is because I had allergies for a week.
What are your promo plans for this release?
Sam: You mean the next release? Either way the formula is the same, tour our asses off, radio play, video if it comes out (those things are expensive) and advertising. You know let he world know. But our fans usually get sneak previews. we've gotten in trouble for that before from our label but they ended up understanding.
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How did you hook up with your label, NDG Entertainment?
Sam: We got fed up of waiting to be signed so our guitarist (me) started it, and from there it just took off. People take you more seriously when you call from a 3rd party verses yeah I'm from the band! I it worked and now both Ops and NDG are doing great.
What do you hope to achieve with Special Ops?
Sam: It would be nice to see the world and have it see you seeing it, if you know what I mean. We just want to have fun and play as many stages as we can. the bigger the better obviously. We are also looking to associate with a charity, but we don't exactly know where to start so if any one has any ideas email them to us at ops@opsmission.com. Today's world is full of so many problems in so many places that it is mind boggling as to why people do these things to each other.
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The Playlist
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Sam's Playlist
'I hate this question it makes me feel naked!' - Sam
1. Foo Fighters - Best of You
2. Nina Simone - Want a Little Sugar
3. Rage Against the Machine - Bulls on Parade
4. Metallica - Low Mans Lyric
5. Special Ops - Anger is Creeping (we just finished it so I'm listening to it alot! lol )
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