Sekhmet

Thu 21 Feb 2008

Catching up with Exeter's hottest prospects

The latest member to join up to the Rockbeast team quizzed local drummer and personal friend Dave about his band signing to Casket and other random subjects.

Reg - So, Dave, how are you this evening?

Sekhmet

Dave - Alright, had band practice and a beer with the lads tonight so all good really.

Reg - Sweet. What would you say are your major influences, as both a drummer and a person?

Dave - Hmm, as a drummer my biggest influences would have to be Buddy Rich and Gene Hoglan but anyone putting their heart in and doing what they love, whatever that may be, inspires me really

Reg - Obviously, being in a thrash band, the question is: Which band has really defined the genre for you and why?

Dave - Now that’s a real tough one because there are so many for different reasons, Metallica was one of the first thrash bands I got into, however Testament were one for me that really opened my eyes to how much you can do with the genre but I would never want to limit us to being just "thrash" so I constantly take influence from all styles of music.

Reg - Good point. How would you describe Sekhmet musically then?

Dave - I always find it hard to describe bands, as there are so many genres and subgenres and so many crossovers. At present Sekhmet is more thrash based but we just write what we enjoy and what sounds good so the best way of knowing what we are is to listen yourself and come to you're own conclusions as music after all is all down to personal taste and perception.

Reg - Do you feel people could possibly pigeonhole you guys too much or do you think people are big and ugly enough to make their own minds up?

Dave - I think most people can make up their own minds. If we do get "pigeon holed" as thrash it doesn’t bother me so much either though. As long as we and other people enjoy the music we will keep playing, whatever you want to call us.

Reg -  Fair enough. Moving onwards. You recently signed with Casket. What were your first thoughts upon hearing this?

Sekhmet

Dave - Obviously we were all pleased but at the same time looking at it realistically as a stepping stone on to bigger and better things.

Reg - How much support have they given you to get things going?

Dave - The deal is basically a self finance thing, so money wise its all us but they have the contacts and know-how to have released the album which we could not have done on the same scale without them.

Reg - Sounds fair. Obviously with the kind of contacts you now have access to, what would be the ideal record label for yourselves?

Dave - I'm not sure really Earache has been signing a lot of thrashy stuff lately but to be honest any major is good. As long as we can get the support to launch us to higher places I'm not too bothered who it's with.

Reg - Obviously you have read your reviews in the press. Do you feel they have been favourable to you and have reflected the band well?

Dave - The reviews have been varied but I haven’t found one that hasn’t had anything positive to say so on the whole I'm happy. I think it is always important to remember a review is still only the opinion of a single person too.

Reg - So where can people get their hands on your album?

Dave - At present you can get the album from a variety of places online, our myspace, HMV.co.uk, Play.com and Amazon.co.uk to name a few, obviously from our gigs and I believe it is supposed to be in HMV in the local area too (Exeter).

Reg - How would you describe the album in two words?

Sekhmet

Dave - Two words wow...  Fucking Awesome, Ha just kidding erm, cant I have three, Fast as Fuck?

Reg - No, but... okay then, you have three. Oh those were them haha.

Dave – Haha.

Reg - Anyway, been great talking to you. Before we go, can you reveal any embarrassing facts about your band mates?

Dave - And you, hmm I dunno, Adam can fall asleep anywhere but that’s not really embarrassing, you wanna know more? Come see us and buy us some beer then you might hear some stories!

Reg - Nice one man. Keep it metal.

Dave - You too man.

Interview by Reginald Davey
Photos by Chris Williams