XS ROCK: Tell me about the latest band news? Any new projects coming out, live shows or announcements?
RAY OZINGA: With our latest release, Hindsight is 2020 coming out so recently, there isnít much besides videos and more writing. No live shows or tours because of the pandemic.
XS ROCK: So how long has the band been together?
RAY OZINGA: Over 4 years now.
XS ROCK: What was your main motivation for originally starting or being in a band?
TREY OZINGA and JASON LONG: we wanted to put together a project where we could be free to write whatever and however we wanted with really like minded people that all work hard.
XS ROCK: What is your music background?
RAY: All of us has been in other bands but, no formal training other than Trey. Ironically, he trained as a guitarist and is the drummer.
JASON: I played drums in a band at one point so I could help him get started.
XS ROCK: What image do you think your music conveys?
JASON: A rattlesnake prepared to strike. A lightning bolt. A Lion perched atop his mountain ledge. All these things are powerful, deadly, epic by nature and somehow, beautiful at the same time.
XS ROCK: What are your current music career goals?
RAY: As much as possible and do what we love.
XS ROCK: Which do you prefer? Writing new songs and recording or playing for a live audience?
RAY: live!!
JASON: Writing and recording
TREY: neither. (He laughs)
RAY: They both have such a different and important role. We find a lot of enjoyment out of both of them.
XS ROCK: What are your songsí lyrics about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
JASON: Thatís a broad stroke across the entire spectrum because we donít necessarily have that kind of a formula. Our songs can be about hope and perseverance and they can be extremely dark and depressing and everything in between. We want people to be able to inject into and/or relate to our lyrics.
XS ROCK: What is the single most important thing to you as a musician?
JASON: I think the single most important is our bandmates and going on this journey together and watching growth through effort.
XS ROCK: Do you have any outrageous tour stories from the road? If so, please fill us in.
TREY: Hey, Iíve gotten to open for Avatar. Thatís pretty outrageous in my opinion.
XS ROCK: What’s the strangest request that you’ve ever received from one of your fans?
JASON: I was asked to call and sing to a dying girl by a fan because the girl loved our band.
XS ROCK: Are your friends and family supportive of your choice to play in a rock band?
RAY: Well, somewhat. We have a lot of support from some.
JASON: Not Really. My wife is but, not so much outside of that.
TREY: just…..no.
JASON: (laughs) Treys wife and his dad are supportive.
XS ROCK: What advice do you have for new bands trying to get started?
TREY: Donít do it!
RAY: (laughs) have broad shoulders.
JASON: Work hard. Be dedicated and creative. Never stop learning and trying new things.
XS ROCK: What are your favorite tracks to play live?
RAY: Envy and Cleansation because they have versus that the guitar finally hushes up and people have to just hear bass!
JASON: I tend to really like playing Seven Deadly Sins and the Crow. Really anything that the crowd just canít help the heads from banging.
TREY: None! I suck at them all.
XS ROCK: Which band or artist inspired you to perform? Why?
JASON: As far as perform? Avatar and Slipknot because of the spectacle. Amazing shows.
XS ROCK: If you could design a dream tour for your band, who would be on the bill?
JASON: I want Chimaira back.
RAY: megadeth
TREY: Do I have to be there?
XS ROCK: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
RAY: We are excited to see what kind of doors open with Pavement as that is an honor to be on their label.
XS ROCK: If you weren’t performing in a band what kind of career do you think you would have?
JASON: I would be a visual artist and carve wood.
RAY: probably janitorial work. (Laughs)
TREY: a bum
XS ROCK: What type of equipment do you use for live shows?
RAY: Mark Bass bass amp. Ibanez bassís
JASON: ESP guitars across the board. Peavey 6505 pluses with Mesa cabinets.
TREY: Garbage cans.
XS ROCK: What do you think of the current music scene?
RAY: Well, right now itís very limited due to the pandemic.
XS ROCK: For anyone that doesn’t know you, what would they be surprised to know about you?
RAY: I like beer
JASON: Me to
TREY: eh
XS ROCK: Is there anything that you’d like to promote or say to your fans out there?
RAY: please check us out on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify. Search Oracle Extreme Metal.
JASON: Be good to each other
TREY: Donít do drugs.
XS ROCK: Thanks again for taking the time to talk with us at XS ROCK