Getting to Know… Contortion | Interview

In the 432^nd Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from Southern California metal band, Contortion.

“We do what we can to make the performance an actual experience, and not merely a group of dudes playing songs,” Stone (vocals/guitar) says of his band, Contortion. Regarding the So Cal metal band’s goals, Stone asserts, “To create music without boundaries. To bring a message to the populace [and] our listeners about the true crimes and problems that plague every nation in the world.” Word.  Stone isn’t the only member who answers our burning questions about the band. We get the inside scoop from Jason Engols (drums), Gene J. (guitars), and Spencer S. (bass). Without further ado, let’s jump into Getting to Know… Contortion: Interview No. 432!

For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes Contortion distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

Stone (vocals/guitar): We bring diversity in style and intensity to the stage. We do what we can to make the performance an actual experience, and not merely a group of dudes playing songs. The stage attire is also something of an appeal.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Contortion form, and what were some of your goals or visions early?

Stone (vocals/guitar): We’ve gone through a myriad of changes since this band began originally. But I believe that our goals have always stayed the same. To create music without boundaries. To bring a message to the populace [and] our listeners about the true crimes and problems that plague every nation in the world. We want nothing more than to grow in this facet by doing what we love.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Stone (Vocals/Guitar): In the end, if we are all able to pay our bills by doing the thing that we enjoy doing, we couldn’t ask for much more.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

Jason Matthew Engols (drums): So, Metallica was the first band I heard that got me into heavy metal, when I was 9 years old I was like, this is what I wanna do with my life.

Pantera, Sepultura, and Megadeth became my writing influences as I learned to play guitar and are still one of my all-time favorites, watching their videos made me want to strive to carve my own path through their footsteps.

Throughout grade school, Bands like Faith No More, Primus, and Snot brought off the wall ideas to my writing style, I loved the way they mixed different sounds with a metal element.

In high school, I formed various bands and began playing drums as well. After playing multiple venues all over Southern California, I got into Meshuggah and Tool, they opened up the door for polyrhythm concepts leading to more complex ideas forcing me to delve a bit more into musical theory.

Instead of going to college, I began touring around the states getting into Slipknot, Lamb of god, After the burial and Within the ruins, they brought a heavier modern element that I still integrate into my style to this day.

I’ve currently been digging on instrumental bands like Modern day Babylon, Vitalism, and Polyphia, they pull off sounds that sometimes my brain can’t immediately decipher, it’s like a magic trick, where I want to figure out how they compose the prestige.

It feels like every decade my favorites evolve forcing me to not fall into the stagnancy of a dated box of the same old bands, I still can’t believe that I’m living my childhood dreams touring the world performing for new ears of all cultures and each year brings new connections and opportunities and I am forever grateful to have become a part of the Contortion crew, here’s to the next adventure!!!

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

Gene J. (guitars): Well, for starters. Did you know that you have 2 ears? One here and one here! (Pointing to each ear). There’s a little inside story to that, I promise. And it may or may not involve strippers and half-deaf drunk people.

I wish I could narrow it down to one moment or even just a few. There have been a plethora of wacky and wild situations from power bars exploding on stage, to driving on the wrong side of the road in the UK, or cruising through Budapest with our electric scooter crew, The Dusty Butts, to getting the tour van broken into in Athens and packing our tour buddies’ van full of people to help squeeze out of a parking garage they definitely didn’t fit into. We’re a bunch of dorks from California cruising around Europe virtually aimlessly. So naturally, I believe the weird shenanigans and wild situations gravitate towards us almost like a comedy flick. Nonetheless, it’s been a hell of a time, and we love it all. The good and the bad times, the hilarious and dull times, especially all the times on stage getting to entertain people from the other side of the world.

To this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

Stone (vocals/guitar): “Among the Stars” is without a doubt our favorite song on the new album. I had written this song as a dedication to my daughter, who passed away in 2020. When performing live, everyone in the room can feel the energy and the passion that we all have for this song. She was my ultimate inspiration. The honor of having Heidi Shepherd on this track was/is a blessing. My daughter, Larissa, was a big fan of hers. The song describes the moment that Larissa parted from this world and my feelings about it. I truly feel that that experience translates to the audience every time we perform it.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left-of-center we should know about Contortion? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Spencer S. (bass): Since I was a young child always hearing my parents play piano in the house I always thought playing an instrument was the coolest thing ever. After learning how to play multiple instruments like saxophone, guitar, bass, drums, etc. proficiently, I always knew I wanted to take my talents abroad. And Contortion has helped me to push that boundary even further. As far as secret talents or something left of center, I’m a massive foodie. I love trying new types of dishes whenever I’m somewhere new. And when I’m not practicing or recording music, I’m always cooking. Constantly honing my cooking skills and trying new techniques. Anything from creating my own sauces, baking my own breads, and anything in between. It’s just another way to connect with people on a level that everyone can enjoy and appreciate. Also, according to the rest of Contortion, I have an amazing ability to fall asleep instantly.

What is Contortion currently working on or promoting that you can share? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

Stone (vocals/guitar): Earlier this year we released our new album, The Common Thread. We feel it is an amazing work of art that includes many guest performances by some big names in the metal scene, spanning many subgenres. We have been touring Europe on this album for the past six weeks!

We encourage everyone to stream, download, and share it with everyone who loves metal. There’s a little something for everyone on this album. 🙂 From the elitist for prog/death, to those that want something with groove and bounce. 🙂

New music is already underway, but we won’t be recording for a while.

Look for us on the festival circuit in Europe in 2025!

Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

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Getting to Know…Contortion: Interview No. 432 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Contortion; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Tumisu from Pixabay]