Getting to Know… Fatal Switch | Interview 🎧

On the 113^th interview on The Musical Hype, we get the goods on the Montreal Hybrid rap, metal, rock collective, Fatal Switch.

“We have blended different genres together… [fusing] traditionally structured rock and metal songs as the instrumental foundation to the hip-hop stories we lay on top.” Honestly, that just sounds rad AF – NO CAP! Fatal Switch, a hybrid rap, metal, rock band from Montreal, Quebec are definitely intriguing, something clearly highlighted throughout the course of this interview.  The band is comprised of frontman Steve Tobin, rhythm guitarist Ryann Paqueo, Drummer Ralph A Samah, lead guitarist Max Rope, and bassist  David Vigliotti. As always in the Getting to Know… series, we get background on the band including goals, influences, and what is currently being promoted and in the works.  Tobin provides the answers to our burning questions on Getting to Know… Fatal Switch: Interview #113.  

Let’s get this started off right. For those who may not be familiar with Fatal Switch, what would you say makes your band distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

I think the most unique thing about Fatal Switch is how we have blended different genres together. We have taken traditionally structured rock and metal songs as the instrumental foundation to the hip-hop stories we lay on top. The mix of the two is very complicated as hip hop tends to leave a lot of space for the rapper to get across his/her message whereas rock and metal is predominantly driven by heavy guitars. So, finding a balance without finding a balance was something very interesting and important for me to attempt. And with the help and expertise of my producer, we were able to find just the right balance to make it work and carve out our own sound. Plus, the lyrics can be quite deep and a little bit brainy which adds replay value as well as giving us tons of material to build our live show off of. Our live set is weaved from our stories as we take our audience on a journey through highs, lows and everything in between.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Fatal Switch form and what were some of the goals or the visions you had as a band early on?

So, this is always a bit of an interesting one to explain. I had written a bunch of songs with my brother and as we were networking and meeting people in the industry our time to record our debut album quickly came upon us. But we had no guitarist or drummer, so we needed to fill those positions with session players. Then shortly after the album was mixed and mastered, my brother moved across the country leaving me with a record but no band mates to promote or perform it. So, what is a guy who just dropped a pretty coin on an album supposed to do? Well, he picks up his socks and finds himself a band! But it is not that easy to convince people to adopt a record they didn’t record and promote it as their own. And promises of writing a second album and career development was my only currency, one that required the solicitation of the bigger picture. So, when I found the right members for the project, I had unintentionally found dedicated members who had the right acumen and vision to carry us forward.

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

I think our perspectives change quite a bit to be honest. Learning this industry really is a process and the mindset you have going into it should definitely not be the same one you have once you’re in it. You know Hollywood glorifies so many things it shouldn’t and one of those things is this overnight success story that we are indoctrinated with since we are kids. And becomes like learning a bad habit that you have to unlearn and realize that it’s a long road to the top and no one is giving you a free ride. Heck, there is no ride but your two-foot carriage to get you there and the higher you get the more perspective you get. It’s the little wins that you need to cherish and build off to get to the next level and for us to chart on a big radio station or billboard would surely be an aspiration. A music award would be on our bucket list of accomplishments as well to name a few.

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

Most of the band members are big Metallica fans. Other heavy acts like Children of Bodom, In Flames and Pantera would be on that list too. But I guess the bands that influenced me the most would be 2Pac for his poetry and storytelling. Eminem for his fresh approach on making hip-hop mainstream. Then last but not least Radiohead for inspiring my emotions and Sneaker Pimps for activating my inner groove.

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.  

So many things can go wrong during a performance it’s kind of a comical enigma. So many to choose from lol … Here’s a funny one. We once opened for Crazy Town X who is a well-known act with number one singles and a lot of fame. We were really excited to share the stage with guys that have so much clout. We work with a live music director that helps put our show together and make sure we rock the crowd and give our best performance every time. Part of that process though is refining and tweaking my crowd addresses and little things come up that I need to memorize on the fly to make everything cohesive in the set. So, the show starts and we’re killing it having a great time and rocking out with the crowd. Then the bridge of the song kicks in so it gives me a second to breathe and go over the next crowd address in my head and as I’m thinking of that and getting ready for my next verse the guys from Crazy Town X come out to see us play. I guess I was thinking of one thing too many things or I just got too excited because as I am about to rap my next verse, I step on my mic wire and the mic goes flying out of my hands and all you hear is a loud thud as it hits the stage. I quickly picked it up and recovered but man was that ever a way not impress someone important. Like hey here is our moment to shine and all you get is a mic drop… and not the good kind.  Hahaha ah well such is the business. It’s all about how you recover though, and I think we did great.

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

I’ll go with the live aspect and say “Grow A Spine”. I say this song because it is our most crowd engaging song, and everyone has a blast when we play it. It’s a moment for us to connect with the audience and have a lot fun in our live rendition. On the record it sounds like a straightforward rap rock song, but we somehow have also turned it into our metal mosh pit moment as well.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Well the whole album is centered around a female character and her adventure into this universe that I have created. As she takes up the center, I guess that puts me off to the left a bit with a concept that I am writing around her. I am eager to share this creation with the world one day when the time is right. Apart from that nothing really crazy I would say. I mean I have preformed on stage in plays not just music. So, I guess that’s something.

Closing things out, what is Fatal Switch currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

We just dropped our debut album Doctors & Demons and you can check it out over here. The latest single/video also stars a very talented suicide girl and its totally worth a watch. We are currently working on writing new material for our second album that we aim to record in early 2021. And in the meantime, you can be on the lookout for more videos and rad conversations like this one. Thanks so much to you and your readers for getting to know us a bit. We appreciate the time you spent with us. Much love and noise – Fatal Switch. 

Thank you!

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Photo Credits: Fatal Switch, Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype; Icons made by https://www.flaticon.com/authors/freepik (Freepik)