INTERNATIONAL FEATURE ARTIST: DramaScream (USA)

Ever wondered what it would sound like if Pat Benatar had a musical baby with Stone Sour? Well wonder no more and meet DramaScream, a hard rock quartet from New York well accustomed to dangling riffs and lashing beats, with the forcible Lauren Balogh at the helm.

And while some may argue the group aren't reinventing the hard rock wheel, DramaScream are certainly consistently delivering the rockin' goods, perhaps best seen on their 2017 release 'Built To Follow'. Now with a second album and music videos in the works, DramaScream are set to have a very busy second half of the year, but The Soundcheck quickly stole some of their time to chat favourite tunes, future plans and diehard fans. Interview below.

• BAND NAME: DramaScream

• HOMETOWN: Endicott, New York, USA

• BAND MEMBERS: Lauren Balogh- Vocals Steve Huff- Guitar Greg Grieve- Bass Justin Arnold- Drums

• HOW DID DRAMASCREAM FORM/MEET? Through our local music scene and friends of friends.

• HOW LONG HAS DRAMASCREAM BEEN GOING FOR? 1 year and a half

• WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR MUSICAL INFLUENCES? Stone Sour, C.K.Y, Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks

• DESCRIBE DRAMASCREAM IN THREE WORDS: Emotional Joy Ride

• WHAT'S THE MOST MEMORABLE GIG YOU'VE PLAYED SO FAR AND WHY? The most memorable gig we have played was a battle of the bands that occurred under the worst possible circumstances. We had just been playing our about 7 months at this point. There was a severe thunderstorm warning that afternoon, by the time we got to the fair there was a power outing. The highway got shut down, and blocked traffic from getting to the fair. We had about 10 people show up to see us all decked out in DramaScream shirts, aside from our fans there were maybe 5 others who made it through. There were supposed to be 4 bands, but other than us only 1 band agreed to play using a generator. So we decided to play, and right as we got into our first song the skies opened up . It was pouring, and those 10 people stood in the pouring rain watching us, it was like a movie. Sometimes the best gigs aren't the biggest ones. They are the ones that give you perspective, it meant so much to have people stand in the rain to watch us.

• WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE DRAMASCREAM SONG WHY? Lauren: “Pieces”. This is one of the first songs I ever wrote for the album, it was the song that helped me work through some personal issues I was having at the time. It's a reminder of where I was and where I am now. Steve: “Still Here”. It's a reminder for those of us who were left behind when someone leaves us.

'STILL HERE' (DRAMASCREAM)

• WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON RIGHT NOW? ANY NEW THINGS ON THE HORIZON? We are working on our music video for “Sweet Revenge”, and our second album. We are also working with a couple companies to get our music on radio all over the U.S and other outlets.

SWEET REVENGE PROMO CLIP (FILMED + EDITED BY GREG NORTON)

• IF YOU WEREN'T PLAYING MUSIC, WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU BE DOING? Lauren: I would be doing something else creative, maybe acting, promotions for bands, I also love helping rescue animals so perhaps starting a non for profit. Steve: If I wasn't doing music, I would have a full time job as a magician.

• IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE OTHER BAND, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY? Steve: Gwar, because it's hard to have a bad watching time with them. It would definitely be entertaining while we were stranded.

• PINEAPPLE ON A PIZZA, YES OR NO? Lauren, Greg, Justin, Steve: YES

• CATS OR DOGS? Lauren: Dogs because they cuddle and snuggle. My dogs are probably my best friends, they understand me. Steve: Cats...because they leave you alone. Greg: I'm allergic to both. Justin: Dogs. They are the best...that's why.

• WOULD DRAMASCREAM SURVIVE A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE? Yes. Without going into detail, we are fully prepared to take on the zombies. We are all pretty resourceful in different aspects of life so combined we would totally dominate.

• AND FINALLY, WHAT'S THE GREATEST SONG OF ALL TIME AND WHY? Steve: After much deliberation ….”The Tweaker” by the Moistboyz. It's a real toe tapper.

FOR MORE DRAMASCREAM INFO, HEAD TO:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | MERCH

BY TIANA SPETER

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