Audiotopsy interview with mastermind Greg Tribett

Audiotopsy is the result of bands that have been cut apart and pieced back together, almost Frankenstein-like with monstrous riffs that commands attention. Skrape lead singer Billy Keeton joined forces with Mudvayne and Hellyeah guitarist Greg Tribett, bass player Perry Stern and Mudvayne drummer Matthew McDonough. The Supergroup exploded on the scene in October with their Napalm Records debut album “Natural Causes,” and are on tour supporting Drowning Pool; they will be playing Feb. 12 at the Diesel Lounge in Chesterfield, MI.

Author Marisa Williams: Reviews of your debut release “Natural Causes” say that this is a different sound than some of your previous musical endeavors. What musical techniques did you stay away from on this album, and what are some musical techniques that you experimented with on this album?

Greg Tribett, guitar player for Audiotopsy: The musical techniques I stayed away from on this album was more of the technical aspects of song writing. I introduced my style of playing, which is a more easy flowing way to write good hard rock songs.

Marisa Williams: Your little brother, Derrik “Tripp” Tribett, plays bass for the band Dope. How did you both get started in music? Did you come from a musical family, and did you push each other musically growing up together and throughout both of your successful careers?

Greg Tribett: We both come from a musical family. My dad's side is kind of the more musical side, where Derrik got his start. He's a natural like me. I learned and taught myself. We both had really good ears for music. I believe I really got interested when I was 12 or 13, but I actually started playing when I was five-years-old, so it did start early for me.

Marisa Williams: Do you play any other instruments?

Greg Tribett: I can play bass, drums, piano, and I have experimented with cello. I played cello on a Mudvayne song back in the day. It's a very cool instrument, very hard to play.

Marisa Williams: What was your first concert that you attended, and how did that compare to the first concert that you played?

Greg Tribett: First concert was AC/DC touring the “Back in Black” record. It stood out, as it was so fucking loud. The first concert I ever played actually was a cover band, at a public swimming pool. I think it was called swim and dip, rockin' dip, or something like that. It was funny.

Marisa Williams: What was the first album you purchased?

Greg Tribett: I'm going to have to say one of the first KISS records, “Destroyer” probably.

Marisa Williams: How do you go about writing music? What comes first for you: drums, guitars, vocals or something else? Has the process of writing changed for you over the years at all?

Greg Tribett: Well, when I go to write music, the songs usually start with humming. I hum in my head, and I transpire that onto the guitar. I envision what the drums sound like playing, like seeing someone else writing music. I tell the drummer what I envision, figure out what the chorus means, and take it from there.

Marisa Williams: Can you walk us through a track on your latest album that stands out to you from the standpoint of the creative process?

Greg Tribett: I can do that with “The Calling.” The chorus, vocally and musically, we were having a really tough time coming up with a chorus. We sat there for an hour working on it, and we ran out of beer. We made a beer run, and the song was playing on a loop. I heard a melody in my head, sang it in my head, then sang it to Billy. Everyone was happy. “Yes! We got a chorus!” Sometimes, that's how it happens; you have to walk away for a minute.

Marisa Williams: What is your favorite musical technique?

Greg Tribett: I would really love to play the banjo. I like the techniques in blue grass, all the finger picking, plucking all that stuff, as well Spanish guitar. I would love to take the time to learn flamenco, but I would rather just listen to it and eat tacos.

Marisa Williams: What is something people might not expect with your latest project, and do you have any other side projects?

Greg Tribett: I'll start with the second part first: no other projects. The first answer is I don't think people were expecting Billy to be singing instead of playing guitar; he also plays really good guitar.

Marisa Williams: What is the scariest thing about being on the road?

Greg Tribett: Traveling in bad weather, whether it be snow or storms, it can be a nightmare. If it's 2 in the morning, laying in the bunk during a blizzard or tornado warnings, that gets pretty scary.

Marisa Williams: Best or worst tour moment?

Greg Tribett: On one of the first Mudvayne records, we toured with Ozzy and Rob Zombie. That was the big tour that we got. All of the Ozzfest shows, being on the main stage with Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath, meeting Zakk Wylde, who is one of my idols besides Randy Rhodes.

Marisa Williams: I remember first meeting Zakk when I toured on Ozzfest in 2002, which was the year after you played the tour in 2001 and just before you toured with Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath on the main stage in 2005. He was a really a great guy though, as were all of the guys from Black Label Society.

Greg Tribett: Zakk is a great guy; he's like a little kid, really hyper.

Marisa Williams: What's your favorite way to travel and why?

Greg Tribett: Definitely by bus. I used to be really scared of flying. I'm over it now, as I've had to fly so much, but I definitely prefer a tour bus over getting on a plane.

Marisa Williams: What's your favorite place to travel to, and is there anywhere you have not been to that you would like to go to?

Greg Tribett: Favorite places are Australia and Japan. The place I haven't been and really want to go to is Alaska.

Marisa Williams: What's your biggest musical fantasy?

Greg Tribett: I would definitely say one is to jam with Led Zeppelin.

Marisa Williams: I have three personality questions that I ask everyone. They might sound like hogwash, but I promise, there is a psychological basis to the answers ;-) First, if you were an unicorn, and you could be any color but white, what color would you be and would you have any special powers?

Greg Tribett: I would be black with a red unicorn horn, and my special powers would be to fly.

Marisa Williams: Rather ironic, given that you said you didn't like to fly on a plane. This next question does not have to be traditional flavor, but if you were yogurt, what flavor would you be, and how would you be served?

Greg Tribett: I'd be peanut butter, almond chocolate with strawberries, served on top of a big flap jack.

Marisa Williams: That reminds me of going to the Netherlands, where they heap everything on top of a waffle, but that sounds so good. This next question, describe yourself as either a dog, a cat or a cartoon.

Greg Tribett: I would describe myself as a dog, a very muscular pit bull kind of a dog, a little gruffy, pure black.

Marisa Williams: Do you collect anything?

Greg Tribett: Not specifically, though I do like guitars. I have a lot of them, so I guess I would say guitars.

Marisa Williams: What's your biggest guilty pleasure?

Greg Tribett: Hot wings. That's my guilty pleasure. I'm trying to get off of them, but I happen to be hot wing connoisseur. I look for them in every city I've been in, hot wings with Coors Lite.

Marisa Williams: Do you have any hidden talents or special skills?

Greg Tribett: I'm a bass fisherman. Pretty damn good at it, maybe after my music career, I could become a professional bass angler.

Marisa Williams: I used to be the sports writer down in Key West, and I got to cover a lot of nautical sports. I must say, there is a lot more that goes into fishing than what meets the eye, especially if you're talking ocean fishing.

Greg Tribett: I'm down in Orlando right now, actually Clermont.

Marisa Williams: I was just there last week! I was covering the Lakeridge Winery, which does free daily tours and tastings if you're into wine, and we also covered the Revolution Off Road, which has the vehicles that go on the land and in the water. I do travel writing, too. Anyways, getting back to it, for you, what's the most important thing to remember?

Greg Tribett: Most important thing is stop taking life for granted, live it day by day to it's fullest. You just never know.

Marisa Williams: What has been your most influential moment?

Greg Tribett: Honestly, starting this new band has been very influential to me. I had the chance to write an entire record, so there's only one cook in the kitchen, not three. For me, it's my song writing, my music period.

Marisa Williams: If you were not doing music, what would you be doing?

Greg Tribett: I'd have to be doing some kind of art, something creative. I'm not a guy to sit around on the couch and watch TV. I gotta be creative. There's too many juices flowing, have to be creative.

Marisa Williams: What are three things you must have with you when you are on the road?

Greg Tribett: One is my phone, two is toiletry bag, three would have to be my music. I listen to a ton of different stuff, so honestly, I'm not a real metal fan, as I listen to everything from Jazz to Radiohead kind of music, orchestra, and blue grass, like I said.

Marisa Williams: Someone once told me that if you really want to make it in the music industry, you really need to be able to appreciate all types of music.

Greg Tribett: I think that makes you a real musician, when you can appreciate what you're doing, because you're definitely not the best. There's so many different styles of music, down to people playing buckets for drums on the side of the street, and I just look at that in awe. I appreciate music and everyone who does that kind of thing. Music makes the world go round, period. Without it, I don't know what life would be like. It's in the air, the birds, the trees, it's all there.

Marisa Williams: Very true. Do you have any advice for musicians starting out?

Greg Tribett: I would say be as good as you can at your craft and be original. Get in a garage with a band, play your music, experience it. Don't sit in your bedroom on your computer and just throw it up on the internet. There's no interaction with people. Do whatever for a few years before you think about doing anything on a professional level.

Marisa Williams: Anything we did not mention that you want to make sure to include? Closing thoughts? Additional comments?

Greg Tribett: I would like to include the current tour with Drowning Pool, give everyone a heads up on that. Are you going to be coming out to the show?

Marisa Williams: I would certainly like to, as I'm super excited to see you guys playing with Drowning Pool. As I mentioned, when I toured on Ozzfest in 2002, that unfortunately was the year that Dave Williams of Drowning Pool was found dead. My last name is Williams, and I was at the hotel when they found his body, so that really hit home hard for me. It also gave me a new perspective on things, being a journalist. I'll tell you what, when those helicopters were landing within 20 minutes of his body being discovered, it really sickened me, and I vowed I would try to not be that type of journalist. I definitely would like to make it out to the show on Friday though. Any other things to add in before I let you go?

Greg Tribett: Our record's out, came out Oct. 2^nd, literally only out for four months now. Hopefully, you'll hear another single soon, don't know which song yet, still working on it. People should keep up with our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates, as those are the three main accounts that we use.

For more information on Audiotopsy, visit www.facebook.com/audiotopsyband, www.twitter.com/audiotopsymusic, and www.instagram.com/audiotopsyband.

The author of more than 100 books, Marisa Williams earned her Master's in Writing from the Johns Hopkins University and is the publisher of Thorisaz Views. For more on Marisa, visit www.lulu.com/spotlight/thorisaz and www.twitter.com/booksnbling. 

Valleys "Experiment One: Asylum" Review

Valleys debut album “Experiment One: Asylum” will be released on Feb. 12^th, and it is worth a listen. The concept album explores multiple personality disorder through the main character, who is called Asylum, and aims to show listeners that it is possible to overcome. While the concept is more interesting than most concept albums, it's the musicality of the album that will grasp you by the throat.

Sucking you in with melody and audio concepts, there is a softness that lures in listeners, then slams them up against the wall in hard hitting riffs. Just when you want to slap a label on the band, the whole sound of the album changes. There's digital sounding concepts that relax you into a comfortable state, making you wonder if a different album had been put on, but then the rock returns with a force.

Each track stands alone differently, but as a whole, the album does feel like multiple personalities. The vocals even change, some sounding as if it's going to launch into a hair ballad, or borderline emo, followed by distinct growling of hardcore, then softening to rock singing, before growing more angry like punk rock. In that sense, this album borders on many genres, both vocally and musically.

This is an album that hard core metal heads would appreciate, but it has a softer side that would appeal to many audience members. The fact that there is a concept behind the album, one that can literally and figuratively be heard when taking in the album as a whole, speaks volumes in and of itself. This is not one of those cryptic albums where you kind of get what they're trying to do, but an album that really does take in the many facets of sounds and musical techniques to show a well rounded sound enveloping a concept that touches the lives of many people, echoing musically how it is in life.

Multiple personalities are shown, as each song seems to take on a different personality. Whether it's relaxing back, tranquil, with an almost Spanish finger picking technique on the guitar, or being slammed full force with machine gun drumming, you can hear and feel the changes within the album. Guitars take on meandering playful riffs, but then the drums speed up, and the vocals begin to growl.

The Valleys have an almost Cathedral-like storytelling quality, where the story concept can be felt within the song by the instruments and the vocals. This is a very cleverly done album, and does not play like a debut full-length album. “Experiment One: Asylum” sounds more like a crowning achievement from a band that has been around for years, so if this is the beginning, one can only wait to see what's next from Valleys.

Valleys were formed in 2013, and though they released the “Reborn” EP in 2014, “Experiment One: Asylum” is their first full length album. Valleys were the official winners of the 2015 Headbang for the Highway Battle of the Bands for the Summer Slaughter Tour, endorsed by Coldcock Whiskey. Jayson Mitchell and Mikey Clement share vocals duties, R.J. Riggle and Brandon Scurlark double team the guitars, while Brandon Clement plays bass, and Robert Meikle pounds the drums.

For more on Valleys, visit www.facebook.com/valleysnc, www.twitter.com/valleysnc, and www.valleysnc.bandcamp.com. Marisa Williams earned her Master's in Writing from the Johns Hopkins University. For more by Marisa, visit www.lulu.com/spotlight/thorisaz.

Prehistoric Fun at Dinosaur World

Take a trip back in time, before there was gun crime, when vegetation growth was sublime.

Travel back before there were cars, or obnoxiously loud bars, when direction came from the stars.

Fast as you blinked, travel back to before dinosaurs were extinct, and learn what made them distinct.

Study each fossil. Learn which dinosaur would have been docile, and which ones were colossal.

Tiptoe across the floor. Hear a scary roar. Turn the corner and see a massive moving dinosaur.

You can hardly believe your eyes. Take in its mammoth size. “Whoa, check it out, guys.”

Your friends stare in awe. “Look at the size of that paw! That's even cooler than the artifacts we saw.”

You wouldn't want to get scratched by those nails, or get whacked by their tails. Set out for the trails.

Time to disembark. Meander Dinosaur World park. Think how it'd be to run into dinos after dark.

Would you be on the food chain? Carnivores could cause a lot of pain. Herbivores would abstain.

Be very quiet. The guide will tell you more about their diet. They add in jokes that are a riot.

They lead you on a hunt. You have to bring bones to the forefront. This is a time consuming stunt.

With proper tools in hand, carefully brush off layers of the sand. The unraveling puzzle will expand.

Further down you mined. There's still more bones to find. The skeleton may not be perfectly aligned.

Dig deeper still. Finding artifacts gives you a thrill. It's fun to learn paleontological skill.

Browse a paleontological work site. The Skeleton Garden is a delight. Uncover fossils into sight.

What's next in store? There's more than 20 acres to explore. Shiny things you do adore.

Crack open a geode. Once where magma flowed, minerals left behind gave crystals an abode.

Within a rocky surface they hide. Crack it open and look inside. It sparkles like a ring on a bride.

Ready for a hands on quiz? See who is the biggest dinosaur whiz. Can you touch and tell what it is?

Dinosaur World is like traveling through the ages. See massive creatures free of cages. This engages.

There's so much to see. There's room to run around with glee. History holds the key.

There's much to learn, you will want to return. It's the place to go if it's dinosaurs you yearn.

If visiting Florida to walk amongst the palm, bring sun balm, and go to www.dinosaurworld.com.

For more curious looks, check out Marisa's books; go to www.lulu.com/spotlight/thorisaz to dig in your hooks.

Be carefree at Coco Key

Coco Key is a fun place to be.  Ride down a waterslide, whee!  Your face with beam with glee.

This family destination in Orlando is the place to go to make every family member’s face aglow.

Slipping down a water slide is always a fun ride, and International Drive has attractions curbside.

Next door is putt-putt.  At breakfast buffet, have a donut.  So much to do, it’s hard to decide what.

Some have it made by simply playing in the arcade.  Others would rather splash around like a mermaid.

Hop the shuttle to Universal or Sea World.  Doesn’t matter if hair is curled.  Roller coasters twirled.

Get passes in the lobby.  Orlando theme parks could be a new hobby.  Try restaurants serving kohlrabi.

Go up in the sky on the Orlando Eye.  Try Sleuths, laugh until you cry while solving how one did die.

Explore Wonderworks. Ripley’s is full of berserks.  Coco Key’s central location has many perks.

Hop in the Jacuzzi to relax.  The two person slide is a climax.  Slide and feel the g-force impacts.

Hot tub has a waterfall.  Take a picture in front of it like a doll.  Jump in the pool with a cannonball.

Squirt friends with a water gun.  Decide which slide is the most fun.  Kick back and get some sun.

Grabs drink at the Tiki bar.  Poolside eats means you don’t have to go far.  Write this in your memoir.

Swim until you can’t bare it.  Maybe if you act with merit, you can get your picture with the parrot.

Play in the gingerbread house.  Spend quality time with your spouse.  Beware of the bucket douse.

Underneath the hanging shark, take cover from wetness under the arc.  Up the waterscape you embark.

If you’d rather be dry like a drought, go to the weight room to work out or simply meander about.

There’s computers to use, awesome greenery to cruise, and so much fun you won’t want to snooze.

Eventually, the bed will call your name, and that is anything but lame, as comfort is their aim.

Fluff the pillow and flop down.  There will not be a frown.  It is relaxation all the way around.

Walk amongst the palm.  Breathe in the fun and the calm.  Go to www.cocokeyresort.com.

Book your vacation today.  You’ll be glad you came to play, and you’ll want to extend your stay.

Escape from cold weather forecasters.  Avoid icy disasters.  Marisa Williams earned her Master’s

in Writing from Johns Hopkins.  She enjoys travels that promotes grins and taking along swim fins.

If her writing you do adore, then check out more; at www.lulu.com/spotlight/thorisaz there is a galore.

Escapology is exciting, knuckle biting and uniting

Escapology is the place to go when visiting Orlando.  It will require logic and problem solving though.

If you’re one that likes to snoop, gather together a group, and see if you can get the scoop.

Pick a scenario.  Budapest Express or eenie meenie miney mo.  Get into character, “cheerio!”

Don’t think of being locked in a room.  Don’t let your heart fill with gloom.  It’s not impending doom.

Try to escape.  Don’t leave your mouth agape.  Look at the landscape.

Scour the locked room for a clue.  Have teammates help you.  Discover a breakthrough.

Be part of a Western shootout with a gun.  Find clues before the clock’s done.  Get help from everyone.

Put your heads together.  Look under the leather.  Pressure tightens like a tether.

The clock counts down.  Try not to frown.  It’s like playing hide and seek on the playground.

Look for hidden keys.  Wake up on a Chinese junk sailing the seas.  Feel out of your expertise.

Get Shangaied.  Swallow your pride.  Ask for help from your observing guide.

Solve a riddle and gloat.  Pressure wraps around your throat.  Time to find the Antidote.

Can you find the vaccine in time?  Are you thinking at your prime?  Can you solve the crime?

The clock continues to tock and tick.  You have to be quick.  Check the candlestick, or is it a card trick?

Bounce around the room like a pinball.  Search over it all.  Hunt and try to muster the wherewithal.

This is supposed to be fun.  You struggle to get it done.  Somehow you wind up back where you begun.

When were we booked?  Was something overlooked?  Escapology has you frustrated but hooked.

Brain starts to steam.  Anxiety hits the extreme.  There’s a new clue found by the team.

Do a happy dance.  This could be your chance.  Give the evidence a glance and search the expanse.

Go into beast mode.  Try to crack the code.  Clock keeps counting like a bomb will explode.

Try to stay calm for your friends.  Deep breaths to try to cleanse.  Momentary peace transcends.

Give your teammates an encouraging nuzzle.  Quiet you frustrations with a muzzle.  Solve the puzzle.

Your senses are spicous.  It’s the Cuban Missile Crisis.  It’s like fighting modern day Isis.

Try to prevent a World War.  Don’t want to risk losing the Corps.  Check inside that drawer.

The door is still locked.  Progress is blocked.  A friend finds the key, and you’re shocked.

Energy is restored.  You are floored.  This requires more thought than a move on a chess board.

Open the door to the next room.  Look inside an ancient tomb.  This must be the Lost City you assume.

There are more dilemmas to confront.  Continue on the hunt.  Logic turns into a challenging stunt.

Struggle to make sense.  Because of this, then hence.  The air is building with suspense.

The clock is almost done.  Rely upon a loved one.  Vow the team will not be outdone by anyone.

Don’t allow people to go berserk.  Double up the team work.  Ignore anyone acting a jerk with a smirk.

Has the team evolved?  Will you have it solved?   It’s amazing how everyone’s involved.

Visit Escapology for an experience in criminology mixed with the bonding of sociology.

Stalk Escapology.com like a peeping tom to have your mind blown like an exploding bomb.

Escapology is knuckle biting and uniting.  Johns Hopkins is where Marisa earned her Master’s in Writing.  For more that’s exciting, www.lulu.com/spotlight/thorisaz can be delighting.