w/EDDIE PANIAGUA
Dawn/The Metal Web!: What has Puya been up to since Ozzfest?

Eddie Paniagua: After Ozzfest in 1999, with bands like Slayer, Black Sabbath, Primus, Deftones, Rob Zombie and Godsmack, we just kept touring non-stop.  We toured with Sepultura, Hatebreed, Slipknot, Fear Factory, Iron Maiden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pantera, Sevendust, Biohazard, System of a Down, Incubus, Mr. Bungle, and Type O Negative.  We opened for Kiss in Puerto Rico and I am only mentioning some of the American bands we shared the stage with. There were also tours with bands that move in the Spanish rock circuit such as Molotov, Resorte and Animal among others.  

In 2001, we released our second studio album under MCA records called UNION, produced by Garth Richardson (Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mudvane) and Andrew Mudrock (Godsmack, Powerman 5000).  And again we went out on the road.  Only this time after a few months of touring we had to face some difficult realities in the personal live of some of us.  Plus we were not too happy with the label’s work in promoting the band. When the personnel was replaced over at MCA as a result of the big Universal merging everything got very tense and it was not doing us any good.  The new MCA team did not push the band like they did on the first record.  So that was our cue to move on to the next thing.  Then September 11 came along and I don't have to say no more.  This fucked it up for everyone in the industry, or any industry for that matter.   So we decided to take a short brake so the guys could go home for a minute and take care of their families and such.   Since then we have been at home in Puerto Rico where we did a big headlining concert in March which was recorded and it is what we are currently working on.  Everyone is going to see what a Puya show is like in our hometown.  After this is released and we do some tour dates we should be ready to go back into the studio and pump out a new CD.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: It sounds like there was some conflict between Puya and MCA.  Were you able to come to an agreement or is Puya representing them selves these days?

Eddie Paniagua: As of right now we are representing ourselves.  But probably not for very long.  There is already interest from various label's.  I guess we will look into different offers and decide what's best for us.  In the mean time we are producing the live record by ourselves in PR.  We never had a conflict or a war with MCA.  It's was just a matter of people not doing what they where supposed to be doing at a given time.  And people not being satisfied with other people's work. We never looked at it as a conflict though.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: When Puya was approached by MCA, how did that come about and was this the first label you went with or were you represented by an independent first?

Eddie Paniagua: We started talking to MCA back in 1997, but we did not sign with them until 1998.  It all came about as a result of 9 years of hard work and sacrifice.  9 years of paying our dues. It did not come easy for us.  I guess we took the long route.  But we were fortunate enough to hook up with some key people that helped immensely in the development of this band. During the band's first 3 or 4 years, we where in Puerto Rico, this is where we are all from. After that we spent 4 more years in Ft. Lauderdale Fla. playing the local scene with bands that were mostly into the death metal. This was huge in the Lauderdale underground. Bands like Nonpoint and Marilyn Manson where also part of the local scene back then. Anyway, we hooked up with an indie label called Noiz Boiz. They helped us put out our first CD. Although it had very bad distribution, it helped us to get to the next step. We started sending it to people and shopping it around and things sort of started to happen. I guess that if I had to pin point a specific day that we would consider the turning point of the band it would probably be the night of the Billboard Latin Music Conference in Miami 1996. It was the first time we had the chance to play on a showcase for the record industry people. You could say that almost every important event unfolded from that night. That's where we hooked up with producer Bob Ezrin, known for producing Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and everything they did after that, also Kiss "Destroyer", Alice Cooper, Peter Gabriel and the list goes on. Anyway he was the main guy that we kind of took for a mentor. For some weird reason he always had a soft spot for us. He loved the band and still does. Anyway, in 1997 he helped us to record some demos in Los Angeles. We wanted to get everything we had on tape. Then we landed a publishing deal with Rondor Music International and shortly after that we started conversations with MCA and with a producer friend Gustavo Santaolaya, who ended up producing our first CD "Fundamental".

Dawn/The Metal Web!: For the bands just starting to break or looking for that deal, what kind of advice could you give after dealing with a major label yourself?

Eddie Paniagua: The best advice I could give these bands I guess it would be to stay true to yourselves and really believe in what you do. Your band mates are your circle of trust. You have to keep that circle strong so there is no leakage. The only way this can happen is that every member of the band puts 100% of their efforts into the band and it has to be always #1 in your list of priorities. The minute that your circle starts to show gaps, fix it immediately or that will only be the tip of the iceberg. If you can survive any obstacle and keep it strong through any situation you will become like a freight train that no one can stop. With this approach you will find that no problem is too big. Take care of the little day to day things and the big things will take care of themselves.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: Before being signed, how did you get your music heard in the states?

Eddie Paniagua: The only way to get your music out there if you are not signed, is to promote the shit out of your band like there is no tomorrow. Play out as much as you can. Try to start building a fan base. Get a fan mailing list going and let them know everytime you are playing or anything that the band is up to. Call them up personally if you have to. Also try to get your music played on college radio. At least this is how we did it. College Radio is immensely helpful to any unsigned or signed band. A lot of our accomplishments were as a result of college radio stations around the U.S. such as Jersey's WSOU. I have tremendous respect for them.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: What was your first experience like playing the clubs and/or arenas in the states after leaving Puerto Rico?

Eddie Paniagua: It felt really fucking good. For the first time it felt that the band was entering another stage of its career. We were conquering new uncharted waters and we felt that we were unstoppable. It felt very rewarding after so much hard work. We just wanted to be the tightest band around.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: Recently you did a live recording taken from the show in Puerto Rico will be released as a DVD.  Will it be available in any other format?

Eddie Paniagua: Yes there will probably be other formats such as CD's and VHS.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: I know this is still in the early stages, but is there a title and release date?

Eddie Paniagua: At this time there is not a specific release date or title. Although we are trying to get it released no later than September or October of 2002. It's almost finished but there is a lot of red tape and B.S. we have to deal with to make it all nice and legal.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: Of the footage shot, is there any behind the scenes or is it strictly going to be a live element?

Eddie Paniagua: It is mostly the live show but there is some cool behind the scenes footage that we might throw in there as well. You know fun stuff.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: It had to be pretty intense going home and playing to your home crowd, what can the fans expect from this release?

Eddie: It was definitely very special to play a big show in our hometown. We try to do it at least once a year if we can. Although this time was extra special because we were recording it.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: A lot of bands say nothing beats playing in their hometown.  Do you agree?

Eddie: Absolutely. These are the people that have been following the band since the beginning. They gave us the first push to keep going and there is a certain feeling of pride when they see the band succeed in other places.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: What’s the metal scene like in Puerto Rico?  Is there a strong following and market?

Eddie Paniagua: Obviously not as big as in the states but yes, there are a lot of metal fans in the island. Although metal does not have the same kind of exposure in the media as in the U.S., metal bands like Pantera and Sepultura etc. come to do concerts and they do great. There is definitely a market for metal in PR I mean we headline 6000 seaters here. I think that means something.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: Earlier on Puya toured extensively for quite a while.  Which do you enjoy more, being on the road or being in a recording session and why?

Eddie Paniagua: I like them both. In the studio you get to create and you see your work being born which is priceless although you are in a more controlled environment. In a live show you get to let it all out and you are interacting with a crowd. Anything can and will happen in a live show. That's what I like the most about it, the unpredictability, if there is such a word.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: I ask every band this question, are there any tour stories good or bad that you’d like to share with your fans?

Eddie Paniagua: Boy there is so many I could write a book. Like the time when we burned a cabin to the ground by a chimney accident in up state New York in the middle of winter at 4am. Or the numerous times when a member of the band was MIA after a show and we would have to leave without him and he would have to catch a plane or bus to the next place making to the show just in the nick of time. Or when one of our bandmates got in a fistfight with the sound engineer for Type O Negative in the middle of their set in Portland. Nothing against Type O, they are a great bunch of guys, but their sound guy was an asshole with a capital A. Needless to say they took it to the street, police got involved and you know the rest. Our boy got arrested and delivered to our bus a couple of blocks down the street and out we went. Only to come back the next year to the same venue with a different tour of course and our boy was having beers with the same cop that had arrested him in our prior visit. I could keep going on with stories all day but like I said it would take a book. So we'll catch up on this later.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: Out of all the countries and/or states you’ve toured, where is your favorite place to play and why?

Eddie Paniagua: I've enjoyed every tour we have been in. They have all been great. If I were to choose my favorite ones it would probably be the Snocore 2000 with System of a Down, Incubus and Mr. Bungle, The Chili Peppers tour in South America, Sepultura and Hatebreed tour and of course The Ozzfest 99'.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: Puya has shared the stage with a significant amount of bands in different musical genres.  What setting do you find Puya most comfortable when touring?

Eddie Paniagua: I don't think that we fit with a specific genre, we have had good response in every situation.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: I understand Puya being booked with the likes of Slayer, Biohazard and some of the other heavier bands you mentioned, but Kiss, that’s definitely a strange combination?  What was that like and was the crowd receptive?

Eddie Paniagua: It was an amazing experience and a real honor for us. Specially being in our hometown. The crowd knew who we were and Kiss knew it. It was a truly memorable night and when Gene Simmons came in our dressing room in full costume and makeup to personally congratulate us for a great set, it was priceless.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: There is so many labels’ put on music today.  Whether it be Metal, Thrash Metal, Rap Metal, etc… How would you categorize the music that you’re doing?

Eddie Paniagua: It falls into none of them and all of them at the same time. We just play what flows more naturally out of us. We appreciate many styles of music and you can hear it in our music.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: Puya can be very melodic to very heavy, is it a combined effort within the band when writing the material?  There seems to be a whole lot of different influences contributing musically.

Eddie Paniagua: Yes it is group collaboration although most of the ideas come from Harold Hopkins (bassist) and Ramon Ortiz (guitarist). And at the time of rehearsal when we are putting it together there is no holding back. We try to be very opened minded and let the ideas flow. Or jam to a riff for a while and allow it to take it's own course and see where it takes us. Sometimes songs write themselves without even knowing it.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: Speaking of influences, Puya wrote a song “Bridge” for the late Tito Puente.  Great drummer I may add.  Is he one of your strongest influences?

Eddie Paniagua: In many ways yes. A side from being a great musician and songwriter he was a great human being. There is certainly a lot to learn from him and from his music.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: What other musicians influence the band?

Eddie Paniagua: There are many different influences but to name a few, Sepultura, Santana, Jimmy Hendrix, Steve Ray Vaughn, Chili Peppers, old Van Halen, AC /DC, Phish, Zeppelin, Floyd, and a lot of Latin artists like Ruben Blades, Hector Lavoe, Eddie Palmieri, El Gran Combo and many others.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: Collectively, how long has the band been playing?

Eddie Paniagua: Going on 12 years now. Since 1990.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: For the drummers out there, do you have any tips for a live gig?

Eddie: Have as much confidence in yourself as you possibly can. Stretch for a while before the show to avoid cramps. Focus and play as tight as you can and rock out.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: What kind of equipment do you prefer and why?

Eddie: For cymbals I prefer Istanbul. I have tried everything out there and they truly give me what I want in a cymbal. I like big crashes. I use 19" and 20" crashes and 18" and 20" chinas. Heavy hi hats, 21" raw ride and a 26" gong. All Istanbul Alchemy. For sticks I like Vick Firth 5b wood tip. and for drums when I'm on the road I like Tama. They take a lot of beating and never leaves you hanging.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: How many pieces do you have to your kit and is there any special tricks you have for tuning?

Eddie Paniagua: I play a six-piece set with 2 double bass drum pedals. As far as tuning I tune the 1st rack tom an octave higher than the 1st floor tom and the 2nd rack tom an octave higher than the 2nd floor tom. Sizes are 10", 12", 16", 18" and 22" kick drum. Just make sure the heads are tighten evenly and listen for the overtones.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: After the DVD release, Puya will be going in to record some new material.  Do you feel some pressure to create a record that will live up to the success of “Union” or “Fundamental”?

Eddie Paniagua: No, there is not pressure. We are just going to try to have as much fun as we can creating the stuff and hopefully that will reflect in the music.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: When can the fans anticipate a new album and tour?

Eddie Paniagua: It's hard to say right now but we will try to go back out as soon as possible. Maybe early 2003.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: Lately, there are so many Latin Metal bands merging on the scene, what do you feel sets Puya apart from the rest?  Although I feel musically, your band is truly unique.  The others seem to sound a like, where as Puya mixes it up.

Eddie Paniagua: I don't know why. Maybe it is because we are not trying to sound like anyone else, although you hear some influences. We try to stay ahead of the game by constantly writing new stuff.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: Do you feel there’s some competition in regards to this?

Eddie Paniagua: Yes there is always competition and people are always comparing bands to other bands but we try to not look at it as a competition and instead we claim our own spot. I think everybody has a place in the music industry.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: When you go into record the new material, will you be bringing in any other musicians to contribute to the album?

Eddie Paniagua: Don't know yet, but probably yes. At least we always have percussion players or a brass section here and there.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: What direction, if any, will the band be going when writing for the new album?

Eddie Paniagua: Where ever it takes us. We are not going to change the creative process. We will see what feels right.

Dawn/The Metal Web!: Eddie, thanks and I appreciate the feature.  Do you any final words for The Metal Web!?

Eddie Paniagua: Thanks for everything. you guys have been great. And thanks to all of our Jersey fans.
Catch you later.

OFFICIAL SITE "PUYA": http://www.puya.net


HOME