Interview with Frequency Overload

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

Me personally, This is Mr. Bush speaking, I was introduced to music by a box of cereal. When i was a kid i got a cut out record on the back of a cereal box. “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” was the song. My siblings all had records of different genres…and I finally had mine. If I hadn’t had music as an outlet over the years I would likely be dead or in jail.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I especially enjoy the down time from work. I try to watch some cool movies if I can. I find that original creativity to be quite stimulating. I am mostly a psychological horror and fantasy guy, but I’ve been known to indulge in comedy as well. For many years I ran a reptile business where I was a breeder and seller as well as an educational exhibitionist. I also like to spend time unwinding with my wife. Spending time with her is essential for me…after all time is the one commodity no one can budget. I think watching cinema influences the content of how lyrics convey the human condition. You never know where and insight will come from.

How long has your band been around?

FREQUENCY OVERLOAD has been around a mere 2.5 years. We are coming up on three years soon. To have already had the warm reception we’ve had and release an album is really exciting.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

FREQUENCY OVERLOAD is based out of Long Island, New York. The Long Island Metal scene has always been strong. In my first original band we used to play keg parties with Pyrexia and Suffocation. The area outside of New York City and east onto the island, where we are, is a hot bed of original music.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

Or bassist, Steve Little, was eager to stop talking about band names at rehearsal, and said “ Lets not worry about band names and just overload these frequencies!” And it Stuck…FREQUENCY OVERLOAD became the band's name. Now it means more. In a practical way it is a more mature name reflective of us as a whole…DEATH MALLARD, didn’t quite fit. But also all in life and the universe is vibrations and therefore frequency…so what is more fitting in a cosmos of frequency than a FREQUENCY OVERLOAD!

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

One of our most memorable shows so far was DINGBATZ, in New Jersey. We were the only metal band on a hardcore bill, but still earned the respect of the crowd. We were the opener for a few hardcore bands headlined by Spolier NYC. Alan from Spoiler NYC is also the bassist for NY legends LIfe Of Agony. Since Joey Z from Life Of Agony engineered the FATE ANTHROPIC album, we had that connection. But it was our first out of state gig, and it was a blast.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

Well I have to say my favorite place to play is a small local place called Shakers Pub, in Oakdale on Long Island. It is near to us and due to that alot of our close friends, family, and fans always make that location. But after last week, The Amityville Music Hall, In Amityville Long Island, is right up there. The sound and size of the club was awesome. There are a host of places we want to play, for sure. Among those would be Toads Place in Connecticut, and the Monarch in Brooklyn NY.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Ouch! That’s a Touch one! So for me personally I will remain realistic. I think for me, a perfect show and line up would be…Sacred Reich, D.R.I., Life Of Agony, and ofcourse FREQUENCY OVERLOAD! Now of course my first thought was Lamb Of God, Megadeth, and Pantera…but like i said, in an effort to set attainable goals for 2025, the line up above…at Toads Place!

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Some advice I would give someone starting out is to TAKE YOURSELF MORE SERIOUS! Protect your material, discuss incorporation with an accountant, document your time and money spent on equipment ect. We need to take advantage of everything we can. My younger self was quite a maniac. If I was to give my younger self advice it would be this: “Put down the drugs and alcohol and wear the mask of a warrior until it fits.”

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

Again for me, stay off drugs and alcohol. I think for everyone it would be to take your art more seriously and practice more. The system we live in is great at crushing people beneath the need to work ridiculous hours to just survive.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Personally, I would have to say “The Pain Factor”. I never knew, as a child, why it was carving myself open with razor knives. After growing up and doing psychological research and discovery, I realize much more. And to let the emotional pain become bleeding flesh, is a personal journey I get to share with the listener.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

One of my favorites to play is NOT I! It’s a fun one and has a great upbeat positivity and snark to it! I would have to say the most requested has been LOVE AND BULLETS! The chorus has become a popular sing along part for the crowd.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

For us it is music first. Guitarist Corey Scaefer, Drummer Kevin Daily, and Bassist Steve Little, write the music, bounce riffs off each other ect. Kevin tries different beats and when they are done, I write the words…however on a few occasions they have just started playing and I have enunciated patterns of nonsense words just to try patterns…some of that has now become solid and written down. I think living life, handling obstacles,and overcoming adversity inspire us to write. Also the joy of it. The creative process is therapy.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

Don’t be a narcissistic douchebag, live correct, believe in yourself, overcome and succeed, identify toxic people and traits and eliminate them from your life.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

The only disagreements thus far have been the guys always wanting to play bizarre, insane, vocally challenging cover songs…among these have been Balls To The Wall by Accept, Atomic Punk by Van Halen, and Super Freak by Rick James. I always throw my mic down and storm off! Then typically we end up playing them, and I lose!

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

We in FREQUENCY OVERLOAD, are currently recording our second album. We found a home for our debut album FATE ANTHROPIC at SODEH records and will be releasing a second album in 2025! We also are eyeballing a short American tour as well as several US festivals. As the FREQUENCY OVERLOAD snowballs we are looking to embrace many opportunities!