What or who were some of the biggest musical inspirations for the material on In the Shadows of Madness?
Jake:
I have so many influences on the guitar that I could go on and on about different players. But, for this CD I was influenced by a ton of the Shrapnel artists. For example, Jason Becker and Marty Friedman's first solo CDs Perpetual Burn and Dragons Kiss, as well as their two Cacophony records were constantly being played. Of course Yngwie's Rising Force and Jeff Loomis's Zero Order Phase were two other records that I really loved. Al Di Meola's Elegant Gypsy EP was also a huge influence on the writing of the last song "Drawing of the Three".
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You have some varying atmospheres through the EP. Was this intentional, or were you trying to keep in the same mood from one track to another?
Jake:
Thank you for noticing the different atmospheres! I always liked when a band's album had songs that were pretty progressive in the sense that it had elements of different genres or maybe something that you wouldn't expect from a metal band. In my opinion, Queen and Zeppelin were masters at doing songs that were so different than one another yet at the same time still sounded like the band. I find that if an album just has the same thing over and over it can be a little stale after a few listens. It's funny because I never actually set out to write a really heavy fast tune, a ballad of some sort or an adventurous song. It just kind of happened naturally.
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It seemed like the three songs were linked, at least by the last track "Drawing of the Three". Was this intended to be more a conceptual piece?
Jake:
Man, I wish I had a cool enough story that I could link all those songs together in some type of concept. Each song has its own concept or story that I tried to "write" into the music. I finished all of those songs the summer before I headed off to LA so I am sure the emotions I was feeling at that time about moving away from home carry across in each song. I can definitely see where you're coming from about them all being linked "Drawing of the Three" was kind of an experiment gone mad. It took about ten months to write and I am not sure what possessed me to throw in a Latin section but at the time it was something that I really wanted to do. That song has a love/ hate relationship with listeners and I don't blame them.
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You are currently working on your full-length recording according to the press release. Will these three tracks be included, or is it going to be all new material?
Jake:
That's something I have been thinking about as I am beginning to write the full-length. I am sure I will include one of the tracks on the album. I am not sure at this point which one I would choose. I might decide to re-record a tune or change a few things. It's hard for me to tell at this moment. Depending on how the other songs end up turning out and how the flow of the album will be. That will ultimately be the deciding factor. Who knows? By the time it's completely written throwing one of these songs on might not make any sense.
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Could there be a chance of a conceptual flow to the full-length recording?
Jake:
Like I mentioned before, if I could come up with an interesting enough concept I think it would be a very cool challenge. The way the new tunes are coming along it's going to be a different story for each song. However, if I were ever to do a concept album I would totally do it King Diamond style and have it be like a mini-horror novel. It would be cheesy but only in the best possible way.
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The In the Shadows of Madness EP was all instrumental. Have you considered adding vocals to the full-length recording by yourself, a permanent member or guest? If so, what kind of vocals would you say best fit the songs you write or are currently writing? If not, why is that?
Jake:
As soon as I finished this EP I knew the next one I wanted to do would have vocals on it. I am a huge fan of singers that have a really great sense of melody. I would love to have someone who has a similar quality to Russell Allen. I recently saw Symphony X live and his vocal performance blew me away. Matt Barlow from Iced Earth,/b> and Kelly Carpenter are two other vocalist that constantly amaze me in this genre.
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Are there any plans to have some guest musicians appear on that release? If yes, who? If not, why?
Jake:
I think it would be really cool to have some guest players on the next album. I would like to at least have all my personal private teachers: Chris Broderick, David Shankle, Terry Syrek and Rusty Cooley, throw a solo on a tune or something like that. Those guys are all monster players and I would be honored just to be able to play on the same track as those guys.
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Is there currently any record label attention towards In the Shadows of Madness or the future full-length, or are you going to stick primarily with being an independent act and not answering to a record label?
Jake:
Honestly, I haven't even sent the EP out to any labels at this moment. If the right label were to come around and truly believe in the EP I would definitely go with them! My fantasy when I was writing the songs was to have it come out on Shrapnel Records just like all my favorite players. But, I don't even think Mike Varney does the "shred" stuff anymore. I could be wrong, hopefully I am. My goal with ITSM [In the Shadows of Madness] is to really use it as an avenue to get my name out on the scene and hopefully bring on some attention. With that being said, when the full-length comes out I definitely will put a lot more effort into searching for a label!
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I see you are currently attending the Musicians Institute for a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance. Were you already in this program when you wrote and/or recorded the In the Shadows of Madness EP? If so, did it conflict with your studies in any way?
Jake:
I would say about 90% of the EP was written/recorded before attending MI. I wrote all of the songs months before the recording process even began and we tracked all the drums, bass, rhythm guitars and a few leads two months before I started school. During a fall break at MI The producer JJ Crews and I went back into the studio to finish up the remainder of the solos and to lay down the clean guitar tracks. All the main lead guitar and clean guitar that is heard throughout "Beyond the Tranquil Descent" was cut at this time as well as the acoustic guitar section/solo on "Drawing of the Three". I could tell that my approach on soloing had changed drastically in just the few months I had been at MI. The way the instructors approach chord tones and shaping was something that I found very interesting. So I really tried to keep those in mind when tracking the leads.
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Do you think it'll make a noticable difference in the full-length once it's recorded?
Jake:
I know there will be a tremendous difference when it comes to writing for the full length now having been to MI. When I was writing ITSM the only theory knowledge I had came from my one on one teachers and a Music Theory I course I had taken at a local community college. I personally find music theory to be very valuable in composing music. The way I write is I usually will stumble upon an idea by jamming along on various riffs then expanding upon those ideas. Theory just allows me to be able to find those ideas at a much faster pace. Already some of the ideas that I have for the new CD I feel have a lot more orchestration to them than what was on ITSM. Not taking anything away from any of the songs off the EP but naturally in school I have been exposed to new things that obviously will have some kind of influence in the writing for the full length.
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Will the line-up be the same as it was for In the Shadows of Madness? [Adam Sagan, ex-Into Eternity; Noah Martin, Arsis]
Jake:
I know drummer Adam Sagan and Producer JJ Crews will definitely be a part of the new CD. I would love for Noah Martin to be on there as well but I know he has commitments to his band but if time allows he sure has an invitation! I had a great time working with everyone involved on ITSM. Adam is a phenomenal drummer and a really great guy. He knew exactly what I wanted for these songs. Adam and I remain in constant contact about future plans. No question that he will be on the next album. JJ Crews and I also have a great working relationship. He has produced and worked on many projects I have been a part of. We share the same views and opinions on a lot of things music/sound wise. I can't imagine doing a record without him behind the board. Not to mention he is probably one of the coolest dudes around.
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How much longer do you have to go in the Music Performance program, and will we be seeing a solo Jake Dreyer tour after, or during any breaks you get from that educational program?
Jake:
I have about two years left in the bachelor program at Musicians Institute if I continue full time. I totally plan on touring for this release at some point during those two years. I am even willing to put school on hold if the right opportunity were to present its self whether that would be touring with this solo project or joining an already established band.
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Is there anything else you would like to mention to the readers I didn't touch upon?
Jake:
I would just like to thank you, Jason for allowing me to do this interview. I really appreciate you taking the time and interest for presenting me with these question. Also, I would like to thank the readers for making it this far in the interview without closing out the article and saying "Who the hell is this Jake Dreyer kid?" Finally, Thanks to everyone who has checked out In the Shadows of Madness!
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Anytime, Jake! I wish you all the best with your studies and hope this solo project really takes off for you. Take care!
