It's a pleasure to speak with you Ken, and to talk about one of the best hard rock releases of the year, Wycked Synn's debut record "The Vision", available now through Chavis Records. Let me start by asking you a simple question, do you consider this release hard rock or can we say its power metal? It certainly has the stylings of both. KEN:Well,thank you for the compliment! I love "Hard Rock" and "Power Metal" and wanted to incorporate both styles into individual songs to get the best of both worlds. This to me would be the ultimate record. I would classify us as "HARDROCK/POWERMETAL" just as it reads because really we're not 100% of either one......just a mixture of both. I hope I make sense on that one. For years I have been following the European metal scene, with bands like Pretty Maids, Pink Cream 69, and Sinner always filling up my CD wallets. I'm just simply amazed that a band like Wycked Synn carries on that torch here in America. Most people my age (almost 30) believes that metal and hard rock died out in America in the 80s, and they don't even support the older bands like Crue and Ratt or even search out the newer bands like Pink Cream. What keeps the fire still burning for you? Have you always been a fan of the European scene? KEN: I'm kinda selfish when it comes to my music and will only write what I enjoy hearing or playing. I don't really care what the mainstream radio stations are playing cause in the last 10 years or so its been crap here in the USA. I love all the European metal bands out there now and follow the Euro scene all the time. From the response of our album so far I think our genre of music may see a major popularity boost in the near future. How did you form the band and what were your expectations going in? KEN: I started this as a recording project in hopes of it getting bigger once it was done. So far everything has fallen into place nicely. From the musicians to the music to our record label. I'm very happy with the outcome. Where did the name and spelling of Wycked Synn come from? KEN: I was doing an interview and doodling on some paper and when I wrote the name "Wycked Synn" out it looked cool so I kept it. Your lyrics are very thought provoking and imaginative. Had you been writing before the band even formed or did the other members contribute with the writing process? KEN: I wrote and recorded all the music and Gary wrote all the lyrics. I already had my own lyrics written but I let Gary run with it and he did a better job lyric wise then I did. We then flushed out the rest of the band after the whole album was recorded. Tell us a little bit about the story you have created with The Vision. KEN: Its basically about a guy down on his luck who makes some very bad decisions in his life. How did the female vocal idea come into play on "Let It Rain"? KEN: It was my idea for the song. I wanted a Queensrychish type vibe for that tune. How did the deal with Chavis Records come about? Are you happy with their promotion of the album thus far? KEN: I was solicitating Chavis for a few months before they took notice. Their promotion is second to none! I am so happy with all the work that Chavis Records has done for us. They are an awesome label to work with. Have you guys managed to land any tour slots or gigs to promote the new album? Any chance of seeing a collaboration with fellow Arizona band Racer X? I would love to hear a Ken Orth/Paul Gilbert six-string hellraiser! KEN: I thought Paul lived in Japan? Racer X is one of my fave bands of all time. Paul would tear me up though.........LOL! If we toured with them i'd be their #1 fan on that tour!!! We will be on the Dwell in Darkness and the Metal Thunder tours at the end of this year. When are you planning on starting the next record and will Chavis be the label to release it? Believe it or not we start recording album #2 in January. Chavis Records will be involved all the way. I want to get your thoughts on a variety of issues, the first being the idea of nu-metal. What do you think needs to happen to convince these kids out there that better music exists? I personally think copies of The Vision should be handed out at child birth to make sure children start out on the right musical path.

Band Gary Grant - vocals Darrell White - drums Ken Orth - guitars Gary Lee Carillo - guitars Jerre LaMar - bass Links Band Website Email Wycked Synn Bio KEN: LOL!!!!!!!! Nu-metal is actually killing itself right now......it is slowly dying. Promotion is the key to fire up real melodic metal.... period. Major record labels ain't worth a shit anymore and the indies will take over eventually IMHO. My 15 year old nephew's friends think "The Vision" is an awesome cd. If more kids knew about it then we'd sell tons of copies I think. Lets say you have just downloaded the new Tesla album (can't wait for it!) and you get nabbed by the internet police for doing it. What do you say to defend yourself? KEN: I'd tell them to Eat my ass!!! LOL! Do you watch The Osbournes? KEN: Nope. Don't have cable and never watch tv anyway. When i'm not at my day job i'm working in my recording studio till all hours of the night. How do you feel about Rolling Stone's Top 100 Guitarist List? If you haven't seen it, you need to! KEN: Its all corporate bullshit! Those asswipes have no clue whats going on. We are going to do a little bit of word play. I'm going to throw a sentence out there and you have to respond within five seconds on what your favorite choice is...and I know this is email but you can't cheat. Five seconds only! Here goes... Black Sabbath-Ozzy, Dio, or Martin? KEN: Martin (love his voice) Dokken-Lynch or Beach? KEN: Lynch Ozzy-Randy, Jake, or Zakk? KEN: Jake Disney's Pluto-Bear or Dog? KEN: ? (don't know either one) Savatage-Jon or Zak? KEN: Jon Quiet Riot-Dubrow or Shortino? KEN: Dubrow JFK-Goverment, Oswald, or Aliens? KEN: Oswald (people who think otherwise live in a fantasy world) Hammerfall-Poser Metal or Real Metal? KEN: 100% REAL METAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Helloween-Hansen, Kiske, or Deris? KEN: Hansen Elvis-Alive or Dead? KEN: Dead Van Halen-Roth, Hagar, or That Other Dude? KEN: Roth Pink Cream 69-Deris or Readman? KEN: Readman (I'd love to do a record with him) Accept-U.D.O or Reece? KEN: UDO Judas Priest-Halford or Owens? KEN: Halford Motley Crue-Neil or Corabi? KEN: Corabi Since the holiday season is around the corner, we want to know what Santa can bring you this year. You get the choice of a brand new Sabbath record with Ozzy on vocals, a new Judas Priest album with Rob Halford singing, or you can have a brand new Van Halen record with David Lee Roth at the helm. What's it gonna be? KEN: PRIEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is your favorite metal album of the year? Any newer acts that really knock your socks off? KEN: So far its Royal Hunts "Eyewitness". Well Ken, thanks alot for allowing us this interview and the opportunity for Wycked Synn to be our Spotlight Band Of November. Any thing you would like to add? Ken: Thanx for all the support and always keep real metal alive!!! ROCK ON!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wycked Synn is a true breath of fresh metal air, right on track, and soon to be gaining steam….

Touring throughout the East Coast from 1985-1993, Ken Orth a guitar virtuoso from the old school has opened for bands like ‘Cinderella’, tearing up the stage playing original music. Unfortunately his band broke apart when the scene started breaking down.  Never giving up his passion for music, Ken continued to write and record.  He started a project in March of 2001by building his own recording studio and writing and recording all the music.  He then began to search for a vocalist that would compliment and excel all of his work. After many frustrating months of auditioning vocalists, Ken stumbled upon Gary Grant through a mutual friend.

A veteran bass player Gary, who earned an Associate Degree in Performance at Scottsdale Community College and studied under the likes of Dale Titus (The Musicians Institute), Norm Jensen, and Steve Meredith (whom he credits as his biggest influence on bass), moved over to vocals about 4 years ago while playing in a local band. Throughout his career, Gary has opened for bands such as ‘Mad Hatter’, ‘Rip Off’, ‘Sacred Riech’, and ‘Dr. Ruth’. A well rounded musician with great vocal ability he is influenced by the likes of Geoff Tate, Steve Perry, Rick Emmitt, and Bruce Dickinson.  After hearing the music Ken had recorded, Gary felt very strong about what could be accomplished with the project and although he found writing the melody lines very challenging, was able to turn “The Vision” into a concept album of which he is very proud. He credits Kimberly Ledesma’s vocal qualities as a key part in bringing the sound all together.

After auditioning several Bass players, the band decided that Jerre LaMar would round out the mix perfectly. Jerre’s low-end finger work is a product of 20 years experience playing in bands such as ‘Race Bannon’, ‘Vision’, ‘Anti-M’, and ‘Cartoon City’. Influenced by Steve Harris, Geddy Lee, and John Young, Jerre actually became interested in playing by watching his brother play drums.

Added, as part of the lineup to create a dual guitar attack is Gary Lee Carillo. Gary has been playing guitar for more than 18 years, 15 of those on stage honing his skills in front of a live audience. Gary started playing at the age of 18 in local party bands in southern New Mexico. In 1990, Gary hooked up with Darrell White and they eventually formed the band ‘Hired Guns’, opening for bands like ‘Molly Hatchet’, ‘Dangerous Toys’, and ‘Pat Travers’. By 1994, the rock guitar scene was all but dead, Hired Guns had dispersed, so Gary moved to Arizona where he was told the next musical explosion would take place. After realizing the rock scene was dead in Arizona, Gary joined a country band to pass the time. In 1997, Gary learned that Darrell was also living in Arizona, and they formed ‘J.T. Ripper’. In 2003, ‘J.T. Ripper’ came to an end, after years of playing the local scene and changes in the line-up.  

In the spring of 2003, Gary and Darrell were introduced to Ken Orth. Gary lives for playing live music. In his own words “When it comes to music, nothing compares to the roar of a crowd!   

Darrell White began playing drums at the young age of 12 in his hometown of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. Moving to southern New Mexico in 1982, he gained further experience playing with local rock bands. In 1988 he joined touring band, ‘Wolf’, traveling throughout the western states. In 1990 he and Gary Castillo formed the band ‘Hired Guns’ and later moved to Arizona and the two formed ‘J.T. Ripper’. After meeting Ken Orth in spring of 2003 and listening to the Wycked Synn material, Darrell auditioned and gladly accepted the offer to become part of the line-up.

Now with a solid lineup and everything falling into place, Wycked Synn promises to become a class act!

2003 has seen the release of 'The Vision' and Wycked Synn are dead set on reviving the best music ever created....Hard driving Melodic Metal! You can be sure that every song you hear from them will be filled with awesome hooks, powerful melodies, sonic guitars, fiery footwork and righteous vocals. Real Metal is a way of life for these guys and you can count on these perfectionists producing the finest quality of it. With the average experience of each member being 15-20 years they know how to get the job done.

This is just the beginning. Wycked Synn plan on hitting the road in support of the record and not stopping until they go back into the studio to start recording album #2. Wycked Synn has everything it takes to bring the music people want to hear to those that want to hear it……….

Long Live Rock and Roll!!!!