Interview with The Three Tremors Vocalist Sean Peck (Cage, Death Dealer)

By Mick Michaels 

COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Sean! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it is greatly appreciated.

CV: Currently you are part of the electrifying and thunderous trio, The Three Tremors.  What an amazing line up of powerhouse Metal vocal ability this partnering encompasses.  How did you come to be involved in such an iconic ensemble?
Sean Peck: I came up with the idea to bring to life the old idea that Dickenson and Halford were thought to have been considering one day.  I got the 2 best voices in heavy metal to join on this journey with me.  I wanted all mighty super voices to really push the limits.

CV: The Three Tremors have released an album. What was it like working with Tim “Ripper” Owens and Harry “The Tyrant” Conklin in the studio for that album? Was there any feeling of anxiety or concern on your part?
SP: I just hoped they liked the songs.  It was really exciting to see how they embraced these songs as their own.  They recorded everything at their home studios so there was no anxiety until the live rehearsals came.

CV: All musicians seem to have their own rituals when it comes to their craft. I know that Ripper would enjoy chewing gum while singing. Do you have any special rituals you do? Any vocal tips to share?
SP: I don’t think he chews gum anymore.  He will drink a Miller Lite sometimes if he is having fun, which I have now picked up that bad habit too, ha!!  My vocal tip is don’t do anything special.  Do not think a spray or a drink or a cough drop is going to have any effect on your singing that night.  Put all that shit out of your head and just go for it with whatever you have.  Do not worry about tomorrow’s voice just live for that performance.  Sleep and water are the only 2 thinks that will help your voice.

CV: Along with the album and its release, a coast to coast string of dates showcasing this Metal marvel is also in progress. With three distinct vocal personalities, has there been any fun and sporting vocal rivalry/competition going on with you guys during this tour?
SP: Ha!  Well it is always an adventure with Harry Conklin on stage…he is super fun to jam with.  You never know what he is going to do next.  His voice is always great sounding and he is super talented.  He says some crazy shit on stage sometimes and Tim and I just stay in our lane and maybe trade off some high parts here and there depending on who is feeling what that night.  So we are really supporting each other not competing.  There are so many super screams in the set there are plenty of spots for everyone to shine.

CV: If you had to say one thing you've learned from or gained by working with Tim and Harry, what would it be?
SP: Everyone has their own rituals and techniques but we are a lot the same in many ways.  None of us warm up at all before the show…we just go out and start hitting it.  None of us like doing sound check either, ha!

CV: What do you think they would say of their time with you?
SP: Hmmmm?  I need to lose some weight maybe, ha!!  No, I think they would say I was a great singer…and what not?  It is really apparent that each of us can scream our ass off and we have learned what each guy likes about the performance and songs we are doing.  We are getting good at not singing over the top of each other and ending notes right when the other guy ends his.

CV: Were you an immediate fan of the Ripper era of Judas Priest?

SP: Yes for sure… he was a big influence on me when he first hit the scene.  My band Cage, which is the backing band for the Tremors, opened for his Judas Priest shows twice, which is still a career highlight for me.  “Jugulator” came out when we were doing our first Cage record and I definitely stole some tricks from him, ha!!

CV: On the Tremor’s Facebook page, one post is quoted saying that The Three Tremors are "reviving people's faith in Metal one show at a time." Do you feel Metal fans worldwide have lost faith in the music and their heroes and need reviving…and if so, why?
SP: Not really but this is a reminder of where Heavy Metal came from…I mean all the sub genres.  People have said this makes them feel like they are in high school again!  We love that stuff.  This is the only way I know Metal and we wrote these songs because we liked them and the fact that there are others digging it too is really just icing on the cake!

CV: With iconic bands such as Kiss, Judas Priest, AC/DC and even Guns N’ Roses having changed members over the years, thus in a sense forming a now newer version of their former selves,along with other acts that are possibly in the final music chapters of their careers…or even where music greats like Zepplin, Sabbath and Dio are living on through tribute acts. As a fan yourself,do you think Rock and Metal fans are waiting for "the next big thing” or have they given up waiting?Hence why the aforementioned bands and others like them still hold such a deep place in their hearts?" Is there hope? Are newer, younger bands at a loss in taking the reins of their predecessors?
SP: Well interesting that you ask that because the song “KING OF THE MONSTERS” addresses that question directly.  It is hard to envision anyone from the current crop filling such huge shoes.  I doubt it, but there are some really cool bands out there.  It would be nice if some bands in the genre would make crazy breakthroughs but if not the current health of Metal in general is still very good and strong right now.  I love blowing young kids minds though when they come to the Tremors shows.

CV: So many critics complain that music as a whole has gotten worse; where nothing in music, across the board, seems to be memorable or sustainable.  Do you feel this is just an inevitable roller coaster cycle of the industry or something far greater both artist and fan need to address?
SP: Well pop music of today definitely seems like it has no chance of standing the test of time.  How many songs in the last 10 years will be of interest 100 years from now?  Whereas classic Rock songs from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s will be played in some space station 500 years from now.  The same with hardcore Metal vocals, where there is no understanding the words and they all are indistinguishable from one another.

CV: Unfortunately, there is also an unbelievable amount of talk these days about artists using backing tracks, lip syncing and how disrespectful many feel it is to the fans.  What's your take on all of this being a singer? Is there is growing concern that Rock and Metal are losing their soul to technology?

SP: That is really weird to me.  Doing that to replace actual singing is a deal breaker for me.  I understand the other shit like sound effects and keys and stuff, but when the lead vocal is on a track fuckin' hang it up.

CV: Who are/were some of your Rock heroes who inspired you to sing?
SP: Well Halford is the number one.  His tone and persona were just magical.  Still is to this day.  I saw them last year and it may have been the best I ever heard him sing…I was fuckin’ amazed.  Midnight from Crimson Glory was one of the best ever.

CV: Man you sure know how to pick some winners! In addition to working with The Three Tremors, your voice also fronts the Power Metal troupe Death Dealer, where you share the spotlight with the likes of Manowar alum Ross the Boss and Night Legion'sStu "The Hammer" Marshall…as well as you fronting Denner/Shermann…plus your own personal project, Cage.  When do you have time to eat…I would say you are a triple threat, but that would be an understatement, cause by my count, that makes four.  Do you

look at this type of resume as a blessing or simply the fruits of your labor?
SP: Well Stu Marshall and I really became a great writing team and we are really good friends, along with Ross, whom I consider one of my Brothers.  Doing the stuff with Michael Denner and Hank Shermann was like a dream come true.  I love those 2 releases we did and so do the fans.  We really hit it right on the mark with those.  I hope there will be at least one more.  I love all the stuff I have done…it does look like a nice resume though now that you mention it, ha!!!

CV: What's it like to have such an array of heavy hitters to your name? Do you find that you have to pinch yourself at times?
SP: For sure!  Especially the Mercyful Fate guys…  They are now really close friends too which is great!  I loved writing songs with Hank.  The touring we did with Ross and Stu on Death Dealer were some of my greatest live memories…so it is all great!

CV: Where many people make achievements, at some point they then often wind up resting on their laurels. For you, however, it seems to be the opposite. Does having such a pristine track record of musical projects drive you to do more and continue to excel?
SP: It is tough man.  Coming up with new lyrical content is harder and harder.  I hate saying that because so far so good, but I have exhausted a lot of the cool shit to sing about in Metal already, ha!!  I just love the feeling you get when a new song comes together and you get the goose bumps and you know it is ripping.  So that emotion keeps me going!

CV: New Death Dealer album is scheduled to be dropping April of this year.  What can you tell us about it? What can fans expect?
SP: Ha…not April…I do not think, maybe by the end of the year…we need to see how everyone’s schedules are.  It has been almost done for like 2 years now which is funny.  Normally I just finish them off, but we have been kind of lagging on this one.  It is coming out great and brutal, that being said.

CV: Any chance the new album will give US fans an opportunity to see Death Dealer live here in the States?
SP: Yes I think so! I would say maybe we do some West Coast and East Coast shows before we go to Europe.

CV: What’s next for you? Is it safe to say we will see more releases from The Three Tremors in the future?
SP: Yes…we are already working on the follow up now.  Also, we will be releasing the solo versions of the album as a 3 cd set which is really strong too.  The Tremors are going to be a main focus for sure.

CV: Thank you again Sean for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. It has been an honor. I wish you all the best and continued success.
SP: Thanks! Great questions…lots of fun…appreciate the support!!!

Check out Sean and The Three Tremors at:Official: http://www.thethreetremors.com

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word.  Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.

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