Interview with Weapons of Anew Guitarist Freddy Ordine

By Mick Michaels

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

Freddy Ordine: Thank you very much for the interest in WOA!!!

CV: Describe for us what it's like to attend a Weapons of Anew show? What can fans expect to experience?

FO: Fun!!! Full assault of the senses... We love what we do and try to put that across in our live show.

CV: Connecting with the crowd is key when playing live. Bands have taken many different avenues to achieve that connection. What does Weapons of Anew do to ensure that connection takes place?

FO: 100% pure us. We put everything into our live shows. Our main objective is to make sure we connect with as many people as possible. After every show we hang out at the merch tables and talk and get to know as many people as we can.

CV: At the core of any band is the music; the songs that they write. Freddy, how does the band capture that live spirit, experienced on stage, within the group’s song writing process and then translate that same energy to the recorded medium?

FO: That’s always a hard thing to capture in the studio. We are definitely a live band. It’s full of energy. Sometimes in the studio it’s hard to recreate that live vibe. For me personally i make records to go out and play them live.

CV: The band is set to hit the West Coast for string of shows with Metal Allegiance this April.  Without a doubt, it will be a great time.  How did the band connect with being included on this leg of the tour?

FO: we had done a show with them in NYC. It was a great fit. So when we were offered these shows we jumped at the opportunity!!!

CV: Since this marks Weapons of Anew's first West Coast outing, has there been any special preparations done on the part of the band?

FO: We have been putting in the extra hours of rehearsal to make sure our live show comes off top notch! We only have 1 chance to make a 1st impression and we aren’t taking that lightly.

CV: The band is currently working on material for a new album. How does this material differ, if at all, from the band's previous release? Do you see a change in the musical direction or songwriting process?

FO: We have been lucky enough to tour with some great bands with amazing track records over the last few years Tesla, Alter Bridge and the Metal Allegiance camp. So we have learned a lot as a band from it. So I feel it’s a more mature us.

CV: Freddy, has the band decided on working with any particular producer or include a guest artist on the new record? Any surprises coming?

FO: To early to discuss.

CV: When can fans expect to see the new album's release?

FO: It’s looking like early fall!!

CV: With today's bands having a plethora of influences under their belt, it often can be difficult to pledge allegiance to any one particular genre or even sub-genre. How would you describe Weapons of Anew's style and sound? 

FO: I get asked that question a lot, and I never really know how to answer it... we are a "metal/hard rock" band for sure but there are so many influences that most people wouldn’t guess. We all are big R&B fans. So some of the groves and melodies we have definitely lent from that style. 

CV: How do you see the growing trend of tribute bands affecting the original band scene?  Have such acts diminished original music's relevance?

FO: We are from NY, and here there isn’t a big thing going on with cover bands, and the original music scene is a far cry from its hay day. Unfortunately, people don’t go out as much anymore and search out live music. 

CV: Have the streaming services and digital download outlets taken away from merch table sales for bands? What has been your experience?

FO:  LOL.....as of now we are good, that is until someone figures out how to download a tee shirt for free.

CV: As a band working to get their music heard, appreciated and accepted by fans and critics alike, how does Weapons of Anew achieve keeping their core values as artists while breaking new ground and building a fan base?

FO:  we just do what we do. We really don’t say “hey lets be like this or like that.” We just do us. 

CV: Freddy, is there a proverbial line that the band would not cross to gain new fans and attention?

FO:  We are all pretty daring individuals.....soooooooo is this a dare??? LOL

CV: Many industry insiders feel bands don't need labels to be successful. What they do need is good distribution, good booking and great PR. Do you agree with such a claim?

FO: 10000000% we are very lucky to have the team we have behind us!!! But it took us years to get to this point.

CV: In addition to the upcoming West Coast tour, what's next for Weapons of Anew?

FO: Tour, tour and more tour…new record and tour some more!!!!

CV: Thank you again Freddy for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. I wish you all the best and continued success.

FO: Thank you very much!!! Great questions!!! 

Check out Freddy and Weapons of Anew at:
Facebook: facebook.com/weaponsofanewTwitter: twitter.com/weapons_of_anew

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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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