Big things are happening for local metal band Ormus. Late last year, the band released its debut album, Apocalyptic Transmissions. Playing guitar for Ormus is Chaz Marriott (who has also been moonlighting in The After Lashes as “Gina”). Ormus will be playing at the Music Benefit for Champion the Dog and Animal Abuse Awareness at Gadi’s Bar and Grill on Saturday, April 13. For more information on Ormus, visit www.facebook.com/ormusband. Marriott was kind enough to answer the Lucky 13; here are his answers.
What was the first concert you attended?
I saw my first concert when I resided in Utah. It was my 16th-birthday present. It was Anthrax, Megadeth and Slayer on their Jägermeister tour. I remember getting a chair seat, and I just wanted to get down to the pit. I went outside after Anthrax played … and the metal gods shined upon me as I found a pit bracelet on the floor, so I picked it up and pushed through the front to see Megadeth and Slayer up close. It was an amazing first concert experience, seeing all of my influences at the time under one roof.
What was the first album you owned?
The first album I remember getting was Iron Maiden’s Number of the Beast. (I was) blasting “22 Acacia Avenue” and “The Number of the Beast,” but that album was short-lived, as my mom was very Christian and tore it up with scissors as soon as the infamous chorus went off.
What bands are you listening to right now?
As of this moment, I have been listening to a lot of System of a Down, Dio, Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, Tenacious D, Slipknot, Lamb of God, Arch Enemy and Rebelution. I’ve been trying to listen to a variety of music keeping me inspired to keep writing and pushing myself as a musician.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
Honestly, certain kinds of rap, especially the new rap artists people go crazy for. It’s not for me.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
I would love to see Van Halen back in the day. Nobody can shred like Eddie Van Halen.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
I love me some hair metal! Ratt, Dokken, Quiet Riot, Warrant, Skid Row, Motley Crue, Def Leppard (Bring out the tight leather and hairspray for Gina.) I would always hear it growing up, and it has always stuck with me.
What’s your favorite music venue?
I have not gotten to venture out of the desert too far yet to have a favorite venue, and honestly, I haven’t been blown away by a venue out here in the desert yet. We go for the music, not the venue, though, and all the amazing local talent we have out here makes the trip to any place in the valley worth it.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“She’s so elusive magnetically drawn, day tripping lady, what have you done?” from “Strange” by Ormus. We’re going to San Diego soon to record that single. I’m excited and can’t get it out of my head. My bandmate Serene is quite the lyricist.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
I’m not the kind of person that says, “This band saved my life,” or anything. Playing music is what changed my life, and all of my influences around me in my personal life support me doing music, and I’m grateful for that.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
Mick Thomson of Slipknot: “What got you to this point in your career? How did you go on your first tour?”
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion. Just kidding; have a Nerf-gun fight, and whoever wins can keep my eyeball. Also, play some “Dude (I Totally Miss You)” by Tenacious D.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
System of Down, Toxicity.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
Dan Henig’s acoustic version of “My Neck, My Back.” (Scroll down to hear it! Warning: NSFW.)
