By Eric The Red
I’ve been handed, for the second time, an interview that I am completely ecstatic about. This week, I had the great privilege to interview Henry Sanchez, the vocalist for Sangre. These guys were playing metal when I was still in grade school. From Sanchez, I got the lowdown on the band’s favorite venues, what they consider their greatest accomplishments and biggest challenges, and how they feel about social media, as they prepare to play the “Merry Metal Christmas” show on Friday, Dec 13th with Remnants of Man and Drop The World.
On the subject of social media, which many bands feel is the most important tool aside from their musical instruments, Sanchez has an interesting view. “It’s a great tool for added exposure, but you must utilize it. Work all the angles, all formats and outlets. There’s still work to be done. You can’t depend on it to make you though, it won’t promote you on its own. You need to put in work. Don’t forget the streets and word of mouth is just as important. Too many bands rely on the internet and you just can’t. Find the right audience, build a real fan base, and don’t use generators to get fake likes or views. Look at the recent YouTube controversy, record labels paying for false video views. Keep it real!” Valuable advice from someone who has been promoting his band since before Facebook, Youtube or any other form of social media even existed. Bands must learn to promote themselves, rather than rely on the internet to do it for them.
With unending promotion, and massive tours, you’d think that the band has moved beyond most challenges that could arise. That is not the case. When asked what he felt their biggest challenge has been, he stated, “Probably trying to one up ourselves every year by going bigger and better than the previous year’s events. For example over the years we went from small bars to bigger bars to small venues and bigger venues and then started to hit the road playing nearby states, then in 2008, we did our first multi-state tour, got an apprentice sponsorship from Jägermeister in 2009, did a couple more states touring and by the end of that year became a fully sponsored Jägermeister band. In 2010 we were asked to play the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival on the Jägermeister stage, opening for Hatebreed, Chimaira, Lamb Of God, Korn, Rob Zombie and more. Toured even more, and got picked up for a major tour with Brujeria in 2011 that hit the southwest and Mexico. In 2012, we got asked to play Rockstar Mayhem Festival again, this time opening for Slayer, Anthrax, Motorhead, and more! Did our first U.S. Tour in 2012 playing small venues, then in 2013 got asked to join Grammy award winning Mexican band MOLOTOV on the Jägermeister Music U.S. Tour. This time we played major venues all over the nation to sellout crowds.” After hearing this, it’s understandable how the biggest challenge the band faces is outdoing itself! “And now with 2014 approaching what do we do next? South America? Europe? We’ll see…” Sanchez concluded.
Having completed rigorous touring and MASSIVE shows, you might think that the bands greatest accomplishment would be landing a Jägermeister Tour, but Sanchez had a more profound accomplishment in mind. “I definitely think surviving and thriving for 15 years as a metal band is a pretty big accomplishment, especially with no label backing/help. We have to thank Jägermeister for believing in us, bringing us into their music family and giving us great opportunities (Mayhem Fests, U.S. Tour).” I was curious, though, to see what Sanchez’s “dream show” would be. So I asked him, if he could set up any show, with any bands, at any venue, who would he want to play and where. He said, “Wacken Open Air Festival, playing with Slayer, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, At The Gates, Carcass, Alice In Chains, Deftones, In Flames, Gojira, Lamb Of God, Tool, Suicidal Tendencies, and a (reunited) Sepultura. That would be amazing!” Looking at Sangre’s past, and their drive and determination to continue playing music, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Sangre playing Wacken, or any other major festival, within the next couple years. Make sure to catch Sangre when they play the Merry Metal Christmas show, thisFriday, Dec 13th, at the Date Shed in Indio, along with Remnants of Man and Drop The World. The show is 21+ with no cover at the door.
