Kenny Soward
Drums / Percussion
Hogscraper


You first came into prominence in the Cincinnati scene drumming for Simple Aggression. Simple Aggression slugged it out on the local scene in the late eighties/early nineties and eventually landed a deal with Leviathan Records to release Formulations in Black. You guys even made a video for the title track that was aired several times on MTV Europe. What do think of that CD now looking back?

• I have such mixed emotions about that CD. Simple Aggression is where I cut my teeth. I learned a lot about playing live, recording, and my own limitations regarding self-promoting and managing. I think Formulations in Black was a solid CD with some great musicianship. It took a lot of hard work to do it. I'm proud of it. I have it framed on my wall, but I haven't listened to it in a few years.

After formulations you parted ways with original vocalist Doug Carter and brought in vocalist Eric Johns to record your second Leviathan release titled Gravity. What are your thoughts on that record and that time period?

That period of time, 1994-1997, was a strange time for all of us. Nirvana basically came in and crushed most heavy metal out of existence for awhile. It took a long time for grunge to fade away and for people to have faith in heavy metal again. I think we picked a really good singer in Eric, but I think we were probably trying just a bit too hard to sound like something we weren't. There are some good tracks on that CD though.

Why did Simple Aggression eventually break up?

Toward the end, we felt that the situation was becoming very "tired" for everyone involved, and business was slow anyway. We all wanted to expand our horizons and Simple Aggression just wasn't cutting it for us.

For the last year or two you have been drumming for the infamous Hogscraper.  You guys just recorded a new CD with Erwin Musper. What’s the word on the band and the upcoming release?

Hogscraper will always be one of my favorite bands of all time. So much potential, so much fun, and so much creativity. It was quite an experience writing tunes with Hank and Larry. I've never felt as welcomed by fans as I did at Hogscraper shows. However, things came to a screeching halt last spring due to some substance abuse issues. We did manage to create an amazing CD that we hope to release soon. Some of the new tracks are on the MySpace page. www.myspace.com/hogscraper. As with all things Hogscraper, only time will tell.

How was it working with Erwin Musper?

Erwin is an amazing sound engineer. He's worked with some of the big names like Van Halen, Metallica and too many others to mention. His work ethic can only be summed up with a direct quote from Erwin. "I'm always mixing, mixing, mixing!" The thing I remember the most was the confidence I had in Erwin that he would get my drums sounding good. I liked his philosophy of recording big, open drums and then using some secret tips to bring out the full character of the drum. And he has a cool accent too!

Before joining Hogscraper you had a short stint in the Screaming Kings. What was your time like in the band?

I lasted about a year in the Screaming Kings. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with myself. I was a jaded smart-ass. To be metal or not to be metal? That was the question I posed to myself. Things dragged on for awhile, and we did some kick ass shows, but the guys felt that I wasn't into it, so they decided to put me out of my misery. Looking back, I can't blame them, and I'm ultimately thankful for that as I was able to join Hogscraper soon after.

I know you are a big fan of the Afghan Whigs. There were rumors last year of them reuniting. Have you heard anything? Do you dig the twilight singers stuff?

I've heard some rumors about an Afghan Whigs reunion, but nothing definite. I always thought that there were two bands I'd absolutely kill to play in. One was Hogscraper, the other was The Afghan Whigs. I'm halfway there! Still waiting on that call from Greg Dulli though...I have all the Twilight Singers albums. Greg Dulli's work has been a huge influence on my life in many ways.

For those that don’t know you are also a writer and have been published a few times. Please tell us about your writing. What kind of stuff do you write? Is it as much a passion for you as music is?

Basically, I write cutting edge horror. You can read some of my stuff right on my website, www.myspace.com/inklanois. I specialize in backwoods fuckery, but I also enjoy adding sci-fi and fantasy elements to my work. I'm currently involved in two writing groups and have come a very long way with regards to style and voice. I'm very close to self-publishing my first set of short stories called "Tales From The Hills". J Cobb (of Hogscraper/White Wolf fame) is doing the illustrations. I'll be selling them online as .PDF files and giving some away to my reading friends.

Writing vs. drumming...hmmm. Drumming is fun and therapeutic for me. I certainly try to play my drums with passion. I vent when I'm angry, and when I feel sexy (which is almost all the time) I try to keep the grooves tight for the people on the dance floor. Because I play a bit more than I'm used to at the moment, drumming has become more of an exercise, a way to explore various degrees of "trance". Sometimes I get so locked in during a set that the set is over before I know it, and I've lost five pounds of sweat in the process! My chops are tighter than they've been in 20 years, and I'm always experimenting with new rudiments, new drum sticks, new methods of pattern drumming, etc.

Writing is a completely different monster. It is working on a story or idea over a period of days, wrestling with the composition while sputtering out bits and pieces of it on the computer until it starts to take shape. It is mentally exhaustive but emotionally exhilarating when the final product is complete and people read your stuff and get off on it. Overall, I feel more accomplished when I write something powerful over drumming something powerful probably because writing is more of a challenge to me than drumming. Plus writing gives me a wider range of emotions to explore.

All in all, I'd say I like them the same. It equates to complete balance in my life and makes me proud to know I can make my living as a writer and musician.

Who are some of your favorite local band/musicians?

Aside from the Whigs/Hogscraper mentions, there are a lot of local artists who are pretty amazing. As you know, I have always enjoyed your Straw Factory stuff. It shows an uncanny maturity. I didn't know you could sing so sweet! I've seen Culture Queer a handful of times and have always been impressed with Dana's disarming vocals. They make me feel like there is hope yet in the world. I was turned on to Campfire Crush by their singer Carrie who used to do Barnyard Burlesque stuff. Those folks are great at layering sound, keeping it simple. I think some of that came through Dan's experience with Roundhead. Recently, I've been on a jazz kick and have been to the Blue Wisp on Wednesdays to see the big band up there. John Von Ohlen is insane on drums.

As far as nerd rock, I like the KBM (Kare Bear Mafia) out of Wilmington.

I don't want everyone to think I've abandoned metal. The last four CD purchases were Clutch, GWAR, Type O Negative and Cannibal Corpse "Kill". I've also pulled out my old Coroner "Grin" CD, and I always keep Maiden's "Piece of Mind" in my car. I just haven't been able to see a lot of local metal or hardcore. I've seen Sean Boyle play, that guy is a monster.

There are a lot of great local bands. I wish them all the best of luck.

You have also recently been drumming for the snow shoe crabs. How does the cover scene differ from the original scene for you?

I was lucky enough to have landed in a cover band with phenomenal musicians who challenge me every day. We work four nights a week, sometimes five. Even though we do play other bands' music, we always add our own personal touches. We also have an extensive working set list of over 160 songs so we never have to play the same songs over and over. I'm 100% more versatile than ever. It also helps to get paid.

Playing originals can be personally rewarding as long as you don't get any bright ideas about making it big. You just have to keep plugging away and wish for the best. If you are a songwriter, and you believe in what you are doing, I think it pays off more. Me, I just drum. I try to make everything I play sound cool, writing my own little songs within that frame.

There is just as much competition in the cover band world as in the original scene. Same types of club owners, same old shit talkers, same old band egos.

What lies ahead for Mr. Kenny Soward?

A lot of drumming. A lot of writing. Reaching for that next level and just trying to stay busy, man.