Michael House Interview first published online at SporkBinge.com, February 15, 2010.
Michael House Interview Excerpts:
Michael House (aka “OCD”) is the bass guitarist and back-up vocalist for DarqSyde, a “Rock” band based in Bullard, Texas.
DarqSyde music is a wonderful blend of Metal and Psychedelic Rock reminiscent, to me, of tunes from the late 60’s and early 70’s – a time when I was a young hippie girl. Oh yah!
More Interview Excerpts:
SPORKETTE: What is ‘your own brand‘ of bass and do you sell any for profit or hoard for yourself?
MICHAEL HOUSE: The brand is called ‘Basically,’ but spelled ‘Bass-ik-le‘ in its phonetic form; it is named after the solo performed by Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath.
I have sold all five basses that I have built so far (and used the money to purchase new gear), except one, and I gave that one to my son, who is learning to play bass and drums. I mostly build them to have a project to keep me busy and to see if it would be something I would enjoy…figured it would make good retirement income.
SPORKETTE: Why does DarqSyde prefer 60’s/70’s ‘dark-side’ rock?
MICHAEL HOUSE: It was our main influence growing up; plus, I’m a huge fan of the ‘Stoner/Doom‘ genre, which borrows from bands like Sabbath, Deep Purple, Blue Cheer, Iron Butterfly, etc., and blends current ‘Metal’ with the old school ‘Acid Rock‘. Just seems to be what comes out when we write.
SPORKETTE: When is the most extreme bass playing done when onstage with DarqSyde, and at that time, during that song (name it, please), mentally, where do you go?
MICHAEL HOUSE: Well, I’m not your typical bassist. I use a lot of effects…in fact, my effects board is bigger than most guitarists’ [effect boards].
Sound-wise, the most extreme moments are during ‘Do What Must Be Done’. We usually end the set with this song. I tend to channel ‘Hendrix’ in this song by coaxing all the feedback I can get from my amps and cranking the treble.
From a technical standpoint, the song…part of me has me all over the neck playing in several octaves.
SPORKETTE: What would you say to me if I told you that I think ‘Do What Must Be Done’ should be the theme song for DarqSyde?
MICHAEL HOUSE: I would say, you’re probably right. I enjoy the groove and the feel of the song. Of all of our originals, it is still my favorite.
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FEAR ALONE
by DarqSyde
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Bass Guitarist, Back-up Vocalist, Songwriter
for
(Bullard, Texas)
Listen to More Sound Tracks and Read Lyrics by DarqSyde!
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