FIVE QUESTIONS WITH SONS OF ARRAKIS 


BIO: 

Sons of Arrakis (SOA) is a Montreal-based band that emerged in June 2019, drawing inspiration from Frank Herbert's Dune novels. Their unique sound, which they describe as Melange Rock and Cinematographic Sci-Fi Rock, has garnered attention and established them as a notable presence in the music scene.

 The band's debut album, Volume I, released on July 15th, 2022, made a significant impact, quickly climbing to the number 1 spot on the Doom Chart in July 2022. This achievement solidified their status as a formidable force in their genre. Ending the year on a high note, Sons of Arrakis secured the number 8 position in the Doom Chart's year-end recap for 2022, further cementing their standing.

 In January 2023, the band embarked on the Interprovincial Wormhole Tour, captivating audiences throughout Ontario with their electrifying live performances. Expanding their reach, Sons of Arrakis ventured to Quebec in March 2023, for the second leg of the tour, leaving a lasting impression on audiences with their captivating stage presence. Continuing to prioritize their connection with fans, Sons of Arrakis returned to Quebec in June 2023 for Orbiting the Void Tour, showcasing their dynamic energy and unwavering passion.

 Looking to the future, Sons of Arrakis have exciting plans in store. In October 2023, they will embark on a tour across Ontario, aiming to reach new audiences across the province. Additionally, the band has set their sights on an exhilarating Mexican tour in 2023, coinciding with the renowned La Dia de Los Muertos festivities. Amidst their busy schedule, Sons of Arrakis will also begin recording their highly anticipated new album in August 2023, with the first single from Volume II scheduled for an early 2024 release.



WHEN AND WHERE WAS SONS OF ARRAKIS FORMED?  

 

Sons of Arrakis (SOA) is a Montreal-based band that emerged in June 2019, drawing inspiration from Frank Herbert's Dune novels. Their unique sound, which they describe as Melange Rock and Cinematographic Sci-Fi Rock, has garnered attention and established them as a notable presence in the music scene.

 

WHAT WAS THE FIRST CONCERT YOU WENT TO AS A FAN?

 

 As a teenager, I attended my first concert, which happened to be the 30th-anniversary celebration of Rush in 2004 at the Bell Center in Montreal. I was 13 years old. It was my father who introduced me to this iconic band, and the experience was truly phenomenal. Since then, I've always had a deep appreciation for Rush, with my favorite album being 'Hemispheres.'"


WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST “BIG SHOW”? OR THE FIRST SHOW YOU EVER PLAYED? 


"I had the opportunity to be part of a band during my teenage years, and we went by the name Reckless Ride. Our debut performance took place at a 'Maison des Jeunes' or a 'youth center' on the south shore of Montreal, and it was an absolute blast! However, our first significant gig was at Café Campus in Montreal, where we shared the stage with Gilby Clarke, the former rhythm guitarist of Guns N’ Roses after Izzy Stradlin left in 1991. This memorable experience occurred around 2010 or so."

 

WHAT WAS YOUR WORST SHOW OR FUNNIEST SHOW MEMORY?  


"I've had a few challenging experiences, particularly during my time as the bassist with The Hazytones. One of those moments was during our first Canadian tour, encountering a couple of what we fondly referred to as 'brown shows,' where we performed in front of a modest audience of about 10 people. However, one of the most peculiar gigs stands out - it was in Prince Albert in Northern Saskatchewan, held in an auditorium within a public library. It was a truly unique and memorable experience. What made it even more amusing was the unexpected encounter with some enthusiastic young fans who knew almost all the lyrics. It added a delightful twist to an otherwise unusual performance!"


 WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOUR BAND? 


"We are currently in the process of recording our upcoming album, 'Volume II,' and I must say, it's the material I am most proud of to date. This album represents a metamorphosis for us, as we've pushed our compositional boundaries to a whole new level. The tracks showcase a rich variation, featuring harmonized solos in a 'Scorpionish' style. We've incorporated some crazy bridges that lean towards a more progressive or even thrash metal vibe at times.

Looking ahead, we have exciting plans for touring, with a focus on playing festival gigs in 2024. Our aim is to make our mark in the United States, and we're thrilled to announce that our first show there will be at the Maryland Doom Fest. Additionally, we have ambitions to extend our reach to Europe. It's an exhilarating journey for us, and we can't wait to share our music with audiences around the world."



OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Black Throne Productions Presents "The Great Scattering Tour" with SALEM'S BEND & SONS OF ARRAKIS

Presented by Black Throne Productions, SALEM'S BEND and SONS OF ARRAKIS are set to embark around the Eastern Provinces in Canada for "The Great Scattering Tour" beginning on February 28th, 2024. 

SALEM'S BEND comments: 

"We are really excited to be heading out on the road again, especially since it will be our first time playing in these cities! Last year we rebuilt our home studio in preparation for new recordings in 2024, and we weren't on the road as much as usual, so we are very much looking forward to hitting the pavement again this spring. Really stoked to be rocking the stage with our buddies in SONS OF ARRAKIS for this tour, I think we're all going to have a lot of fun out there!"

SONS OF ARRAKIS comments:

"This tour is the first step of SOA's metamorphosis. 2024 will be a definite year with Volume II coming up soon. Can't wait to hang out and share the stage with SALEM'S BEND."

Dates:
Feb 28 - Minotaure, Gatineau WITH SUBSUN and MUFFLER CRUNCH **
Feb 29 - Esco, Montreal with DESTRUCTION DERBY
Mar 1 - L’Anti, QC City with TRUSH & DESTRUCTION DERBY
Mar 2 - La Petite Boite Noire , Sherbrooke with OCCULT WITCHES
Mar 3 - Cafe Zenob, Trois Rivieres with DESTRUCTION DERBY
Mar 6 - The Atria, Oshawa with VEINDUZE and VS THE BORG **
Mar 7 - The Lion Pub & Grill, Newmarket with ON THE VERGE, AAWKS, DAD SABBATH **
Mar 8 - Vertagogo, Hamilton with THE ELECTRIC CACTUS
Mar 9 - Bovine Sex Club, Toronto with TUMBLE and AAWKS
** - SONS OF ARRAKIS not playing

About SALEM'S BEND:
Los Angeles-based heavy rock band SALEM'S BEND carry musical influences that run the gamut from '70s classic rockers to modern heavy-hitters in the desert, doom, psych and stoner rock scenes. Having cut their teeth in different bands around LA, they self-released their debut album in the tail-end of December 2015. The album caught the ear of Ripple Music, who signed them and re-released their debut record worldwide in October 2016.

Since their inaugural West Coast tour in 2016, they've shredded the road for over 45,000 miles with tour stints and festival appearances around the Western US and Southwest, including a sold-out SXSW showcase in 2018, a European tour and Desertfest London in 2019, the legendary Psycho Las Vegas in 2022, and other festivals such as RippleFest Texas, Planet Desert Rock, and Vantopia in Canada. They've shared the stage with heavy legends such as THE SWORD, KADAVAR, THE EAGLES OF DEATH METAL, WITCH, and JOHN GARCIA. Their sophomore album was released by Ripple Music in 2019, and having just rebuilt their home studio in 2023, they are preparing to record their next album, new singles, a tour of the Eastern Provinces in Canada, and much more. 

About SONS OF ARRAKIS:
Beginning in 2019, the Montreal-based band draw inspiration from Frank Herbert's Dune novels. Their debut album, Volume I, released on July 15th, 2022, made a significant impact, quickly climbing to the number 1 spot on the Doom Chart in July 2022. January 2023 saw the outfit embark on the Interprovincial Wormhole Tour, followed by the Orbiting the Void Tour in June. October will see them venture to new audiences in Ontario, and beyond in Mexico for their first international run of shows. Amidst their busy schedule, SONS OF ARRAKIS will also begin recording their highly anticipated new album in August 2023, with the first single from Volume II scheduled for an early 2024 release.

Links:
SALEM'S BEND:

Bandcamp: https://salemsbend.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salemsbend/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salemsbend/

SONS OF ARRAKIS:
Website: https://www.sonsofarrakis.com/
BandCamp: https://sonsofarrakis.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonsofarrakisband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonsofarrakis/