ABOUT
THE ARTIST.
Band is formed January 1999 by Baye Osei. The band currently
consists of 4 members. A bassist is to be added soon.
Has been featured on Outkast's multi-platinum, grammy-award
winning CD"Stankonia". E.X. have re-recorded the Public
Enemy classic" Buckwylin'" w/ Chuck D and Professor
Griff featured on the re-make. E.X. have performed with artists
such as India.Aire, Stuck Mojo, El Pus,Crazy Anglos and Ill
Break;. The band's 1st single, "POWER BOMB", became
a favorite on local college, national and international radio
stations(WRFG 89.3-Atlanta,WRFR 93.3 FM-Maine,104.5 FM-Australia).
Influences range from Van Halen, Bad Brains, BodyCount to Ornette
Coleman and Public Enemy. Our main goal: to create an original
sound (Ghetto Metal), and to give the audience the best music
and live stage show possible.
*
2004 EAST COAST SHOWCASE ( The Money(nightclub)-Rock Hill, SC)
2nd Place Award Winner in these catagories:
Semi-Finalist Winner(Band), Finalist Winner(Band), Best D.J.(Machete
X), Best Attitude (Band), Most Individual Energy, Best Choreography
Describe
Ghetto Metal for me please…
Well
basically, just about every form of music has come from s “street”
influence, whether it’s country or jazz, etc. The reason why
we call our music “GHETTO METAL” is because we didn’t want that
basic metal sound that you hear on the radio today, with the
hip-hop influences also in our music, the sound we have created
represents the decadent environment we have been brought up
in…case in point, the band and sound represents blue collar
America.
How
long have you been around?
For
the current directional unit, it would be 4 years.
How
did you all come together?
We
came through founder Baye Osei (lead vocalist). He wanted to
form hardcore rap/metal band, and recruited some of the top
musicians in Atlanta to bring about his vision; and that is
how E.X. VORTEX came to be.
What
influences do you all share?
RunDMC-they
showed it could be done; The Beastie Boys showed how it could
be played; and Public Enemy showed how it can be delivered.
Some of our metal influences are RATM, Metallica, Van Halen,
Pantera, Disturbed and Linkin Park-they have the best DJ in
metal history!
How
many shows do you average a month/year?
40
shows a year…and we’re looking to do more as time and funds
permit
What
types of lyrics do you write?
We
write lyrics that deal with the human condition, or the state
of the mind
Do
you have a manager or are you self managed?
Self-managed.
You
recently played two shows here in Chicago, how did those turn
out?
The
Chicago people were very hospitable to us; the shows were crazy,
man-off the chain! The Penny Road Pub fans, staff, and bands
came through for us in a big way and we’d like to publicly thank
them all. Chicago has been a proving ground for metal acts and
to be received in such a way, was a true moment of our metal
significance.
Are
there any plans on returning anytime soon?
We’d
LOVE to return tomorrow…but life, at this moment, won’t allow
that to happen.
What do you plan on doing for the next year or so?
Expand
our auditory boundaries, reach more people, and continue to
develop our sound…the “GHETTO METAL” sound!
Thank
you very much for your time!
Website
http://exvortex.indiegroup.com
Discography
STANKONIA (OUTKAST)
GHETTO METAL-E.P.
W. A. R.
January, 2005 - Recorded 5 new
songs for an upcoming EP