San Diego area’s Sentinel is one of the premier power metal bands breaking onto the scene today. If you’re a fan of Maiden, Dio or Helloween, you really owe it to yourself to check these guys out. Guitarist Jes Verdugo answered a few questions for us.
An interview with Jes Verdugo of SENTINEL.
By Jon “K” Konjoyan
Metal Exiles: Why the name Sentinel?
Jes Verdugo: It came from Danny’s (singer Danny Hernandez) older brother. We were trying to find a name for the band and we had already played several gigs nameless. So we were at Danny's brainstorming band names one day and his brother’s like, ‘How bout Sentinel?’ And we were like ‘yeah, that sounds pretty cool!’
Metal Exiles: Describe your sound to someone who's never heard you.
Jes: Metal with lots of melody, hooks, and shred!
Metal Exiles: How'd you guys get together?
Jes: Danny and me went to the same high school, although different
years. We had a mutual friend at the time that Danny was jamming with so they called me up and then we all started jamming.
Metal Exiles: What's the inspiration for the music?
Jes: Life, current events, war, positive and negative aspects of life I guess.
Metal Exiles: Iron Maiden is one of your big influences. Why do you think their
sound has stood the test of time?
Jes: I think it’s the melody they have in their music. Without hooks
and melody, there’s no point.
Metal Exiles: Is Sentinel searching for an "Eddie" type mascot?!!?
Jes: Ha ha…no, I don’t think so.
Metal Exiles: Do you think you guys would ever go for three guitars in the band?
Jes: Nah, would be too much high end and not enough low end.
Metal Exiles: Danny’s vocals are powerful with great range and control. Is he
a trained singer and how did he "find" his voice?
Jes: Danny is not trained. He just started singing along to the music of Iron Maiden, Dio and Helloween.
Metal Exiles: Tell us about some music you are currently listening to.
Jes: Jorne Lande, The Absence, Nocturnal Rights, and Circus Maximus.
Metal Exiles: With so much trendy metal & hardcore out in the marketplace, do you feel the pressure to change your sound to appeal to more fans?
Jes: It’s just very disappointing….as long as I am in this band the sound
will not change to that direction.
Metal Exiles: What are your plans for '09?
Jes: Go in to the studio, record more tracks, and gig, gig, gig!
www.myspace.com/sentinelmetal
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