Taking A Wild Ride On The Budderside

Photo Credit: Lori Hutchinson

Taking A Wild Ride On The Budderside

Budderside is ready to hard rock your world in a fast and epic way!  On the verge of releasing their next magnum opus via Motörhead Records, Budderside is sure to thrill the senses of all who encounter their exhilarating reprieves.  Highwire Daze recently interviewed Budderside’s superbly charismatic front man Patrick Stone to find out a whole lot more about this raging collective!  Our wild ride to the Budderside commences now…

Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Budderside, and how long the band has been together.
Hello, my name is Patrick Stone and I am one of the founders, singer, songwriter and guitar player for Budderside. The Stoneman, Rich Sacco and I formed the band around the songs before I was even in my 20’s. Fast forward many years and configurations later, we got serious, started to tour and recorded our debut album in 2016.

How did you wind up being signed to Motorhead Records, and what were your impressions of the one and only Lemmy.
I got in tight with Lem and Phil in my early 20’s. They soon invited me to be their roadie. I toured with Motörhead for a while. Lem and Phil always encouraged my songwriting and musical talents. Around the same time, I met Todd Singerman, who always told me “You got something, kid. Let me know when you’re ready to get serious.” It wasn’t until after I recovered from a major battle with drugs and alcohol that I realized I was ready and “serious”. I gave Todd a call and he threw us in the recording studio with Lem’s brilliant son, Paul to record our debut. By the time we showcased for Lem and the label, the deal was done and we couldn’t be more proud, than to be part of “The Loudest Label On Earth”.

My impressions of Lemmy were that of his immeasurable kindness, his adorable sick sense of humor and endless love beyond the unstoppable force of everything he created and left behind that will live forever.

You are about the release some new music.  Select two new songs and what inspired the lyrics.
Zen – Everyone on their phones and computers chasing validation and a quick fix. Disconnecting from each other while always interacting, alone, but not. It’s an incredible time for the human race and strange to step back and look upon us. Many in-depth conversations with a young, beautiful, damaged emo gen, gamer friend of mine inspired an interesting perspective on a mythical figure that quite possibly lives within us all. It’s crazy that I wrote the lyrics for this song about desperately seeking yourself, in a time of absolute fulfillment, balance and actually, complete Zen.

Things We Do – A drug induced vantage point of how harsh reality is when you commit completely to riding the edge without a care. The point of it all, “the great high” and the lives it costs for only a handful left to tell the story in the end. But, what an amazing ride and a story only the strong live to tell. We’ve learned a thing or two living how we have. The message and lesson to this song is gargantuan.

What could one expect from a live Budderside show?
Raw energy. A strong good vibe. An odyssey of vocals, a strong rhythm and a wild ride. Us getting up there is more than just music, there is a story. You can feel it and become a part of it. Our new 5 piece line up has me as an unchained ring leader that aims to please with a top notch musician band of brothers surrounding me. The future holds something very promising when it comes to theatrics. We’ll be going well beyond what’s expected.

Budderlive live at Ultimate Jam Night – Photo by Ken Morton

How did your recent summer tour go and what were some of the highlights?
Finland sticks out mostly because we’d never been there before. A tour bus is one thing, but numerous planes, vans and boats all in one trip is unforgettable. As always, Europeans are exciting to be around. Their appreciation for rock n roll is stellar, so the shows are always a blast. In Sweden, there are the Axeland’s – The most hospitable family -that we can’t wait to see every time we visit. It’s becoming tradition to visit Ales Stenar (Ale’s Stones), Sweden’s Stonehenge. It’s a mystical place atop a grassy mountain overlooking the southern Baltic Sea. One of my favorite things to do is visit a country’s “magical” locations. Bremen, Germany has “The Bremen Town Musicians”, Amsterdam has “The Dam Square” and Sweden has the Ale’ Stones. A place where powerful wishes are heard and a journey into dreams-come-true can begin. I take a moment to meditate in these places, find my center and let myself fly. The weight of all I’ve carried makes me stronger, the hope I have lifts me higher and my vision for the future becomes clearer. This last visit was no exception and I’ve never been so excited to walk into what I saw with my mind’s eye, there.

What was the experience like playing at the legendary Wacken Festival?
This time, was priceless. We went in with less than high hopes, to be honest. While our label and the festival promised this to be better than our 2016 show there, we were skeptical. We were slated for a stage that, for years prior, seemed insignificant. We arrived to find “The Wasteland Stage” had undergone quite an upgrade and was an exciting part of the festival. Not only was the stage huge, but the pyro was sssssick and our beloved Wasteland Warriors, from our Genocide video, were all around us. As the sun set upon the festival, all stages went dark. The flamethrowers above us spat hell into the sky. The entire festival flooded in before us as we began to play. I could swear, I died and came back to life three times during our hour long set, our energy levels peaked and redlined the entire time. Stage dives, mosh pits, singing along, clapping and screaming at my every command. It was like something out of a dream, my band mates and I, all giving 110% and getting back something beyond all measure. It was magic.

How did your newest member Sam Bam Koltun become involved with the band?
I had my eye on this guy since the first time I saw him play. He leveled up Gabbie Rae and just destroyed at every performance on his own at the Hollywood Jams. At the “changing of the guard” the first time, in 2017, we brought Sam in. It was obvious he had to be part of the band. The chemistry is so electrifying. We did a handful of shows together before the big summer tour that year, but Sam had to finish school, so we had to wait. He was able to join us for a few shows earlier this year in Florida and The Monsters Of Rock Cruise. We had him come play on the new album and now everything is right in the universe. He’s really excited to be with us and we couldn’t be more proud to have him. Sam is here to stay.

Oddly, the newest member is actually Logan Nikolic. Sadly, parting ways with Colin Reid has Budderside getting a two member facelift. We tried putting my guitar down so I could be unchained as a front man, with Sam and Colin on guitars. We, as a whole, really love the 5 piece dynamic. We are extremely grateful for all that Colin contributed to the group, on tour and in the studio. The show must go on, though, and we’re excited to have Logan aboard.

Any strange or scary happenings on the road or at a show?
Like, in the spirit of Halloween? Lol … The only “strange” thing that comes to mind for me would be the spirituality surrounding our sessions at NRG, recording the new album. It’s not like it’s haunted, but music transcends all space and time there. The musicians that have recorded there and passed onto the “Budderside” are alive and well within those walls. They’re in the equipment and the electrical current. I found it empowering to tap into Cash, Bennington, Weiland, Cornell, Kilmister. They’re all there. When I’d reach out, specifically, for each one, my performances went well beyond my own. It was not scary, it was beautiful.

Patrick Stone as RIff Raff and Militia Vox as Magenta at Ultimate Jam Night – Photo by Ken Morton

Patrick, you played Riff Raff in a production of the Rocky Horror Show at a recent Ultimate Jam Night.  What was that experience like and has Patrick ever acted in any other productions?
I have. Many. Since I was a child I was into musical theatre and took the lead in play after play. I’m still an active SAG Member. In Hollywood I ran with the acting side of the city for some time. I’ve done everything from commercials, to HBO series recurring roles. I even attended the Oscars. The Season of the Witch has me returning to join my Ultimate Jam Night family once more, as Riff Raff in a Rocky Horror Picture Show, this Halloween.

Are there any other Ultimate Jam Night performances you’ve done that are especially memorable to you?
The Cornell Night, Bittersweet Symphony. Those three hold a bright candle for me.

Overall, what do you think of the local Los Angeles music scene?
For once in a hot minute, I like where it’s going. Royal Distortion, Vigil Of War, Classless Act, a lot of bands getting out there and playing. Pay to Play seems to be nearly dead and good bands seem to be getting the opportunity to play these amazing, historical venues. Whisky’s got a new sound system, Jam nights are on different nights, three nights a week. No shortage of big bands rolling through. One big loving community. What’s not to like?

What’s up next for Budderside?
Our work is cut out for us. Between the album artwork, new videos and a Winter Tour, it will be hard to breathe before the new album drops in spring. After that, all hell is going to break loose for our camp and we’ll probably never stop touring. Praise Jesus!

Any final words of wisdom?
Be good to each other and Follow us on Instagram @budderside , Facebook and YouTube, please!

(Interview and Ultimate Jam Night Photos by Ken Morton – Band Photo by Lori Hutchinson)

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