In this interview, I was able to catch up with Michael Drive of the U.S. based Heavy Metal band 'Gale Force' to ask them a few questions about their debut album 'SUBHUMAN'.
(Jacob) It's so good to finally be having this interview with your band:
(Michael) Thank you, Jacob. I appreciate your interest in Gale Force, thanks for having me.
(Jacob) So, can you give us some insight into what got you involved in the music industry and what is the ultimate purpose of the band?
(Michael) The moment I decided to pick up a guitar at the age of 16, it all just came naturally, as if I was made for it. My ultimate purpose for this band is to simply use the talent God gave. and then to rock n roll… and try to live as a light in this world in everything that I do.
(Jacob) Who was the founding member(s) and when did the band officially form?
(Michael) We are all founding members: Tracy G, Michael Drive, Paul Alfery, and Randy Oviedo. We formed in mid 2019. Wrote our first song together before we were even officially a band - "Crash & Burn”. We liked the results so much, and the chemistry clicked so hard, that it was simply obvious that we had to be a family.
(Jacob) Can you shed some light on where your band's name came from and what is the meaning behind it?
(Michael) A heavy, rushing wind is how you would describe winds for example, that are “gale force” in intensity.
(Jacob) What brand of instruments do you use and why do you prefer that specific brand over another?
(Michael) I use Yamaha & Takamine, which I’ve always liked.
(Jacob) Do you have any hobbies outside of music that help to rejuvenate or inspire creativity within
your music?
(Michael) I like black & white photography, and consider myself an amateur photographer. I suppose you can also say that my greatest hobby is probably getting to know God as much as possible. There’s nothing else really, that can come close to comparing with Him in terms of fulfillment.
(Jacob) Are there any artists that have played a part in influencing you along with your band's sound?
(Michael) For me, definitely the British progressive rock scene; bands like: Yes, King Crimson, early Genesis, UK, ELP, and a few non-British progressive rock bands, such as Rush and Kansas.
(Jacob) What is the biggest problem that you've have had to overcome as a band?
(Michael) I must say; things have been going quite smoothly, and we haven’t yet experienced any issues; like not being able to perform because of the lockdowns all over the world, since we’ve been so busy just recording for a year and a half, until our debut album was recently released. Jan 2021
(Jacob) Can you go into some detail about the musical direction on your debut release 'Subhuman'?
(Michael) I don’t think we thought about it too hard; just did what came naturally; I felt very inspired with the music that the others would throw my way. I just started writing my vocal melody lines and lyrics, as God gave them to me. Heavy, driving, melodic, passionate, and always something to say.
(Jacob) Do you feel like you achieved what you set out to accomplish on your latest project?
(Michael) Absolutely. I’m very happy of what we have accomplished. What a beautiful gift this has been.
(Jacob) What is your favorite song to perform, whether live or in studio, and why?
(Michael) So far my favorite song is the title track “Subhuman", which I also really like to put it on & listen to. I always find myself wanting to crank it up whenever it comes on. Just hits me right in the chest.
(Jacob) Was there any special or funny moments during the recording process of the album?
(Michael) I was by myself recording my lead vocals in my studio, and I can clearly remember; there were several times right in the middle of recording those, that I felt like it all was just pouring out of me - right into my microphone; I don’t know how else to describe it; but I could feel where it was coming from. I looked up, and then I simply dropped down to my knees on my face, overcome with intense emotion and gratitude, because I just knew that I wasn’t doing this on my own. I actually had tears coming down my face, with an intense joy that’s hard to explain. That happened to me on more than a few occasions.
(Jacob) At this time, are you planning to keep moving forward as a band and are there any plans for future projects in the works?
(Michael) Gale Force is going full steam ahead, and we are sort of uncovering the path that’s laid out for us as we go. As for other musician avenues, I do have another band - the debut album for which is still being recorded (about 80% complete). It is a band called M24 with guitarist George Ochoa, who used to be with Deliverance and Recon. Very original metal, quite different from Gale Force, but just as great, musically.
(Jacob) I'm looking forward to hearing what M24 sounds like and can bring to the Metal community.
(Jacob) Thank you for your time and thoughtful responses to each and every question. I am excited about your debut release and am looking forward to hearing more from the band in the future.
(Michael) Thank you again, Jacob. I wish you the best, and Godspeed in all that you do.
- Michael Drive -
(Jacob) It's so good to finally be having this interview with your band:
(Michael) Thank you, Jacob. I appreciate your interest in Gale Force, thanks for having me.
(Jacob) So, can you give us some insight into what got you involved in the music industry and what is the ultimate purpose of the band?
(Michael) The moment I decided to pick up a guitar at the age of 16, it all just came naturally, as if I was made for it. My ultimate purpose for this band is to simply use the talent God gave. and then to rock n roll… and try to live as a light in this world in everything that I do.
(Jacob) Who was the founding member(s) and when did the band officially form?
(Michael) We are all founding members: Tracy G, Michael Drive, Paul Alfery, and Randy Oviedo. We formed in mid 2019. Wrote our first song together before we were even officially a band - "Crash & Burn”. We liked the results so much, and the chemistry clicked so hard, that it was simply obvious that we had to be a family.
(Jacob) Can you shed some light on where your band's name came from and what is the meaning behind it?
(Michael) A heavy, rushing wind is how you would describe winds for example, that are “gale force” in intensity.
(Jacob) What brand of instruments do you use and why do you prefer that specific brand over another?
(Michael) I use Yamaha & Takamine, which I’ve always liked.
(Jacob) Do you have any hobbies outside of music that help to rejuvenate or inspire creativity within
your music?
(Michael) I like black & white photography, and consider myself an amateur photographer. I suppose you can also say that my greatest hobby is probably getting to know God as much as possible. There’s nothing else really, that can come close to comparing with Him in terms of fulfillment.
(Jacob) Are there any artists that have played a part in influencing you along with your band's sound?
(Michael) For me, definitely the British progressive rock scene; bands like: Yes, King Crimson, early Genesis, UK, ELP, and a few non-British progressive rock bands, such as Rush and Kansas.
(Jacob) What is the biggest problem that you've have had to overcome as a band?
(Michael) I must say; things have been going quite smoothly, and we haven’t yet experienced any issues; like not being able to perform because of the lockdowns all over the world, since we’ve been so busy just recording for a year and a half, until our debut album was recently released. Jan 2021
(Jacob) Can you go into some detail about the musical direction on your debut release 'Subhuman'?
(Michael) I don’t think we thought about it too hard; just did what came naturally; I felt very inspired with the music that the others would throw my way. I just started writing my vocal melody lines and lyrics, as God gave them to me. Heavy, driving, melodic, passionate, and always something to say.
(Jacob) Do you feel like you achieved what you set out to accomplish on your latest project?
(Michael) Absolutely. I’m very happy of what we have accomplished. What a beautiful gift this has been.
(Jacob) What is your favorite song to perform, whether live or in studio, and why?
(Michael) So far my favorite song is the title track “Subhuman", which I also really like to put it on & listen to. I always find myself wanting to crank it up whenever it comes on. Just hits me right in the chest.
(Jacob) Was there any special or funny moments during the recording process of the album?
(Michael) I was by myself recording my lead vocals in my studio, and I can clearly remember; there were several times right in the middle of recording those, that I felt like it all was just pouring out of me - right into my microphone; I don’t know how else to describe it; but I could feel where it was coming from. I looked up, and then I simply dropped down to my knees on my face, overcome with intense emotion and gratitude, because I just knew that I wasn’t doing this on my own. I actually had tears coming down my face, with an intense joy that’s hard to explain. That happened to me on more than a few occasions.
(Jacob) At this time, are you planning to keep moving forward as a band and are there any plans for future projects in the works?
(Michael) Gale Force is going full steam ahead, and we are sort of uncovering the path that’s laid out for us as we go. As for other musician avenues, I do have another band - the debut album for which is still being recorded (about 80% complete). It is a band called M24 with guitarist George Ochoa, who used to be with Deliverance and Recon. Very original metal, quite different from Gale Force, but just as great, musically.
(Jacob) I'm looking forward to hearing what M24 sounds like and can bring to the Metal community.
(Jacob) Thank you for your time and thoughtful responses to each and every question. I am excited about your debut release and am looking forward to hearing more from the band in the future.
(Michael) Thank you again, Jacob. I wish you the best, and Godspeed in all that you do.
- Michael Drive -