Some bands start playing music together because they have something in common. Some start because their parents bought them a guitar, and some even get started just to give themselves something to do on Saturday afternoon.
But for the boys of Gabriels Fallen, it started with a DUI.
“I was put on house arrest when I got my third DUI,” Steve Huante, the lead vocalist and guitar player says. “So we just converted my bedroom into a soundproof room.”
They nicknamed it “The Hell Room” because of the high temperature inside. “I kind of miss it,” Huante says. “I mean, I don’t miss the ankle bracelet, but I miss the room.”
Now almost two years later, they have released their premier album “Hell is for Heroes” and are on a non-stop touring schedule. They describe their style of music as a mixture of modern punk rock with old heavy metal, in which they’ve coined the term “petal.”
They even have high school bands covering their songs.
“When I heard that I dropped my jaw,” Huante says. “I can’t believe they spent the time to learn one of our songs.”
Being friends for so long, they’ve learned how to deal with each other on a daily basis. They see one another more than they see family and they feel they’re the closest to being brothers as one can get without being bonded by blood.
But overall one of the most unique qualities they hold is their fan base. “Honestly we have a really good network of friends,” Huante says. “I don’t think a lot of other bands get that.
Although they consider themselves true body art enthusiasts, none of them are considering getting a Gabriels Fallen tattoo just yet. At least not for awhile, anyway.
“It’s almost bad luck in a way, because it’s like tattooing your girlfriend’s name on you, or like being branded,” David Gray, bassist for the band, says.
“Maybe if we’re sitting by our large pool in the backyard of our mansions we’ll get a tattoo then,” Huante says.
“Or if we get really drunk in Vegas one night,” Chris Saunders, guitarist for the band, says.
But for now all four band members wish there was a way that they could get sponsored so they can afford to continue collecting body art. “Tattoos are the best form of self-expression,” Victor Braden, drummer, says. “Anyone you talk to can tell you the sentimental aspects of their tattoos.
“All my tattoos are milestones in my life,” Gray says. “I have a tribal band from when I was surfing a lot, winged lion from when we started the band. The next one I’m going to get is for a friend of ours that passed away. They all have heavy meanings.”
Sentimental meanings show through the band especially in their name, as the band name is symbolism for hope.
“We’re not a religious band. Gabriel the angel was banished from heaven for defying God and how that applies to our name is that no matter what happens when you fall, pick yourself up and keep on trucking. Gabriel did and God took him back into the ranks, Huante says.”
“The main thing is that we’ve all been through all sorts of stuff but no matter what happens we’re going to keep going and not lose hope. We’ve had all our shit stolen, been kicked out of rehearsal studios, but we bounce right back. No matter what happens, we just keep going.”
Visit the official Gabriels Fallen website at www.gabrielsfallen.com or www.myspace.com/gabrielsfallen.
