Red Reign is a kick ass rock and roll band from Richmond Virginia, they are going to be playing a few shows with Tesla and Empire Extreme got to talk to drummer Sammy Lee Bendhiem about the shows and about his band Red Reign.

EE: Are you guys all ready and excited about the shows with Tesla?

SB: We are, we were lucky enough to do a mini tour with them about a year and a half ago in the Midwest, and we connected with them very well, and was asked to do a few shows with them again.

EE: How was touring with them?

SB: It was great, they are all very personable guys. When you’re on a tour like that you’re very nervous and the put our minds at ease.

EE: Hows it like being with Chipster PR, they have huge acts like Judas Priest and a lot of upcoming bands that are amazing like Granny 4 Barrel.

SB: The great thing about that is he’s so knowledgeable, he was in the music industry back in the day, and he knows everyone and I learn from him so much. To have a guy like that in your corner is amazing.

EE: How did you get into being a drummer?

SB: My inspiration was Alex Van Halen, I’m a huge original Van Halen band fan, the first time I seen a Van Halen video that’s what I wanted to do.

EE: You guys have a EP out, how’s the response been from that?

SB: The response has been very good so far, we are traveling to places we haven’t played before and the fans are enjoying it. We starting to build that fan base. It’s like building a house one brick at a time.

EE: Hows it like being from Richmond, with bands like Gwar and Lamb of God?

SB: Richmond is tough. It’s a real fickle town. The VCU is taking over the downtown and they are very artsy. A lot of the big rock and metal bands from here don’t play here that often. We play originals and if you do covers there’s a few bars that will let you play.

EE: If you can go on a Dream tour who would it be with?

SB: Van Halen.

EE: Oh, do you think that you could get those guys all back together again?

SB: uhh, No (laughs) there’s always something about the original line up, they had such a chemistry and wrote all those songs again.

EE: If you could see any band reunite other than Van Halen, who would you want?

SB: I’d really love to see Cinderella. I would also love to see the original Ratt back together again.

EE: If you could bring back one dead musician, who would it be?

SB: ohh, that’s a tough one, it’s a good question but unfair since there are so many of them like Bonham. I think I’d like to see Keith Moon.

EE: Anything you want to say for the fans?

SB: Come and check us out we are in Erie Pa April 26th and April 28th in Baltimore with Tesla. And check us out on www.redreignband.com

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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