Day Six (June 2010)

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Day Six is a Dutch progressive metal band with two albums on their conscience. They are one of these rather unknown bands who deserve more attention. I got in touch with them for their story. 
Robbie van Stiphout answered my questions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When
was Day Six formed and do you have any background from other bands ?

In
1993 Dolf van Heugten (the current keyboard player) and Robbie van
Stiphout (guitars/vocals) started the band King of Darkness. The
line-up changed in 1997; drummer Daan Liebregts joined the band and
the band name was changed to Peanuts. Two years later the last change
in the line-up was made and bass guitar player Nick Verstappen
completed our current line-up, which is now stable for over 11 years.
In 2002 we changed our name to Day Six.

Your
previous band names was as diverse as King Of Darkness and Peanuts.
Why did you choose the Day Six
name ?

When
we chose the name 'Peanuts' it was our intention to make punk rock.
But the use of symphonic keyboards of course gave our music a very
different feel. Our personal taste of music changed and so did our
music. It developed very naturally towards progressive rock/metal. Of
course the band name didn't fit our music anymore at that point. We
decided to choose a universal name, that would always fit us even
when our music takes on a different path. Day VI is the title of a
song of us about the creation of a new world beyond the earth we can
perceive now. 

Whose
bands were you influenced by ?

Despite
the fact that we listen to various different bands and genres, I
think when writing “The Grand Design” we were influenced most by
bands like Porcupine Tree, Opeth, Dream Theater and Pink Floyd.

To
start with; please give me your (long or brief) thoughts and lowdowns
on.........

Eternal
Dignity from 2003

Our
debut under the name Day Six. The album consists of 8 tracks, varying
in length between 3.5 minutes and nearly 15 minutes. We've used two
different studio's to record the album, and it took us more than half
a year. On two of the tracks you can hear a female choir of 30
singers. In 2005, Eternal Dignity was released in the USA. Each track
on the album tells a different story, but the lyrics of the album are
inspired mostly by ancient myths and legends.
Promo
2005 from 2005

In
2004 we won two large national metal band contests (Aardschok Metal
Bash and the Metal Battle), and both prizes were studio recording
time. We decided to record a demo with two tracks: Age of Technology
and Lost Identity. These two songs are also featured on 'The Grand
Design' in a newer version.

The
Grand Design from 2010

“The Grand Design”
is a progressive rock/metal album with many dynamics and various
atmospheres. It contains our loudest (and longest) track as well as
our most mellow track ever.

It
is our first concept album in both lyrics and music; some melodies
appear in multiple songs, while sound scapes paste together some of
the chapters to complete the story. Yet every track stands on its own
and can be listened to separately.

There
are many dark and dramatic passages, but also very light parts, well
in balance.

The
concept story is written from the point of view of five scientists,
who discover an extraterrestrial spaceship under the ice of Lake
Vostok, Antarctica. Inside this ship they find proof of
extraterrestrial intervention in the evolution of mankind from
thousands of years ago. Things that could explain all of our
religions as they are today, and also the means to help the human
race on its further evolution.

For
several reasons, the government elite debate on how to cover up this
discovery. The five scientists are locked up in separate mental
institurions and are being told they are deluded, while agents try to
erase their experiences from their memories.

However,
the scientists develop telepathic capabilities. They use this way of
communicating to make new plans with each other and the E.T. beings
to bring out the truth.

What
is your plans for the rest of this year and next year ?              
                                        Besides of the new album,
what is your plans for this year and next year ?

We
want to get out on stage as much as possible to promote the album. We
are discussing a package deal with several other bands.

During
our 10^th
anniversary we gave a special show with a large video screen with
images and footage to tell the story of the album. This will also
play an important part in our upcoming shows.

Further
more, we already have a bunch of new material for the new album we're
working on. 

How
is the writing and creative processes in your band ? 

We
always write the lyrics after we've finished the music. It is a
collective process, where ideas can come from any band member. These
ideas are worked out further in jam sessions. When it's usable, we
record the ideas and expand them to songs. Before the final studio
recordings we make pre-productions, which tell us which parts need to
be altered. 

How
would you describe your music and which bands would you compare your
music with ?

Our
music can be described as progressive rock/metal. In reviews we are
being compared with bands like Pink Floyd, Rush, Deep Purple, but
also with younger bands like Porcupine Tree, Opeth and Dream Theater.

What
is your five favourite albums of all time ?

	In
	Absentia – Porcupine Tree

Wish
	you were here - Pink Floyd

Far
	beyond driven – Pantera					                      
Scenes from a
	memory – Dream Theater
Dark
	side of the moon – Pink Floyd

Anything
you want to add to this interview ? 

Thank
you for reading and check out 'The Grand Design'! See ya!

Thank you to Robbie van Stiphout for this interview. 

Day Six PA profile is here and their homepage is here

Edited by toroddfuglesteg - June 19 2010 at 08:02

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toroddfuglesteg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Retired Joined: March 04 2008 Location: Retirement Home Status: Offline Points: 3658	Topic: Day Six (June 2010) Posted: June 19 2010 at 08:01
	Day Six is a Dutch progressive metal band with two albums on their conscience. They are one of these rather unknown bands who deserve more attention. I got in touch with them for their story. Robbie van Stiphout answered my questions. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When was Day Six formed and do you have any background from other bands ? In 1993 Dolf van Heugten (the current keyboard player) and Robbie van Stiphout (guitars/vocals) started the band King of Darkness. The line-up changed in 1997; drummer Daan Liebregts joined the band and the band name was changed to Peanuts. Two years later the last change in the line-up was made and bass guitar player Nick Verstappen completed our current line-up, which is now stable for over 11 years. In 2002 we changed our name to Day Six. Your previous band names was as diverse as King Of Darkness and Peanuts. Why did you choose the Day Six name ? When we chose the name 'Peanuts' it was our intention to make punk rock. But the use of symphonic keyboards of course gave our music a very different feel. Our personal taste of music changed and so did our music. It developed very naturally towards progressive rock/metal. Of course the band name didn't fit our music anymore at that point. We decided to choose a universal name, that would always fit us even when our music takes on a different path. Day VI is the title of a song of us about the creation of a new world beyond the earth we can perceive now. Whose bands were you influenced by ? Despite the fact that we listen to various different bands and genres, I think when writing “The Grand Design” we were influenced most by bands like Porcupine Tree, Opeth, Dream Theater and Pink Floyd. To start with; please give me your (long or brief) thoughts and lowdowns on......... Eternal Dignity from 2003 Our debut under the name Day Six. The album consists of 8 tracks, varying in length between 3.5 minutes and nearly 15 minutes. We've used two different studio's to record the album, and it took us more than half a year. On two of the tracks you can hear a female choir of 30 singers. In 2005, Eternal Dignity was released in the USA. Each track on the album tells a different story, but the lyrics of the album are inspired mostly by ancient myths and legends. Promo 2005 from 2005 In 2004 we won two large national metal band contests (Aardschok Metal Bash and the Metal Battle), and both prizes were studio recording time. We decided to record a demo with two tracks: Age of Technology and Lost Identity. These two songs are also featured on 'The Grand Design' in a newer version. The Grand Design from 2010 “The Grand Design” is a progressive rock/metal album with many dynamics and various atmospheres. It contains our loudest (and longest) track as well as our most mellow track ever. It is our first concept album in both lyrics and music; some melodies appear in multiple songs, while sound scapes paste together some of the chapters to complete the story. Yet every track stands on its own and can be listened to separately. There are many dark and dramatic passages, but also very light parts, well in balance. The concept story is written from the point of view of five scientists, who discover an extraterrestrial spaceship under the ice of Lake Vostok, Antarctica. Inside this ship they find proof of extraterrestrial intervention in the evolution of mankind from thousands of years ago. Things that could explain all of our religions as they are today, and also the means to help the human race on its further evolution. For several reasons, the government elite debate on how to cover up this discovery. The five scientists are locked up in separate mental institurions and are being told they are deluded, while agents try to erase their experiences from their memories. However, the scientists develop telepathic capabilities. They use this way of communicating to make new plans with each other and the E.T. beings to bring out the truth. What is your plans for the rest of this year and next year ? Besides of the new album, what is your plans for this year and next year ? We want to get out on stage as much as possible to promote the album. We are discussing a package deal with several other bands. During our 10^th anniversary we gave a special show with a large video screen with images and footage to tell the story of the album. This will also play an important part in our upcoming shows. Further more, we already have a bunch of new material for the new album we're working on. How is the writing and creative processes in your band ? We always write the lyrics after we've finished the music. It is a collective process, where ideas can come from any band member. These ideas are worked out further in jam sessions. When it's usable, we record the ideas and expand them to songs. Before the final studio recordings we make pre-productions, which tell us which parts need to be altered. How would you describe your music and which bands would you compare your music with ? Our music can be described as progressive rock/metal. In reviews we are being compared with bands like Pink Floyd, Rush, Deep Purple, but also with younger bands like Porcupine Tree, Opeth and Dream Theater. What is your five favourite albums of all time ? In Absentia – Porcupine Tree Wish you were here - Pink Floyd Far beyond driven – Pantera Scenes from a memory – Dream Theater Dark side of the moon – Pink Floyd Anything you want to add to this interview ? Thank you for reading and check out 'The Grand Design'! See ya! Thank you to Robbie van Stiphout for this interview. Day Six PA profile is here and their homepage is here Edited by toroddfuglesteg - June 19 2010 at 08:02

Mellotron Storm Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: August 27 2006 Location: The Beach Status: Offline Points: 13467	Posted: June 19 2010 at 11:30
	I like DAY SIX, i'll have to check out their new album.
	"The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN