written by Marko Jakob
Pix666: Hello Aaron. Thanks for your time. How are you doing these days, are you alive and well? How are the other guys from Gemini Syndrome?
Aaron: We are all doing well. Thank you for asking . It’s nice to be home for the holidays.
Pix666: Please introduce your band to the readers in a few short sentences. How did you meet as a band and what kind of music do you make?
Aaron: Gemini Syndrome is a group of musicians that formed in LA in late 2009 early 2010. We have been called alternative metal, metal, active rock but I think our first producer Kevin Churko said it best when he described us as “Life metal” Not death metal, but just as heavy.
Pix666: Is there a special story about how your band name came about?
Aaron: Gemini Syndrome literally means the same as the Tao or yin Yang The two pillars of the Gemini zodiac sign represent the polarities in life and Syndrome is a collection of traits or qualities So it’s a way of saying the balancing of opposites.
Pix666: Some weeks ago your album ‚3rd Degree – The Raising‘ was released. Are there any differences in the new album compared to the previous releases? How were the fans‘ reactions to ‚3rd Degree – The Raising‘ so far?
Aaron: I think it’s more mature musically and as a band overall. A lot of people say that it’s the heaviest record we have done yet overall the response has been fantastic.
Pix666: I love your new video clip for the song ‚Absolution‘. The styling, make-up and costumes are really great. Where did you shoot the clip and how big is the team that is around you during such a video production. How long does such a video shoot take?
Aaron: Well, this video was a little different than the others It virtually was just the band, Brian Cox and Joe Castro as our makeup artist. There was a guy who worked at the space we rented out but beyond that it was super minimal Oh and of course Brian’s wife has been in almost all of the videos for this album We shot on location in Las Vegas and I think I was there for about 5 hours.
Pix666: You are on tour right now. Please describe the feeling of finally playing in front of an audience again? Has the behavior of the fans changed because of the pandemic or is everything at the concerts like always?
Aaron: I’m currently home sorry for taking so long to get these done! It was amazing to be playing on stage again. I think overall there wwjd a sense of appreciation for the music for the friends other human beings.
Pix666: I’m a fan of statistics of all kinds. What about you, Aaron? Do you look at the numbers of streams, the views on YouTube, or do you know, for example, in which countries the people who listen to your music live?
Aaron: I studied statistics in college and I believe that it is “fake math” or a way to lie with numbers haha that being said I believe we have a lot of synners in Germany, South America, Belgium, UK I don’t personally look at my own numbers often Only to check in from time to time as to be aware.
Pix666: Are there any plans to perform live in Europe in the future?
Aaron: We have been trying to get over the pond for years and every time someone somewhere dropped the ball I’m hoping next year but if we can’t make it happen in 22, then for SURE in 23.
Pix666: You’re on the road for more than ten years now. From your point of view, what are the milestones in Gemini Syndrome‘s history so far – but also the experiences that you will never forget, such as funny moments during video shoots, etc.?
Aaron: Great question – I think when we signed our first record contract, the second time we played Rock on the Range, going number one on octane, going number one on billboards heat seekers chart are the first to come to mind Shiprocked is one of the things I will never forget, what I can remember of it. There are so many things that happen! A deer ran into the bus on the freeway on this last tour. I was the only one awake that will stay with me. The time we were playing chicken with a moose on a 2 lane road in Canada. Touring with 5FDP was a milestone too.
I love Ivan and Chris and Zoltan Idon’t know the new guys yet but they were very helpful in our younger years In fact the thing that stays with me the most is the friendships I’ve made Lajon, David DRAIMAN, Ivan, CJ from drowning pool, Waylon from a killers confession formerly Mushroomhead,Mikey Doling, Chaf and all the Hellyeah crew, static X I could keep going. among others all took me under their wing s and showed me the ropes how you survive on the road I feel very blessed Nonpoint! Elias and Rasheed and their whole camp, Maria brink, Jeez I gotta stop.
Pix666: As a musician, you surely spend most of your time creating music – but what else do you do in your free time when you want to distract yourself – are there any interesting hobbies you pursue? ?
Aaron: I am a martial artist of 25 years. I studied Hapkidp first and acquired my black belt. Then I began studying Southern Praying Mantis Kung fu. I am also into spirituality and mysticism.
Pix666: Do you have any other news about Gemini Syndrome that you would like to share with the fans?
Aaron: We just announced a tour with Adelitas Way in February!
Pix666: Thank you very much for the interesting answers – Have fun on tour and good luck with your album. Stay healthy!
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