Bury December was first conceived in Fort Lauderdale back in 2011 when founders guitarist Antonio Ramos and bassist Claudio Kucelin met in high school. Once they teamed up with vocalist Kevin Saballos, guitarist Keegan Hughes, and drummer Brandon Brace, the band with a name inspired from a misheard song lyric was fully formed.
A few years later and the metalcore act is now working on its debut EP Summit at Dreamscape Studios owned by a good friend of the group, Allan Rivas (formerly of Manchester and Tonight I'm Burning). Once the recording process is complete, the guys plan on showcasing the album this fall with some local live shows within the 954 area code. To quote Ramos on the upcoming 20-minute, five song EP, "We're really stoked to release it!" And so he should be. Here's what else the guitarist had to say about growing up making heavy music in South Florida.
New Times: How did you guys get together to form the band?
Antonio Ramos: Actually, Claudio and I became friends in a math class back in 2011 because of our mutual music interests. He had explained to me that he played bass and really had a huge need to start a band. And I had been looking to start one as well. It took us about a year before we had a full band to start playing together. And since then, we've had several lineup changes, but I'd say we're more than content on what we have now. So yeah, I guess you could say me and Claudio are the founders of Bury December.
How long have you been playing?
The band itself has been technically together for three years, playing (all) together for two. I myself have been playing guitar for seven years. I've been in and out of small bands with my friends in my early years.
Who are your musical influences?
Our influences range from a lot of different music. I'd say the main reasons we are a band to begin with would be typical stuff like Deftones, Parkway Drive, Slipknot, Korn, Metallica, The Devil Wears Prada, the list goes on. But we get a lot of our ideas by listening to more progressive stuff like Monuments, Erra, Ever Forthright, Protest the Hero, stuff of that nature.
What's your favorite song off the EP and why?
That's actually a very hard question. Well, we've only released two of the demo versions of the songs on the EP, so this one hasn't been heard yet. But my favorite has to be "Lost Highway." I think it's the third track on the EP. I really love everything about all of our songs but the chorus in this one, I don't know man. There's just something about it. There's also a certain part in the song where Kev and Claudio scream back and forth with one another and then blend it altogether, and it's just crazy. My favorite song on this EP has changed 100 times so I'm sure this isn't my final decision.
Why are you called Bury December?
I was listening to Lamb of God's "Ghost Walking," which is one of the singles off of Resolution from early 2012, and there's a part I believe in the first verse where he says "Barren December" but for whatever reason I thought he said "Bury December." Believe it or not, I actually jotted that down on December 31, 2012.
Was growing up in South Florida conducive to making heavy music?
Well, I mean, it wasn't really growing up in South Florida that made me love the music I listen to and whatnot. Ever since I was a young kid, I've wanted to play music. I spent the first 3 to 4 years of my life in New York with a father who raised me strictly on Metallica, Anthrax, Iron Maiden, Mercyful Fate, Megadeth, things of that nature. So I guess eventually it just clicked that I really wanted to do what these guys were doing.
How do you feel about signing with record labels and conflicts some have with artists?
I feel that labels should learn to treat their artists better really. I'm not going to say any names, but I know a few labels that will really screw over any band that's signed to them in the blink of an eye. Thankfully, I know the labels that treat their bands like they should and promote them well and respect them. I'm more than sure there are things in between we never know about in the situations between bands and labels though. I'm not one to say much.
What's next for the band?
Right now, we're just going to finish up what's left for the EP, practice the songs, and start booking shows to play them live and get ourselves exposed. We really want to play some shows with our friends in Contender, We Are Reason, and Neurotic November.
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