Please share with us how the band, SUTURE SEVEN, was formed and what were the chain of events that took place prior to that?

Elton Nestler and Jamie Gibson formed Suture Seven back in 1998. Elton had just departed from the Goth band Advent Sleep, and Jamie was doing some studio work when the two long time friends ran into each other after not seeing each other in quite some time. After some coffee and a conversation they decided to work on some new material and that's how Suture seven was born.

Give us the discography of the band and the gist of each release.

"aversion" released in 1999 was the duo's debut. This album was raw in your face industrial rock. Vocals and lyrics were done by jamie and Elton did all the music. The whole recording process was done in Elton's home studio. "a stitch to mark the wound" released in 2002. This album was much more refined and polished. The material was deeper and darker than the debut release. While Jamie did the majority of the vocal work, Elton added his lead vocal styling to two tracks. This album was also recorded at Elton's home studio. "suture seven" released 2004. This self-titled album was whole new direction for the band. At this point there had been additions to the band and changes. Original vocalist Jamie had moved back to his true passion the drums. Michael Zucker replaced Jamie on lead vocals and brought some amazing guitar work to the band. Elton continued being the General in charge of writing all the music. This album was a far departure from the first two releases. It was much more commercially derived music.

Did the change in vocals offer more opportunities for the band, since Michael Zucker's voice range has crossover potential?

E: Michael brought a dimension to the band that helped pick new fans up everywhere.

M: I think the idea was something like that originally, but in the end I don't know if I opened any doors for the band. Whenever I look back I can't help but feel they really opened doors for me.

What other bands were you compared to in the past?

It really depends on the album that was released. The band has been compared to NIN, Marilyn Manson, Skinny Puppy, Stabbing Westward, Butthole Surfers, Ministry, KMFDM, White Zombie, and the Smashing Pumpkins.

This is the members' portion of the interview...

To Jaime Gibson: I think you have a great voice. Why did you regress back to drumming after serving the band as the singer for five years?

I really never intended to be the vocalist for Suture Seven. But when Elton and I formed the band and it was just the two of us. I had the lyrics written so it was decided that I would do the vocals and he would take care of the music. After two albums of doing the lead vocals I just got burned out and it was decided that we would make the change and take the band in a different direction. It did take a lot of pressure of me and Michael does have an incredible voice with much more range than I have.

Were you in bands before joining S7? How did you meet up with the other members?

I was in a cover band in the early 90's, but for the most part i did my own thing with my drumming. Elton was a long time friend before Suture Seven was born. Michael and Amber were introduced to me through our ex-guitar player Gregory Marshall.

Now that the band is no more, what do you plan to do?

Relax...no seriously I'll continue drumming and working on my projects when I feel like it. That's the big difference; there are no time constraints now. I doubt I'll ever form another band or join another band. The grind of being in band takes its toll on you after a while.

Enumerate your influences to give us an idea of your musical orientations.

I'm classic rock fan. The most influential band and my favorite band of all time is Cheap Trick. There music is timeless and just straight ahead simple rock and roll. I also delve back further and am a big fan of the band Badfinger. I think the band that influenced me the most when we were recording "aversion" was NIN. Trent Reznor is truly a genius.

To Elton Nestler: You have got some serious history as a musician having played alongside SWITCHBLADE SYMPHONY, CHRISTIAN DEATH, COAL CHAMBER and the late ROZZ WILLIAMS. What was the experience like?

Well, I would have to say that it has been a great string of experiences for the most part. When I started working in Advent Sleep I didn't expect the reception we'd received from our first singles/album. The show we played with Rozz would prove to be his last show and though he wasn't...sober in anyway...it was memorable to those who attended. Playing with all the above bands was just a huge bonus. I still feel honored when I look back on those moments.

Do you mind telling us more about your former gothic-industrial group, ADVENT SLEEP, and are you still involved with them?

I'm not involved with Advent Sleep anymore, but I still try to stay in touch with the band when time permits. They have recently released a new EP, which includes a VERY old version of Tainted Love with my guitar work on it. Also a couple of tracks I had a hand in initially as well. That band managed 4 international singles on Cleopatra records and a few remixes of various acts.

Describe to us your works on "Egos and Eros". What was the overall theme of that particular album?

I was responsible for the guitar work on the album, some programming and helping shape the songs. Michael Bann was the man behind the lyrics and themes to which he mostly explored religious questions and the darker side of romance.

Being the composer for S7, where do you draw your inspirations and how many songs have you written for the band?

Well, I wrote all the music for suture.seven with the exception of the bonus track on the final album that was done by Michael Zucker. The inspiration has come in many forms, but I mostly draw from people I know. I have a tendency to put pictures around the studio and stare at them...what comes out in the music is a representation of what I feel for these people. Actually, working this way helped the songs feel alive to me for a long period of time as opposed to those songs that don't connect personally and are hard to muster energy or feeling for years after their creation.

What is your methodology of fusing together the lyrics with the melody in preparation for much further refinement?

I've never been one to worry about lyrics or the melodic nature of sonics. The first 2 albums were me writing a song and having Jamie throw down some lyrics until wee had the correct cadence. On those albums I was trying to use the vocals as an instrument or tool instead of making them stand out. I wanted them to be a part of the machine and blend with the music on the same level. With the final album we let Michael do his thing because the boy has talent and a great mind for melody...I had to pull the music back and bring him forward. I think the situation of the song dictates the direction you go. A solid rhythmic quality to a vocal can be equally conducive to a song as a crushing guitar riff.

How have you helped in shaping or changing the sound of S7?

Writing all the music has pretty much shaped the project. However, as I mentioned before, bringing Michael into the band for the last album I stepped back from the programming a bit and went with more organics tones to accentuate his vocals and give him the spotlight. The prior albums/songs were meant to be taken as a whole piece of music...vocals and all. The last album was more of an effort at melodic songwriting.

To Michael Zucker: Your presence in the band is short-lived. What is your own account of your vocal contributions to S7? Did the whole thing serve you well?

It was a great time shared with great friends and band mates surrounded by great music, what else could you ask for.

Since you're a veteran yourself in the music scene, aside from appeasing the demands of the vocals, what else did you have to offer?

I also did part of the mastering and engineering for the self titled record as well as a few guitar parts.

Do you plan to resurrect PHYBER GLASS? Give it another shot?

A third incarnation of this now age-old project is possible, however, unlikely to happen anytime in the near future.

What will happen to your career now? Do you have regrets that past efforts didn't pay off as expected in the long run?

I'm currently finishing up my first degree in Physics and have already had several good offers within the field. As far as my musical career, I continue to produce my own solo music (available www.myspace.com/michaelzucker) and am also currently playing with This Place is Haunted (available www.myspace.com/thisplaceishaunted).

Do you have any messages at all to your bandmates?

It seems like every time we speak now we're all saying it, but "I miss you guys" would have to be the only message.

To Amber Ortega: What is the feeling like to experience disbandment twice in a row?

Every band breaks up; a lot of times bands need to break up, but they are sticking together for the nostalgia. I feel it was the time for both bands and I have no regrets. Hopefully the other members feel the same way.

Do you have fond memories of your former bands, PHYBER GLASS and S7?

Yes. Both were lots of fun. But with Suture, I had a lot of new experiences. I really miss the family aspect and playing lots of shows. Suture Seven really challenged me to step away from my "save-zone" and I think I am a better person because of it.

Any plans of resurrecting PHYBER GLASS with Michael Zucker?

Well, Phyber Glass is Mike's child, so to speak. So, any resurrection will be done by him, if he asks me to play live again, and the circumstances are right, I may accept. However, Mike and I still play together occasionally.

Thank you very much!

Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. ABORTED LIFE