Alteras

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alteras [AL-teə(r)-is] – the present indicative ‘you’ form of the Spanish verb alterar, meaning to change or alter. Translation: “you change”

The message the band brings to the table is a simple, transparent one: embrace change.

While change is both inevitable and necessary, it is not always easy. Break ups, toxic friendships, broken homes, and losing loved ones can be all too defeating. These ideologies and topics of adversity are often the subject matter in Alteras’s music.

Through an effort of complete transparency in both their music and form, Alteras strives to be a living example of this to their fans, friends, and family alike. No matter the obstacles we are are faced with we endure, we forgive, we greave, and we learn to love again.

Hard Rock / Metal band from Youngstown, OH, consisting of members Jacob Clasen, Michael Dulay, Zack Orr, and Tony Costarella.

Below are the answers to the Alteras interview!

Hey guys, I’m Michael Dulay and I play guitar for Alteras =)

Unratedmagazine: Let talk about your up bring. Your band is from Youngstown, OH. What is the music scène like there?

Michael Dulay: Yes, we are from Youngstown, Ohio. The music scene around here has been evolving and progressing over the last few years. It died out a bit when I was in high school and early college, but at that time there were a lot of people that cared about it. Which I feel as created the waves that rejuvenated the local music scene and, in my opinion, has made it better than it has ever been in my lifetime.

Is there a lot of live music to see?

Alteras

There is! Just about every night you can catch act. A very wide variety of music around too. Just about anything you can think of music-wise is here. Probably in some bar you’d just drive right by unless you happen to know otherwise. It’s really cool. And we all play together and talk to one another about our ideas. A lot of art also. Youngstown has for sure become a very small music and art city. I’m happy to be apart of it. Really, a lot of great musicians, artists and writers are coming out of here right now. It is exciting.

How did you pick your name?

The name Alteras actually was made before I joined with Jake in 2012. The name really reflects everything about this band. Alteras means “you have changed”, “we change”. If you sound it out – Alter Us- It’s really reflective of who we as a band are and who we’ve become. The band itself has gone through various member changes which has made us the strong group we are now. Everything has an effect on who we are, and we adapt and change and hope to become better than we were yesterday or even a moment ago. I really feel like this is a motif from the album that will be coming out soon.

You are about to do the Van Warped Tour. And this is the last one. How do you feel about that? And will you miss it?

So excited. I know it is something all of us has always dreamed of doing and I’m happy that we got the chance to play it because of hard work and the love our fans share for us. I will for sure miss it. It has been apart pf my life and my musical career aspirations since I began. It is sad that it’s the last one but I’m optimistic about the future and what Kevin plans to do next.

Well we are talking about Van Warped- Gil Mantera’s Party Dream (Synth pop), who was known for their spectacular live shows and as part of the Van’s Warped Tour; were born in Youngtown, OH.

WOW. I can’t believe you even bring them up. I remember seeing them at some local skate parks and I think this old elementary school turned diy venue in Sharon, PA. Like i said earlier, this is a music city.

Have you toured in the past?

Yes, we have done quite a bit of touring. And plan to do a lot more.

What was your best you played and the worst?

I hope that we have yet to play the best or the worst. I love playing. Anywhere, anytime, for whoever or for no one. Just playing gives me that feeling that cannot be described. The connection you feel with sound and vibrations is euphoric, then throw a crowd and people who love music takes it one step further. Then add people that love your band’s music. That makes everything worth it all the best possible shows and all the worst. It’s all good.

How you stay healthy on tour?

That is a very good question, when we figure that out we will get back to you. Vodka, Red-Bull and Power-aid?? That’s what I would say.

You just released the video Myself on Fire. Is it getting a lot of plays? Are you trying to get it on the radio? What steps have you taken to do this?

Yes, just came out. It is doing alright. It would be sweet to get it on the radio but like what’s more important is getting it out to people and hopefully getting them into the band and what we are about. I mean, when is the last time you listened to the radio? I have read cd and vinyl sales have beat out digital downloads for the first year since 2008. So, I hope people come to our shows have an experience and buy our album. Then they can listen to it whenever.

Who influences you and why?

I always make this a harder question than it must be, and I feel like I am always changing my response to it. Right now, in this moment, life and love and being here in the now is my influence. Next time I’m asked I will probably say, Queen, Thursday, Armor for Sleep.

What type of clubs/places do you like to play in (size)?

All different types. Haven’t played a stadium yet. But we will get there. I believe in all of us.

Any plans to tour the United States?

Ohhhh yes.

What music fests would you like to play in?

Whatever ones ya’ll are going to.

Would you want to play Rock on the Range?

Yeah that would be killer.

Any endorsements?

Alteras

Yeah, we have a few. Orange Amps, Ernie Ball, GHS, Sabian, Spirit Airline, Mis Print Apparel, working on some others currently. We stay very busy.

How would you explain your live performance?

An awesome time that if you have yet to see, then you are missing out. Bring some friends, check us and then come hang and talk to us!

What year, made and guitars do you have?

I have a Gibson Les Paul, A Schacter C-1 Classic which I did some mod work to and Fender Strat which I also did some mod work to and a BC Rich Warlock.

If someone was listening to you for the first time, what 3 videos or songs would you tell them to look/listen to and why?

Best Mistake, Myself on Fire, Shapeshifter. If you listen to those three songs, you will understand Alteras for at least this very moment. But we will throw you another curve ball. That is just what we do. Have fun and love what you do.

Favorite Quotes?

I have quite a few that I live and die by. Will probably have more next time we talk….
Don’t let anyone dull your shine.
Moments are fleeting.
Love is real.
Fuck ’em.
and Do your goddamn best always.

Favorite Reading?

I’m trying to get back into reading books. I read a lot of political science pieces along with climate science and urban study and design articles.

Any Hobbies?

Writing music. Cooking. Going on long walks listening to music.

Favorite Drink?

Alteras

This is ever changing for me also. I have expensive taste that I cannot afford…. Jameson, Patron, Sailor Jerry. But chances are you will catch me drinking PBR or some kind of rancid vodka mixed with a cheap energy drink.

Favorite thing you like to cook/eat?

Italian and Mexican foods. I honestly think it would be so dope to have an Itai/Mexi fusion restaurant one day.

Who is your favorite singer and why?

Geoff Rickly of Thursday. He’s just amazing, everything about him. I love his lyrics and how he uses his voice. The things he stands for. I’d love to meet him one day. I actually think he’s the only person in the industry I’d be afraid to meet because I’d want to be his friend.

Who is your favorite guitar player?

My favorite is Randy Rhodes.

How do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Hopefully touring, have a few more albums out. I hope I’ll have some kind of house in the middle of nowhere.

If you could jam with anyone who would it be?

I’d really like to jam with Brent Walsh of I the Mighty and Freddy Mercury. David Bowie would be hella sick also.

Any guilty pleasures your fans would be surprise you listen to?

Nahh I love everything I listen to. Our time is too short to have guilty pleasures. Be proud of it all.

What is on your bucket list?

To impact some, one’s life for the better so that they impact someone else for the better and so on and forever.

What is on your phone for music now?

Copeland, HIM, Thursday, Taking Back Sunday, Armor for Sleep, I The Mighty

Something to think about Youngtown, OH. Tiny Bradshaw an Jazz Musician was known in the 1950s “Train Kept A-Rollin'” was born in Youngstown. Yes, the same Train Kept a Rollin that Aerosmith does. FYI of the day….