http://www.navajotimes.com/entertainment/040507-bloodline.php

Bloodline back with a bang

By Jan-Mikael Patterson
Navajo Times

Gallup, N.M., Apr. 5, 2007

Heavy metal local band Bloodline has a newfound focus, its strength drawn
from members facing their lows and working to reach some new highs.

The members recently gathered for an interview with the Navajo Times and
discussed the band's resurgence after a long search for a new drummer - who
they found in a country-western band.

Drummer Daniel John, 20, has helped drive a more powerful sound but
Bloodline continues to dish out its signature creations - brutal, power
grooving riffs with insightful lyrics.

"The music is harder," said frontman Loren Anthony, 26. "It's the next step
up but it still has that Bloodline sound to it."

The band is emerging from its longest hiatus since re-forming three years
ago. In addition to newcomer John and founding member Anthony (vocals and
bass), members include Leland Anthony, 21, on rhythm guitar and Virgil
Wilson, 30, on lead guitar.

Bloodline stopped performing after long-simmering differences erupted and
the band's previous drummer quit and walked off during a show in September,
Loren said.

Fans wondered if that was the end for the band. The band members were
wondering the same thing as weeks passed without success in finding a new
drummer.

Then Wilson and Leland Anthony came across John, whom they knew from his
work with the local band Perfect Strangers.

The two approached John and handed him Bloodline's five-song demo, recorded
through J&C Music.

John grew up playing drums, including playing in church services for about
14 years. Then came country music on the side. Now John is expanding his
musical tastes still further.

"It's different," he said regarding his move into metal music. "The crowd
is more energetic. There's more energy.

"To me (heavy metal) goes to show how much you really push yourself, to see
if you have it or not," John said. "This is what I want to do. I've talked
about it with my family and they approved with their support."

"Daniel is a cool guy," Leland said. "He's a good drummer and a good
person. He knows what he wants. When he plays I feel more alive. I feel
reborn."

John didn't meet Leland's brother Loren until the audition to join
Bloodline, and admits he was surprised.

"I thought he was like in his 40s. I thought he was this old guy," John
said.

For his part, Loren Anthony was impressed that John brought his own style
of playing.

"I was just blown away," Loren Anthony said. "It was like the first time
putting together a band."

The experience left an impression on Loren Anthony, who basically crafted
the songs on the demo with his band mates.

"It was cool seeing something grow and develop," he said. "I just didn't
know the old songs could sound new again."

Wilson said performing with John gave him "tingles" all over, and the
musicians jokingly compared making music to creating the perfect fry bread.

"It's a dash of Blue Bird flour, some salt, baking powder and water," Loren
said. "It's just the general feel-good music."

"I was curious to see how the audience was going to react to him," he said,
adding that they were invited to perform in Phoenix and did so, despite his
misgivings about whether they were ready.

The show went well and now, Loren said, he's actively promoting Bloodline
on a regional scale.

The band recently opened for Hemlock, a Las Vegas, Nev.-based regional
favorite, at a show in Gallup.

On Monday, April 9, Bloodline is scheduled to open for Diecast, a
nationally known metal act, at Big City Nightclub in Farmington.

Loren also has booked gigs this month in Amarillo, Texas, and Lawton, Okla.

Bloodline is also scheduled to perform in Hawaii during the Kauai Powwow in
October.

"It's amazing," Leland Anthony said of the group's busy schedule. "To me
it's a dream that you haven't dreamt before...like a wet dream but dry."

"I've been places but not with (this) band," John said. "It's something
new. I get to hang out with my friends and playing music."

Wilson considers the band's expanded range a blessing but is careful to
keep his expectations modest.

"It's something serious but I don't want to get my hopes up," he said.

To promote Monday's show in Farmington, the band scheduled a photograph and
autograph session Saturday, April 7, at Some Thin Wild Tattoos (1215 N.
Highway 491), located in the Plaza Del Norte shopping mall north of Gallup.
Show tickets will be on sale for $10 apiece.

Tickets also can be purchased at West Wind Music in Plaza Del Norte.

Information: www.myspace.com/bloodlineheavymetal or
bloodlineheavymetal@....