Farmacy is a metal band based in Kellogg ID. Our music has roots in all the things metal. With Blazing twin guitars, a Mezzo Soprano who can shred skulls with her vocal screams, and a power groove rhythm section.
Interview conducted on November 20, 2020
By Dan Locke
Farmacy is a band located in the heart of the Silver Valley, Kellogg, ID. Fronted by lead singer, Holly Armijo (Selene Sol), Adding to the mix, the dual guitar styling of Mickey West (Mick Madness) and Ryan “Big Daddy” Gaddy (Green Jelly), with the thunderous rhythm of Jeffery Zaleski on bass and drummer Gary West.
What is your upbringing?
Selene Sol: My adolescent years I was in Georgia and Arizona and now reside in North Idaho, US.
How did you discover music?
I was born surrounded by music my parents would rock out to such as ACDC, KISS, April Wine, Nazareth, Judas Priest and went on to appreciate every genre but genuinely enjoy performing metal vocals!
How is music in North Idaho?
The music scene in North Idaho is a very country genre-driven. There isn’t a very large scene for a metal/rock band. What we do have is very special to us and they all are like family!
Selene- How did you get personal training from Mary Zimmer of Helion Prime. Which we just interviewed a couple of weeks ago?
Well, I took that first initial step in booking lessons with her via Skype. I followed her Youtube Channel, Voice Hacks when I first began my harsh vocals journey! It took me a while to work up the courage to do one on one lessons with Mary Z, but when I did, I was very glad I did!
What did you mean by the statement- “Run through everyone’s veins musically and infect the world with medical grade metal”?
It’s how I see music! Helping heal, or give an escape to my listener!
How did the band form?
It started with Gary (current drummer) and Big Daddy Gaddy (current rhythm guitarist, vocals, keys) met and brought on Mick Madness (current lead guitarist). Then a couple of singers have fronted them before me (Selene). I joined to form a dual female vocal band, starting as a backup vocalist but things didn’t work out and the other vocalist resigned before we finished Farmacy’s first studio recorded EP. Then we gained our current bass player, Dr. Z, and went on to release our following studio-recorded LP, Elixir, and giving you the sound, you would experience today!
How did you get your name?
It has a couple of different meanings, the first and most important meaning is being diverse so that we have a song for anyone out there! We also believe that music is healing using a medical approach with music.
What was your first performance like?
I was very nervous during my first performance! It was at Cruiser’s Bar & Grill, Stateline, Idaho, June 1, 2019, Performing with Chase The Sun and Armed and Dangerous!
What makes a good songwriter?
I lean on everyone in the band on the songwriting at the moment. Gaddy and his wife Jenn Gaddy, who also does our artwork and videos, wrote most of our songs too! It takes a village to run a band haha
Tell me about your new record?
Our new LP, “Elixir” is a crazy rock opera that tells a story of love, hate, sorrow and Krampus, our Christmas jingle!
Tell me about the song “Overtake Me” which came out Oct. 23rd.
That song is a story about Athena, the goddess of war. I had a line that I would always sing operatically when warming up and it just fit perfectly with the feelings I received when writing lyrics to Overtake Me. The words were, In the dawn of the light, I hear my queen calling. I ended up using “I hear my queen”.
What is your favorite track on the album?
Otherside
How do you stay healthy while performing?
Drink lots of water, try to eat clean during touring, and always sing! Doesn’t matter where I am or what I am doing, I always hum or use my vocals throughout the day. I have warm-ups and exercises that I learned from Mary Z’s lessons. It’s important to work your vocal cords like you would your muscles at the gym.
Any copyright issues with Those darn “metal”ing kids?
Haha, no copyright issues came of that!
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I prefer purchasing vinyl/CD…. You get to see the artwork and really get more of the feel of the band. Unfortunately, a lot of vehicles don’t come with a CD player in it and mine is one of them so I stream through my phone and use Spotify premium. As a Spotify Artist, there isn’t much money in it. I’ve noticed you have to have an insane amount of streams to make any revenue from it.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Vinyl
What is the mental health situation of the United States?
I think everyone can’t wait for things to calm down
How can the public help the doctors and nurses on the front line?
Practice basic hygiene
As of Oct 14th, Idaho has 49, 247 cases. 584 cases are mew today. The current guidelines are the following:
To protect your family and friends, your community, vulnerable Idahoans, local businesses, and our students and teachers, please remember to:
• Keep at least six feet between you and others in public
• Wear face coverings in public places
• Stay home if you are sick
• Wash your hands often
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Disinfect surfaces and objects regularly
Do you think kids should go back to school?
Yes
In Canada, they just released a new Covid-19 vaccine for school children which get rid of the invasive nasal swab and instead asks kids to gargle and spit. Now this is for children only. Should, this also be given to adults?
If it benefited me, I would take it! So, yes.
Studies are showing that because of COVID-19 many students who were ready for college have decided to hold off because many schools are doing virtual school and changing the same amount for school as they would for on campus classes. Do you think the colleges should give some type of discount to these students?
No
What song from the past is in your mind right now?
ACDC – Caught With Your Pants Down
Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
It is a song I used to think was being sung, “Jump With Your Pants Down”. So, I would jump throughout the whole song haha with my pants up of course!
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I think the touring will be difficult and venues/staff/bands will struggle
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
We wrote another album, which we are releasing as singles and eventually form an EP
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
No, the band did spend a good deal of time together during quarantine, writing music, and learned a lot about the guys. Like, cool fact, Mick Madness, and Dr. Z are both veterans! Ooorah!
Selene- Are you a veggie kind of person (vegetarian burrito at Case Di Oro)
I eat read meat and the occasional poultry dish but I’m mainly greens and fruits. I’ve tried to cut back on meats and try to lead a vegan life but it’s not the diet for me. I am obsessed with desserts also haha
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
I have been streaming a lot of things on Hulu
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
It depends on how strict they get about it.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merch to them at the show?
Utilize Youtube, streaming software, and have a webpage like www.farmacyband.com to purchase merch, find our music, and see our art!
Did you vote by mail or in person?
In person
.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
That would be awesome!
If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
If I couldn’t do music, I would pursue my career in retail
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Please subscribe to our Youtube Channel and check out our vids! Like, share and comment!!
Find us on your social media platform and like our pages!
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