By: Nicki Escudero

Description: New project gears up for EP release

While it’s natural for bands to evolve and change their sound, Phoenix metal group Sixstitch decided to form a whole new band to go with their newfound rock melodies—Butcher Jones.

The beginnings of Butcher Jones come from about 8 years ago, when Sixstitch first formed. The band caught the eye of major label American Voodoo/Universal in 2007, but as the group moved from metal to more melodic rock sounds, the label interest dropped.

The guys were happy with the new direction, though, and decided to give the new material a whole new name with Butcher Jones.

“We had wanted a more simplified rock sound,” guitarist Kevin Wayne says. “We made the decision this was what we wanted to do, and we kind of stuff with our guns.”

Now Sixstitch remains a side project, and the same members play for both. Butcher Jones picked up momentum where Sixstitch left off, and the band releases its debut EP, “No Gods West,” April 18 at Clubhouse Music Venue. The guys are also gearing up for a national tour this summer.

We talked to Wayne, who let us in on why you should like his band all over again.

Sixstitch had a huge following, with almost 30,000 fans on MySpace. Why did you decide to form a new band?
Kevin Wayne: I think with the new sound, it wasn’t Sixstitch, and that was the motive behind wanting to change it all. We just wanted to go in a completely different direction. You can still hear the Sixstitch in the Butcher Jones. That will always be a part of us. That’s just how we write, but we wanted to switch things up.

What can people expect from your six-song EP?
KW: Each song has its own characteristics. It’s got songs on there that I think everyone can relate to as far as what style they’re in. It’s pretty heavy, there’s some hard rock, there’s some classic rock style in it, you’ll hear real big melodies, and then you’ll hear crunching guitar riffs. We’ve been sitting on a lot of new material for over a year now, and it’s going to be very exciting to finally get this thing out and finally get a chance to hear it because we’ve been talking about it for so long.

What are you most looking forward to about the tour?
KW: We’re all just excited to get back on the road and just have a good time and play some rock n’ roll. Our live show is what I think seals the deal. You come see the band live, and you definitely get your money’s worth. We’re a party band/rock band out there to have a good time, pushing people around on the floor, and at the end of the day, it’s well-spent.

How would you say you fit in with the Valley’s rock scene?
KW: We came from such a heavy background with Sixstitch and playing with metal bands and your typical heavy bands. Butcher Jones can still hold its own with anybody because the riffs are still heavy. I don’t really think we’ve found a scene or whatever. We just want to go out and put on good shows.

What does the band mean to you?
KW: It means everything. The five of us have poured our heart and soul and blood into this band and doing what it takes to get it off the ground and make the sound we wanted and being able to capture it. We’re very proud of Butcher Jones and what it is, and I think everybody could come and get something out of it.

Butcher Jones

Home Town: Phoenix
Record Label: Indie
http://www.myspace.com/butc...

Butcher Jones Members:
Justin Jones- vocals
Kevin Wayne- guitar
Chad Cooper- guitar
Zoe Salazar- bass
Nick Ramirez- drums

Butcher Jones Influences: Led Zeppelin, Foghat, Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crue

Butcher Jones Genre: Rock

Better described as: A fun rock band proud of its Western roots playing a dirty rock sound.

Behind the name: A couple of the guys in the band enjoy heading out to Arizona lakes, and they got Butcher Jones from Saguaro Lake’s Butcher Jones Beach.

If you have two minutes to check out the band’s MySpace page, listen to this: “No Gods West” is off the band’s current EP of the same name. On the track, Jones sings about shooting a man, and while the lyrics are dark, the melody is quite catchy with upbeat guitars. Plus, Jones is a talented vocalist who manages to bring intensity to the song without screaming.

Currently working on: The band is currently promoting their new EP as well as gearing up for a national tour with Oklahoma City’s metal band Rikets. When they come back from tour in July, the band plans on releasing a full-length record.

Music is…: “It’s everything,” Wayne says. “You wake up in the morning and start off the day with music, playing music, listening to music. It’s just one of those things that moves the soul and makes a diary out of your life, whether it’s listening to it or playing it. Without that, life’s pretty dead.”

Butcher Jones
What: The rock band performs with Signs of Betrayal.
Where: Clubhouse Music Venue, 1320 E. Broadway Road, Tempe
When: 8 p.m.. Saturday, April 18.
Details: 480-968-3238, myspace.com/butcherjones.