Interview: Tom Fitzgibbon of Negative Sky

I was lucky enough to catch up with  Tom Fitzgibbon of the New Jersey metalcore band Negative Sky who is readying for the 2017 release of their new record, Placid Black. Along with their latest video, The Dark Unknown (which can be seen below) it\’s obvious that big things lie ahead for Negative Sky.Keep your eyes peeled for the release of Placid Black.

Can you give us a quick summary of who Negative Sky is & how you came together? 

    We are: Dan Caputo – Vocals Tom Fitzgibbon – Drums George Pond – Bass JJ Sammataro – Guitar  Danny Puma – Guitar

We\’ve all known each other a long time and played in various projects over the years until JJ, Dan, George, and myself came together in 2011. We added Puma in 2016.  

Where in the process are you with the release of a full record and what can we expect from it?

 The record is finished. It\’s called \”Placid Black\” and we\’re currently shopping it around. We\’re looking to work with a new label for this one, and we\’d like to get the best vehicle that works for everyone. We have much to offer and there\’s no doubt the record will be out this year.  

 There’s a distinct difference in the sound between “current” Metalcore bands (The Devil Wears Prada & Memphis May Fire, etc.) and the original version of the genre (Earth Crisis & Shai Hulud, etc.). What’s your opinion on the path that Metal & Metalcore have taken in recent years?

 I\’m personally a fan of the older stuff. We feel we have elements of Hardcore as well as Metal and Progressive Metal. We\’re don\’t have a polished sound to our music. It\’s definitely more old school and raw. But there\’s alot the new record has to offer. It\’s an eclectic mix of songs. And I think the diversity is something we strive for. Too many bands today stay inside a box. I\’ve always been a fan of bands that have more to offer than just the genre they\’ve been labeled as.  

Negative Sky recently opened for Clutch and Mariachi El Bronx. That line up is “VERY” diverse…How was the crowd reception?

 It was actually amazing. Again to speak to the diversity I mentioned.. We can fit on many different bills from Metal to Rock to Hardcore. And Clutch has always been that kind of band. It could be a band like them opening, or it could be Metal, or even in the case of a Mariachi El Bronx type. Generally Clutch fans are open minded and that mixed with some great Negative Sky support made for a wild show.  

​How do you balance your music with other obligations – mate, children, and job?

It\’s not always easy, but when you love to do something and your passionate about it, you find a way to make it work. It\’s the same as anything else in life. You find the right balance that works best for you and your family/job/life.   What was the best advice you were ever given? Man.. I\’ve had the opportunity to be around some amazingly talented people in the music industry and I\’ve learned a lot. But to keep it simple.. Corey Pierce from God Forbid told me.. \”Never leave your cheese in the wind.\”  

​What one piece of advice would you give to that 16 year old kid wanting to start a band?

 Do it because you love it. Work hard at it. Practice. I know that sounds cliché and boring but when you put the work in and your determined and make smart decisions..Good things will happen for you.  

If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

 Not a ton. Things happened the way they happened. I\’m not the type to live with regret. It took me a while to find the right situation. I\’ve played in a couple of great bands that i was proud of but it was never the right place at the right time. I feel right now things are just right. And I\’m trying to make the best decisions I can.   If there were to ever be a New Jersey music Hall of Fame what would be your nominations in these three categories?

•  • Band:  Dillinger Escape Plan
• • Record:  In The Blink Of An Eye (Vision)
• • Vocalist:  Frank Sinatra

 

If Negative Sky was a sexual position, what would it be?

Haha. Hmm I don\’t know. I\’d have to say multiple positions. Whether you like it rough or not. We got you covered.