Tri-State Jam: Featured Musician

The sky is slightly over-cast, as the sun slowly lowers its self behind the hills and gravestones, sinking into night-time. Zack, Gary, and myself settle down in front of the mausoleum for the interview, and a flock of birds erupts from over-head, gathering into formation, and then flying over-top of us. Zack Burkett, lead-man of 2 Sides 2 Die looks up, and says, “We're going to get shit on.”

Although quick to respond with pessimistic replies, and the first to admit that betrayal, anger, pain, and depression are the leading causes in the 2 Sides 2 Die music, lead vocalist and guitarist Zack Burkett is not as driven by hopelessness as it may seem. When it comes down to the nitty-gritty, Zack says, “You just have to follow your dreams, and forget the nay-sayers. You only live once, and all I want to do is make records; here, or no where.”

Beginning in 2005, in a hole-in-the-wall shed in Waynesboro, PA, 2 Sides 2 Die has picked up and disregarded many members over the years, yet continues to rock with the same heavy, angry, almost “grunge metal” sounds that have been influenced strongly by Nirvana, and other similar bands, since day one. Considering themselves Alternative Rock, despite the other labels given to them, Central PA band 2 Sides 2 Die is made up of lead vocals and guitarist, Zack Burkett; Gary Tritle, on guitars; Matt DeShong, drummer; and Brian Phillips, bass and backing vocals.

Tri-State Jam: Where did playing music begin for you?

Zack: Playing in Chambersburg, I grew up playing in bands. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Mad Season -- all inspirations, and I learned from their music, eventually moving on to writing originals. It's all been the same since the beginning.

Gary: My uncle was a guitarist for a band. Hendrix, ACDC, and Nirvana inspired me. I'm self taught, and was in a few bands before coming to 2 Sides 2 Die. “Demented” and “Headstone”, to name a few. Came to 2 Sides 2 Die through an ex, who ended up being a mutual friend of ours and bringing us together.

TSJ: What drives you in your music?

Zack: Do not believe the naysayers, too many do. You have to follow your dreams, no matter how impossible. Some people say the big question is “Why?” but I say “Why not?”. You only live once, and I just want to make records. Everywhere or no where, it's all about the enjoyment. It's an outlet for my depression and my anxiety, like a therapy session. Three years ago, my best friend back stabbed me – things won't be the same through-out your musical career, or your life, and you have to prepare for changes, but the music is still an outlet for me through everything. I just can't wait to be back on stage, we haven't played live as a band since 2011.

Gary: It's a stress reliever. Anxiety and stress follows you around, and the pain, so I learned to play for a release. “Demented” originally had flown to Vegas for a few shows, and then the drummer left for home on a bus without telling us, so the back-stabbing is a universal thing when playing music. I agree with Zack, I just want to be back on stage. It's a Home, a place I don't have to be quiet. I'm just out to have fun, not the typical out-rage, more like a “Tony Lamb” style from Black Sabbath.

TSJ: Zack, any comment on the Hellhouse Days, where it all began?

Zack: It smelled like piss, shit, cigarette smoke, weed, and sex...And it was the greatest time of my life so far.

TSJ: Do you prefer the smaller, more intimate venues, like Hellhouse represented, or would you rather be on a large stage, over-looking the crowd?

Zack: I like the Big-Stage Goal, but I would miss being so close to the fans, on the floor with everyone, and showing you are no different than they are. That's what I would miss if signed.

Gary: I prefer the smaller venues; Closer to the fans, shaking hands and meeting everyone.

TSJ: If there was any show or venue you could play, what would it be?

Zack: The Reading Festival, where Nirvana captured the moment in 1991. I'd also love to open for Kings of Leon.

Gary: Woodstock. And open for Pantera; I love them.

TSJ: Tell me about the influences behind your albums in the past? There was Method to Madness in 2007, Doom and Gloom released 2008, and Fatal Flaw from 2012.

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Zack: Every album in the past was influenced by something that happened that year. It's not just songs, there is a story that goes through each album. Method to Madness was about break-ups; Doom and Gloom was about the feeling that came with conquering and feeling on top of the world; and Fatal Flaw was more along the lines of a band's break-up. You have to know what you're singing about, and have strong songs to convey those emotions and get people's attention.

TSJ: What are some of your personal favorite tracks?

Zack: I think “Pull the Plug” is the best one 2 Sides 2 Die has done, lyrically and musically.

Gary: “Etched in Stone”, “Dark Days Ahead”, and “Crutch”. “Etched in Stone” is just a great song, but I love to play “Dark Days Ahead” and “Crutch”.

TSJ: What is upcoming from 2 Sides 2 Die?

Zack and Gary: Some new originals to keep an eye out for would be “Anxiety” and “In This Moment.” We're going to be re-visiting some old songs, but focusing more on the new sound. This album will focus mostly on betrayal, and back-stabbers. The pain just doesn't go away, and this may be the heaviest and angriest music 2 Sides 2 Die has yet released. We're not looking to be all Hollywood, or in Rolling Stones – it's just about playing live and getting the music out there.

TSJ: Outside of music, what are some of your other ambitions?

Zack: I enjoy doing ghost investigations, and Big-Foot investigations. I'd love to find him, but I'm also kind of scared to find him. Besides, even once it's confirmed he's real, I would never tell; he just wants to be left alone.

Gary: I love to work on cars. Classic Chevy, Camaro, Monte Carlo, Chevelle...It's my favorite hobby.

TSJ: Where do you see yourselves five to ten years from now?