Hello Rockstars! Today’s Artist of the Week is Heavy Metal Band Failed Attempt!
Here’s their story in their own words, enjoy!
All Photo’s courtesy of Tiffany Salerno! 🙂
VMS:
When did you start writing and performing your music. What’s your backstory and current lineup.
Failed Attempt:
Roland- I’ve been writing music for myself so long now, I was about 12 years old when my dad took me to Guitar Center to buy an audio interface to record Spanish corridos that he wanted me to track, which never ended up happening, but I did write a shiiit ton of instrumental rock/metal songs through out the 14 years that would never saw the light of day, until February 8th, Failed Attempts first show.
Charlos- I got my first guitar when I was about eight or nine and I started writing my own songs when I was around 12 or 13. I also tried to learn every instrument I could get my hands on which later proved to be super useful lol. I didn’t actually start recording/performing music until I was about 17 when I got my first laptop and interface. I have been recording my own and other artists’ music since then and have done from bedroom stuff to professional studio stuff.
As far as failed attempt goes, we’ve only been together for a little over half a year and kind of just put lyrics to some of Roland’s old music. Shit sounded tight.
KD- I’ve been playing guitar since I was 13, and since then have been working on picking up singing and recording. I’m really grateful to have found Failed Attempt when I did. I started playing with FA in September, and even though it still feels really intimidating being the newest member and all, I feel like I’ve learned a lot getting to play with these guys, and I’m really excited to see what’s coming next from us!
VMS:
What artist or bands inspire you and your sound.
Failed Attempt:
Roland – For me it’s definitely a mix between bands like Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, System of a Down PeelingFlesh, Knocked Loose! Classier sounds with some really heavy elements! A song I would actually really love to cover is Prison Song – System of a Down! I think it really represents what happening in this country right now with Alligator Alcatraz & all the ICE detention facilities being built around the nation. They really trying to build a prison for me and Charlos to live in.
Charlos- Heavy, head banging, self/loathing, anti government type shit. All kinds and shapes. I definitely agree with Rolands answer.
KD – Exactly what Roland said, our first conversation together when I auditioned for FA was talking about those bands, and having already heard the songs, I knew we were similarly inspired by the bleak state of the country right now.
VMS:
What’s your writing process and inspiration for your lyrics.
Failed Attempt:
Roland – When writing music, I sit in my room for hours, first coming up with an interesting drum track for an intro & then write a cool little guitar part & just build from there! It’s all about having fun when writing music!
Charlos- For this project in particular I’m drawing a lot of vocal influence from my previous band in San Diego, Erratic Impulse. I tend to have to dumb down the lyrics a bit whenever I’m playing bass or guitar as well. Anytime I’m not holding an instrument I can definitely get more intricate with the lyricism and the cadence. But I try to draw inspiration from multiple genres not just heavy stuff. Writing can be tricky sometimes but it’s one of those things that happens better in the moment for me.
VMS:
I love your songs “Outland” “Losing Faith?” and “Billionaire Guillotine” from your new EP!
What is the inspiration or story behind these songs, and what was your creative process during the recording of this EP.
Failed Attempt:
Charlos- We recorded our entire EP and made all of our merch in the span of about a week. It was an absolute roller coaster and a huge time crunch but at the end of the day, I’m pretty happy with the rushed result and I think it taught us to plan more accordingly next time lol.
The general overall theme of the songs is fuck the system, fuck the super rich and also being sad and pissed off at the world. Super moody if you ask me haha I like to write mopey shit what can I say.
Listen to Failed Attempt on Spotify, Apple or Amazon Music!
VMS:
Which local artist would you like to work with and why.
Failed Attempt:
Roland – I think it would be sooo killer to do some stuff with Quit Yer Whinin! Sometimes we’ll have Vix come up on stage with us when we cover Suffocate to do Poppy’s part and she kills it everytime! Another band I’d like to work with is Tyrantula! Those guys know wtf they are doing with their instruments!
Charlos- I’m down to work and collaborate with anyone. That’s something smaller local band have to remember; the only way to get to the top is to help push/lift each other.
KD – The great fellas in Ovis and/or Mindiode, I love these guys whenever I can see them play, get in the studio with us!
VMS:
What’s your overall theme or message of your music.
Failed Attempt:
Roland – Fuck The System!
Charlos- What he said 
.
VMS:
Do you have a favorite song that you like to perform.
Failed Attempt:
Roland – I looove playing Losing Faith! It’s a song that I can really go off & let out the rest of my energy since it’s the last song in our set! I’ll see people moshing to this one & it just makes my little heart happy behind the kit! I do miss when I was on guitar and being able to interact with the crowd 
.
Charlos- All of them. Can’t wait to write more shit asap.
KD- One of my favorite memories of playing with FA so far has been playing Outland, I get to rip a sick guitar solo to close out the song, and one of the last times we played it, I got in the pit with everyone throwing down while I played it, it was unreal!
VMS:
Do you have any crazy or interesting stories from working in the music scene.
Failed Attempt:
Roland – When recording Failed Attempt EP, a lot of things were sooo last minute! We hadn’t recorded drums & bass until about 2 & 3 weeks before release and mixed/mastered the night before, hoping that our music would release the next day on all platforms and by the luck of the universe it was out the next morning! Luckily we had a bunch of CDs made as a back up & I have a lovely supportive wife that made the art cover for us!
Me being a full time Journeyman electrician at Helix / running sound / promoting shows & Carlos working doubles at AV Vegas AND the Nuwu Dispo on the side, we barely have any time. But when we get together magic happens & sh*t gets done!
Charlos- I’ve been playing in the local scene in San Diego since 2016 and I can’t even begin to tell you all the crazy shit I’ve seen. To put it shortly from blood to fire to guns to puke, I’ve seen too many things some that I wish I could forget lol. I’m looking forward to making some crazy memories in Vegas with my boy Rolando.
VMS:
What does the future hold for Failed Attempt.
Failed Attempt:
Roland – One day we’ll get to play with our favorite local bands in the Vegas scene opening for bands like Gojira/Mastodon/Alice In Chain! Pretty big dreams for a small band.
Charlos- Take over the MF world.
KD – Personally, I won’t rest until I see a kid with a Failed Attempt lunchbox. We’ve got a string of shows coming up, and after that, we hope to get to writing some more shit for you all to get tf down to!
VMS:
What have been your personal pros and cons of being a band here in Las Vegas. What do you think the scene could improve on and what are your hopes for the future of the Vegas Music Scene.
Failed Attempt:
Roland – So many pros!! I cherish getting to work with so many bands in the scene when running sound! I’ve probably done a little over 60-70 shows at this point & getting to know a lot of these musicians is such a blessing! Especially considering I thought nothing like this really existed until I decided to get into the scene November 2024. Everyone can be such a sweetheart!
Unless they decide touch on people without permission.. cons. There’s been a few people in the scene who have been exposed for sexual assault that I know of and when I say if I see that shit out and about, it’s on site I’ll go to jail frfr. Life is already too hard for dumba**es to do whatever they want. We want people to feel safe coming to our shows. So if you see something say something!
Charlos- Pros: This music shit will never not be fun to do and I look forward to it every single time.
Cons: A lot of people can be assholes. Fuck them hos. Help keep each other safe.
KD – In the short time I’ve gotten to be involved, the scenes been amazing! Everyone I’ve gotten to personally meet has been great, and while I’ve been hearing about some shit going down lately, I’m also glad to see we have a scene that takes these things seriously, and holds people accountable. As my bandmates said, we don’t take that shit lightly either. Be kind to one another and stay safe!
VMS:
What do you want your audience to feel and experience at one of your live shows.
Roland – I want people to feel empowered at our shows! I want the shy and socially awkward people to feel like they can go absolutely hog wild and let out all the frustration of the everyday grind that we are all forced to live. I need people to feel the way we felt when writing this music.
Charlos- I want people to get fucked up and have an absolute blast at our shows. We’re way cooler when you’ve had a few!
KD – I want to see people making memories and tearing shit up! If you never dance, if you never get in the pit, I wanna see you moving and having fun! We’re always having a great time up there getting to play for our audiences, I want them to feel like they’re part of it!
VMS Thoughts:
What I love about Failed Attempt is a complex answer. They are incredible musicians, excellent wordsmiths, with wonderfully sick raw guttural vocals and I truly feel every song that they create to my core. What you see is what you get with them, and I know personally I feel all the emotions in their music, and so that’s why it’s hard to pinpoint just one thing for me.
They just have the entire package of what a band and rock stars should have. I get lost in the roller coaster of emotions, and in their sound and music. I love it when bands just allow me to feel free for a moment, and that is the gift Failed Attempt gives to the listener. You can tell they truly love what they do and that they have the passion and the drive you need in this industry. I encourage you guys to go see them live in person to get the full experience of their sound. That raw magnetic energy they have in their recordings is undeniable in their live show. They are truly going to give you an amazing balls to the walls experience that definitely should not be missed! And they are the nicest dudes ever, which is just an added bonus! 🙂
I am so incredibly excited for the future of Failed Attempt and I cannot wait to see where the next chapter takes them. I just know whatever happens, we all need to buckle up cause it’s gonna be one hell of a ride! 🙂
—-VMS xoxoxox