The Silencer is the brain child of former Julius Seizure Vocalist and Will Killmore drummer Charlie Corletta. The latest single "Solitarius Lupus" demonstrates Corletta's ability to write and record all instruments(Vocals, Guitars, Bass and Drums) as well as produce. Charlie writes, performs and records all instruments on his singles. Interview Taken from Horns Up Rocks: HORNS UP ROCKS: Explain the concept behind The Silencer and why you decided to go solo this time around (include production info). THE SILENCER: The Silencer was originally designed to be a solo project free of genre or expectations. On each single I released I wanted to incorporate musicians on a local and national level that I have met over the years gigging, utilize their talents and showcase their abilities on tracks that I would write. The first single “Discovery Of The Lost Cause”, was a groovy Metalcore inspired track that had appearances by Darryl Cherry(Torch The Throne), a former Pinion bandmate Dave Dougherty, and even Allegaeon session drummer JP Andrade. With the first single I wanted to establish that I was more than a Metal drummer. It was important to show people that I could write, play guitar, arrange and had an ear for this art form outside of the drum kit. I was happy with how the single came out but it felt a little disconnected. I think I had “too many hands in the pot” and it inevitably didn’t come out as tight and exactly how I would have liked. However, this was my first release and when I listen back I couldn’t be more happy with just how fun it was to have so many friends involved in the process of recording. As an artist I struggle with a lot of inner turmoil and had to voice myself through music and lyrics. The track was brutally honest, diving into my upbringing and to me that is a priceless therapy to unleash. After the release of the first single “Discovery Of The Lost Cause” I had the chance to write a theme song for the History Channel biker themed reality show We’re The Fugawis. It was at that moment I released I could do the solo thing full throttle on my own without incorporating other musicians. The biker inspired southern Rock anthem “The Ride Of Your Life” showcases my ability to step outside of Metal to write, record, and perform all instruments on the track and established a level of mainstream acceptance amongst peers. During this time I was involved with being the lead singer for New Jersey Tech. Metalcore band Julius Seizure and didn’t have the ability or time to really write for myself aside from lyrics. After about a year, two music videos, and NEW EP I left Julius Seizure for personal reasons and was left with a lot of free time. I dabbled in many genres, writing and experimenting with acoustic, electronic/dubstep, hip hop, and Rock. Although this time it gave me great NEW perspectives on music and creation I was still left with a huge void. I had turned my back on the very music that provided me with so much fulfillment, identity, and amazing memories. I was jaded by Metal and the industry. I had my frustrations but it was not long before I found myself returning to my roots to write my proudest piece of work to date. The Silencer’s “In Waiting” is my first (and final) attempt at writing, recording, and performing all instruments on a “Metal as fuck” single. I am so proud of this track. I had a lot to say and prove on this track. It is also a final farewell to the idea of “trying to make it” in the industry. I love Metal, the people, all the amazing shows and tours I’ve taken a part of over the years, but through it all I was always too blinded by “making it”. I forgot that I had already made it. I allowed my personal and musical life get utterly destroyed by this myth or false identity of being bigger and bigger. I just needed to be happy with the life I was living. So in reflection of all those thoughts I decided to get my a** to Backroom Studios in Rockaway, New Jersey and get back to doing what I do best: making the most honest Metal I can. I called on former Will Killmore/Julius Seizure bandmate and guitarist Steve Toth to engineer the NEW single as well as Backroom Studio’s own Kevin Antreassian to help bring the NEW single to life in regards to amazing production. Steve had already engineered and produced the last two records I was a part of and Kevin was already the man responsible for engineering, mixing and mastering those records, so I knew I’d be in good hands. I mean come on, Kevin is Stephen Carpenter’s (Deftones) hired gun to create and replicate Carpenter’s guitar tone on various tours. Kevin Antreassian is a mastermind at Fractal Audio AxeFX and Steve is the most precise and demanding engineer I’ve ever seen! I’ve been lucky to have them in my corner. HUR: Tell us about the trials and tribulations that you went thru in order to create The Silencer. THE SILENCER: It was more a personal internal struggle more than anything. I knew I had the talent and all the experience to create exactly what it was I was screaming out in my head. It was just a matter of facing myself in the mirror and allow myself to dive into my demons, to welcome them to the surface and release them through the outlet of music. It is very difficult to look at yourself and admit your faults, your failures, or short comings. Life is too short to walk around putting on a front. I knew the only way I’d be proud with this project was if it were honest in not only musical form but lyrical form as well. HUR: Tell us about your musical upbringing. THE SILENCER: I am the product of a mother who was a singer guitar player. I owe all my musical love and talent to her. She would play her guitar for me everyday, singing songs by Cat Stevens, Godspell, Led Zeppelin, and Fleetwood Mac. My mother’s voice was so angelic. It used to make grown men cry! When she passed away back in 2007 I made a vow to never give up on music. It was what always kept us connected. I remember being a kid with my nylon string acoustic trying to solo over the songs she was singing to me. She also bought me my first drum set, and her father was taught drums by the legendary Buddy Rich. Needless to say, I know where I got the genetics to drum. So you can say I was heavily inspired by playing music at a very young age. I also owe a ton to my Aunt and Uncle on my father’s side. They were huge fans of the Metal of the 80’s and early 90’s. My aunt even took me to my first Metallica concert when I was a little kid. That was when I knew what I wanted to in life. HUR: What are 5 records that changed your life? THE SILENCER: I don’t know if these are the most impactful life changing records but they are certainly the most influential in regards to my Metal upbringing and playing. In no particular order, In Flames' The Jester Race, Death's Symbolic, Metallica's Master Of Puppets, Carcass's Heartwork, and Killswitch Engage's Alive Or Just Breathing. HUR: What do you think of people who download your music for free? THE SILENCER: We live in a different time. The age of Tom Petty’s and Aerosmiths making money on selling millions of records are over. I believe the internet and file sharing killed or at very least has made it extremely more difficult for musicians and bands to make money off their music. Now bands have to tour way more than before on an album. People aren’t listening to albums, they shuffle singles, so the emphasis has been placed on single song sales which again are being killed by sharing or releasing free music. The plus side is that it can get the name of a NEW band out there way more and is easier to establish a regional or national fan base. Case in point, when I was in Will Killmore, our debut EP Oh The Humanity was leaked to about 1000 internet forums and sharing sites across the world without our knowledge. Although we didn’t make any money off those records we were then able to go tour to parts of the country that we had never ever been to or would have ever known about had it not been for our free music reaching the hands of kids who may have not otherwise paid for it. Honestly, I just wish the Metal labels and A&R reps would get back to taking chances on bands and find NEW ways to generate revenue for the bands they sign. I see so many amazing national bands struggle because their label does little to get their music into avenues that will make the artist money. Movies, Television and video games are all avenues where bands can generate money for their music while still reaching large audiences. Releasing a track for free is cool and all but at the end of the day we all have mouths to feed. I just wish the average listener realized how much money it cost just to create that music. Unit sales are a way to recoup the money spent and hopefully make some extra to do this as a living (without having to work a dead end job after tour.) HUR: If you could be a character in any movie, who would that character be? THE SILENCER: Hands down, Forrest Gump! The guy lived a beautiful life, experienced things that 90% of the world never could imagine, and always lived simply for the day. His basic kind-hearted nature allowed him to just go through life without much care in the world. That spirit provided him so many amazing opportunities. He was always humble throughout the movie and was more connected to life and love than his character would let on at times. I recommend everyone try to live their life like Forrest. I’ve been losing sight of that in recent times, so your question just put things in perceptive for me a little more. HUR: Best tour or gig you have ever been part of? THE SILENCER: There have been so many amazing shows with people going nuts, huge pits, etc. However the two that stand out as the most proud were the Will Killmore self titled CD release show in my hometown of Nyack, NY and The Julius Seizure Trials CD release show in the band’s hometown of Clifton, NJ. Both shows were sold out and had everyone singing the lyrics and anticipating each song we played. It made me feel really established and proud to show our hometowns what we’ve accomplished. HUR: What are your plans after you release The Silencer? THE SILENCER: I will continue to make music however being in a band is over for me. I will be minimizing my role to creating music as a hobby and will go back to school for a second degree in sports medicine. I have been struggling for 15 years now and I think it is just time I evolve to a next level in life that will provide me with more financial security and fulfillment knowing that I can help people on a daily basis. However, never say never, right?