Interview with Gift Giver; Vocalist Justin Johnson Introduces His Nu Metal Band and Their Century Media Debut Album ‘SHITLIFE’

Gift Giver are a relatively new, Detroit, MI-based Nu-Metal quintet who recently signed with Century Media Records to release their debut full-length, SHITLIFE, on April 21, 2015. The band might love their chronic and hit it regularly to mellow out, but man, that sure ain’t the case with their music… it’s wild as shit! We grabbed some time with lead singer Justin Johnson to learn about this budding band.

For those not familiar with your band can you tell us a little bit about yourselves?
Johnson: We are a Nu Metal band called Gift Giver from Detroit, Mi. We’ve been a band for a few years now. We recently signed with Century Media Records and our debut full-length, SHITLIFE, comes out on April 21, 2015.

What is your writing process like?
Johnson: We record pre pro on our own before entering the studio. Nick Miller (lead guitarist) writes the music and I write all the lyrics.

You guys are an extremely heavy band, how does it make you feel when that power and energy you channeled in the studio comes to life in front of a crowd?
Johnson: We really enjoy playing high energy music. We’re the type of band that feeds off of the energy in the crowd. If you guys are havin’ a good time – so are we.

Check out the song “Loose Cannon” (ft. Frankie Palmeri) here.

What is the story behind the name of the new record?
Johnson: The album showcases a look into situations that I’ve dealt with personally, or things we have gone through as a band. Mostly negative experiences and shitty situations. That’s where the name SHITLIFE came from.

You have toured the world extensively. It there anywhere you would like to go that you have not been?
Johnson: We would love to travel overseas. Europe and Australia are personally my main interests.

What do you think of the current state of the rock/metal world?
Johnson: I think the metal world needs some more refreshing bands out there. Personally, I believe there are too many regurgitated, bullshit cookie cutter acts nowadays. Stay in the basement and keep writing until you have something memorable.

What are some of the newer metal bands that you are listening to or enjoy?
Johnson: We don’t really listen to a whole lot of Metal these days. However, some good metal bands that come to mind are Thy Art Is Murder, Emmure, Veil of Maya, and Hacktivist…. Just to name a few.

Do you have any rituals before you hit the stage? If so, what are they?
Johnson: Smoke weed. Everyday.

Do you have any touring plans in support of the new recording?
Johnson: Our goal is to stay as busy as possible to support the new record. After this current tour we are doing, we hit the road with our boys in Sworn In for a few weeks leading up to the release of SHITLIFE. We have a few things in the works, but nothing I can speak on currently.

What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
Johnson: Our most memorable moment to date was probably playing in Illinois in front of Steve Joh (Century Media Records) and having a chat with him afterwards. Dude’s a badass.

What is the strangest thing that has happened to you on tour, or at one of your shows?
Johnson: We bump into a lot of weird motherfuckers out here. But we just saw a crazy, high speed chase the other day. That was pretty wild!

Check out the song “Cursed” here.