Sun Eater is the latest album from Job For A Cowboy. After the departure of drummer Jon Rice, they brought aboard Danny Walker from Intronaut to play on the album. I caught up with guitarist Tony Sannicandro, who gives us the lowdown on the lineup change, the new record, his musical beginnings and other subjects.

Chad Bowar: After Jon Rice's exit, how did you decide on bringing aboard Danny Walker to play drums on the new album?
We all kind of tossed around names of people we thought would be a good fit and his name popped up.


We asked him and he said yes and that was that. It went very smoothly.

This is your second album with the band. How did the songwriting process for Sun Eater compare with Demonocracy?
I had a better grasp on my capabilities this time, as well as what I wanted to accomplish. I wanted a more melodic approach with more textures and layers thanDemonocracy, which was just, "let's write some songs and see what happens." With this album I had a plan and the flow of the album was paramount.

When it comes to dividing guitar parts between you and Al Glassman, how does that work?
I tend to play more of the guitar parts and he has more of the structures. I wrote the majority of the riffs, but he did the majority of the chopping and fitting things together to make the songs work as a cohesive piece.

You worked with producer Jason Suecof again. What about his style works so well with the band?
The lack of style is what works. Jason is a good friend of mine and we click on everything. If he has an idea or I have an idea we get in and try it out.

There's no "this is how it has to be" on either side. We keep it loose and I like his ear for melody.

How has your sound evolved/progressed on this album?
The addition of the 7 string guitars is a big one. That extra string added a cool new tool that I had never really played around with too much. I also tried to make more space, if that makes sense. I just wanted things to breathe a bit better. I know that's a wicked nerdy forum kid thing to say, but its true.

What are your expectations for the album?
I never have expectations. I believe in the album and I love how it turned out, and I hate everything. I think people are set in their ways in this scene and a bunch of people will like it and a bunch of people will hate it: probably without even listening to it. (laughs)

What are your upcoming tour plans?
None yet! Stay tuned.

What has been your most memorable JFAC live show?
I have a few. One show in Europe I jumped into the crowd during a song and started smashing into people while playing. Another show Al and I started to take peoples' drinks out their hands mid song and we would race to see who could finish the most beers. I like the shows where my tone rules, one show in Moscow stands out in my mind. My guitar sounded amazing and it was so easy to play.

Describe an interesting person you've met on tour.
Josh Barnett. He's an MMA fighter and a killer dude....literally. We hung out in Anaheim and drank beers and did pushups.

How did you get started in music?
My older brother was a guitar player and into the shred stuff. I loved how it sounded and he pointed me towards the good tunes of the '80s and it spiraled from there.

Who were your early influences and inspirations?
Van Halen, Metallica, Megadeth, King Diamond, Dokken, in Flames, Decapitated, Morbid Angel, Racer X, Dream Theater, etc.

What was the first metal show you attended as a fan?
I did the Ozzfest thing to see Meshuggah and System of a Down. It was awesome. I still remember how loud Meshuggah was.

How did you come to join Job For A Cowboy in 2011?
Al called me.up and asked. I was in school, but had toured with Despised Icon. Al had also played with them. We are both from the Boston area and kind of knew each other so it was a piece of cake.

Seen any good movies or DVDs lately?
I don't like movies much. Recently I watched Silence of the Lambs, There Will Be Blood and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Silence is great; the other two were entertaining.

What's currently in heavy rotation on your MP3 player?
King Diamond, At the Gates, Be'lakor, In Mourning, Hammerfall, Agathodaimon, I listen to a lot of Chopin, Bach.etc as well.

Anything else you'd like to mention or promote?
Thanks for checking out the album. Go f--k yourselves!

(interview published November 6, 2014)