Hitting the Road
Bloodline set for major tour

Loren Anthony, Virgil Wilson, Daniel John and Leland Anthony III make up the heavy metal band Bloodline. The band will perform Saturday at Wowie's Warehouse. [Photo by Brian Leddy/Independent]

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

Members of the heavy metal band Bloodline practice at their rehearsal space on Monday. The band, which consists of Leleand Anthony III, Loren Anthony, Daniel John and Virgil Wilson, is gearing up for a series of tour dates that will take them to Hawaii and Canada. [Photo by Brian Leddy/Independent]

GALLUP — With the passion the band brings even to a Monday afternoon practice it's no wonder Bloodline is having sold out shows.

But it's not just the members' energy and enthusiasm that's drawing people to their music. This band of four skilled Din musicians has already begun to make its mark in the Native Metal scene with original songs and a distinctive, hostile sound.

Loren Anthony, bass guitar and lead vocals, Virgil Wilson, lead guitar, Leland Anthony III, guitar, and Daniel John, drums, come together a create a sound that is sure to get any metal fan to let his or her hair down, and start banging heads.

The reputation of their hardcore music speaks for itself, with booked performances until November in places as far away as Hawaii and Canada. Bloodline is expecting to complete its third self-produced demo this coming July.

And though each musician has his own poetic way of describing how music is embedded in his life, to put it simply, it's the love, appreciation, and respect they have for music that keeps them playing to packed crowds.

"That's why we do it," said Loren Anthony.

The band, which he started in 1998, came up with the name Bloodline shortly after forming.

"Its basically family, the bloodline itself," said Anthony. "That's the backbone of everything."

The name of the band is not the only thing to carry meaning.

In the song "Piece of Mind," dedicated to the youth, the lyrics acknowledge youth's frustrations, but offer a message of hope and perseverance. Between songs, Anthony sneaks in motivational words to the young people in the crowd, often times asking them to look at the person next to them and shake their hand.

"It's to remind them that they're not alone," said Anthony.

And unlike some of their fellow headbanging groups, Bloodline stays away from profanity in their songs, especially since a majority of their fan base includes the youth.

"It's too easy to do," said Wilson. "Anyone can blow out any explicit word."

"There's better words to describe your anger or passion," said Anthony.

Radio stations, local, nationwide, and in Canada, are recognizing their choice to make "clean," yet aggressive and bold music, which is getting them quite a bit of air play. Just this past week, the band also performed live for Albuquerque's PBS station, and were interviewed for a local radio show.

While Bloodline may now be a household name among local metal fans, they admit it was no easy task getting to where they are now. Instead, it was a long road of hard work and dedication, which they acknowledge still lies ahead of them, especially if they want to work their way up to a major record label.

"We just want to thank the support of our family, friends, and fans," said Leland Anthony III.

Because each of them hail from the Navajo Nation, including Mexican Springs, Tse-ya-toh and Manuelito, they realize that they have become unofficial ambassadors for the Nation.

"It's a big thing for us because we're representing more than ourselves," said Anthony.

And while they may be trekking their way through major cities, nothing comes close to playing at home for Bloodline.

"We've been to a lot of places, but hometown (shows) are the best," said Anthony.

Bloodline will be performing at Gator's Bar in Farmington on Friday, March 16, and at Wowie's Warehouse on Saturday, March 17. Check out Bloodline at www.myspace.com/bloodlineheavymetal. E-mail: bloodlineheavymetal@yahoo.com.