William Ong is a long time performer in the Columbus music scene. From humble beginnings in the two piece funk, Primus-inspired Big Nasty to his current role in SRVVLST. Drums are his passion and he certainly does them justice. A graduate of Fort Hayes Arts and Academics High School, he now has an endorsement deal with Soultone Cymbals. FP: Put together your fantasy band, dead or alive. Hmm, well if I had to choose, it would probably be Brendan Canty from Fugazi on drums, Jaco Pastorious from Weather Report on bass, Jacob Bannon from Converge on vocals and on guitar/keyboard/vocals, Nick Reinhart from Tera Melos. I would imagine it to be a chaotic thrash-mathy post-punk jazz band. Nick Reinhart is a madman with guitar pedals and layering, Jaco Pastorious laying down harmonic melodies though a distorted Ratt pedal, Brendan Canty hammering out fat grooves and powerful fills following that dry farmer's bell making you lost in the pulse, all while Jacob Bannon leads this barrage of musical madness into a depressing, yet insightful onslaught of vocal hardcore bliss. I could see post punk math rock kids flailing around wanting to destroy each other while zoning out together. I would pay to see that. FP: What's the best, most exciting concert, music event you've been to? Converge October 15th 2012 at Skully's Music Diner I walked into the show with KEN mode opening up. It was my first time seeing them live and all I could think was "This band sounds great but the guitar player's eyes are freaking me out." After that, Kvelertak went on and I remember them having bass issues because it was hooked up wireless. I honestly could have went without them on the bill and wished "Nails" was playing instead. I still don't know why they didn't play that bill. Up next was Torche. I was a big fan of Floor, so it's always great to see Torche perform. I remember the bass player's string broke or the wiring was out or something, I don't know, but I remember the guitarist and drummer playing some improv-grindcore stuff and making bad jokes. It was great. Then Converge came on and the floor opened up wide for all the diehards to go ham on each other. I remember, in the middle of the show, this dude stage dove and his knee landed straight in my eye. I had a shiner for a couple of weeks after that. I gained revenge on this annoying stage hogger. The dude kept getting on the stage and Jacob Bannon (singer from Converge) would get pissed due to this guy bumping into him while he was melting faces. After the fourth time, Bannon pushed the guy off the stage and he landed in my hands giving me access to toss him where no one was standing and his head could bounce off the floor. Long story short "Mr. Bannon, we got 'em." Aside from that, the show was stellar and remains a fun one to talk about. FP: What the best (or most important) thing about the music scene in Columbus? I would say Columbus has a vast pool of great musicians and bands that are actually getting noticed. Our DIY scene is getting stronger and gaining more support and organization. I know that Ryan Douglas has been a great rock for the DIY scene in the last couple of years with Tightwolf booking and now doing basement shows at Ruby's on Summit. This is in the realm of post punk math rock bands. 15th Haus, The Wylinder and House With No Name have been great staples in the house show scene. Dude Locker has been a great place to see shows and has been through a great upgrade over the years. Carabar is always a great place to see shows and also play because bands are respected and actually get paid, fed and boozed up. FP: What's the most important issue going on in Columbus? Columbus is "cliquey." I refer to this in the music scene. I don't know how many shows I go to and support with bands that I enjoy, but I don't really receive the same gratitude when it comes to any of my events. I have friends in the music scene that I have gone to their shows countless times that tell me they have never seen us play. Personally I have a very open ear to a lot of music and try to support it, but it tends to fall on a deaf ear on the receiving end. We started "DIT Columbus" (Do it together Columbus) to widen our networking for everyone in hopes of bringing out more support in the music scene. This really falls on helping out touring bands that come through Columbus. If you ever see a SRVVLST show, you know we always have at least one touring band on the bill. In my mind, making it big in Columbus shouldn't be a primary goal for a band. If it is, that's cool, but don't play shows that could better a band's career when you're only playing in Columbus. FP: With all the different acts you've played in, what style music best defines your personality? If I have to break it down to my personality I would say jazz. I'm very open and personal with people and don't mind being vulnerable to listeners. Thrash metal: I like to have fun, drink beers and I will stick up for myself and those around me. That includes throwing some punches if need be. It's to a point of over thinking things which can lead to sad results (Emo). Post Rock, I have a big heart and a lot of love to give in the world. I don't mind saying beautiful things and having depth conversations. Punk, I can be stubborn and a jerk sometimes even too cool for school. Hip Hop, I love to groove and if I have enough beers or whiskey you might see me get down. (I apologize in advance) Motown/soul - I'm a hopeless romantic, something I can't help being because I care too much about people, how I affect them and they effect me. All in all, I have multiple personality disorder if it's related to music.