When a band comes crashing into the scene with the force of a freight train and the intensity of a lightning storm, you pay attention. That’s exactly what's happening with Frequency Overload, the all-original Long Island metal band making waves with their debut album, Fate Anthropic. I caught up with frontman Tom Bush, who shared the band's origin story, the meaning behind their music, and why local metal still matters.
“Blowing it up on Metal Gods Radio”
Tom Bush doesn’t waste time making an impression. “This is Mr. Bush from Frequency Overload, and I am blowing it up on Metal Gods Radio,” he proclaims, his voice heavy with excitement and pride.
The band may be new—just around two years old—but the passion behind it runs deep
Genre-Bending Metal Roots
When asked how he’d describe Frequency Overload's sound beyond just “metal,” Tom pauses.
“We’ve been called genre-less,” he laughs. “But the writer of our bio called us a hardcore-tinged reinvention of crossover thrash. I don’t even know what that means, but hey—if the shoe fits!”
The Meaning Behind Fate Anthropic
The band’s debut album carries a heavy title: Fate Anthropic. It’s not just a random phrase—it’s layered.
“Fate is our undefinable and unavoidable destiny,” Tom explains. “Anthropic means ‘of man.’ Put together, it’s about the fate of mankind. And here’s the twist—Fate Anthropic is also an anagram for The Pain Factor. That was actually going to be the album name, but when I rearranged the letters, this just clicked.”
The band had considered other names like Under Long Island and Abscess, but Fate Anthropic stood out—mysterious, thematic, and meaningful.
Band Beginnings: Metal Shirts & Facebook Ads
The band’s formation story is as metal as it gets. Guitarist Corey Schafer and drummer Kevin Daley met at their kids’ travel basketball game—both wearing metal shirts. They got to talking, started jamming, and the rest is history.
Tom joined after posting a call for bandmates on a Long Island musicians Facebook group.
“I told them I was a singer-songwriter inspired by Pete Steele’s witty, angry lyrics,” he recalls. “When I showed up, it was magic from night one.” Bassist Steve Little was found the same way—through that same Facebook page.
First Tracks, First Singles
With songs quickly coming together, the band started sharing home recordings to get the word out. One of those, Four Years Dead, became their first single.
“We put a bunch out through DistroKid, then pulled most of them back when the album was ready,” Tom says. “One early version of Abscess In My Exit is still up. We recorded that one at Corey’s house. It's gonna come down soon, but I left it for now—it’s linked in some reviews.”
From Venom to Vinyl: A Lifelong Metalhead
Tom’s love for heavy music goes way back. The first album he ever bought? Venom’s Welcome to Hell—from a record store called Record Stop.
“Once I heard Venom, that was it. The Ace Frehley posters came down, and the metal mags went up.”
Though he’s never been a full-time instrumentalist, Tom’s always written lyrics and poetry. “I’ve got books of poems going back to when I was 12,” he says. “Writing has always been my thing.”
He still collects physical media too. “I’ve got a vinyl setup, CDs, original Kill ‘Em All, Megadeth, the works. They're mounted on the rehearsal room wall like trophies. But yeah—streaming’s more convenient when you're in the car or the gym.”
Most Prized Possession: A Brother’s Legacy
Tom’s most meaningful music collectible isn’t a rare vinyl or signed poster—it’s his late brother Joe’s 1970s Ludwig drum kit.
“Joe passed away in December. My sister-in-law gave me his kit. It’s this beautiful butcher-block style triple wood set. It sounds amazing and means the world to me.”
What’s Next for Frequency Overload?
The band is already working on their second album, with most of the songs written and pre-production underway.
“We’re also playing shows. On July 13th, we’re hitting the stage at Pappy Palooza II—a festival here on Long Island with bands, food trucks, vendors, a beer garden… It’s gonna be wild.”
Of course, they’re still pushing Fate Anthropic, hoping to build momentum and maybe plan a small tour.
Final Thoughts: Support Local Metal
Tom closes with some heartfelt words about life, loss, and loyalty.
“Appreciate the people in your life. Give them a hug. Tell them you love them. And support your local music scene. Yeah, those big $300 arena shows are cool once a year, but you could go to five killer local shows for the same price—and really feel the energy.”
Stay heavy. Support the underground. Long live metal.
Want more? Follow Frequency Overload on [Bandcamp/Spotify/etc.] and catch them live this summer.
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