Birmingham's Traumatide has firmly established themselves as a potent musical entity with their unique style of bold, hard-hitting, sexy rock and roll. The Birmingham Buzz caught up with Ronya and Curt to get the scoop on the band's beginnings, their music, and what's coming soon from Traumatide.

1. Tell our readers who's in your band and what kind of sound to expect.

Curt: Myself (guitar/vocals), Ronya Woods (lead vocals/percussion), Mike Hagy (bass/vocals), and Shannon Kelly (drums/vocals). Traumatide is all about energetic, sexy, fun all-American rock and roll. I'd compare our sound to Joan Jett fronting Soundgarden or Motley Crue.

Ronya: We have a very versatile sound. One of our fans stated in regards to our sound that it is a blend of hard rock mixed with soul-grabbing, heart-touching pop, along with in your face screams.

2. Let's get this out of the way, where did your band name originate?

Curt: When we were throwing around ideas for the name, I was definitely on the look out for something that was a play on words - a "Grangerism" as it's been referred to. I think Ronya was the one who threw out a name that had "trauma" in it and I recall suggesting the change to include the word "tide." Ronya and I are Alabama football fans, so it was a no-brainer.

Ronya: As usual, Curt & I agreed that it was a very catchy name and had to go with yet another "Grangerism." Trauma has been something we've all unfortunately suffered and being Bama fans... Tide is our good ending.

3. Give us a brief history of the band and any releases that are available.

Curt: Shannon and I got together in October 2004 after he posted an ad in the Bham Buzz message board classifieds forum (see, it does sometimes work). We ran through a few tunes and just jammed some, and a few days later he invited Ronya over to audition. Around that same time I called up (Traumatide's original bassist) John Moody, and we played our first (official) show in January 2005 at the Nick to a packed house - that was very cool. What a way for us to pop Ronya's cherry as a lead vocalist! (laughs) I think I would have puked had that been my first time (laughs).

Ronya: I wanted to puke but held it in until after the show. Mike Hagy is our current bassist and he's a blessing. He's just a great guy to have around.

Curt: I never gave much thought to writing when we first put the band together because I had just finished a one-year gig playing bass guitar and wanted to get back to the 6-string and just play out. I have always written, and it just so happened our first gig was an invitation (from my buddy George White of Halfdown Thomas) to play at the Nick. I was like, "Sure we've got original music," and then after I hung up I called Ronya and said "Me and you had better start writing!" (laughs) We subsequently wrote the first 7 of the 8 original songs that are on our CD "This Thing Called Life," and have since written several more that we're slowly getting finished and into the live show.

Ronya: Yes, when Curt made the phone call and we sat down to write is when I realized that I can turn poems (which is all I've ever written) into songs. Traumatide has taught me a lot... especially about myself.

4. Does your band have a website? And where can we check out your music?

Curt: Traumatide.com is our main site. The quickest way to hear us is on our MySpace page. Promoters and venue owners/managers interested in booking the band can also check out our EPK.

Ronya: You can always hear our music on our CD also. You can purchase it on cdbaby.com, from our website, or better yet, come to one of our shows and buy one directly from us!

5. Where do you see the band 3 years from now?

Ronya: I would like to see us performing in regular rotation with bigger, better, and our favorite venues. Of course I would also like to release at least one CD a year... so we have at least 3 more to go. No pressure Curt! (that's not only my songwriting partner but he's also our producer)

Curt: I'd like to see us traveling a bit more, refining our songwriting and recordings, and hopefully selling a lot more CDs and playing more dates to bigger audiences. Outdoor festivals are always extremely fun too, so lots of summer shows outdoors.

6. Tell us what you like best about the Birmingham music scene and where you think it could use some improvement.

Ronya: I like the people the most. The people sitting in the crowd. I've met some of my best friends while performing with Traumatide. Being in the "sweet south," not only do you pick up true supportive fans, but true friends as well.

Curt: I like the diversity of the bands and the music. To me, there is without a doubt no better place to be for growing up and discovering music than the south. We have such a great history.  Drive a few hours in any direction - Memphis, the birthplace of rock n' roll... Macon, the birthplace of southern rock, New Orleans, jazz... Mississippi, blues. As for improvement I'd love to see more ordinary people supporting live music. The bands themselves all go a good job of being supportive. Too many people take live music for granted these days. I'd also like to see another venue like the Southside Music Hall so that more nationals could play here. I mean Workplay is very cool and all, but I don't see Nashville Pussy or Insane Clown Posse playing there y'know? (laughs)

7. Do you think your Birmingham connection shows in your music? If so, how?

Curt: Definitely. I know some of my biggest influences come from bands and musicians that are from the south - Damon Johnson, Ty Tabor, the Allman Brothers, etc. That coupled with the fact I've been here all my life.

Ronya: Curt, you know I didn't have any "Birmingham connections" until you. And besides you are one of my biggest influences so I know it shows in my music. You write my music with me. I'm just going with your answer on this one. (laughing)

8. How do you promote your music around Birmingham and beyond?

Curt: We have our website, MySpace site, and our e-Newsletter that we send out regularly. Word of mouth is also a very important factor and we make it a point to talk to everyone that we can before, during, and after our shows. These days it's extremely important to find a way to connect with your fans and supporters, because there are so many other bands that are vying for the same support.

Ronya: Word of mouth from us and our true supportive fans that I was talking about earlier. We also like doing shows with other bands because it allows us and the bands we play with to expose our music to each other’s audiences.

9. If you could rock the stage with any other two bands/musicians throughout history, who would it be and why?

Ronya: Metallica and um, 50 Cent. (Ok - how about Delbert McClinton?)

Curt: Without a doubt I would love to walk onstage with Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, and the rest of Van Halen! Every time I've jammed with Damon Johnson has been a blast, and I think it'd be awesome to get the Pyrate guys back together and play a few AC/DC songs again.

10. What's the best show you feel you've played to date? Any distinct magical moments?

Curt: Our first Nick show was very cool. I'd say one of our best shows was at the Barking Kudu last year. For whatever reason we were all on fire that night.

Ronya: I think our CD release show at the Rockin' Horse. I threw gifts into the crowd and they were all on their feet and full of energy. We were also way energetic on stage. That show is a reminder to me of our accomplishment for the hard work that we put into the CD. It was a great feeling. Superior Grill on St. Patty's Day was awesome. That was also our first show with Hagy so it was a little special for all of us.

The most magical moment for me so far was our first show at the Nick. I was forced to face my stage fright with my best friends standing behind me. I got through it and not to mention the awesome crowd... on my very first performance in a band.

11. What are some of your favorite local venues, and why?

Curt: I love the Barking Kudu (good sounding room, easy load in), Superior Grill (good sound, decent stage), Pub 261 (great staff) and Adrian's in Guntersville (great staff, big stage, and great sounding room).

Ronya: I agree with you on those. Especially Adrian's and Pub 261.

12. Where do you like to drink or hang out in Birmingham? And what's the best night to go out?

Curt: I like Superior Grill or the Barking Kudu if I want to catch a band. The Mellow Mushroom, Jim n' Nicks, Costa's, or anywhere I can get a good meal and have a few beers too. Saturday seems to be the best night for me.

Ronya: Kobe's sushi bar (laughs). Actually it doesn't so much matter where, as long as my band guys and friends are around. I’m not picky about the night as long as I can sleep late the next day.

13. Recommend some other local acts you think our readers should check out.

Curt: My number one recommendation is The Welfare, those guys are second to none. Lynam is great fun. For the heavier scene, I'd recommend Year and a Day, The Deadline, Victim of Thought, Halfdown Thomas, Splendid Chaos... there's no shortage of good heavy bands in the ham. The Payoff is good - those guys are tight as hell. Chris Scott is a country/southern/classic rock artist that I've been fortunate to play with on occasion, and that's always a lot of fun if you're into that scene. Black Label (Huntsville) if you've never seen them - very intense. JacksonsNLA is really cool too - you'll definitely want to party with their bass player! (winks)

Ronya: I think you've covered most of mine. I hear the new Beyond the Ashes lineup is cool, and Inbetween Worlds has a new female vocalist which should be interesting to hear.

14. That about wraps it up. Is there anything else you want our readers to know? 

Curt: Do whatever you can to support the local music scene, and try to be considerate of others' taste in music. No two people like the exact same things, and the diversity is what makes things interesting.

Ronya: Don't take [the local music scene] for granted. It's getting harder and harder for bands to play as often and even travel (gas prices suck!), so every little bit helps. Buy a CD, buy a t-shirt the next time you're at a band's show, and tell the band how much you appreciate them. A little goes a long way! 

15. One last question. After a show, do you prefer Waffle House or IHOP?

Curt: If IHOP is still open I much prefer it - better food and bigger tables... and I like pancakes as opposed to waffles. It's also because I've probably eaten in every single Waffle House in existence at some time or another and my taste buds are desensitized to their food.

Ronya: Waffle House for me. I have to be in the mood for pancakes and waffles. I prefer hash browns and bacon please.

Curt: And you like to harass the waitresses (winks).

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