SWS Interview Series Part Seven: Karmassassinn

What is your real name and where do you call home?

Ryan “Karma” Shintani, straight out of the 703! (Northern Virginia, not to be confused with the rest of Virginia)

When you look in the mirror what do you see?

Nothing. One of the few downsides of being a vampire.

What's the craziest thing you've ever done?

Met Ted Nugent, held a Barrett .50 cal, rode in a Nascar pace car, and had dinner with Chuck Norris… in one day.

What do you regret most in your life?

Nothing. I am who I am today because of my actions.

Favorite Band/Music?

Oh gods, soooo many to list. I guess a top few from each genre will suffice.

Heavy Metal: Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Opeth, Bullet For My Valentine, Cradle of Filth, Watain, Five Finger Death Punch, Project Hate MCMXCIX, Winds of Plague

Rock: Rise Against, Breaking Benjamin

DNB: Fanu, Dieselboy, Pendulum. Although it's a radio station, and not a band, I listen to Bassdrive almost every day.

Trance: Tiësto, Ferry Corsten

Dream Car?

I’m driving it – 2002 Pontiac Trans Am (convertible, of course)

What is something you enjoy that most people don't know about?

Pool. I love shooting billiards whenever I get a chance. Also, my favorite punctuation is the colon ( : ). I don't really know why, but I use it whenever I get the chance.

Favorite television shows?

Battlestar Galactica. No doubt. But I also love Firefly, Arrested Development, True Blood, and Archer.

Favorite Movies?

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Gladiator, Lucky Number Slevin, Snatch, In Bruges, Fight Club, El Laborinto Del Fauno, Boondock Saints

If you were a tree what kind of tree would you be and why?

Bonsai. Immaculately groomed, and I’d live for a long time.

If you could be one super hero who would it be?

Magneto. I would love to be able to control metal the way he does.

Favorite Video Game?

There is no one game that stands out above the rest. Each game that I own has a quality for which I love it (and therefore keep it).

What is your proudest moment?

Shooting a penny from 100 yards away was pretty cool, as was winning the Area 8 3-Gun match a few years ago, but I’d have to say that hearing that my best friend Phil enlisted in the National Guard, earned his Marksman medal, and graduaged AIT really outshines everything else.

Best Concert you have ever been to?

Uproar Festival – Disturbed AND Avenged Sevenfold in the same concert? It doesn’t get much better than that.

Where do you want to be in 5 years?

In a nice house. If it’s five years exactly, then I guess at work (having a job is good).

If you had a pet baboon what would you name it?

Lucifer

Why did you join the SWS?

I was invited by a bunch of guys who were a ton of fun to play with. I was sick of always playing alone, and joining a band of witty, trash-talking, ballz-to-the-wall funny dudes seemed like the best remedy.

What are your Favorite Recreational Consumables?

Sushi. Breakfast food. And candy - fuck my sweet tooth.

What is your job when not playing Xbox?

I’m a full time student.

What is your favorite alcoholic drink?

Goldschläger, for sure. I also like Kraken, Jägermeister, Chambord, and Hpnotiq.

What was your first video game, and what system was it for?

My first game was Pokemon Red on the Gameboy Color. I still have it (it's in my desk, within arm's reach). My first console game was Halo, for the original Xbox.