Post by Mark on Sept 9, 2009 15:45:30 GMT -5
(OOC: Figured I would give some sort of farewell something. And obviously there is no IRL Demon Inc. music. Just think of some random melodic death metal.)
WEB-EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: DEMON INC.’S MATT IRVINE
We caught up with Demon Inc. vocalist, Matt Irvine, to discuss his band’s new album (“Define the Purpose”, in stores and online September 18) and wrestling.
So what can you tell us about “Define the Purpose”?
As far as I’m concerned, it’s a vast improvement over our last one. With the self-titled, we were unsure of how to treat ourselves as musicians because some of us still had wrestling careers going on. For me, the big limit was in my lyrics. I didn’t know if I wanted to sing about Senator Steve Phillips getting impeached and going on a zombie massacre. I had to know my limits. With the new one, we definitely have it on the right track regarding how we sound.
What were the main influences on this record?
Obviously, Metallica. Ken [Dante, lead guitar] and I were spending most of our time listening to At The Gates, Carcass and Dark Tranquillity. It’s hard listening to those bands and thinking “Okay, how can we not rip them off?” [Laughs]
You had drummer Anthony Thompson and bassist Jonathan Maxwell producing again.
We didn’t really have time to go with another producer so we just went with them again.
How’d that work out?
They can push hard but it does get results. There wasn’t as much conflict this time around because last time, Jonathan was dealing with control issues. This time, it was a little more focused but it was still a good time.
What sort of themes can we expect on this album? Where does the album’s title come from?
“Define the Purpose” is about rediscovering your identity and where you stand in life. Do you follow what everyone else thinks or do you just go full steam ahead with what you want out of life? A lot of songs deal with those kinds of questions.
Any plans for touring in the near future?
We’ll be doing our own thing, hitting up a few places in Canada first then heading to the US.
Any bands you’d like to tour with?
One band I really wouldn’t mind touring with is The Black Dahlia Murder. Those guys are awesome at what they do. If I wanted to be unrealistic, I would have to say Judas Priest.
All right, you knew this question was coming... How do you keep up with wrestling today? Anything really catch your attention?
I hardly pay attention to wrestling anymore. The last time I really cared was when [Japanese wrestling legend] Mitsuhara Misawa died. Honestly, I think it sucks that the days of Wrestlemania III are dead. I’ve said this over and over again: if it wasn’t for Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat, I wouldn’t have been in a wrestling ring. I couldn’t wait to get in a ring but earlier this year, I couldn’t wait to get out of it.
The last company you wrestled for was Alpha Championship Wrestling. What were your thoughts on the promotion?
I don’t really have a lot of bad things to say about ACW. They’re a great company with some awesome talent. There were a couple of times when I felt I was in Kritical Wrestling Alliance again, that’s how good it was. But, it was kind of tough to have a singles career when most of my time was spent in the background as a supporting sort of guy. The last one I was in was going nowhere so I knew what my decision was regarding my future in ACW.
Any allies and friends you’d like to mention?
Thunderkiss was my go-to guy for the longest time. There are things he does that you can’t necessarily agree with but he doesn’t let that affect anything he does. When we first formed the Entourage, him and I clicked really well together. We had great chemistry. Steve Phillips was another guy I could go to for advice. There’s plenty of cool people I met when I was in ACW; I have nothing but respect for the company and most of the people in it.
WEB-EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: DEMON INC.’S MATT IRVINE
We caught up with Demon Inc. vocalist, Matt Irvine, to discuss his band’s new album (“Define the Purpose”, in stores and online September 18) and wrestling.
So what can you tell us about “Define the Purpose”?
As far as I’m concerned, it’s a vast improvement over our last one. With the self-titled, we were unsure of how to treat ourselves as musicians because some of us still had wrestling careers going on. For me, the big limit was in my lyrics. I didn’t know if I wanted to sing about Senator Steve Phillips getting impeached and going on a zombie massacre. I had to know my limits. With the new one, we definitely have it on the right track regarding how we sound.
What were the main influences on this record?
Obviously, Metallica. Ken [Dante, lead guitar] and I were spending most of our time listening to At The Gates, Carcass and Dark Tranquillity. It’s hard listening to those bands and thinking “Okay, how can we not rip them off?” [Laughs]
You had drummer Anthony Thompson and bassist Jonathan Maxwell producing again.
We didn’t really have time to go with another producer so we just went with them again.
How’d that work out?
They can push hard but it does get results. There wasn’t as much conflict this time around because last time, Jonathan was dealing with control issues. This time, it was a little more focused but it was still a good time.
What sort of themes can we expect on this album? Where does the album’s title come from?
“Define the Purpose” is about rediscovering your identity and where you stand in life. Do you follow what everyone else thinks or do you just go full steam ahead with what you want out of life? A lot of songs deal with those kinds of questions.
Any plans for touring in the near future?
We’ll be doing our own thing, hitting up a few places in Canada first then heading to the US.
Any bands you’d like to tour with?
One band I really wouldn’t mind touring with is The Black Dahlia Murder. Those guys are awesome at what they do. If I wanted to be unrealistic, I would have to say Judas Priest.
All right, you knew this question was coming... How do you keep up with wrestling today? Anything really catch your attention?
I hardly pay attention to wrestling anymore. The last time I really cared was when [Japanese wrestling legend] Mitsuhara Misawa died. Honestly, I think it sucks that the days of Wrestlemania III are dead. I’ve said this over and over again: if it wasn’t for Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat, I wouldn’t have been in a wrestling ring. I couldn’t wait to get in a ring but earlier this year, I couldn’t wait to get out of it.
The last company you wrestled for was Alpha Championship Wrestling. What were your thoughts on the promotion?
I don’t really have a lot of bad things to say about ACW. They’re a great company with some awesome talent. There were a couple of times when I felt I was in Kritical Wrestling Alliance again, that’s how good it was. But, it was kind of tough to have a singles career when most of my time was spent in the background as a supporting sort of guy. The last one I was in was going nowhere so I knew what my decision was regarding my future in ACW.
Any allies and friends you’d like to mention?
Thunderkiss was my go-to guy for the longest time. There are things he does that you can’t necessarily agree with but he doesn’t let that affect anything he does. When we first formed the Entourage, him and I clicked really well together. We had great chemistry. Steve Phillips was another guy I could go to for advice. There’s plenty of cool people I met when I was in ACW; I have nothing but respect for the company and most of the people in it.