Javier Reyes [Interview]

For lovers of fresh new sounds, restlessly creative musicians like Javier Reyes are a godsend. In addition to rewriting the metal guitar rulebook alongside Tosin Abasi in Animals As Leaders, Javier has also spent the last few years writing and releasing music through his side project, Mestis.

Mestis’ latest long-player, Polysemy (reviewed on TMMP here), was recently listed as one of my favourite albums of 2015 in this feature – and here, Javier Reyes discusses Mestis, creativity, generous fans, and the future of his pet project…

Your new album Polysemy has been out for about a month now. How’re you feeling about it?

I am pretty happy with it. I wasn’t sure what people were going to think, considering some of the parts are so mellow in comparison to material they are used to from [Animals As Leaders]. Thankfully the overall feedback has been pretty positive.

What initially inspired and motivated you to create Mestis? What’s the project’s origin story?

Mestis is a bit of my bedroom project. It started [with] me making some songs in my bedroom that I knew were stylistically different [to] Animals As Leaders, and I felt the material was strong enough to be released.

After the first EP, I didn’t really expect to write more music for Mestis, but throughout touring with Animals As Leaders people kept asking me if I was going to release more music for Mestis; so thanks to all those people who asked me, I was Read more…

Posted on 11 December 2015

The Aristocrats Talk Fistfights, Touring, And Robot Pigs [Interview]

UPDATE: TMMP has been reborn! This video has the full story:

Click here to subscribe for free on YouTube!

Right now, The Aristocrats are one of the most infamous fusion-oriented bands on the planet. If you’re a regular TMMP reader, you’re probably well aware of them by now – but if you’re new and curious, or your memory needs refreshing, click here for many a reason to become a fan.

Besides being generous with their notes, these noble gentlemen are also generous with their time. With a four-month European tour kicking off in Cologne on November 16th before winding its way across the continent, TMMP talked to The Aristocrats about fistfights, touring, coffee, and robot pigs…

You’re three of the hardest-working musicians on the planet, and you have a hectic European tour running from November until February! How do you keep yourselves gig-ready amidst such a chaotic schedule?

Bryan Beller (Bass): Lots and lots of coffee. And naps. And then more coffee.

Guthrie Govan (Guitar): I always thought that being gig-ready should actually be easier if you’re gigging constantly, and that “rust” would be more likely to kick in after taking a long break from playing.

Marco Minnemann (Drums): Comfortable travel schedule, good sleep and good food. That helps. After the show…whatever happens.

What are your pre-show rituals?

Bryan: A nap. And then coffee.

Guthrie: Finding a secret smoking area.

Marco: Reclusiveness.

What’s the most awkward onstage situation you’ve ever had to deal with?

Bryan: I once got in a fistfight with the drummer from the band going on after us. 10 people jumped in. It happened onstage and Read more…

Posted on 29 October 2015

VASA [Interview]

If super-intense instrumental math rock is your thing, you’ve either heard of VASA and love them, or have just heard of VASA and will love them in the near future.

In this interview, TMMP talks to VASA bassist John Niblock about VASA’s new album Colours and the band’s past, present, and future…

Your debut album Colours is out now. How does it feel to finally have it out there?

It’s a mix of relief and pride, I’d say. We’ve spent the last 10 months working on it and building up to it, so it was great to finally let people hear the album that we spent so much of our time on. We’re very proud of the end product and couldn’t be happier with the response it’s gotten.

What’s VASA’s origin story?

I met Blaine (Thompson, guitar) during my second year of university. We started writing together, and shortly after he brought in Scott (Coupar, guitar), who he had been friends with from their high school years. We recruited Niall (Morison MacRae, drums) last June after replacing our old drummer.

When it came to writing the tracks on Colours, what was your creative process like?

Quite a few of the tracks had been started just before Niall joined, so for most of them it was Read more…

Posted on 27 October 2015