MACHINE HEAD Guitarist: 'We're Not A Political Band By Any Means'

March 13, 2007

Brandon Weiss of The Triangle Online recently conducted an interview with MACHINE HEAD guitarist Phil Demmel. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

On the new album, "The Blackening":

"[It is] socially conscious album, more so than the previous records. There's a couple of political songs on [the record]. We're not a political band by any means, but that's the only common thread."

On the band's change in sound on the new CD:

"We're a different band. Originally, most of the last record — most of the main parts — was pretty much written when I joined … except for two or three songs. If you listen to those songs, you see what I contributed to, and the direction that we're going here. I follow Dave [McClain, drummer] a little bit longer; [the songs are] a lot more dynamic in structure. You'll be introduced to some more intricate riffing; we kind of just moved toward large ends and stuff like that."

On having fans come in and record a backup vocal part for the album:

"It was cool to have them be a part of what we were doing. That part of the song with chanting really needed key vocals. What better group of people than the people who are going out and supporting you, and buying the album, to give that opportunity to be a part of it?"

On the fact that the new album has already managed to make its way all over the Internet:

"It's important to note that it kind of is, in a sense, to our advantage because the album is a great album. It's getting a pre-release buzz going. There are people that aren't going to buy CDs no matter what you do. I think this will definitely get people that are more on the fence about it to go toward making the purchase."

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