MEET THE STORM
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 15th September 2010.
Meet The Storm have an EP out and are hitting the UK for some tour dates soon. We caught up with vocalist Matt to find out more...
Hi Guys, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
Matt: Yeah every thing is great, we’re just about to shoot the new video for the song “Can’t Plan Regret” of our new EP that just came out.
Can you give us a brief history of Meet The Storm – who you are, how you formed etc...?
Matt: Well Meet the Storm is a Rotterdam based hardcore/punk band that was formed by Joe and Matt after their other band split up. In the beginning MtS didn’t even have a bassplayer, that spot was filled in by friends. We were just so excited with the music that we where making that we started playing gigs. And that’s how the ball started rolling.
Did you know what sort of music the band was going to play right from the start, or did the sound develop organically when you all jammed together?
Matt: It totally had to develop while jamming. 'Cause in the beginning we had a different drummer and second guitar player who had a totally different view on how the music should be. But in time new members came, and the music just blended and blended until it was what it is now. It’s just an organic mix of all the influences we personally have.
How would you describe the sound of the band to someone who hadn’t heard you before?
Matt: Just a raw, fast mix of punkrock, hardcore and a twist of southern rock.
Would you list any particular bands as strong influences?
Matt: We all have so much different influences personally. But the bands we all really enjoy, and that kind of inspires us for this band are The Cancer Bats, Alexisonfire and Every time I die.
How has the scene in Rotterdam influenced and affected the way you approach your music? Has it helped or hindered your progress?
Matt: It affected us in a way, that we knew that we wanted to stay true to ourselves, and not just go with every next hype that comes by. You see music scenes come and go. Rotterdam used to have a really big poppunk scene, but only a few bands survived 'till this day. But because of this we always have to play on festivals or bills that are filled with bands that are in the same new hype. So you're always the odd one out. But then again people will remember you on that evening. So it’s a negative and positive thing at the same time.
How long did the EP take to write and record?
Matt: From writing it, pre-producing it and recording it, it took us a few months. But then we had to wait a while for Liam Cormier of Cancer Bats to lay down his guest vocals, because we had to wait for them to pass by Holland on their tour. So in the end it took more than a half year.
How does the writing process in Meet The Storm work? How would a typical song be created?
Matt: Most of the time Joe, or someone else will come in with an idea. We'll play that idea, change it, add something to it, play it again, change it again etc. until we have something we're satisfied with. Everyone has a say and everyone brings in ideas for every instrument.
Where do you look for your lyrical and musical writing inspirations?
Matt: Everyday life. Things that had happened to me in the past, or ideas that I have. It’s all personal. We all pour our hearts into this band and music. So for me (Matt) it’s important that I can relate to the lyrics, so that on stage or in the studio, when I have to give it my all, I can give it. Otherwise it would just seem fake.
Do you do anything special or unusual in the studio to get your sound?
Matt: Just test the shit out of everything. Different drums sounds, different guitars, amps, cabinets, even strings. Luckily we had that opportunity this time to try all these different things. Just the chance to step back, take a look and go in to try something different.
Are there any pieces of kit you couldn’t live without?
Matt: I think that is so personal for every member. But for the band as a whole, I guess the internet, if you can call that a piece of kit. 'Cause without the internet it would just be so much harder to get your music out there.
What’s your favourite track on the EP, and is it the sound of the song or the memories behind it that make you love it?
Matt: I think for the most of us it’s Sailing out to fail. Just the fact that Liam and Mike of Cancer Bats took the time and effort to come into the studio at 2 in the morning after their gig, was just amazing. Those guys are genuine nice dudes.
Do you enjoy the whole studio/creative experience, or do you prefer getting up on the live stage?
Matt: Those two worlds are so far apart from each other, then again they are so close. 'Cause most of the time you want to try and capture the energy that you feel live on tape. But to create that in a environment where you have to wait so many hours, it’s really a mental battlefield. But in the end when you hear the final product it was all worth it. The same goes for live. We are a real live band. We give it a 110% every time we go on stage. Sick or not sick. It’s just a emotional outlet for us. So when you're done, and sit backstage broken and tired with all the sweet and blood, you just feel such a high. So it’s a world apart from each other, but the outcome is the same.
What is one of your live shows like? What should fans expect from one of your performances?
Matt: Total chaos and mayhem. Like I said we always give it a 110%. We are just a really intense live act because we truly play with our hearts. Even in the beginning when we didn’t even have anything out yet, we just played and played. And because we were such an intense live act, people started talking about how amazing they thought it was. And that idea stayed in the band. We just want to blow people away with our shows.
Are you looking forward to hitting the UK? Will this be your first time?
Matt: We always love to come over to the UK. We’ve been here 3 times before, and it always was the best experience. We have made so many good friends here. I think you have one of the best music scenes in Europe. 'Cause you have got such a long history of amazing bands coming from the UK. So we hope to come over more often, and hopefully play some festivals here as well, cause that would be amazing!
When do you see Meet The Storm hitting the studio to record a full length album?
Matt: To be honest we’ve already started writing. But we won’t enter the studio probably until autumn 2011. 'Cause we want to support our EP as long as possible, so that when the album comes out, there are people waiting for it.
Any question you love being asked that I’ve missed? If so, what’s the answer?
Matt: If we would love to come over to the UK in the summer to play some festivals. Well don’t mind if we do!
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
Matt: Rehearsals for some upcoming shows, write more songs, and come to the UK at the end of October for a few gigs.
Anything else you would like to mention?
Matt: Yeah thanx for your time to interview us. And keep checking us on Facebook, MySpace or our own site www.meetthestorm.com
Thanks for your time!
Thanks again to Matt for his time.
http://www.myspace.com/meetthestorm
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Meet-The-Storm/109562509074465
