Machines On Blast: Infidel Interview #48
First I just want to thank you for participating in this edition of Infidel Interviews. With this interview let's just start with a bit about yourself. Where are you from, how old are you, and how long have you been making music for?
I'm a military brat, so I'm from a little of everywhere but most of my life was spent in Florida and Los Angeles. I am 132 years old and I have been making music since I was 14.
How did the members of Machines on Blast meet and come agree on the sound for the project? Where did the names Machines on Blast came from?
I originally started M.O.B. as a solo project that was in the E.B.M. vein (non of that material was ever released) but as time went on it quickly morphed into the sound we have today. The other members were peppered in one at a time starting with Warren (Guitar), Chris (Drums), and Scott (Bass). I write all the music for M.O.B.(minus the guitars) and these guys make this sound become possible in the live environment. All solid pros and I feel very fortunate to have them in the band.
The name Machines on Blast came from a few sources,,,,, to be put on "blast" means to be put on the spot and called out on your bullshit, usually in front of a group,,,and "Machines" was added for power and strength.... The Machines can be left to your interpretation, be it the government, people etc etc.
When you first started making music, was there a particular sound or artistic/musical influence that you would say was your biggest inspiration to start pursuing the creative path yourself? What led you to electronic music, particularly the heavier kinds of it?
I was living in Turkey at the time and a buddy of mine had sent me a letter telling me that his parents bought him a bass guitar and I immediately got the idea in my 14 year old head that I wanted to play drums,,,,, so I pick it up hahaha....at that time my favorite groups were Metallica and Public Enemy, so that is what I pulled from.........Why Electronic music? Why Industrial Metal? I honestly have no clue. I can say that hearing Ministry's N.W.O and NIN Broken when they were first released definitely planted a seed in my soul towards that direction . I never sit down and say I'm going to write "what ever type" of song. I just start writing and where ever the song wants to go is where I end up. Is electronic music where you started making music? Or did you have previous musical background or experience before hand? If so does/did your previous musical experience affect your electronic compositions?
In the beginning it was all metal and Hardcore (Madball, Sick of it all, Agnostic Front, Slayer) and it really remained that way until I moved to Los Angeles. I assume it has some affect in the way I write but it's subconscious.
Would you say that your choice to pursue music has changed your life since you started? Would you say that creativity has evolved you spiritually, emotionally, or logically? What are some of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your musical career?
I would say yes to all,,,it gives me an outlet to work out problems or situation either I'm personally going through or seeing others go through. There has been a few moments when a song has been completed that I feel a chapter of my life then finally end, which is very therapeutic. The biggest challenge was leaving the drums to become a front man,,,I have a massive fear of talking in front of groups, but in order to get M.O.B up and running, this fear needed to be conquered.
What would you say would be you short term, and long term, goals for the band? Do you find that you two have to find a balance between your different directions and goals? Or do you work together fluidly?
Long and short term goals are the same, keep creating, it's what I do and pretty much all I do up to this point, it is what truly makes me happy. there is always a game of balance but in music it either works or it doesn't. Have you had any particular moment(s) that you would like to share, that you would consider to be a crowning achievement in your musical career so far, or moments that you would say truly continue to inspire you to pursue your artistic path?
Having the first time I played the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles be a sold out show was pretty bad ass,,,not only to be on the same stage that so many legends play on but to do it in front of a sold out crowd was cool. there are a million other stories but to type them out would take forever hahaha,,,,oh having Jack Nicholson call me a "fucking asshole" was crowning achievement hahaha. When it comes to your live show, how would you describe yourself thematically and visually? Are you an energy and audience driven band in the live atmosphere? Or would you consider yourself to be more thematic or presentation oriented?
honestly we just go up there and give the best show we can every time, we stick with the dark vibe but the main goal is just to be as sonically superior as possible.. there isn't much in the way of theatrics other then the dark solid red lighting,,, but the intent is to get up there and destroy then get off and be nice. Playing live shows, recording new tracks, attempting to go live the life that gives you the experiences that inspires it all... it can be difficult to balance the time. Do you have any particular methods that you use to keep yourself focused or balanced in your direction?
I stay "Evan" 100% of the time haha I am extremely consistent with who I am, what I do and how I react. being this was make things very easy to figure out when it comes to planning or organizing. Firm, Fair, and consistent is what I always strive for. Are there any particular instruments, programs, or effects that you would say are vital to you making music? If so, is there a reason in particular that draws you to said creative outlet?
I'm a big fan of the VST Synths , so those are always my go to. Other than what you currently produce, what other sorts of genres, instruments, and sounds would you like to use in the future? Are there any people you would like to collaborate with in the future artistically, musically, or socially?
I'm a huge fan of 60's folk music but I don't see that happening for me.....I'm always down to collaborate with anyone if time allows.
Do you have any other musical projects that you are involved with, or do you have any other musicians or artists that you collaborate with in some capacity? If you could collaborate with any musician or artist, dead or alive, who would it be? And what in particular draws you to want to collaborate with them?
I'm currently working on an album for a project called Systemic, which is Adrienne from SML* and myself ,,,,Electro Rock style.,,,, if I could collaborate with anyone it would be it would be a group project with me, cat stevens, david bowie, and gary numan. When it comes to non-musical media, what do you find yourself most inspired by, and what about it draws you to it as a source of inspiration? Do you participate in the gaming world? Avid reader perhaps? Maybe cinema fan? Combination of some lol?
I have zero interest in the world of gaming, I love to be read to, I don't watch much T.V. or Movies but when I do, it will be a horror flick,,,,or mindless tv reruns.
Follow Machines On Blast on their official Facebook for all their latest up to date information:
https://www.facebook.com/machinesonblast/
Listen to Machines On Blast on their official Bandcamp:
https://machinesonblast.bandcamp.com/album/machines-on-blast
#MachinesOnBlast #2016 #TheInfidelNetwerk #USA #Interview #IndustrialMusic #RockMusic #IndustrialRock #ElectronicMusic #theProphet