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""...the bottom line is to really do everything with all that you've got, and that great things sometimes cannot be rushed."" |
LIVING A LIFE OF METAL IN THE PAINMUSEUM
Here it is folks. Check out Metal Mike's PainMuseum. This is the metal CD you have been waiting for. It has the all necessary elements of a classic - great songs, guitar tone, riffs, monster drums, and a vocalist with power and style. It is not nu metal. It is Ancient Metal. Like dark prophets charging forward on mighty steeds. You get the picture. Spikes are back. Fangs are out. Standout cuts include Speak the Name, Hosanna, Words Kill Everything, and Burn Flesh Burn. You've got to practice to play guitar like this kids. And to then cross the boundary between chops and songwriting successfully is equally as challenging. Metal Mike and crew have arrived on the other side! Check out this exclusive FPE Interview wiht Metal Mike and vocalist Tim Clayborne below, if you dare!
FPE: How long have you been working on Metal for Life?
MM: "It's been a while, about 2 1/2 years. Lots of laughs, tears, airplane flights, cursing and throwing equipment against the wall, drinking binges, begging for favors .... but, it's done and the road that we took taught us quite a few things. It was well worth it."
Was it challenging to be touring, recording, and composing with Halford and simultaneously writing your own CD?
MM: "At times yes, for sure. It's that ability of juggling a few things at the same time. I did not want to throw things together last minute just to get the album done. I needed to do this with integrity and I did not want time to dedicate how the album will sound. If this "Metal For Life" was not ready, I would still be working on it. But man, were we ever ready to finally get this thing released, ha."
 What have you learned from playing with the Metal God Rob Halford?
MM: "Too many things to even mention. Many of them I probably will not even understand in the near future. Playing with Halford was the best thing that could have ever happen to me, my career and my personal growth. I guess the bottom line is to really do everything with all that you've got, and that great things sometimes can not be rushed. I also realised that after you sell over 30 million records the world doesn't give you a free license to become as asshole, as Rob was one of the most professional people I have ever met. After my time with Halford, I seriously feel that I'm prepared to take on anything this business will offer. I have been through a lot in that band, from highest of highs to lowest of lows and after the smoke has cleared and the backstabbers, shit talkers and non belivers stopped talking: I'm still standing here."
Do you plan on touring with PainMuseum?
MM: "Absolutely. I really feel this band is too good for people not to see it live. PainmuseuM played a handful of shows and festivals in the US and Canada to an incredible response. After my guitar clinic tour this November, we might do selected US dates. There are offers for Japan in January and Europe in the early part of 2005. Some of that will depent on our label Demolition Records and other variables. But no doubt this band will play live. I personally find it very freeing, because this band is something I can call my own and I do as I please basically."
Will you add an additional touring guitarist to cover your recorded parts on MFL?
MM: "No. I made sure that the album can be covered by one guitar player ... and that one guitar player is me, ha."
Who wrote the majority of the lyrics for the disc, yourself or Tim?
MM: "Both of us did that pretty much equally. Initially I wrote the lyrics to the songs that came naturally for me to write to. Then, I gave the rest to Tim for his unique stamp. He's got an incredible talent with words. Then both of us at down in the studio and polished things, made sure everything flows easily."
What guitar gear did you use to record Metal for Life?
MM: "Jackson USA Made RR1 "V" guitars, 50 Watt old Marshall amps, Digitech stomp boxes - X Series, Morley Wahs. Not a lot of stuff. Both, my live and studio rigs are fairly simple. I want to play Metal and not turn knobs." You use the whammy bar quite a bit in your lead playing. What type of strings do you use to absorb your metallic dive-bombs?
MM: "D'Addario strings. They are the only strings that withstand what I do and come back in tune. They also sound fresh for quiete a long time. I change strings in the studio fairly often, for intonation purposes. This whole album was recorded with a one guitar tuned a whole step down. For that I used D'Addario 10-52 guage and it worked extremely well."
Where can fans find lyrics to Metal for Life?
MM: "The lyrics will be available in our European and Japanese releases. But, very soon we will also post lyrics on the official www.painmuseum.com as many people have been asking for them."
Which riffs on Metal for Life were the most challenging for you to record?
MM: "Some riffs in PainmuseuM (Metal For Life) get kind of intricate and challenging. The instrumental track "I Am Your Keeper" also has a ton of insane stuff on it. But, before I showed up in the studio I rehearsed my parts for a while, so I saved studio time and parts sound like they were recorded while I had control over them, as you just can't pull of this style of music playing 98% of your ability. Or, second guessing yourself. Stylistically the CD also took a few chances. Everything had to sound very sure of itself .... and it does."
Tim, your voice is fierce and unique. Great job delivering the goods on the CD. From intelligible growls to mid-range barks you seem to cover a wide range of vocals. Do you warm up prior to singing?
Tim: No, I like to save everything I have for the stage. To me doing a show is more of a Rage/Energy realease than a controlled vocal number. I have to have my head in the right space and then my voice comes in."
Who are your vocal influences?
Tim: "I like a lot of songwriters. Jim Morrison is a bad ass or an idiot. Some people write songs that you can sing along with, are catchy with hooks and mean absoloutly nothing like most of the shit on the radio today. Some write with creativity, heart, experiances and passion, and kind of hope people get it, maybe,...... Catchy tunes are cool, but I tend to go towards writing with more texture and there is one thing for sure, You can't run from yourself."
What inspires you to write lyrics?
Tim: "There are a couple ways I write lyrics, sometimes I get an Idea and get really inspired and just go off. The other way, which I did allot with Metal Mike, is to listen to a song over and over... and see where it takes me. I used that technique for PainMuseum's "Metal for Life", Dog's in a Cage, and Bloody Wings. I love doing that because it seem to me to be more creative and it brings the spirit of the song alive. Sometimes lyrics can kill a song if you force a feeling into it that isn't there. Take it easy,"Metal for Life".
Official Site:
www.painmuseum.com
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