METZ INTERVIEW (from the past)

METZ, Some Time, AD. 

In July of 2010, right before the release of their third 7-inch, I asked METZ some questions. They weren`t very good questions, but the band took them super seriously, and I thank them for that. The interview got published in a zine that I can`t quite remember the name of. 

Now, about a month after the release of their self-titled gem on Sub Pop, I`m making this interview available online for anyone interested in reading it. 

Note: The published piece was edited slightly for grammar and space constraints. This interview is presented on Heavy Empire verbatim. 
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METZ Interview, July 2009.

On keeping the on-stage gear to a minimum, high volume.
The simplicity of our setup, and lately, our song writing is something we try keep in mind. we are always open to new things, and we don't have anything planned out so to speak, but we just try to keep in mind that less is more. If every instrument can stand on their own as well as contribute to what else is going on in the song, then that's where we want to be.  It also allows us to be a little more free when playing live, and go with the flow of the show without making the songs or energy level suffer.  Volume level isn't something we ever really talk about. whatever sounds the best at the time is what we go with. we don't try to be loud. 


On 7-inches vs. LPs.
The decision to release 3 7 inches in a row was a way that we could release things quicker and have fun with them.  We got to play around with vinyl colors and artwork as well as not commit to an entire LP right away. things change so quickly sometimes, that to lay down a full length's worth of songs to have to commit to playing for a while, or be defined by wasn't really appealing to us. we like to write constantly. sometimes is a really fast process, and other times really slow, so the sequence of 7 inch formats was the best fit for that. 

On, ``Will there ever be an full-length?"
We are working on a full length LP right now. no deadline yet, but We should be ready to start recording it by late fall.  who fucking knows.

On what METZ sings about.
Alex doesn't have a lyrical theme. he writes about whatever is on his mind. usually outer space.

On what METZ are reading.
Alex is reading war and peace for about the 6th time and chris and I are collectively trying to get the the newest MAD magazine.

On recording.
We try to record constantly. at practice we record live stuff and little bits that we want to remember.  when we record for a release its pretty similar,. but have no rules about it. we want to try new things in the studio every time.whether its just mic placement, or a whole new approach. the studio sessions for us is about having fun and keeping things interesting.  whatever gets interesting sounds and has the right match for the song is what we try to achieve. 


On working with Matt Deline ( of Shotmaker, The Grey)
Working with Matt was fun. I played with him in three penny opera and the grey.  both were fun bands to be in and i looked up to matt.  in the end of things it became difficullt to balance his family life and band goals, but such is life.  everything has an expiry date, so we made the best of it. i think we all benefitted from it for sure. we got to work and hang out with someone who had toured a lot and had been enthusiastic about music for years, and he got to play with some people who had fresh ideas and a new type of enthusiasm. 

On being labeled, "grunge."
Describing us as a grunge band is fine with us.  we don't try to deny that we all grew up in the 90's and loved a lot of music that cam from that era. we don't try to wear our influences on our sleeves to heavily, but we aren't trying to reinvent the wheel either. we look look to influences all over the place and try to make them fit what we are doing.  its exciting to try and work in things that may not seem like they would make sense for our band, and have them morph into something that we can call our own.  we are probably influenced just as often from old doo - wop and soul records as we are from 90's noise grunge.