METZ (SXSW INTERVIEW 2013)
SXSW Artist Spotlight: Metz
Alex Edkins, Hayden Menzies and Chris Slorach are Metz. The Canadian trio specialize in delivering brutal, heavy riffs that knock you down. Having played just about every type of venue there is to play, Metz will be stopping in Austin for several SXSW shows. Recently bassist Chris Slorach took the time to answer some questions about the state of Metz as we know it. Interview by Lee Ackerley.
Will this be your first time playing in Austin?
Yes. I have been once before but only as a spectator.
Is there anything specifically that you are trying to promote or accomplish at SXSW?
No. We really just want to eat good tacos and enjoy the warm weather. We were offered some cool shows so we jumped at the opportunity to play with good bands.
As a punk band, what is your favorite venue for a show? DIY? House Party? Arenas?
It depends on the crowd. House shows definitely have the most potential for things to get crazy. It really doesn’t matter to us.
What has been your favorite show/city while on tour?
We’re currently touring in Europe and there have been some really amazing shows. Athens, Barcelona, London, Zagreb, Amsterdam, Paris, and Lisbon are all standouts.
Your hometown is Toronto, is there a big punk scene there? How has the city shaped your music?
Toronto has a great music scene but it’s not necessarily punk music. People are making all kinds of different and interesting music there.
I think Toronto definitely influenced the lyrics on the record. I ended up writing about things like stress, paranoia, isolation, and I think those are feelings that most people can relate to when they are living in a gigantic fast-paced metropolitan city. It can be really overwhelming at times.
What was the reason for the five year gap between your live album and recording album?
There really wasn’t a gap for us. We were constantly working on music and playing shows. We released three 7 inches before releasing our LP.
We just tried to make something we liked and didn’t want to rush the process.
What is your work process like? Do you write on tour? Is there a new album in the works?
We write collaboratively with all three of us in the same room and the amps cranked up, so touring isn’t all that conducive to our writing process. We usually only have a short sound check and other than that all of our time is spent driving in the van. We are planning on starting work on the new album when we get home.
Who were some of your key musical influences growing up?
Husker Du, Minor Threat, Mission of Burma, Sonic Youth.
How has this past year, with the album and press, compared to the previous years in the band?
It’s been great. We are really happy to have a record out in the world. We’ve done more touring this year than all the other years combined.
We are making or playing music almost all the time, so it is definitely a big change!
Have you had any ‘holy shit’ moments since your profile has risen recently?
I think we’ve had ‘holy shit’ moments everyday of this tour. Holy shit we are in Zagreb Croatia playing a show!
Does the intensity in your music translate into your social life? i.e partying, destroying, etc..
We are pretty tame guys. I think most of our “rage” comes out in the music.
Are there any other punk groups playing now or that you’ve played with that you enjoy or respect, or both?
Absolutely Free, Dusted, Soupcans, Teenanger, Rituals, Roomrunner, Camera, No Joy, Odonis Odonis, Thighs, Needles and Pins, Beliefs, Ell V Gore. Too many to name.
