Band Interview: MAXDMYZ

MAXDMYZ is a London based 5-piece band consisting of Twister (vocals), Roger (guitars), Jay (drums), A’Zedd (bass guitar) and Vortex (keyboards). The band is now well established on the UK scene having built its reputation over the years with stunning live performances and recording some of the most innovative and original alternative metal ever to come out of the UK music scene.

1. How did you get started as a band?

Twister (singer): I started the band with a guitarist quite a few years ago. I was looking for a new direction – his thing was nu-metal and drum ’n’ bass, and I had been doing some goth/hardrock/punk type stuff. That guy, Jamie, left, and since then the band has grown organically – just through random meetings at gigs, finding musicians via social networks and through friends of friends. This current five-piece lineup is without doubt the best.

2. How would you describe your sound?

Jay (drummer): The noise the Angel Gabriel would make if you took an angle-grinder to his genitals – kind of! Apart from that, we’re quite difficult to describe easily because there are so many different flavours in our music – there’s a little bit of industrial in there, with a nod towards nu-metal, some darker goth elements (sorry I’ve used the ‘G’ word) – a kernel of death and thrash held inside a tasty classic shell. We tend to describe ourselves as alternative/progressive metal – to cut to the chase, if you love heavy, melodic, aggressive music with hooks and grooves, you’ll love Maxdmyz.

3. What bands/artists would you say have influenced your style of music?

Vortex (keyboards): Before I answer that, I need to correct something Jay – angels don’t have genitals, they’re genderless. Back to the question – any number of bands, from Velvet Underground and the Doors, to Cannibal Corpse, Nile, The Beatles, Squarepusher, Pantera and Type O – and Mumford & Sons, of course, if only to serve to define us in opposition – whatever they are, we don’t wanna be – and I don’t care how ironic or postmodern they’re being.

4. Has the rise of YouTube & music streaming helped or hindered you as a band?

Roger (guitarist): I think internet video been a real blessing for bands – it really allows you to make a direct visual as well as musical connection with your fans. It also gives immediate feedback on what you do, which can be illuminating as well as satisfying. It’s democratised music-making and music consumption – which I think can only be a good thing. With streaming, there are downsides – it’s easier than ever for people to steal and duplicate your music. In the old days, you had a handful of pressing houses, which would make the records or CDs and put them in the back of a locked van, and they’d get stocked at Virgin or HMV, again under lock and key. The supply chain now is incredibly porous, and maybe there’s just no going back. – and getting paid is quite a complicated process – it’s even worse than it used to be. At least you could in theory inspect a label’s accounts and talk to record shops to find out whether you were getting ripped off or not. These days, I wouldn’t begin to know how you could check whether you’re getting paid for all the downloads and streaming people are actually making of your music – you just have to take your distributors’ word for it. Keeping tabs on things is tougher than ever. Of course, you have control over your own sites but most of your sales and stuff comes through the big sites such as iTunes and Spotify. We were never in it for the money!

5. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music?

Arek (bassist): What, apart from drinking and fornication? Well, I’m heavily into martial arts and mysticism – Twister loves his motorcycles and meditating – Vortex, computer science and literature – Roger, working on church organs and travel – Jay, do-it-yourself and cleaning his drumkit. They probably get up to loads of other things, but just don’t tell me.

6. What are your future plans musically? Tours?

Arek: We’ve got an EP coming out in October, and an album next spring. We’re touring in October to lauch the EP in England and France – check out www.maxdmyz.uk for details.