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| w/MATT BACHAND |
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| Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Shadows Fall just came off a European tour. After what happened on 9/11, were you or the band apprehensive on traveling overseas? Matt Bachand: I think we are always apprehensive about traveling. We actually had to fly to LA the week after all the attacks and it was a bit nerve wracking. But we try not to think too much about what could happen and go on with our lives. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: With so many band/musicians canceling tours due to what happened, will this affect any tours for Shadows Fall in the future? Is there any place you will not play? Matt Bachand: I hope it will not affect anything but no one knows what the future holds. At this point we are ready and willing to play anywhere and do whatever it takes. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: In speaking of touring, what was the crowd response this time around, especially with the new drummer, Jason Bittner? Matt Bachand: The crowd response was incredible. It was tough going into a tour where we have never been before like Europe, as well as with a band that draws a lot of the younger "hot topic" type of crowd such as Kittie. But we were more than ready to give it a shot and things went great. The European fans were very receptive and Kittie themselves were unbelievably hospitable to us and we can't thank them enough. As for Jason, he fits in perfect with us musically and personally so we had a lot of fun for sure. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: How are the European crowds compared to the States? I heard it could be pretty intense. Matt Bachand: It was very intense. You will also see a lot of things there that don't happen in the states such as clapping along with the songs during breaks or using the cigarette lighter during acoustic parts. You do see that sometimes in the states, but it was an every night routine over in Europe. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Have the fans been receptive to the line-up change in drummers? Sometimes fans can remain partial to one particular musician. Matt Bachand: So far it has been very easy. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that we have been looking for a drummer for so long, 10 months before we found Jason. Back when we first lost "The Knife" as a drummer, some people were disappointed but that is the nature of bands. Changes do happen and people have been willing to accept that. Also, when they see just how well Jason fits into the picture there is really no question at all. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: When line-up changes happen, it brings a whole new chemistry to the band. What has and what will Jason bring to the Shadows Fall table that differs from past drummers? Matt Bachand: Jason fits in more with the whole musical big picture. His influences are settled in much of the direction we strive to write in. He has a better idea of the rock/metal writing process. David had never even played metal before he joined Shadows Fall and in fact was just a temp drummer back in 1996 when we first started. He was just helping us record a demo and work on some songs until we found a suitable replacement. He just enjoyed it so much that he stayed on full time. It brought an interesting feel to some of the songs as his main influences were more jazz and industrial based. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: There’s a lot of talk as to why David Germain left the band, care to dispel the rumors? Matt Bachand: It was just a mutual agreement between himself and the band that he just couldn't handle it anymore. He was never really into the precision type of playing that we do in the first place. His new band is a punk/ska type project, similar to sublime, called Jaya the Cat and I think he is much happier there, as we all remain good friends. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: In your opinion, is this the best line-up to date? Is this “Shadows Fall”? Matt Bachand: Definitely! This is the lineup that we were looking for when the band first started. Everyone is happy with the music, with each other, and we are all on the same page. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: In February, 2002 you guy’s released a new album “Fear Will Drag You Down” that is a re-release of “Of One Blood” and the Japan only release of “Deadworld”, how did that come about and will it be available for sale in the US? What do the bonus tracks consist of? Matt Bachand: "Fear Will Drag You Down" was created for a few different reasons. One, not too many people had gotten their hands on "Of One Blood" in Europe and we needed to have a new release to promote while we were on our first ever European tour. Two, a lot of people have been having trouble getting their hands on the "Deadworld" EP since it is only available in Japan or as an import title and three we wanted to showcase one of the new songs, "Stepping Outside the Circle", that will be on our upcoming album. It will not be released in the US but it should be pretty easy to get through Century Media Records. The bonus material is "Deadworld" which is actually an old song from our original demo back in 1996 that was re-recorded especially for the Japanese release. "Stepping Outside the Circle" which is a new song that will be on our upcoming album and live versions of "Crushing Belial", "Of One Blood", and "Fleshold". Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Will you be recording any new material for a US release in the near future, as well as a US tour? I’m sure your fans here are dying for a new album. Matt Bachand: We are working on the recording throughout March, April, and May and plan to tour extensively starting in late May or early June. The new album is tentatively titled "The Art of Balance". Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Shadows Fall has always had a “unique” sound. There’s a lot of versatility in the musicians that show through in the music, who are Shadows Fall’s influences? Matt Bachand: Anything and everything from Iron Maiden to Tom Petty. The influence range is really so vast and so bizarre it would be impossible to list it all. Each member of the band has something that rolls over into our sound be it punk, death metal, classical, reggae, 80's rock, classic rock, really just about everything. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Individually as musicians, how long have you been playing? Matt Bachand: Since I don’t know the exact answer to that one, all I can say is that all of us have been playing for at least 12 years. Some are more than that. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Who does the majority of the writing for the material? Matt Bachand: Jon and I write the majority of the material and we get together collectively to do arrangements. Brian is writing most, if not all of the lyrics at this point. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Which album do you think is Shadows Fall’s best album to date, and why? Matt Bachand: I think as we develop as a band, things get better. As of right now I am very excited about the new material that we have yet to record and I feel that it is our strongest to date. It will be the first time that we have all been involved in the writing process for the full record. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: I noticed with your first album, it was released on “Lifeless Records”, was that an independent label and what made you decide to go with Century Media, though a great label? How were you approached? It may give insight to an unsigned band trying to get a deal. Matt Bachand: Lifeless Records is actually my own label that I still own and operate. I have 13 releases on the label now and "Somber Eyes to the Sky" was the first one. We went with Century Media because they had the best deal to offer us at the time and the fact that their roster was and is diverse. Having bands as different as Cryptopsy, The Gathering, Arch Enemy, Haste, and Iced Earth on the same label is quite rare and since our sound encompasses all of those things, we felt it would be a good home for us. Basically we were approached after having been very successful releasing our own CD and also meeting and befriending the people over at Century Media through various Metal Fests and shows. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: There are so many ways for a band to get “noticed”. Can you give some advice for an up-coming band that may be shopping labels and would you recommend an independent label versus a major label? Matt Bachand: An independent label is always a good place to start because a band would be more of a priority there as opposed to a major where they are more concerned with the major acts already there. An independent is a great way to build a name. The Internet is an invaluable tool for being seen and persistence is the key to success. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Some national bands are either bypassing or deleting certain record companies to create their own "Band label", promotion and gaining the profits for themselves. This I'm told is stemming from bands hooking up with the wrong label due to bad judgment and having problems. So in turn, they'd rather do it themselves by cutting out the middleman. Which in turn can be bad as well, because there are some great labels with great reputations and are straight-up that are losing future prospects in bands because of this. What are your thoughts on this? Matt Bachand: I think its fine and the main reason is that most, if not all of these bands that do this need to go through major label channels anyway for distribution. Without major distribution, the CDs wouldn’t be in the stores and that’s the bottom line. These artist labels for the most part are an imprint of a major. All the artist does by cutting out the actual label is avoid major problems like having tour support cut on them, having artwork rejected, video budgets pulled, etc… They are more in control of their career. Which, ultimately everyone would like to do, have full control over their career choice. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: I ask every band this, care to share any memorable shows or tour stories, good or bad? Matt Bachand: I'd say the Beast Feast over in Tokyo Japan was definitely an experience to remember. Having shared the stage with Pantera and Slayer made it worthwhile in its own right. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: You’ve toured with some great bands, which was the most fun? Who was the worst, where you said to yourself “man, I can’t wait to jump on the next plane and go home”? Yes, we love gossip! (Laughs) Matt Bachand: They have all been fun. Kittie was great as well as the In Flames and Nevermore tour. It’s hard to pick a favorite. There are always times when you want to go home. Touring isn't all fun all the time but the worst day on the road is still a hell of a good time. Even when I do get home, I'm glad to be there for a while but 2 weeks later I am ready to go back out! Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Who comes up with the cover concepts and design? “Deadworld” is pretty deep. Matt Bachand: It always differs. We have had several artists over the years submitting several designs. The cover of "Deadworld" in particular was designed by the Japanese record company. Dawn/TheMetalWeb.com: Any final words for The Metal Web!? Matt Bachand: Dawn thanks for the support! See you all out on tour! Official site: http://www.shadowsfall.com HOME |
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