Matt Harvey, Guitarist and Vocals for Death Metal band Exhumed.
Exhumed Interview
1. Exhumed is getting ready for a Canadian Ritual Tour with The Black Dahlia Murder I am sure you are looking forward to it?
Definitely man! We always have a good time in Canada, and the two shows we did with TBDM in Europe were a lot of fun. Also, we haven’t played with Fuck The Facts in years, so it should definitely be a blast!
2. When will Exhumed beging writing new material?
We are already working on a new record, we have a handful of songs and a bunch of bits that will hopefully evolve into full songs when we get off the road and have a bit of time to get into writing mode. I’m really looking forward to getting to work on a new record – we’re hoping to get in the studio around Halloween this year.
3. What are your current endorsements?
Right now, our drummer Mike Hamilton works with Axis pedals, TRX cymbals and Ahead drumsticks, and Wes, Rob and I play Fernandes guitars. We are talking to a couple more people but with us spending so much time on the road, it’s been difficult to pursue anything too thoroughly.
4. What’s your vision on Social Media as a tool to promote and get your music out to the masses?
Ummm… I dunno man. That’s kind of more of a business-type question, haha! I just hope that people use it to connect with the band and also to dig deeper into our catalog and get more involved in what we do. I don’t think the kind of music we play is really for the masses or ever will be, but hopefully social media will make it more accessible to anyone that’s interested in checking it out.
5. How is the current Metal Scene in your area?
The scene in California is pretty strong, San Francisco and Los Angeles were two of the strongest shows we’ve played since the record has come out, and there are a ton of good bands that we play / party with.
6. What could we find interesting in your Music collection in 2012?
Well, I listen to all sorts of music, lately I’ve been on an 80’s cheese-pop binge, lots of Belinda Carlisle, Prince, Chicago, Phil Collins, Madonna, and shit like that. I also listen to a lot of really mellow stuff like Nick Drake, Grouper, Hammock, Talkdemonic, Team Ghost, Beach House, as well as a lot of 70s hard rock / metal like Blue Oyster Cult, Thin Lizzy, Aerosmith, Angels, Rose Tattoo, shit like that. And I’m always listening to my favorite NWOBHM, Thrash, old-school Death Metal / Grind stuff as well as ton of shoegaze / Death Rock stuff like My Bloody Valentine, Moose, Catherine Wheel, The Cure, Bauhaus, Joy Division, noisy rock like Dinosaur Jr, Guided By Voices, Flaming Lips, really all kinds of stuff man. Mostly stuff from the 60s through the early 90s though – not too much current music, especially underground metal – except for my friends’ bands really…
7. Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician?
On tour, there’s a lot of napping, sitting in the car, trying to read, in-jokes, eating fast food, changing guitar strings, boring shit like that – and then a few hours of drinking leading up to the 30-60 minutes of release from being onstage, haha!
8. Are there any future products or projects we will see from you?
Well, I’m always working on something. Hopefully we can get a new Dekapitator album going as well as another project, Cadaverizer that I’m working on with our original drummer, Col Jones. I’m also working on some stuff with our other guitar player Wes that is more in the Shoegaze / Alternative kind of direction, which is pretty fun. Right now, Exhumed is pretty much dominating my time, especially since we’re on the road so much.
9. Any advice for musicians that are starting in the music industry?
Ummm… Don’t think of it as a career or anything like that – think of it more as a labor of love. Do it for the right reasons and stick to doing what you believe in. Stay objective, and push yourself to improve, but never compromise your vision. Odds are, you probably won’t succeed financially, so you need to put that out of your mind as a motivating factor. If you don’t believe in your music, you’re just wasting everybody’s time if you’re focused on “making it” or whatever.
Check out Exhumed Online http://www.facebook.com/ExhumedOfficial
Exhumed Halifax, NS The Pavillion PHOTOS
Exhumed Interview | Matt Harvey Wes Caley on All Guts, No Glory
The Black Dahlia Murder Interview: Trevor Strnad on Touring