9MM Solution's is a hardcore heavy metal rock band that is shredding their skills and knowledge and abilities to show everyone in the music world that they can create music that's both edgey and catchy and draws in the crowd and they have done just that when they talk to me about their upcoming plans for the 2009 year!
1. Could you tell us more about the history of the band, how things started.
Well I had an idea for the band I wanted back in 2000 and got with this guy and that guy and started to write songs I felt were more how can I say stuff you can hear on the radio and stuff that would be heavy as well. We had some line-up changes and then meet Hobbes who wanted to fill in at the time. He liked what we were doing so much he joined, we started demoing with him and really saw some good stuff and then decided to keep going in that direction.
2. How did the name 9mm Solution come about, does it have a meaning behind it?
We were trying to come up with a cool name and couldn't think of anything much. Our drummer at the time called me and said, “Hey I got this name,” told me, and I was like “That is it.” Also he and our singer are gun freaks.
3. You've recently released your new album "The Dream Is Dead," where did you record it, who produced it, and are you still satisfied with the songs, production and artwork? Can you tell us more about the recording process? How are the reactions on this so far?
We did basic tracks at Mercenary Studios with Scott Creekmore and mixed and mastered with Chris Wisc at Studio One. We also had Tim King (Soil) produce some tracks that were already done from previous demos we had done with King and were mixed by Ulrich Wild (Soil, Static-X). And yeah, for the budget we had to work with, it turned out well. The process was a little hard cuz with Tim's schedule and money we had to come up with, it took a long time almost 2 years in the process. We had to tweak the artwork due to a line up change and just we wanted a different look to it than what we had.
4. Who writes the lyrics, what are they about? Is there any concept in them? Are the lyrics an important aspect of the band or are they just there to guide the music?
We all kinda of write lyrics now and again, and we try to let our singer mainly write them, but if I have something I need to get out, we work between the both of us. And yeah, they are very important I think. You need to tell a story and all our lyrics are very personal. They are taken from our life experiences, break ups, exes, you get the vibe.
5. How did you get in contact with "Rock Ridge Music?" Are there any other artists on that label that you guys are friends with or have worked with before?
The guys in Psychostick helped us and we are friends with them. They got us in contact with Rock Ridge.
6. When it comes down to writing a new song or an album what's the process like?
I usually have a chorus riff or a vocal riff and present it to the band and then we all kinda put our two cents in and just start to arrange it. We go through a long process of writing to make sure it's not something we just spit out.
7. What tours have you done in the past? What tours are going to take place or are there plans for a tour as a support for a "bigger" band?
We have a tour with our label mates that I mentioned before, but haven't done a real tour as of yet.
8. Tell some of your experiences playing live.
Oh man, that's loaded one. The bad stuff like breaking strings or amps going out on ya or our singer falling off the stage and busting his shoulder to the point of surgery.... But the fun stuff is when we get drunk people who come right up to us while we are playing and flash us or just being stupid -- that stuff cracks me up every time. We also did a direct support slot for Five Finger Death Punch which rocked.
9. What are your expectations for "9mm Solution in the future?
Just to work hard and hopefully it will all pay off. I have been doing this for 20 years now and would really like it to get to the point of just playing and paying my rent.
10. What do you guys do when you're not out on the road? Do you guys work or school?
Some of us have kids and most of us work as well, so we usually hang in town and write and play shows all the time. Just keep busy and keep the bus moving forward.
11. Are there any cool bizarre stories you would like to share with us?
I think I shared those with you already, but again some of them I don't remember you do so many shows I start to forget.
12. Could you give me a top 5 of your favorite albums of all-time and a top 5 of your current favorite records?
Not in this order but 1. forbidden twisted into form, 2. death human, 3. white snake white snake, 4. Ozzy diary of a madman 5. Alice cooper flush the fashion. Current 1. threat signal, 2. nevermore dreaming neon black, 3. mnemic passenger, 4. slipknot new one, 5. nothing face skeletons.
13. What's your opinion on the whole music industry scene right now? Like do you think they're trying their hardest to get albums out on shelves and not seek their way onto the net?
The industry is hurting right now and partly due to the downloads and the stealing of music. I think if you have a major behind you, yeah, they are going to try to get it on the shelf, but the smaller labels don't have that kind of power. It's a big mess. What they should do is charge everyone 99 cents or a buck for whenever anything is downloaded and get the money back into the hands of the artist so they can continue to make music for the fans. But the net is so huge and that is where the business really is right now the kids are Internet junkies and that is how they live.
14. How do you think the recession is affecting musicians like yourself? Is it at all?
Oh, hell yeah. We can't afford the stuff we need to, so we can tour properly and sustain us as a group, instead of taking your money and putting into your pocket to pay rent it's going in the gas tank or to rent a van.
15. What are your upcoming plans for the '09 year?
To tour and work the album the way it should be worked granted we have the money. With the way of the world, who knows, we all maybe dead tomorrow.
16. What is currently playing on your iPod or CD Player?
Filter.
17. What do you think about all these different sub cultures such as "emo kids, scene kids, metal-heads, punks, goths, etc?"
Well, I think there are to many subclasses and that is part of what is killing music. People judge before they listen, and if it is already classed for them, it will never get the proper listen. You know, like, “Hey, check these guys out.” “Oh, they’re emo. Forget it.” Too many labels put on these bands. Back in my day, if it was metal, you dug it. If it was punk, you dug it. But it was all music and that is the problem.
18. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this interview, any thoughts or comments?
Thank you for the opportunity and just give our album a listen and Rock Ridge will have it out everywhere on June 9th. Thank you again.
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