MEDIA
Review 3
Pee Zine #33
Interview by Gordoh
Playing with Adelaide bands Seraphs Coal, Thinktank, Edison, and I Killed the Prom Queen since late 2000 has helped rock band Mere Theory (MT) hone their live skills, and their unique sound, captured on the EPs Towering Sun and more recently Disengage has won them fans around the world. Capacity shows with Millencolin, Unwitten Law and nationwide tours with Alexisonfire, Rufio, Gyroscope and After the Fall have recently exposed thousands more people to Mere Theory’s explosive live performance. Hopeful of obtaining the success enjoyed by their friends Gyroscope and After the Fall, the band is now hard at work writing and demoing new songs in readiness for their first album.
Mere Theory is:
Ryan Paterson, Vocals
Nigel Black, Guitar, Vocals
Matt Adey, Bass, Vocals
Ritchie Wise, Drums
Pee contributor Gordoh caught up with Mere Theory at a Chinese restaurant in the city and he asked them these questions:
You recently got to play the CAT Essential Stage at the Adelaide Big Day Out, where you were really well received by a large crowd of 3000 people. Did you enjoy that experience? Do you think you could get used to bigger stages?
Nigel Black (NB): It was a great show, and an unexpected response. I couldn't believe the amount of people that arrived at our stage so early that day. It was a great thing to play to so many of our own people. I enjoyed our set immensely and I hope the people walked away with a positive vibe for the start of their BDO. Ryan Paterson (RP): It was a great experience, I love big stages. The attention is cool but as long as people see it for what it is, just four guys playing music they enjoy.
What do you hope people will take away from a MT live show?
NB: Hopefully they get something positive from our live show. We put out a lot of energy on stage. Hopefully people enjoy it and move on feeling pumped or inspired or locked in thought. Mostly I hope that that they enjoy themselves.
RP: What ever they want, it’s their show!
Ritchie Wise (RW): I hope they’re blown away by the feeling and the power of Mere Theory
Matt Adey (MA): A smile, feeling of happiness and a thought that life is just so damn good.
Did anyone at the BDO rock your world?
NB: It was great to see System of a Down and Le Tigre, and the Beasties were the highlight for me. I was not overly stoked on the lineup at this year’s BDO, but I had a great day.
MA: Um, to tell you the truth I really wasn’t taken back by many of the bands at this year’s BDO. I thought Wolfmother were really interesting, and my favourite Adelaide band and long time friends I Killed The Prom Queen were awesome! I did miss a lot of bands that day but it was good to just hang out with all our friends.
RP: Slipnot
What’s been the most enjoyable MT tour to date?
NB: The Alexisonfire shows in Sydney were awesome. There was a great vibe, our favourite local acts played, and we played well. The show was sold out solid.
MA: I thought the Rufio tour was a lot of fun; they were really nice guys to hang out with. Plus we got to go skating at Liverpool in Sydney. Watching Nigel almost drown when he was surfing at Bondi was pretty entertaining too!
RW: The Gyroscope tour in Western Australia was awesome. Great people and a friendly place. Get yourself to WA people!
What’s your favourite MT song?
NB: My favourite to play is ‘Replacement’; it has a good vibe from the first hit. My favourite to hear I think would be 'Freedom in mind'. It’s hard to play, but I enjoy the emotional feeling and the lyrical content; all the instruments and vocals are in full use.
RP: Probably ‘Stranger’ off the Towering Sun EP. It’s a well-balanced song… and I didn’t sing it originally!
RW: ‘Freedom in mind’, because we’re all pushing the whole way. Its really intense, and all the instruments are going hard.
Triple J (the National Youth Radio Station) recently picked MT as part of their ‘Next Crop’ of emerging Australian artists. Can you remember where you were the first time you heard one of your songs on the radio?
NB: In bed listening to Short.Fast.Loud (Triple J). There is no doubt; it’s weird to hear yourself on radio. For me, its always hard to listen to my own music outside the studio or off the stage.
RP: Um, I think I was in my bed trying to sleep.
MA: We were stoked to find that out and we’d like to thank Triple J for that privilege. I think the first time I heard us on the radio was on (community station) 3D 93.7 and it was really weird.
What are you listening to at the moment?
MA: Q and Not U – Different Damage.
RP: Radiohead, Nirvana, A Perfect Circle, Muse.
RW: Kill Switch Engage, Unearthed, 36 Crazy Fists.
NB: Always a large range; Weakerthans, Interpol, Cursive, Physics, Iron Maiden, do make say think.
Are there any Australian bands that you recommend PEE readers check out?
MA: After the Fall, Gyroscope, My Disco, Forzi Liandri, Realist Few
RW: Realist Few, Kiss Chasey, Trial Kennedy
You’ve released two independent EPs to date (Towering Sun in 2003, and Disengage in 2004). Is it time for an album yet?
RP: Yes indeed my friend, yes indeed
NB: Yeah, we’re in the process of demoing and writing for an album. We are very happy with the new material and hope to begin recording soon enough. The 2 EP's are still selling well, which is great. I think we’re into the third pressing of both EP’s.
Do you prefer song writing, recording or playing live?
NB: For me it is a mix, I love playing shows, but my biggest kick is nailing that song down, having those vocal melodies fill me with the song, sitting back, breathing out and feeling that the song is finished. It’s an amazing thing when we are all in the zone and on the edge of finishing a song; that’s when I’m at my best.
MA: All have their pros/cons. Song writing and recording is like creating something from the air, from a blank canvas to a work of art. Playing live is showing that finished work to people who enjoy it and who want to share that experience with you.
NB: Touring hard, recording the album then looking to tour overseas.
RP: What don’t we have planned?
RW: Writing lots of new material, strong tours, find a label for the new album
MA: Record an album of songs that we really love!
I heard you’re generating interest from record labels – Truth or rumour?
NB: That is the rumour we have heard from various people in the industry. We’ve had no formal discussions, but its great that there is so much interest in what we are doing and what we plan to do.
MA: If they’re interested in helping us get us in front of more people, that’s great!
Complete this sentence: Australia today, tomorrow….
RW: The world – naturally!
MA: The United States of America!
NB: … back to work.
Any last words?
NB: Huge shout out to Pete Pee. Gyroscope and After the Fall.
MA: To my family and friends - thank you for all your support, everyone that comes to shows and buys our music, also the DTD crew!
RP: Cheers Pete.
RW: Cheers Gordoh