07-12-2009Interviews - Poison The Well
Lately I shut my ears of to things because everything seems sort of homogenised - Rocksnail talks to Poison The Well
This hasn't though, to surprise in many quarters, equated to commercial success but the band still plug away, combating numerous line-up changes, signing then distancing themselves from major label Atlantic and eventually ending up at the powerhouse label Ferret Records. Rocksnail catches up with founding member guitarist Ryan Primack ahead of their support slot on 36 Crazyfists headline show in Manchester.
Where do you start with a band that has had more ups and downs than a bipolar sufferer, there is no easy answer but talking to a seemingly happy although very busy Primack cements a confidence within their current uniquely situated standings. 'I don't know where we fit. I know the way we run our band, the way we look at things are still firmly rooted in the hardcore scene but I guess sonically were somewhere outside somewhere inside of this scene.'
When asked about how the band felt about the early acclaim and subsequent weight of expectation that was placed upon them after 'The Opposite Of December' Ryan explains, 'We didn't really pay a lot of attention to it, so it probably hindered the cause. A lot of bands pay attention to what people are saying and what people think they should do and where they should go with their music and what they want to hear, rather than being stubbornly idealistic about just playing what they want to play and being 100 percent honest. Because we've always kept changing it may have hindered our success' But in all honesty for the true PTW fan it is this diversity and unique approach to the genre that truly appeals and as Primack relates to us it's a feeling that's mutual,'The reason were not on Atlantic anymore is because we weren't willing to let them have a say, my outlook on the industry was shit before then anyway though.' It's a frank and honest assessment of their former home but a further look into his and the band' ethos helps to explain it.
'Lately I shut my ears of to things because everything seems sort of homogenised in this day and age with every band spitting out the same kinda things, finding a good band is hard in this day and age, we can't all be the Jonas Brothers' he jokes. To find that his current influences range from Clint Eastwood epics to surf maybe offers some light as to why they felt the outsider in Atlantic. 'Surf Music and spaghetti western soundtrack music, lately I've bin on a really old hardcore records, Born Against, really noisy stuff like that. Shit pop music like Joe Jackson which is awesome, most people are like 'that's my dad's music' but I like everything. My favourite hardcore band are half a reggae band, the bad brains are a really psycho frenetic version of a hardcore band. That band I certainly brought something away from, the whole idea of being in a hardcore band is playing what you want to play if people like it then they like it if people hate it then they hate it but at least it's honest.' And in terms of progression, 'Things we want to accomplish have changed, ok let's just get together in the garage and whatever comes out comes out.'
Just one look at the members list on Wikipedia shows the disruption that has attached itself to PTW, but there is an assurance exuded that this current line-up is perhaps the best situated to really achieve the successes that were once predicted from them. 'The new guitarist has a really positive effect, especially in this current line up, Brad has had some really good ideas, they are all full members of the band now and recorded with us so it kinda takes the pressure off me.' The momentum has lead to an affirmation in their DIY roots so even if they don't manage to ever sell out stadiums across the world you get the sense that to these guys it just wouldn't matter to much. Out on the road they feel comfortable and it is only when Primack talks about the industry in a more specific way that his scepticism seeps in. 'Finances, its hard with the way the economy is, everything is expensive, our other guitarist and Geoff do merch (Ryan is currently acting as PTW's tour manager). A lot of people at the shows are a little taken back that we don't have anyone out with us, we'll we have one, our sound guy. I guess that's a good investment to sound good.' And just how exactly is the tour unfolding?, ' Everyone's really psyched, there's a bit of getting our sea legs back because we only played two shows previous.'
Speaking to someone with such an attitude, to me, encompasses the values that were originally attatched to the hardcore scene and although the band may not be one hundred percent situated within this genre is a way of life that they subscribe wholly to. 'I've always bin poor so I thought why change. All of us have had tings come to a grinding halt in our personal lives because of what we do for a living. I think for us some of the first good things that happened to our band were because of downloading, even in the 90's everyone used to make mix tapes, and personally you make so little money from selling records I really don't have a problem with downloading, If you really like a band going to see them on tour is much more supportive than buying a record. If you really like a band and really like the record then go buy it, the people who get really pissed off are the people who can't sell shit records anymore, at least now people can free sample and if they like it they'll buy it if they don't they won't and it doesn't really matter because if its good it will stand up.'
With a new album, The Tropic Rot set for release via Ferret on June 16th the band could be about to write a new chapter in their already illustrious history book.
06-12-2009Album review - Poison The Well
The Tropic Rot looks set to stay in place
Poison The Well's last album 'Versions' promised so much on paper, the concept the covers all seemed so flawless yet in reality it didn't work out exactly to plan. Though not totally unfocussed and untenable it was definitely no instant classic. All that has been pushed aside though with the new release 'The Tropic Rot' which is quite possibly the nearest rival to 'The Opposite Of December' in terms of its focus and raw aggression.
There isn't one bad track on offer on 'The Tropic Rot' and there is only the odd occasion where things relent to a point somewhere near the middle of the road, the fact that 'Celebrate The Pyre' is a good song all round but is the albums weakest track speaks volumes for everything else being pumped out of your speaker system. Historically PTW have made their name on the discordant and abject nature of their metal workings and have always pioneered new approaches with their subsequent releases. Rather than totally flip the PTW axis on its head the band have delved back into their illustrious past and have chosen to pick and choose particular aspects of their success and carefully piece them together to create The Tropic Rot.
Opening track 'Exist Underground' is textbook PTW of old with its rampant hardcore guitar patterns and a throaty scream from vocalist Jeff which is contrasted with lush vocals that although not sang with the greatest convictive melody fit well within the album opener. It is the way in which each member manages to use their instrument as an intrinsic paradigm to each other member, knowing when and where to accentuate the heaviness and when to delve into obscurity.
'Sparks It Will Rain' follows up exactly where the previous track left off and rolls between aggressive hardcore enthused vocals to the eerily indicative sung vocals. The rolling toms provide variation upon the beats and allow the guitars to flex extra muscle in diverting from the standard paths. 'Cinema' was uploaded not so long ago and gave fans an idea of what to expect on The Tropic Rot. Having been given so much exposure via their MySpace the only thing extra of note is the exquisite ability of lyricism being imparted in the song.
'Pamplemousse' is a slower more punk rock driven affair with the bass and drum introduction being strangely addictive in their ability to haunt. Like many other classics these are songs that have impact from the off but as I sit here listening to it for the umpteenth time it still grows, sinks its claws in deeper and manages to gain even more appreciation with every listen. 'Who Doesn't Like a Good Dismemberment' doesn't reflect its tongue in cheek title and like many deathcore acts obsessed with such topics this operates in a far superior field of existence. This is controlled aggression and restraint being imparted through music at its very best.
There is a distinct country vibe on that slithers throughout the album appearing in sections and in segmented form, apart from in 'When You Lose All Is Well' which has an acoustic country riff filled with slides and that tinny twang rattling through again the vocals become the songs centrepiece amongst a majestic background. 'Makeshift Clay You' is the final aggressive outpouring on The Tropic Rot and is a standout track that epitomises firstly what PTW have tried to encompass on this album and secondly why they are elevated to the hardcore hero's that they are today. For fans there is no need to say already, I'm sure your copies are already becoming well worn although if you are new to the world of Poison The Well this is a good a places as any to start.
