Chitchating with Will from MuckRaker

A versão em Português desta entrevista foi publicada em exclusivo no site da Som do Rock. Podem lê-la aqui.

\m/

Atlanta’s Blue Collar Metal MuckRaker will release on January 16th “Karmageddon” (in Europe via Eternal Sound Records, American release was in 2014). This sophomore work had already granted them a place in top 5 best albums in thatmetalstation.com, along with some pretty good reviews. I must say this was my first contact with MuckRaker’s work but for what I’ve read it keeps the same path as the previous “Big Black Bus”. Basically Stoner/Southern Metal with lots of groove and energy, served with a sharp language. Because of that I thought it would be better to listen than to write, so I asked a few questions of Bassist, Lead Vocalist, and Songwriter Will Price.

Davi: Hello Will, first of all let me thank you for your time.

Will: And thank you Davi for this opportunity to speak with you about MuckRaker.

D: Before we head to “Karmageddon” a quick question about Eternal Sound Records. Why this label? Did you had other offers?

W:  I was contacted by someone at the label through Facebook. They were googling Stoner Metal bands and came across our album cover for “Karmageddon”. She liked the cover art, and started listening to MuckRaker on Youtube and loved what she heard.

No, no other offers. But when they told me what they wanted to do as in terms of releasing us in Europe, I became very excited and decided to sign a deal with Eternal.

D: Now about your work, it’s easy to perceive that most of (if not all) your lyrics have a criticizing tone, covering a wide range of social aspects. True?

W: I like to write about historical events, as well as issues facing us today. I try to do it in a way that is intelligent and well thought out. You will never hear any “fuck society” type of thing with MuckRaker. Many of the lyrics are current events made into stories about peasants and kings, the rich and poor, pretend profits and the people who are fooled by them, etc.

D: What are your intentions with your songs? To mock with society, to raise awareness, both?

W: I am very political. I think society is very important. It is a collective that binds us. Awareness does need to be raised. Too many people spend too much time with bread and circus. People need to be engaged with society, not just entertained by it.

D: The subject in each song can be applied worldwide, not only in your country. Is it intentional?

W: It is intentional. Corporations have taken over the world. In “Rusticus (The Alarm Part 2)”, I speak of something called Afluenza. It is the sickness of the rich. The idea that being affluent somehow makes you superior to the rest of society, as if chosen by a deity. The American dream used to be owning a home, putting your kids through college debt free, and being able to comfortably retire someday. Now, the American dream is get as rich as you can and fuck everyone else. This dream is spreading throughout the globe. It is a sickness.

D: Despite focusing on serious matters, your songs are very fun and cheerful. Don’t get me wrong but I compare you to medieval jesters. Am I right?

W: MuckRaker is about spreading a message, but it is also about having fun. I like songs you can sing along with, as well as bang your head and mosh to. And I like your medieval reference. But we are not jesters by any means. We are the ones who put the poison in the King’s wine.

D: Although playing Southern/Stoner Metal you use other influences. We can tell there are, for instance, Punk and Prog parts. What are your main influences?

W: With the exception of their new album, "I love The Sword". Their first 2 albums were heavily influenced by The Game of Thrones. I am a huge fan of the show and the novels. The inventors of heavy metal, Black Sabbath, have been the major source of my love for this genre. Down, COC, and Clutch are also long time loves of mine. Growing up, one of my brothers used to listen to Lynyrd Skynyrd and AC/DC all the time, and I love those as well. Rush, Iron Maiden, and Molly Hatchet have also played a huge role with my musical direction.

D: Now about that last track “Too Much Metal For One Hand“. Is it some type of tribute to your fans or just a statement of you as a band?

W: Neither. It’s about all of us. Musician and metal head alike. It’s about growing up and being bound to a style of music that the rest of the world hates and being proud of it. Pissing off your neighbors, moshing in the woods, going to places to play or hear a band where they don’t give a shit about the band who is performing. Disrespect every inch of the way, yet we keep doing it. We keep playing. We keep listening. It’s because metal is in our bones. And no one can ever take that away.

D: Well Will, we have come to the end of our chitchat. Again, thank you for your time and now it’s time for you to leave a message to the ones reading this. Make it count.

W: Just go out and support musicians. Metal is our life’s blood. Every big name band was once a local band. True story. And check out some of our videos please. I made them myself.

W: And thank you for reaching out my new friend. Peace to you and yours.

-Will

\m/