Interview with Jonny from Car Bomb, by Jen

Let's start off with the basics, who is Car Bomb? When did you get together? How did you guys meet? Give me all of the history. You guys were two separate bands if I understand correctly?
OK – Car Bomb is Mike (vocals), Greg (guitar), Elliot (drums), and Jonny (bass) - we sort of formed around 2002 – it started off as a project with a completely different lineup (with me being the only consistent member) – Through various changes, I ended up recruiting the guitar player (greg) and singer (mike) from the Long Island band Neck. We started writing tunes from scratch again and then we hit another brick wall…the drummer left – After taking a year or so off, we were finally able to find a replacement and brought Elliot in from my old band Spooge. The two bands had been friendly in the late 90’s – we used to rehearse in the same space under this butcher shop on Long Island. We’d play shows together and really respected each other’s music. When it came time for me to replace all these musician’s that kept leaving (for legitimate reasons – no real drama or personality clashes or anything like that J), the Neck guys were my first choice – then it was just a matter of getting Elliot on board.
Do you guys have a sound of kinda both the bands you were in before, or do you have a completely different sound?
I don’t think we really sound like either band – Spooge was a Mr. Bungle meets Frank Zappa meets Primus with overtones of death metal – Neck was a more a progressive hardcore / metal band – Car Bomb is a lot heavier than both bands – focusing on crazy odd-meter rhythms mixed with blasting – We’re trying to experiment a lot, but keep the music really heavy. We’re all trying new things though and break out of our traditional playing styles – Elliot is creating some innovative blast beats to compliment his groove playing skills – Greg is a freakin mad scientist when it comes to using effects – I’m playing tons of distorted bass – and Mike is just all over the place!!!
For someone who never heard you, how would you describe your music?
If you carefully placed your head in between the back of 2 turbine engines that were spitting gravel into your skull, it might be close to what we sound like.
Your sound clips are amazing, I'm your newest biggest fan now. If I went to a Car Bomb show, what can I expect?
Expect that it’ll be LOUD…VERY VERY LOUD!!!!
Do you guys have a lot of shows? There is certainly a good scene in New York, there is no shortage of bands, do you agree?
There is certainly no shortage of bands in NY – I would certainly agree with that – The scene is pretty good as well – You get all the national acts in NYC and over the last few years, a bunch of them make it out to Long Island (greg and I live out here…Elliot is in Brooklyn and Mike in NJ) – So we pretty much get to see anyone we want to – The metal scene had gotten pretty bad in the late 90’s/early 2000, but I’m glad to say that it’s back in full force – There are some great people pushing for the scene out here…promoters, clubs, and of course the bands – It’s a community and we can’t wait to be a huge part of it!!!
Have you had some horrible, let's forget this night, shows?
Haha – not yet…but it’s bound to happen – gear problems are always a great way to make that happen – I’ll keep you posted!!!
Have you played with any bigger bands? How was that experience?
Well, we’re just starting to book shows, so not yet – however, we’re friendly with many bands that we are looking forward to hooking up with – I’m tight with the soilent green guys (I played bass on their 2002 Gwar tour). Greg is tight with the Dillinger Escape Plan guys – we know the Suffocation guys pretty well – and I’d be a fool if I didn’t mention Dave Witte (Human Remains, Discordance Axis, East West Blast Test, Burnt By The Sun, Municipal Waste) – He has been a long time friend of mine and Elliot’s – Can’t wait to hook up with him no matter what project he’s currently in!!!
Since you are a fairly newer band, how are you getting the word out about you guys? Do a lot of people stumble on the web site just from surfing?
Well, we’re doing the MySpace thing – just getting rolling with that – It’s time consuming, but we feel it is a pretty large community with lots and lots of potential. We’re also sending out press kits to as many domestic (and a few international) zines as possible and tons of college radio stations – Finally, we’re going to be playing…A LOT!!!! We have plans on doing little 4 day/long weekend gigs up and down the east coast this year – Just going to get our bearings for the live show in NY and then take it on the road!!! If there’s one thing I’ve learned about self promotion, it’s that you have to play shows/tour – There really is no better way to get the name out
Who comes up with the lyric's to the songs and what is the motivation for them?
Mike is the mastermind behind that task –According to him… “Motivation for actually writing comes from the song itself. Lyrical content comes from being awestruck by how fucking insane it is to be living and dying on this fucking planet. On this CD, the focus of the lyrics is mostly about how our minds are so easily molded and shaped by other people and organizations. I wanted lyrics that complimented the intensity of the music.“
On to your music, your clips sound kick ass. You have a 3 song sampler CD out now. When was that recorded? When were the songs written?
That was recorded in early/mid 2004 – Greg and I had been living in a house together and setup a home studio using Cubase – So, we saved the expense and did it all here – The songs had been written for a good year to year and a half prior to them being recorded – We were really just waiting to fill the drummer slot before we put our full efforts into the band – Ya know…it’s kinda tough without a drummer!!!
I said you guys reminded me of a heavier System of a Down. Is that a good comparison, or do you think that totally sucks that I even mentioned them?
Personally, I don’t see the resemblance – at least it was a reference to a ‘heavier’ System of a Down!!! A much much heavier version...hahaaa
Are you happy with the final outcome? Anything you would have done different?
The recording is good – it’s solid – but there are always ways to improve – We recorded this CD ass backwards – All of the guitars and vocals were recorded before the drums – Then having Elliot come in and record to the click track was rough – He did a hell of a job though!!! So for starters, we’d probably record the drums first!!!! The process of self recording was a learning experience. Greg was pretty much taking care of all the engineering and I think he did a great job – He’s very knowledgeable when it comes to Cubase, but he’ll be the first to tell you, that he could’ve done a better job – He’s funny like that – perfectionist in every way – It’s good though –
What about plans for a full length?
Another good question – We have about 30-40 minutes of material right now – We want to get another few songs done, but we were thinking May/June to begin laying down tracks and have it completed and out by the end of the year – Personally, I can’t wait – I love recording and I really think we’re gonna do a great job – The new tunes are outrageous – I think people are gonna be blown away!!-
Are you label shopping at this point, or are you going to come up with some more material first?
To be honest, we’re taking a very DIY approach to this band. Recording, booking, promoting - all done in house – We’re about to do a bunch of merchandise…all in house – Let’s see how far we can take it without a label and let’s see if anyone is even interested!!! One step at a time, right??
What are your plans for 2005?
Shows…Shows…Shows…Record…Record…Record…DESTROY… DESTROY … DESTROY
What top 5 albums have you guys been listening to non-stop?
Greg’s top 5 - Blonde Redhead – Misery is a Butterfly, Autolux – Future Perfect, Necrophagist – Epitaph, Fennesz – Venice, Autechre – Draft 7.30
Mike’s top 5 – Mars Volta – frances the mute, The Minor Times, The Walkman – Bows & Arrows, Norma Jean – O ‘God, The Aftermath, William Shatner – Has Been
Elliot’s top 5 – John Mclaughlin – Live In Paris, Prefuse 73 – All, Alan Holdsworth – Live in Florida (’89 Bootleg), Squarepusher – Ultravisitor, Meshuggah – ‘I’
Jonny’s top 5 – John Kaada/Mike Patton – Romances, Frank Zappa – Uncle Meat, Bjork – Medulla, Naked City – Torture Garden, Human Remains – Where Were You When
Anything final?
Just want to thank you for the interest and for help spread the word – Please check out our website for current news and tidbits – Again, we’ll be having some merch for sale soon (www.carbomb.us) and if you live anywhere between Florida and Maine, there’s a good chance we’ll be in your neck of the woods this year!!! Oh, and thanks for popping our cherry!!!
http://www.carbomb.us/
http://www.myspace.com/carbomb
http://www.myspace.com/carbombcult