Powerman 5000 – Spider (vocals)
POWERMAN 5000 have just released Somewhere on the Other Side of Nowhere, the cyber-rockers’ 7th album. The collection finds the band diving back into the industrialized sounds of their earlier work. SMNnews spoke with frontman Spider and asked him about the new record.
Your last album was a bit too “punk” for a lot of your fans. How much of an ego blow was that?
I won’t say it was an ego blow, but more of a learning experience. That “punk” record was something I felt like I had to get off my chest and looking back now I clearly see why fans rejected it. They were right!! But doing that record helped me see what Powerman 5000 should be.
Did you ever consider putting the Powerman 5000 name to bed and continue in that stripped-down direction?
Not really. I want to be able to take chances with the band without feeling like it has to be an entirely different group. Not to mention once I stripped it down I knew pretty quickly that it was time to build it back up.
You’ve returned to that classic PM5K sound on this new album. The material has that pulsating, industrial tempo running through it. When you’re writing, do you use loops and write riffs over that?
There is no formula. Sometimes it will start with the electronics and sometimes we build off guitars and add the fun stuff later.
You have a song called “V Is For Vampire” which is really timely. Were you inspired by the pop culture craze around the Twilight books and movies?
It is timely but purely by accident! That song was the first song we wrote for the record and it was right before the whole vampire craze. Though, if a legion of tween Twilight fans want to become Powerman fans it’s OK with me!
Who is playing in the band now and how heartbreaking has it been that you’ve had a lot of issues in that department?
The line up is strong right now! On guitar is Velkro and Evan Rodan. On bass is Gustavo Aued and G Flash is on drums. I’ve gotten use to so many changes over the years. It’s hard to keep a line up together but I think in some ways it is an advantage. New people bring new ideas and it makes the concept of the band itself bigger that the individuals.
You played around 3-4 new songs at last night’s Hollywood show. How did it feel playing those? The crowd really reacted positively considering the album didn’t hit stores yet.
I know! People are really responding to the new stuff, not to mention the new songs are a blast to play live. I couldn’t be happier.
Aren’t you glad you don’t have to wear one of those masks/helmets on stage? They look really uncomfortable!
They are brutal! And yes I am glad I don’t have to wear one!
What’s next for Spider? Do you see yourself doing more of the hosting stuff in between tours?
Absolutely! I love my gig with FEARnet! I get to go to great events and talk to such cool people, I interviewed Mark Hammill! Fucking Luke Skywalker!! You can’t beat that!
I want to do as many things in this life as possible. Music is my main thing but I’m up for anything!
Pick up Somewhere on the Other Side of Nowhere here.
By Chuck Knorr
(+1 rating, 1 votes)
Hell yeah, I remember buying Tonight The Stars Revolt! way back in middle school. Will have to check this new one out.