Interview with MYKEY MASSACRE
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about MYKEY MASSACRE (Members, Starting Year etc).
So I'm actually a solo artist...I pretty much do everything myself and have been doing so for about 6 years; when I started self recording/self producing my own songs. I've been creating/recording music since I was in my early teens and played in bands into my early 20's, but I started releasing music under my solo artist brand "Mykey Massacre" in 2021.
You have recently released your EP ''Just Let Me Rot''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
It's still early into the release as it's only been out roughly 6 weeks at the time of this interview, but feedback is good! My audience seems to really enjoy and it and I even got a request from a fan to play it earlier this month when I was performing a solo set live...unfortunately, I wasn't able to honor the request because I didn't have a band to back me up, but hopefully at some point in the future!
Label or DIY and why?
I'm all about DIY for pretty much everything. When it comes to business, I'm not exactly the smartest guy around and although labels can be quite helpful in terms of expanding your reach and broadening your audience, I feel there's always those hidden loopholes that I wouldn't understand or catch onto when I'm reading over a contract that will come bite me in the ass at a later date. With a DIY approach you also have complete control and get to benefit from all the proceeds of your work...but, if I'm being completely honest, if a label approached me and wanted to collaborate with me, I'd be so flattered that I'd probably jump on the opportunity hahaha.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
When I was recording vocals for my song "Things Are Bad" this past Spring, I was really struggling to find the way I wanted to perform and execute them. I was in my vocal booth for hours throughout several different sessions just experimenting. I was starting to get frustrated and my voice was completely shot, but I was so determined to just finish this song and move on. I wanted to do a few more takes before I called it a day and because my voice was so shot at the time, it took on a unique quality to it and that wound up being the vocal sound that you hear on the song. The sound I was looking for in my head finally started to come out after my voice was hoarse and shot from recording all day. I was incredibly happy with how it turned out, but the only issue is I now struggle mightily to replicate that hoarse yelling throat-y style because I was only able to achieve it after spending hours destroying my voice.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Nowadays, I think digital format is key as that's how most consumers listen to their music...it's also much cheaper and takes up less real estate (hoarding CDs in your closet ain't fun). However, as a consumer, I always prefer to have a physical copy of something so I can truly feel like I own it. I've put a lot of thought into pressing my music to vinyl or CDs, but I just don't think it's a sound investment for me to do so just yet...emphasis on "yet".
Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
My all time favorite band is Judas Priest and has been since I was 3 years old (shoutout to my Uncle for introducing me to them). My biggest influences these days are Inepsy, Midnight and BAT. These bands are my "big 3" of bands that really influence my sound and style. Basically any band that encapsulates that early 80's speed/thrash/NWOBHM metal sound as well as that hardcore/crust punk sound is a band I'm down with.
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
It's tough to answer that question definitively as what one deems as a "sacrifice" differs from person to person. One thing I vehemently feel you should NEVER sacrifice, however, is your morals and character aka don't be a sellout. As for my own sacrifices, it's mostly monetary and financial sacrifices as I self fund everything I do because I'm a solo artist, but back when I was in a traditional band, I was also the main financial backer.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
No, I have not, but hope to someday. My ideal live performance would, first off, include everything going right...no gear malfunctions, me not butchering any of my solos, etc. Secondly, I would love it if every person who influenced my music...whether it be someone a song is directly about or people who just inspire me to continue to create, would be in the audience attending the gig. Sounds simple, but that's my ideal setting.
What attributes do you think that a new Heavy Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
I think we're at a point where pretty much everything has been done and it's very difficult for anyone to truly stand out anymore on their music alone. Often times, visual gimmicks and unique performances help set these bands apart. For example, the band Nekrogoblikon has a very unique live presentation as well as the band Frozen Soul...they have a gimmick where they make the entire audience do push ups during one of their songs. It's things like that which can help a band standout more...or by incorporating different instrumentation into your songs like saxophone. Saxophone is one of my absolute favorite instruments and I always wondered why it wasn't experimented more in Heavy Metal on a more permanent basis, not just a feature here or there.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Heavy Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
I think digital platforms help immensely in terms of getting your name out there and growing your audience...that's how I'm doing it as I don't really perform live yet. Yes, they do rob you blind as you get paid a fraction of a fraction of a penny per stream, but I always look it as a tool for exposure rather than a tool for monetary gain...I look elsewhere for that, such as my session work. I think Spotify, Apple Music and Youtube are the leaders of the digital streaming world these days and I suggest those be the focal points. Instagram is also a key promotion tool to introduce your music to people. Be consistent and organized with all of your releases and posts...use metadata, hashtags, employ release strategies based on statistics and all that super not fun, annoying stuff...but it is necessary nowadays.
Do you see any differences between the US Metal Market & the EU Metal Market (Labels, Bands, Fans etc)?
I'm not too familiar with how things are done overseas, but I do feel like they do have a bit of a greater appreciation for Heavy Metal in Europe over the states, especially the newer artists and bands that employ an old school sound, such as myself. Believe it or not, my biggest following seems to be in Central and South America. Now THEY really appreciate some good rock n roll down there!
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Brooklyn, New York (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Actually, the underground scene here in Brooklyn has gotten pretty good. Way better than what it was 15-20 years ago when I was performing a lot more. I think a lot of it has to do with the time period we're in as well. Everything is cyclical and we seem to be in a period right now where making old school sounding heavy metal is almost a real thing again and there are quite a few good local heavy acts as well as venues around here. Unfortunately, Saint Vitus Bar did close down earlier this year, but there's still some other great venues around like Lucky 13, Shillelagh Tavern, The Meadows, The Kingsland, just to name a few. Go check out Satanic Magick and Finix...they're both pretty bad ass!
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
I do not, but please enlighten me!
In the last 4 years, worldwide in the world, we have faced many dark, strange, and new situations in our everyday lives (covid, lockdown, etc.). Did all of this affect you positively or negatively?
The past 4 years have actually been immensely difficult for me on a personal level beyond anything I could've imagined...but, I don't wanna drown y'all in negativity right now, that's what my music is for! As crazy as this sounds and has horrible as the 2020 pandemic was, I did try and use all of that down time being cooped up in my apartment as an opportunity to educate myself on how to become a better audio engineer and music producer. I spent pretty much all of the pandemic learning and putting into practice so that I can be as self sufficient as possible when it comes to music production. That time led me to where I am now, where I pretty much record, produce and mix all of my own music.
What are your future plans?
In terms of the Mykey Massacre brand, my main goal in 2025 is to focus on starting to perform some live gigs...I'm (not so) quietly rounding up a band together with some of my homies so I can finally start playing my songs, which have been out there for a few years now, in a live setting. Fingers crossed!
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
I just wanna say that I'm very appreciative to Stavros for reaching out and offering to do this interview with me. I also want to give a shoutout to every single person who's supported me and picked me up when I was down during this incredibly difficult year of 2024...I know who you are and appreciate y'all very much. Stay tuned for Mykey Massacre and the Tragedy Boys coming to a...divebar stage near you sometime in 2025!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
MYKEY MASSACRE CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/MykeyMassacreArtist
https://www.instagram.com/mykeymassacre/
https://mykeymassacre.bandcamp.com/album/just-let-me-rot
https://www.tiktok.com/@mykeymassacre