During a spare few minutes before a show in Glasgow, RoomThirteen talks to Mudvayne's Matt McDonough (Drummer) about their performance at this year's Download festival.
Room Thirteen: The band first got together about 9 years ago, can you give a brief explanation of how it all came together?
Matt McDonough: We're just some guys from central Illinois who got together and finally ended up getting a record deal.
R13: How has the band changed in the last 9 years?
MMcD: Years of touring will change your world view. As musicians we've changed from being solely focused on our individual instruments to being more solid as a writing team.
R13: Your latest album 'Lost and Found' (released 12th April 2005) received rave reviews in the US and obtained some great chart positions. Why do you think this album sold nearly double the amount of units in the first week compared to your previous release?
MMcD: I think it pretty typical of a band which has a certain fan base. If you have had other great releases it's going to be easier as you have those fans to fall back on. Initially it sold well but the real question is will it exceed sales of previous albums. At the moment we are selling to a fan base that we have built up over the last 9 years.
R13: Do you think there is anything special about this record that makes it stand out from all your other releases?
MMcD: We don't operate from a base of expectation and I don't really like comparing one work of art to another one. We don't think about our previous records and think we want this to be better. I think it really devaluates the creative process and misses the point of what being an artist is!
R13: The beginning of June sees you touring a lot in Europe and then you're off to Japan and Australia; presumably this is all to promote the album. Is this a really busy time for you?
MMcD: Yeah, we have just come off a headlining tour with the record release and now we're off on tour again. I think we will just about get a week off before we do Ozfest.
R13: You have a few festivals planned this summer; do you enjoy the festival period?
MMcD: For an American band it's the best opportunity to be able to get yourself heard, make a name for yourself and start a European fan base.
R13: How does playing a festival compare to that of a headline show?
MMcD: Well we go on stage at 12 noon, we're outside, we only play for a half-hour or so and you never know how many people are going to be there.
R13: Are the crowd different at all?
MMcD: I wouldn't say so, no. There has always been a consistency with people who are familiar with the band. There's a sort of feeling that is encompassed though out the world of Mudvayne fans.
R13: You're in Glasgow at the moment playing a show with American Head Charge and Panic Cell; how's that going?
MMcD: Yeah we're playing at The Garage. It's probably the 5th time we have played here so we're pretty familiar with the place.
R13: American Head Charge said your bands are good friends. Is it good to play with them again?
MMcD: Yeah were really excited about there last record and have played it a lot since it came out. We've toured with them before and we hoped we would get to tour with them again. Festivals are great because we get to meet up with all the bands we know and get to have a great laugh!
R13: Sunday 12th June sees you play at Download. Was this festival you wanted to do in particular?
MMcD: Yes. Last time we were at Download I wasn't particularly happy with the performance so I'm looking forward to putting on a good show.
R13: Due to other touring commitments I believe you won't be able to stay for the whole weekend. Are there any bands you're disappointed about not being able to see play?
MMcD: Chimaira are playing on the Saturday and I would have liked to have seen them, but touring and festivals can be that busy with show after show, that half the time you're not quite sure who played or who's even on the line up!
R13: What can fans expect from your stage show?
MMcD: Well we're just going to be doing what we've done before - I don't think there will be a big surprise! However we take our live shows very seriously and treat each one as a singular moment. It's an experience between the band and the fans as they don't come round that often. We want them to value it and appreciate how special a live concert really is.
R13: Have you given any thoughts to a set list? Will it be a pre-planned list that you will be using for all your festivals this year?
MMcD: A lot of the set depends on how much time we actually have on stage. When we are headlining shows we normally play up to 14 songs, but festivals are often just half hour slots. We will be playing our latest single from 'Lost and Found' and there will be songs from other releases. Of course, there will be all the songs that people are most familiar with too.
R13: So if people want to get back stage what would be the best way to bribe you for a pass?
MMcD: Well don't ask me! Hey, the worst thing to be is a fan, be a friend!
R13: Do you get to kip on a tour bus or do you have to suffer like the rest of us and sleep in a tent?
MMcD: The festival period is very busy and we normally come straight off the stage, onto a bus and on to the next airport. At Download we will fly in from Italy during the night before, travel to Donington and do the show. As soon as we finish, we fly straight back out to Germany.
R13: And finally is there anything you have recently lost but have since found?
MMcD: Yes, I lost a brand new pair of sunglasses that I was really excited about wearing. Luckily they were found right at the end of the tour. Having just got the last of our stuff out the tour bus they were actually found at the very last minute!
Mudvayne will be playing on Sunday 12th June 2005 on Download's Main Stage. For more infomation please click here