Mos Generator interview

Mos Generator are a bunch of veteran musicians who recently released the very solid "Songs for future gods" on Small Stone records. I recently interviewed guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist Tony Reed to find out more about this band and their plans for this year.



MM-This band has been around since 2000, but every band member has been playing for quite some time. What bands was everyone in before Mos Generator?
TR-All three of us were in a band called twelve thirty dreamtime from 1991-1996. During that time we were also touring and making records with other bands. Shawn was also in Mindfunk, Scooter was in a band call Voodoo Gearshift and I was in a band called Treepeople.


MM-How did this band form?
TR-After the demise of the other bands we had been working in we just came home and gravitated to each other. We decided to do the kind of music we loved and since we had a background with each other it was easy to pick up on each other.



MM-How does your new album “Songs for future gods” compare to your previous releases?
TR-SFFG is more straight forward than our last two discs. It sounds a lot like our first CD. It also has re-recorded versions of a few songs from our out-of-print self titled disc. "The late great planet earth" was a concept album and "the vault sessions" was a disc of demo sessions we had done in our rehearsal space. Each album has a different feel to it.



MM-How would you describe your music?
TR-Melodic heavy rock

MM-What’s the music scene like in your area? Are there any unsigned bands there that people should know about?
TR-Heavy rock is a hard sell in the Seattle area. Right now the local bands that I am into are friends of mine or bands I have produced/recorded. Golden pig electric blues band, Sower of dischord, and The Valley just to name a few.


MM-You have a few dates set up in Washington state soon and then a number of dates in Europe for the spring. Do you have any plans to tour in the summer yet and do you know if you will make it to the East Coast?
TR-After we get back from Europe we are going to take some time to write the next record. We are trying to do the 1 record a year thing. After that it would be great to get to the east coast. We get asked about the east coast quite often and we have good connections there. Hopefully in the fall we can make it happen.



MM-Your music has a bit more of a groove to it than a number of bands that play a similar style of music. Is that intentional or does it just naturally happen?
TR-Shawn is the secret to that whole vibe. The swagger in his playing makes it's way into the feel of many songs. Sometimes in the studio I have to hold him back from it. It's a natural thing we all have, born to boogie.





MM-How is being in this band different from previous bands that you have been in?
TR-In Mos Generator we are all playing the kind of music we love with no compromise. We can be honest when we write music.



MM-What are some of your songs about and where do you get the inspirations for your song topics?
TR-Most of the songs I have written in the last few years have had a very science fiction feel with topics ranging from science fiction authors to leaving the world to find a better place. A real "into the void" thing.



MM-What should someone who comes to one of your shows expect?
TR-30-40 minutes of high energy rock with possibly an improvised jam section.



MM-What bands would you love to tour with?
-Dexter Jones circus orchestra, Dixie Witch, Pearls & Brass. We are touring with Blood of the sun in Europe and they would be another band on my list.



MM-With each band member having quite a bit of playing experience, does this help the writing and recording process to go smoother or not? Or does it make a difference?
TR-We demo everything before we go into the studio. some times there will be 2 or 3 demo versions. We are really hard on ourselves in the studio. I operate a recording studio for a living so when we go in we have as much time as we need. Since we grew up together we understand each other and know how to work in the studio environment.



MM-What music related goals do you hope to accomplish by the end of 2008?
TR-We would be happy with recording another disc and doing some more touring.



MM-Pick the band from the following pair that you prefer and state why.
TR-
Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin
-For me this is one of the hardest music questions of all time but I'm going to say Black Sabbath. Black Sabbath ARE my favorite band. There is something about them that is so primal, raw & heavy. There is no other band in history that was that powerful and that beautiful at the same time.


YOB or Sleep
-I would have to say sleep because they were first.


Deep Purple or Pentagram
-Another hard question. on one side(Deep Purple) you have one of the most talented band of musicians ever, and on the other side (Pentagram) you have that killer raw heavy energy. Today I'm going for the underdog. Pentagram


Cathedral or Trouble
-To be honest I don't have much from either of these bands.



MM-Is there anything else that you want to say about your band or your music?
TR-We're just trying to have a good time playing the music we love. If other people dig it as well. that's a bonus



http://www.myspace.com/mosgenerator