Chad Bowar: Was your your songwriting and recording process for The Inherited Repression similar to previous albums?
Dave Haley: It was a little different this time. Joe (Haley, guitarist) wrote most of the music and structures before we started to jam on the material, and once that was done we got the structures to a point we were happy with. When we started recording, the structures of the songs were finished, but some of the riffs weren’t yet completed. Since Joe recorded it all in his home studio, we were able to try a lot of things out riff wise before settling on the final riffs. It was a very relaxed album to write and record, and we’re very happy with how it all came out.
How would you characterize the CD's sound?
Good question, and I'm really not sure how to categorize it really. Its very heavy and intense, while still having a lot of groove and variation in the music. It's rooted in death metal I guess, but I don’t think it really fits in that genre totally. It's definitely an extreme metal album, but incorporates lots of different elements. At the end of the day it is what it is, and it's up to the listeners to define what it is, really.
What inspired the album title?
Just the idea that each generation passes repression down to the next without even knowing it, which has been happening all throughout time. Most people think they are ‘free’ without a second thought that they are actually groomed to believe, learn and live a certain way. That’s repression in its purest form. We liked the sound of the title, and it fits in with the lyrical concepts, so we chose it. It took a long time to come up with the title, but it's definitely the right title for the album.
What will you remember most about the recording of this album?
Probably the day we finished it and heard the mastered version. It's always a cool feeling; “Yes! We finished it!” It’s a lot of hard work doing an album – from writing the songs and lyrics to recording to doing the artwork and photos, getting the layout done, etc. - and it continues with the promotion and touring that take place around the album. So getting it done, and back in your hands is a great feeling. A lot of hours of hard work finally paying off is the result.
You've always self-produced your albums. How come?
We have never really had enough money to do so in the past, and Joe is getting really good at producing, so it just makes sense to use him to do it. He knows the material and sounds we are after, and it’s good advertising for him to produce our albums, as he does it as a part time job.
Do you have different expectations for the album in different parts of the world? (Your homeland of Australia vs North America, for example)
I'm not really sure what to expect, to be honest. Thus far the reviews coming back in for the album have been really great, so if it continues that way we’ll be very happy. We’re not as well known in the U.S. as we are in Australia, but Australia is a pretty small country population wise compared to the U.S. Hopefully this album will get us a larger fan base in North America as it would make touring there more viable for us. At the moment it's very hard to tour there due to the super high costs involved for us to come over there.
What are your upcoming tour plans?
We are on tour in Europe now with Origin and Leng Tche, so after this one I'm not too sure what we will be doing. We have some Asian shows coming up, then we’ll tour Australia and maybe Europe again later in the year. Everything is still up in the air at the moment.
What has been your most memorable Psycroptic live show or tour?
All the tours we have done have been quite memorable for different reasons, but playing places like China and Indonesia were great experiences; places I never would have thought we could or would tour. We’re always looking for the next adventure.
Any tour horror stories?
There have been a lot of stuff that hasn’t exactly gone to plan throughout the years. There have been a lot of van and bus breakdowns, equipment malfunctions, and a few hospital visits along the way. Having Joe end up in the hospital in Germany for a week wasn’t a very good time at all. But the good times outweigh the bad by a long shot!
What the best prank you’ve played on bandmates or other bands?
To be honest I have never done a prank on anyone while on tour. Ive had plenty pulled on me, but I haven’t really done it back. I guess I'm boring in that regard!
How did you get started in music?
I went to a very small country school – there was only about 15 people in my class – and in grade 7 the class needed a drummer. We all lined up and tried to play a beat. I picked it up the quickest, so therefore I became the class drummer by default. I didn’t really care too much about it until about 15 or 16 when I started to get lessons and started practicing quite hard.
What drummers inspired you?
There are lots that inspire and influence me, guys like Gene Hoglan, Sean Reinert (Cynic), Derek Roddy (Hate Eternal, Nile), George Kollias (Nile), Dave Lombardo (Slayer), and so on and so on. I do like a lot of non-metal players as well: Benny Greb, Jojo Mayer, Johnny Rabb, etc. There are so many great players out there who really push the limits of the instrument.
Did your parents support you and Joe's choice for a career in music?
Yes, 100 percent. They are very supportive of what we do and we couldn’t ask for better parents, really. They have always let us rehearse in their house and never complained. They are happy as long as we are happy. They don’t really like our music, but they are happy that we get to travel the world and have fun doing it.
Do you remember Psycroptic's first live show?
I don’t, actually. It’s a little hazy as I'm getting 2 shows confused. I know we only played 6 songs and it was in 1 of 2 local Hobart venues at the time. Joe and I were playing in 2 bands at the time, so it's all a bit of a blur, really. It was in 1999 sometime, December I think. But I cannot be sure.
Is it difficult to balance being in several different bands?
Not really, as not all of them tour very often, so it isn’t really an issue. We just plan things in advance so nothing clashes and it all works out.
You are or have been in bands in many different genres. What genre is most challenging to play as a drummer?
Any jazz fusion stuff or Latin stuff is very challenging. These styles I'm not the best at, but I will continue to practice and try to master these styles. There is so much stuff on the drums I want and need to work on – it’s a constant battle!
Who would be on your list of the best Australian metal band?
Damaged, Blood Duster, Naxzul and Abramelin are bands that definitely should be on the list. If people haven’t heard these bands they need to check them out!
Anything else you'd like to mention or promote?
Check out the new album, and come to a show when we come through your area! Buy a shirt or merch item as well, it helps keep us on the road. Thanks for the interest in us.
