Chad Bowar: What can Misery Index fans expect from Traitors?
Jason Netherton: Growth and progression in the songwriting, the musicianship and the production. It’s a leap away from the last record and by far a more comprehensive and complete album than anything prior. Each song has its own identity and spirit, and is a signature of the way we wrote the album as an entire band, with everyone involved, and with careful and patient planning. In short, it’s a beast, and we are happy to unleash it upon mankind.
How did you decide to work with Kurt Ballou as your producer?
We heard and knew of him of course from Converge, but we were impressed with some of his recent productions where he gave death metal bands like Animosity stellar, organic, natural tones with clarity, yet they were not over produced and processed. We went in with a certain idea, and with his help we were able to create something we are very happy with for certain.
How was he to work with?
He was very helpful, he has an incredible ear, and his criticisms and reflections were taken well, and contributed to better performances from us and a better album overall.
What is your songwriting/recording process like?
We – Sparky (guitar), Mark (guitar) and I (bass) each write separately to begin with, then we bring our riffs to our drummer Adam, and we work them out with him, one on one. After that the structure is introduced to the rest of the band for ideas and criticism, the refinement process starts. In the studio, (at least for this album) on the completed songs the drums are performed first, the guitars and vocals last. We try to have everything ready by the time we record, but usually some additional changes are made spontaneously in the studio.
What inspired your lyrics for Traitors?
Everyday life- the hypocrisy and injustice that seemingly defines the world around us, and the need to cut through it, lash out, and vent the natural frustrations of being human in and around so much inhumanity. It’s a spark, and it inspires, but it does not end there, we do try and ‘live’ the world we want to see.
What are your expectations for the CD?
I expect older fans to be surprised at the new record. It’s Misery Index, but this time there is so much more, and the production really complements that. Likewise for people who never liked us before, I think they will look twice, because we have raised the bar for ourselves, and something like that is (hopefully) bound to change some long held opinions of what people though about Misery Index, hopefully for the better!
What are your upcoming tour plans?
It’s looking like we are out in November in the United States south with Arsis and the Absence, and in December in the Northwest and Canada with Black Dahlia Murder and Soilent Green, and then in Europe next January and February with Hate Eternal, Aeon, and See You Next Tuesday.
Earlier this year you played a couple of shows in Russia. What was that experience like?
Astounding. The people, the culture and the energy of Moscow is on par with New York, just alive and vibrant, and huge. Saint Petersburg was more relaxed, a Baltic city with Nordic architecture and you could just feel the history dripping from every corner. The crowds were unbelievable, they were very appreciative and enthusiastic. We are looking forward to returning sometime soon.
What countries are still on your list to play live?
We still have yet to get below the equator, certainly South America and all its collective nations of peoples and cultures, as well as the Pacific ring: Indonesia and Australia/New Zealand. Hopefully next year!
What was the first concert you attended as a fan?
Iron Maiden in August, 1988; Sepultura and Obituary in December, 1990; and Death and Carcass in August 1990. Unforgettable!
Any tour horror stories?
The worst in recent memory was a 15 hour drive across Ukraine. We were continually stopped by overzealous police officers who would see our out-of-country license plates, and seek to bribe us. We were pulled over about 10 times and it got ridiculous. Our Czech driver eventually would just speak some bad Russian to them and wait until he walked away. This on top of the heavily damaged Ukrainian highways led to us missing the show in Kiev by some 5 hours, and we drove all that way only to sit in the promoter’s apartment and eat salted fish and drink vodka, while watching an Isis DVD.
