INTERVIEW WITH PHIL DEMMEL // MACHINE HEAD, LEEDS UNIVERSITY 2004
Tonight I've traveled to Leeds Metropolitan university to meet up with Machine Head, and I almost find it hard to believe that I'm about to interview a band that I watched perform a fantastic set at this years download festival, and one that I've been a fan of for many years.
As I'm waiting for the bands tour manager, I'm surprised by the chilled out relaxed atmosphere in the venue, as there isn't any security to speak of, just a few roadies wheeling stuff about, and various band members sitting tuning up or chatting amongst themselves.
Rob Flynn is busy playing with his hotmail account (which has just broke) when Mark turns up (tour manager) and introduces me to guitarist Phil, who decides the bands dressing room would be the best place for a chat.
We enter the dressing room where Dave (drummer) is busying himself on his portable playstation2, although I can't quiet make out what game he is playing, maybe it's Tony Hawk..
Before I begin thanks for taking the time to have a chat with me
No Problem
I was wondering how the tour was going, you were in Newcastle last night, I know a few friends of mine went along to that one.
You've been out for some time? "
Yea, were in the 10th week of this tour, and we are down to the last couple of weeks, and I'm kinda limping there.. I gotta little cold, and got into a little car accident the other day, so my neck's all jacked up, but we are kickin' ass man, we've got a lot of sold out shows n crazy crowds and we're playing really really well"
You're on the road with Caliban & God Forbid, have you spent the whole 10 weeks with them? "
No we actually did some traveling around Australia for 10 days or so with some local acts before they joined up with us.
Are all the bands getting on and having fun? "yea for sure" so you haven't killed each other yet "no,no,no everyone's getting along real fine" cool.
Yea for sure
so you haven't killed each other yet?
Hahah, No,no,no everyone's getting along real fine
You obviously spend a lot of time on the road touring, what do you do with yourself when you're not soundchecking, or waiting about? apart from playing video games
Haha, yea you see Dave playing video games, erm (pause for some laughing) yea we sit around and play guitar a little bit, yea we've got a soundguy out with us that knows a lot of old rock tunes, so me and Dave will sit around and play a little with him, we've got a little rock cover band called Camero Smith, we do a lot of Kiss covers n stuff..Apart from that we don't do very much apart from go out and have a bite to eat, we don't get up until about 2pm so after that it's not long till soundcheck, then we warm up before doors.
Has there been a particular highlight of 2004 for Machine Head, or for you?
Definitely the festival we did at download. Download was probably the best day of my musical, erm life. That and playing Rock-am Ring were really big cool festivals for us, also playing with Slipknot and slayer to 14.000 people indoors have been the biggest indoor shows I had done, so yea doin' alright
Yea Rob seemed to really enjoy the download show, as he thanked the audience and seemed to really mean it.
Yea we got such a charge off that show, we love the festivals"
I was wondering what music, albums or new bands you were listening to at the moment?
erm nothing really new or unnoticed really, I mean we all have different tastes n stuff but we are all liking The Haunted right now, we also like a German called Dew-Scented, The're probably one of our favorite thrash bands.
Have you got any cool plans for 2005, anything you looking forward too?
I think we're probably gonna do the states again in the spring, we've got a one off show in Saudi Arabia set up with The Darkness, erm Nickleback and Megadeth, then after that we're not really sure at the moment.
Ok
I mean we are going to have to sit down and right another album at some point soon, but we still need to sell this one in the states, I mean it hasn't been out a year even over there, so we are still pushing that one.
It's December tomorrow, "Yea! DECEMBER BABY!"
And with the end of tour coming up, have you got any plans for Xmas? "
Yea we get home on the 15th,and I'll probably just spend it at home and just chill out with the family, so I'll be resting my neck but I've got a golf tournament 3 days after I get home, so I'm going to have to get on the driving range, get some practice, these guys have been playing the whole time I've been gone.
Ok one final question, if you could have a super power, what would it be?
Invisibility for sure.
invisibility?
Fuck yes"
Adam (bass player) Flight!
That's levitation holmes, the power of flight or invisibility, I'll take invisibility.
Thanks again for chatting to us, "
No problem, it's been nice to meet you, I hope you enjoy the show" Don't worry I'm sure I will "we'll be sure to let you back in, unlike those Hoobastank guys.
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Upon leaving I thank Rob and Mark for the interview time, and they make sure I can easily return.
After a couple of beers and a burger break I returned see my new mate Phil and his band play an awesome set to a packed out Leeds University.