AT LEAST WE DIDN’T ASK HIM WHAT “MAGRUDERGRIND” MEANS: AN INTERVIEW WITH AVI KULAWY
In what seems like really not that much time, Magrudergrind have become one the most popular bands in all of grind — and it’s easy to see why. Not only do their albums kick ass all up and down the boulevard, but their live show is truly something to behold. Last year, a friend of mine who didn’t “get” the appeal of Magurdergind’s recordings saw them live and was promptly won over by them, which, really, is the highest compliment that can be paid to a band’s live act.
Whether you’re already aware of how great they are live or you still need to have your Magrudercherry popped, you’re in luck — the band’s nine day tour with the legendary Despise You begins tomorrow night (get dates here). We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than to e-mail Magrudergrind front man Avi Kulawy some typically irritating MetalSucks-style questions. Lucky for us, he was a good sport about it!
After the jump, get Kulawy’s thoughts on what makes this particular tour special, which member of Magrudergrind has the stinkiest van farts, vocal warm-ups fit for grindcore, and more.
There’s, like, eighteen bajillion metal tours happening in September, and I’m poor and can’t attend them all. Why should I choose to attend yours?
Because if you live on the East Coast, this will probably be the first and last time you will ever see Despise You. Plus, what better way to spend 9/11 than acting ironic by going to grindcore show. I’m sure the offensive jokes will be fluttering.
Do you guys use one set list per tour, or does it change from performance to performance? How do you go about choosing those set lists?
We tend to play certain jams consistently but do adjust our set list to include songs from our contemporary releases. When we tour in Europe we play twice as many songs because they literally won’t let us leave the stage if we only play our normal 20-minute set.
Do you do any kind of vocal preparations before performing, or do you just scream your guts out?
Beer and gin/tonics/limes.
Because you’re a grind band and your songs are crazy short, does that mean you have to rehearse less? Or was there ever a time when you just couldn’t get “Kept Laughing” right or something?
Honestly, ever since I moved up to Brooklyn, we rarely rehearse. The other two dudes rehearse but concentrate on writing new material. Our schedules are extremely conflicting so unless we are about to go on tour, we spend what little time we have to rehearse on writing. Lately we won’t even practice before heading on the road. We’ll just meet each other in some place like Helsinki, get on stage that night and blast our jams like there was no interlude period in between. We ‘ve played these songs so many times together, its almost second nature.
Whose tour van farts are smellier, Chris’ or R.J.’s?
Chris has Crohn’s disease though R.J was catching up on the stink-o-meter this last tour. It must have been that disgusting late night, drunken snack on that ferry of cheesy-sardine-noodles lingering in his gingerly bowels.
I know this even more retarded than my other questions, but do you dudes ever play “Bridge Burner” live? It’s one of my favorite Magrudergrind songs and I’ve never seen you guys break it out.
I love how the one song that sounds nothing like us is most people’s favorite song. If the vibe is right, we’ll show some love.
You’re a nice Jewish boy, right? What does your mother think of you playing this farkakte music?
Yup. My mom has so much nachas, its almost scary. I always show her the photos of the places I’ve been and she gets pretty excited that I have had the opportunity to see the world. We played in LA (where she lives) a few years ago on her birthday and she came and saw me play for the first time. She was pretty stoked when I wished her a happy birthday on stage and the crowd cheered.
Is this the most irritating interview you’ve ever done?
Praise Jah because this is the first interview someone abstained to ask us “what does Magruder mean”?
Do you have any other plans for touring or playing live this year (maybe at a certain awesome festival, hint, hint)?
We will be doing a run of shows with Los Angeles powerviolence all-stars Despise You beginning September 9th. The tour will hit cities on the east coast in between Boston and Tampa.
In late September we’re playing the Dischord Fest in LA with a ton of great bands and The Fest in Florida Halloween weekend. And yea, we’ll be showing up and solidifying how much Metal really does Suck at 23rd and Lexington in November.
Finally: Is there any new Magrudergrind music in the works?
Working on our next full record. Hopefully it should see light in 2012 sometime.
-AR
