MurderFM released their debut album "Happily
Neverafter", since then they have set their hearts and souls into being on
the road, playing shows, jumping on tours, to planning out further shows,
tours, and releasing new videos and singles all in the works. That said,
frontman vocalist/guitarist/programmer Norman Matthews took some time as the
band was out on a mini run of dates, to discuss their time on the run as of
late and what the future holds.
1. You guys decided to hop on the Drowning Pool train, doing
this "mini" run of dates on their tour, why do this short run? How
has it been going for everybody?
Norman: Because we
had just come off some Texas headline shows, we have probably done like 90
shows in 78 days, from October til Christmas of 2015, and we just kind of
wanted to hit some markets, we kind of hadn't hit on tour. Before we would stop
to regroup, during our little break in between, before we take off again in
April. So we just wanted to go and visit every last little spot we hadn't been
too yet. It's been absolutely amazing, when you do what you love to do, it's
hard to say that anything has gone bad, because in the big picture we love what
we do, whether it's three people, three hundred, or three thousand, we really
don't care because we are out here living our dream and that's a really cool
thing, it's nice to be able to do that.
2. When will we be expecting you guys to be going on your
own headlining run as far as a tour? Or do you enjoy playing the supporting
role and doing these mini treks?
Norman: April, that's what we are working on, that's why we
wanted to finish doing some support stuff, then head out and get onto the
headlining sides of things. Just really, really, really tearing it up. So get
ready, be there!
3. Do you have any notable stories from on the road or at a
show on this current run or any recent run-ins?
Norman: Any notable stories? I think every day there is
something notable and just something exciting happening because we're playing a
new market, visiting a new city, we're accomplishing a new goal, we're making
new fans, friends, everyday there is something new and exciting. I mean even
trials and challenges, we become better as a band, stage people ya know? It's
we're ever evolving and I really enjoy it.
4. Have you noticed the economy affecting your tour
attendance or merch sales?
Norman: Ya know, that's a hard one to say, because at the
level we are at everything is difficult. Maybe IF we were selling a million
records, or selling like twenty thousand maybe that would be a deal. But for
us, everything is a plus ya know? Everything for us is a big deal. It's like
all the way up for us right now. I think it can affect turn out and audiences,
choices with seeing live music, in the ways they maybe of done it before, like
two or three shows a week, they pick and choose which shows they want to go
too, that the smaller bands have a harder time.
5. What was the first concert you attended as a fan?
Norman: My first concert was Kiss! I was 4 years old, which
was awesome. I mean, my mom took me and her friend had worked at the venue, so
we got in free, and I remember Gene Simmons, walking up to me, sticking his
tongue out, because I was crying on the side of the stage. He had a guitar pick
on him, and I was like, oh man I have to take that. Knowing what I know now, of
where Gene Simmons is, that was probably a bad idea for a child. But it really
changed my life as a child and really set it up for me, so yeah Kiss set it off
for me.
6. What's the best prank you’ve played on bandmates or other
bands?
Norman: The best prank! Ya know I don't want to give too
many away because we still have a few more days with Drowning Pool. CJ is
standing over there, so I don't want him to hear this, but we definitely prank
everybody. There's definitely some sort of deli meat, costume and anything
breakable involved. So that's always fun haha.
7. Who goes the longest without taking a shower?
Norman: Who goes the longest without taking a shower....
probably our guitarist Matt. Without a doubt I think he prides himself on that.
I myself did a whole U.K. tour, just because I was scared because of the
hotels, we were in a tour bus, but like the hotels there, had shared bathrooms,
like hostiles or whatever we would say. I never wanted to get in on that. But
Matt definitely that's one of his prouder moments.
8. How many times do you have to wear the same piece of
clothing because you couldn't find a laundry matt?
Norman: Ummm I am doing that right now. I think it kind of
becomes a thing. I figure if I only wear it one hour a day, it takes 8 times
before I've worn it a full day.
9. Who has the worst tour hygiene?
Norman: The worst tour hygiene, probably our guitarist Matt.
He just doesn't give a fuck. I wish I could be that way ya know? Confident with
brushing my teeth, putting febreze on, deodorant, I am probably the second
girlest of the band.
10. Who has the worst dress sense?
Norman: I don't know, we are all pretty snappy dressers. I
mean, look at the fancy hole I have in my pants right here. Ummm I think the fact that we coordinate on one
another, really kind of makes it not so terrible. So we always kind of match.
So that helps, I think when we are left to our own devices, we all look funky
in our own ways.
11. Who is the last one to get on the tour bus/van?
Norman: Probably J our bassist, I am usually the first one
on, wanting to disappear, dry off, with Netflix, for chilling.
12. What has been the best hotel/motel that you have slept
in and what made it the best out of all the others?
Norman: The best hotel or motel, oh the best one would
probably be this fancy one, the Boxford Suits, that was pretty badass you
should check it out. Anything with a hot tub, usually does it for me. Usually
on the off days, I am the guy that tries to find that fancy hotel or motel.
I'll pay for it, I don't care.
13. Being out on the road, do problems still arise between
bandmates from being stuck in the van for too long?
Norman: Oh man absolutely, just today we were all mad at
each other before we played. Ya know you're a family, being really tight, you
are always really tight together, that sometimes you're a little too close for
comfort. That anything can set something off ya know? It's like somebody wants
this type of food or that type, it's like man change it up. Or I always want to
sleep, it's like ah he doesn't want to hang out, and everybody does. It's just
a lot for everybody, but at the end of the day we get on that stage and it's
just a lot of chemistry ya know? We really channel that into our stage show ya
know?
14. What do you miss most from home when you’re on tour?
Norman: My 2 year old little boy. I don't miss anything else
but him. I can live without anything else,if I could have him on the road, I
could just tour forever and ever.
15. When it comes to being in the van, which one of you guys
ends up being that type of rider, who is like "Are we there yet? Are we
there yet?"
Norman: That would probably be me, but I have just learned
to just sleep through everything. I am probably the most anxious one in the
band, like I have to get somewhere ya know? Like are we there? I just have to
get somewhere, so yeah it would probably have to be me.
16. After this tour what is next for Murder FM?
Norman: We are taking off March, then in April have some
headlining dates, festivals, all that good stuff. Have our second single,
second video coming soon, just a whole new cycle coming up for us.
17. Is there anything else you want to say before I go?
Norman:
I love my mom. It has been a great run for us so far, since our record came out
last August. So see the cult like fan base we have, grow, it's really amazing
to us. Knowing that we have an audience to turn too, we just would like to say
thank you very much.
Through the turmoil, a new persona emerged. As Strange As Angels was born. Norman Matthew wrote every note, penned every lyric, and performed every instrument on the record. If I was going to be a solo endeavor, Norman wanted it to be that way from top to bottom. The forthcoming release features a musical aesthetic more versatile than any of Norman's previous catalogue. Bouncing electronic songs off the ears of Tommy Lee. Writing a track with former bandmate Keith Barney of 18 visions. Hitting the drawing board with close friend, CJ Pierce of Drowning Pool. Mentored by platinum producer Beau Hill, Norman enlisted Chris Dawson of Seasons after for mixing duties, and Mike Kalajian (Circa Survive, Saosin) for mastering.
