Spiritech: Monster Magnet have always drawn their musical inspiration from a variety of sources. Where there any new musical influences that impacted on the new record?
Dave Wyndorf: (laughs) Oh boy....Well, I gotta say I was in the icy grip of Benzo withdrawal at the time. Spent most of those days locked in a tiny room with Lawrence of Arabia looping on a DVD player while thinking grey thoughts. Not much musical influence except for Maurice Jarre's film score - which is kickin', by the way.
Spiritech: Interesting. The lyrics of 4-Way Diablo seem to be inspired by conflicting emotions. Was this almost a form of therapy for you when writing the album? Dave Wyndorf: Sure. I wrote all the lyrics after a drug meltdown. Best therapy in the world, plus chocolate and cigarettes too!
Spiritech: What are your favorite tracks from the new album and why?
Dave Wyndorf: Hmmm, I like 'Little Bag of Gloom' and '2000 Lightyears From Home' [a Rolling Stones cover], because I could relate to it's psycho-deliciousness.
Spiritech: 'No Vacation' was also a chance to re-visit a track from your demo days. Why did you decide to do this and are you completely satisfied with the results?
Dave Wyndorf: In retrospect, I should have gone with my first instinct and had it mixed by a chimpanzee.
Spiritech: (laughs) I understand you also have another musical project in the works - can you shed some light on this perhaps?
Dave Wyndorf: I'm writing stuff now, in between tours. I'd like to get a new Monster Magnet album out in 2010. I also seem to be writing lots of little, weird songs lately as well and I'm thinking of releasing them as a separate project rather than calling it a Monster Magnet album. Also, Monster Magnet is planning a, well for lack of a better word, "Unplugged" tour featuring songs from the Monster Magnet catalogue that have never before played live. Very psychedelic and very Bluesy. Cool instrumentation too -sitar, mellotron, percussion, slide guitars, it sounds fuckin' awesome!
Spiritech: The band has also gained some attention with younger Hard Rock fans for providing the theme song for WWE wrestler Matt Hardy. How did this come to happen?
Dave Wyndorf: Honestly, I got a call one day from the president of WWE asking if I could write and record a "theme" in a week! (laughs) Well, we packed up a van and drove up to the WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut and did it. It was a strange trip indeed. That place is a cross between a military base and a circus. Only in America!
Spiritech: Monster Magnet are making the first trek in about a decade to Australia. What are your memories of previous visits Down Under? Dave Wyndorf: Oh, man. Australia is the land of my dreams - giant bats, giant frogs, beautiful women and great steaks.
Spiritech: Great stuff. What can fans expect from a MM live show in 2009 in terms of set list?
Dave Wyndorf: A "best of" set list. Lots of old stuff too. A nice blend of psychedelic and Hard Rock. The band sounds better than ever - no lie.
Spiritech: On another topic, your personal issues have been discussed a great deal in the media in recent years. How close did you come to ending Monster Magnet after recovering or was the band a vital part of your recovery?
Dave Wyndorf: Yeesh... It's a long, detailed story, but okay, let's try this. After years of non-stop touring I became addicted to a powerful sedative. Thanks, doc! Well, the pills caught up with me and I had a massive, near-death meltdown. I was physically and emotionally blown out. I swore up and down that I would NEVER want to play again. One day I went up to my room to read a book. Two years and hundreds of books later I got up, walked downstairs and called the band. "Uh, I kinda changed my mind", I said. I guess I got bored with reading.
Spiritech: Did you object to your issues being aired in such a public manner and are you glad that the focus seems to be back on your music again?
Dave Wyndorf: No objections, the Internet was MADE for gossip. Of course, music is what's most important.
Spiritech: On a more personal note, are there any new releases you've been enjoying lately?
Dave Wyndorf: Hey, Colossus, The Knife, Soundtrack of Our Lives. Looking forward to the Jack White-Kills thang an the new Hives album.
Spiritech: Final question- do you have any last words for PyroMusic.net readers?
Dave Wyndorf: Thank you!
- Spiritech
