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Band page - Tombs
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What is your name and your current position in the band?
Mike Hill - vocals, Guitar
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
Black-metal influenced post hardcore
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
Winter Hours. It's heavy and has a cool record cover
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
Tombs formed about two years ago. For a band that's only been together for such a sort time, we've undergone quite a few line up changes. I'm the member left from the original lineup. After my last band, Versoma, spilt up, I continued playing with the drummer and worked on material that would eventually be fashioned into the songs featured on the first self-titled ep. We parted with our original drummer, Domenic based on creative differences. Dom is now in the band Storm of Light with Josh Graham (Red Sparowes, Neurosis). Justin, our original drummer was dismissed because he was incapable of being professional. This ties into the lowpoint of the band. We had a short European / UK tour booked and nine days before leaving, we found oout that he had never gotten his passport. This is just an example of the many, many reasons that he is no longer in the band. Andrew, our current drummer, used to play in the grind band ASRA who, at the time were sharing a rehearsal space with us. He learned our set in nine days and did the tour; he's been a permanent member of the band ever since.
Carson, our current bassist was a friend that was available when we needed a bassist. He hasn't really played in a lot of bands but has been doing an outstanding job.
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
I don't really think about "making it in the industry". I've always played in bands that toured heavily so Tombs was going to be a road-band not just a local band.
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
Signing to Relapse was definitely a favourite moment because I respected them for years and now I was going to be able to have a professional relationship with them.
On this last tour, I met this guy at one of our shows who told me that he had been going through a lot of really heavy personal stuff; I won't go into any details with his personal strife. He went on to tell me how going to the show and listening to the record "Winter Hours" had helped him get through it. It meant a lot to me because I know that I've had situations in my life where music had been my only lifeline to get me through the hard times.
How is the writing process in the band?
Typically, I write the main song ideas on my own. I take the material to rehearsal and we work on the arrangements and all of the structural issues. During practice, I work on the vocal patterns and how I want to approach the lyrics. Once the song is more or less constructed, I go to my notes and start putting together lyric ideas. I started keeping a lyric journal where I write down any phrases or ideas that come to mind. I amass a large body of material an begin drawing connections between the ideas. I don't sit down and decide that I'm going to write a song about the end of the world or having my heart broken, I just let the kind of free-association of ideas work for me.
Eventually we record a demo of the songs and during this phase, I develop all of the overdubs and productions ideas.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
I can't remember not being a musician. Even as far back as 8 years old, I was involved with playing music. I'm a lifer; I will do this until the day I die.
There are other things that I enjoy but music and touring dictate my life.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
Henry Rollins, Greg Ginn, Chuck Dukowski, Wino, Tony Iommi and Ian Curtis.
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
A long time ago, I played in a band called Otis. The singer and I had a very complicated relationship. The actual riffs in the songs were cool but I feel like he ruined the band with his insipid lyrics and cheesy delivery. I regret not throwing him out of the band and doing the vocals myself.
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
I'm not sure what songs people are getting into. On the last tour, a few people have asked us to play more material form the ep but honestly, I'd rather move forward. I feel like the band has changed a lot since we wrote those songs.
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
Lyrics and music are even in my opinion.
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
I think that the music industry is in an interesting place. The internet and downloading has changed the way people get exposed to music and the old model of records sales is not longer relevant. A lot of the larger record companies that depend on selling cd's are going to have to revise their business plan.
It's also very easy to be in a band in the Age of New Media. With that said there are a lot of mediocre bands out there that record a few tracks and post on myspace. I feel that this kind of populist approach to music is watering down the overall quality of music. There are a lot of great bands but it's easy to miss them because there are a million not-so-great bands.
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
Release vinyl.
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
I believe that the only laws you should follow are actions and consequences. If you do something you should take responsibility and face any consequences that may be a result of you actions.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
I get up at 0540, go to work until about 1730; train at the gym for about an hour then go to band practice at 1900 until about 2130. I go home, read, maybe watch a movie and go to sleep at about 2330.
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
Working out and reading.
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
On this last tour, we were caught in a blizzard. We drove for about 250 miles in white-out conditions. The snow was gusting so badly that at times we could only see about a meter in front of us. I thought we were going to crash or be struck by another vehicle. It was very sobering.
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
Records:
Black Flag - Damaged
Neurosis - Times of Grace
Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures
Books:
Get in the Van - Henry Rollins
Crime Wave - James Ellroy
Al the Pretty Horses - Cormac Mccarthy
Movies:
Dawn of the Dead remake
Hellraiser
Old School
What is your favourite joke?
I'm not really a joke guy
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
In about a month we leave for a tour with Isis and Pelican. There's a plan for us to tour Europe in the Fall
Added by Steen - 4/27/2009
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