Interview: Two Nights with The Sword @ The Mohawk
Friday & Saturday
The Mohawk (912 Red River)
9 p.m. | $15 Advance; $17 At The Door
[info] | [tickets]
Congratulations on the success of Gods of the Earth -- have you started working on a third full-length yet?
Hey thanks for that! Yes we have started working on a new album, I'd say we're anywhere from 53-58% complete.
Can we expect to hear any new songs at the back to back shows at The Mohawk this weekend?
There will be four new songs played. Some shit about orbs, fire, cities and witches.
You signed with Kemado Records in 2005 -- how did the label seek you out and how has that relationship been?
It's a short story that begins with Trivett (Wingo) sending our demo tape to Mark Morton from Lamb of God. He thought it was actually good and sent it to a couple of his buddies, and one of those buddies went and played it for a guy named Keith (Abrahamsson) at Kemado. Keith came down from New York soon after hearing the record to start the Kemado / The Sword courtship, we dated for about 8 months before getting exclusive.
The Sword released a two-disc box set containing both full-lengths last year -- what was spurred that decision? Are there any plans to assemble b-sides, contributions to compilations, and tracks included in overseas editions of your records for a "rarities" release?
Promotion spurred that decision.. I think Kemado figured if there were going to be new fans, why not hook them up and give them both records at once for a discounted price. As far as the rarities release in the future -- maybe, there are most certainly some 'rare' tracks.
Could you pinpoint some of the band's lyrical influences?
JD (Cronise) writes all the lyrics, and some of his literary influences are George R.R. Martin, H.P. Lovecraft, Arthur C. Clarke and, last but certainly not least, native Texan Robert E. Howard.
Are there advantages to having (or in your case, being) a producer that is also in the band?
Being someone that has never worked with a 'professional' producer, it seems only natural that at least one person in the band has a very concise vision of what the music should sound like, otherwise - what are we doing here? Hitting shit and making noise?
In today's day 'n' age, what is The Sword's philosophy when it comes to nurturing a long lasting career in the music business? What are your thoughts on file sharing? Are spots on Guitar Hero and Rock Band crucial these days to a metal band's success?
File sharing is somewhat inevitable, granted, because of that you'll probably never have another Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin or even Mötley Crüe - no band will ever be able to reach that mega-band status. But on the other side of that - some rockers in Latvia would have never heard your record had they not downloaded it off the internet.
Guitar Hero and Rock Band spots are crucial for getting your music to people that may not keep up with new music, which surprising as that may sound - totally happens.
You have toured with legends like Clutch and Metallica, and also some of our favorites, Nebula and Torche -- any interesting anecdotes you can share from those jaunts?
No, said anecdotes will be saved for our tell all book, due on shelves 2016.
What would an ideal 2010 look like in The Sword's career timeline?
New album released to wild fan fare, with a large headlining tour to coincide. People will start saying TWENTY TEN, rather than TWO THOUSAND AND TEN.
If The Sword had a battle cry, what would it be?
The sound of a water pipe bubbling? I'm not really sure, we just do what we do.
Thanks for speaking with Austinist.
[The Sword MySpace]
[RatKing MySpace]
[Pack Of Wolves MySpace]
[FingaarBangaar MySpace]
[Woodgrain MySpace]
