Mark Moots from Weight of the tide was so nice
and took some time to answer a lot of questions
from me. It was done in September 2017 and I
hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed their
album.
Please tell me a little bit history of the
group?
-The band was formed at the end of the line for
The Swamp Donkey. Jason and I had played
together in December and he joined The Donkey as
we prepared to record the follow up to The
Trouble With Crusades. First on bass, then on
drums. We added Marcus and Jes to the lineup and
decided it was time to rebrand the group as its
own entity. The direction and style had changed
and is continuing to evolve. So, it seemed like
it was the right thing to do.
Please tell me a little about every member in
the group right now, age, family, work,
interests and something bad about everyone?
Earlier bands? Other bands on the side?
-We're all older dudes I suppose. Three of us
have children. I'm a tattoo artist. The
other guys all work regular type jobs.
I can hear much different influences but I
think I can hear both Killing Joke in the same
time as Soundgarden etc? Favorites from the
past?
-I'd say there's a wide range of influences for
sure. I'm a big fan of Killing Joke and Soundgarden actually.
We all listen to different types of music and
bands form all genres. Everything comes together
when we get in the jam room.
Weight of the tide are you satisfied with the
name? How did it came up? You weren’t afraid
that some other band would be named like this?,
Which is the best bandname you know?
-I'm satisfied with the name for sure. It just
came to me one day and kinda stuck. I did do
research online to see if there were other bands
with that name and none came up, so we took it.
Best band names I know? There are so many. The
Ocean, Soundgarden, Converge...just off the top
of my head.
What´s the best thing with playing live?
-The volume and the energy of the crowd and the
exchange of that back and forth I'd say. It's
really an old cliche isn't it? It's true tho.
That's the best feeling ever.
And where is best to play? And the worst place?
-The best place I've ever played would be the
U.K. December toured there back in the day and I
loved it. Worst place? We've definitely played
in some less than adequate rooms over the years.
But we love playing so it's worth it.
How is to play this sort of music in your
homecountry now right now? Which types of bands
do you have concerts together with?
-Metal is definitely underground right now and
that's ok. There will always be a segment of the
population that wants to hear and see heavy
bands that aren't on the radio. We usually play
with stoner/doom bands. We've also played with
hardcore/metalcore, death metal and what ever
other sub-genre you can think of.
How would you describe your music in three
words?
-Heavy, melodic, heavy
What does punk mean to you, is it only a word or
is it a lifestyle? I know that you don´t play
punk in any way but I´m much into punk and I am
always wondering what other people think about
it?
-Well, as you said, were certainly not a punk
band. Having said that I think punk is a bit of
a lifestyle depending on the punk. I grew up
listening to Dead Kennedys and Fear then
transitioned into hardcore. I say if it makes
you happy, listen to it and be about it.
How do you see on downloading, mp3 and that
stuff?
-It's just the way of the world now. I'm guilty
of downloading myself. I do support bands
directly as much as possible by purchasing merch
and going to gigs as much as I can.
How is it to live in your homecountry right now?
Politically? Fascists?
-I'm not a terribly political guy. However, It's
no secret that things are pretty fucking nuts
here at present. A lot of ugliness and division.
Politically it's the worst I've ever seen it.
And the rise of Neo-nazi/nationalist/alt-right
is disgusting. I'm not sure how it can get
worse, but how low things can sink continues to
surprise me.
Is there any good bands from your homecountrynow? Is
the punkscene/hardcorescene big? How is the
metalscene?How is it in your hometown?
-I think there are tons of good American bands
from all over in all genres. It seems like the
punk scene is always consistent and hardcore has
been big in our area for years. The local scene
is doing ok. Good bands but a lack of venues and
show attendance. Not sure why Likely just a dry
spell.
What do you know about Sweden?
-Not a lot, sadly I've never been to Sweden. I
would love to visit some day.
Have you heard any good bands from Sweden?
-Of course! December toured with The Haunted and
Corporation 187 years back. Obviously In Flames
and At the Gates are legendary. It's seems to me
that Sweden has a wealth of talented musicians
and bands.
Your lyrics, who does them and what influences
you? Is it easier to do lyrics now or was its
easier to do it when you was younger? You have
very long songs, is it difficult to end them or
is it so that you decide before you do a song
that it “must” be long?
-Jes and I both write the lyrics for our songs.
We work independently on our individual parts
and then collaborate at the end to make sure
they're cohesive. I can't speak for Jes but I
get most of my inspiration from the song. How it
sounds, the melody and what mood it creates for
me shapes the final words. I don't think it's
any different now than from when I was younger
honestly. I just try to do my best to convey a
feeling that matches the music.
We do tend to write long songs haha. I can't say
it intentional. We just let the songs tell us
where to go and when they're done. I don't see
any reason to feel like one has to write 3-4
minute songs. There aren't any rules here. We
just want the songs to be the best they can no
matter how long they need to be.
Is there any subject that you never will write
anything about??
-I don't write political songs. Can't say I
never would I suppose. It just doesn't feel
right to me. I tend to write about things more
ambiguously. I'm not a guy with a message.
Politic and music, does it goes hand in
hand? Which is your most political song?
-I think that music and politics have a long
history together. Protest songs have been around
for ages. I've never wanted to tread in those
waters personally. But I respect bands that feel
so strongly about things that they use that
platform to convey they're position.
Best political band/artist?
-That's a tough one. Public Enemy would probably
be my favorite. Chuck D spoke with such
intelligence and authority, still does. And the
issues he touched upon were foreign to me. I
feel like I learned a lot from those albums.
Do you think that music(lyrics and so on) can
change anyones life, I mean people who listens
to music?
-Absolutely. There are songs and albums I look
back on as life defining moments and the
soundtrack to my life.
Your cover on your CD looks really nice, is it
important to have a record cover which shows
people which type of music you play? Your
favorite recordcover? Who does your covers? And
do you have any good recordstores in your
hometown?
-Thank you! Our good friend Jay Bailey did all
the art for us. I think album art should give
you an idea of what the album is going to sound.
Looking back at all the albums I bought, solely
based on artwork, I discovered so many
incredible, influential bands. Iron Maiden,
Anthrax, Celtic Frost, the list goes on and on.
We have one record store here in Reno. Recycled
Records has been in business for about 30 years
I think? It's a used record shop and it's
awesome.
Is it important to get out physical records of
your stuff? Why or why not? Vinyl, CD, cassette,
what do you prefer if you could choose whatever
?
-I suppose it's become less important over the
years to a lot of people. I think the resurgence
of vinyl is a fantastic thing. I missed the days
of holding a record sleeve in my hands and
reading the liner notes while the record spun on
the turntable. Very happy to see that medium
return and have people embrace it.
Please tell me a funny thing which have happened
during your career and under some gig?
-Well, years ago when December and Cephailc
Carnage were on tour opening for Destruction
and Kreator the we and the Cephalic guys all
dressed up in monster masks and drunkenly rushed
the stage during Bestial Invasion.
How does your audience look like? Which people
do you miss on your concerts? Which is the
biggest band you ever have played together with?
-It's mostly guys at our shows. Which is fine.
We're just happy that people come out and see
the show.
We've played with a number of bands. Diamond
Head, Raven, a pale Horse named death,
eyehategod, north, Crowbar, 36 crazyfists and
more I can't can't recall at the moment.
Please rank your five favoriterecords, five
favoriteconcerts and five most important things
in life?
-Records - Rush/Moving pictures, Kiss/Dressed to
kill, Anthrax/Among the living, crowbar/Odd
fellows rest, Marillion/Misplaced childhood.
Concerts - Rush, Fleetwood Mac, Pantera, King
Diamond, Buddy Guy
Life - family, music, food, happiness, friends
First, last and most expensive record ever
bought?
-My first record was Kiss Alive 2. Most recent
record was the new Afghan Whigs. Most expensive
was a used copy of Kiss The Originals.
Is it boring with interviews? Is it much
interviews?
-I don't think it's boring at all. I'm happy to
chat about our music and spread the word to as
many people as possible.
If you could choose five bands from the past and
the history and nowadays and both dead and
living bands to have a concert together with
your band. Which five have you been chosen?
-Tough one.
Is music a good way to get out frustration and
become a nicer person outside the music??
-I think that music is a fantastic release.
Heavy music feels very cathartic to play for me,
personally. I can get all my shit out of my
system and stay the mellow, calm, easy going guy
I naturally am. Haha
Which is the most odd question you ever have got
in an interview?
-I honestly can't think of anything off hand. I
view interviews as more conversations. They can
go all kinds of directions. That keeps it
interesting.
Futureplans for the band?
-We're very excited to release All Told into the
world and see how it does. We've begun writing
new songs for whatever the next release may be.
We'll continue to play shows and spread our
sounds out as far as we can.
For yourself?
-For me? I'll just keep living my life as best I
can. Keep tattooing, enjoy my awesome home life,
family and friends.
Wisdomword?
-Be excellent to each other.
Something to add?
-Thank you for taking the time to talk about
Weight of the Tide. I hope you enjoy the album.