Push to Fire: Max Raptor Interview

Push to Fire Interview: Max Raptor
by Max Raptor

Max Raptor are a fairly explosive and frantic rock band from the UK who have been touring with the likes of the brilliant Billy Talent. Push To Fire chatted with them about their link to Billy Talent amongst other things before their tour around the UK this autumn.
Your upcoming single 'Ghosts' was produced by Sam Bell [who has worked with Bloc Party, Weezer, REM], what was that experience like?
The guy's a genius. It was pretty fun watching Matt drumming through two tracks for hours on end whilst we played Pool and had lunch… He was experimenting with mic's and got an amazing sound for the tracks. Really cool guy. We send all our new stuff to him in LA and he gives us feedback. Think we'll record the album with him as he's become a good mate…
You will be heading out on tour shortly - what are you looking forward to most on the tour?
Nights out after our show in weird Towns/Cities. Usually pick up some unsuspecting people/bands to show us the best places to head out to. Although last Saturday night, great show in Leeds and ended up sleeping in a flat that looked like Ian Brady's holiday home. Still scrubbing, still scrubbing.
How would you convince our readers to come and see you live?
Our fans go nuts. Imagine a Patriotic, beer swilling Soviet bar with jumping, moshing screaming people, sweaty limbs and chants. That and loads of attractive women who have started to appear at shows. Think of it as speed dating but you might get kneecapped.

There's talk of a full length release in 2011 - can you tell us a little about that?
We're writing shit loads at the moment in a studio down the road from us. Demo-ing and recording. As soon as we're happy we'll give Mr Bell a call and arrange something either in the UK or the States. We could have released an album with a French record label 3 years ago but it wouldn't have had our sound. We didn't see the point in thinking go out and release something without the foundations just for the sake of having an physical in HMV, which would have winged it's way quickly in to the ASDA bent bargains bin. And then who looks like a dick?
Your sound has been described as an 'assault to the senses', a 'futuristic take on hardcore' and a 'pure sense of punk rock attitude' - do you have any particular influences that inspire this combination of sounds?
We're all pretty different with our music tastes but the bands we all love probably influence our stuff the most. Refused, The Bronx, J.C.Q, G.O.A.T and then Billy Talent who we've always loved for the hook and the catch. JB (guitar) big fan of Guitar bands and 70's stuff so I think a bit of old school comes through too.
That being said, how would you describe your sound in your own words?
The British cut of American Punk. Raw, darkly humorous and fresh.
You've been lucky enough to share the stage with Billy Talent - what was that experience like, and is there any other band that you would love to tour with?
Billy Talent were incredible. They asked us on to this mini tour and it was massive. They're great guys and would love to play with them again. Their fans are the best fans you could ever want. Newcastle o2 Academy with Billy Talent in 2009 is still our favourite show to date. Any other bands?? Hmmm… Possibly RATM? Go on… sort that please..
Finally, what is the best piece of advice you would give to young, unsigned bands out there?
Always write for yourself and think how cool your kids will think you are when you 55.

Thanks to Max Raptor for speaking to Meghan. Photo supplied by PR. Find more info and music clips on Max Raptor's MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/maxraptor.

Push to Fire Interview: Max Raptor by Max Raptor Max Raptor are a fairly explosive and frantic rock band from the UK who have been touring with the likes of the brilliant Billy Talent. Push To Fire chatted with them about their link to Billy Talent amongst other things before their tour around the UK this autumn. Your upcoming single 'Ghosts' was produced by Sam Bell [who has worked with Bloc Party, Weezer, REM], what was that experience like? The guy's a genius. It was pretty fun watching Matt drumming through two tracks for hours on end whilst we played Pool and had lunch… He was experimenting with mic's and got an amazing sound for the tracks. Really cool guy. We send all our new stuff to him in LA and he gives us feedback. Think we'll record the album with him as he's become a good mate… You will be heading out on tour shortly - what are you looking forward to most on the tour? Nights out after our show in weird Towns/Cities. Usually pick up some unsuspecting people/bands to show us the best places to head out to. Although last Saturday night, great show in Leeds and ended up sleeping in a flat that looked like Ian Brady's holiday home. Still scrubbing, still scrubbing. How would you convince our readers to come and see you live? Our fans go nuts. Imagine a Patriotic, beer swilling Soviet bar with jumping, moshing screaming people, sweaty limbs and chants. That and loads of attractive women who have started to appear at shows. Think of it as speed dating but you might get kneecapped. There's talk of a full length release in 2011 - can you tell us a little about that? We're writing shit loads at the moment in a studio down the road from us. Demo-ing and recording. As soon as we're happy we'll give Mr Bell a call and arrange something either in the UK or the States. We could have released an album with a French record label 3 years ago but it wouldn't have had our sound. We didn't see the point in thinking go out and release something without the foundations just for the sake of having an physical in HMV, which would have winged it's way quickly in to the ASDA bent bargains bin. And then who looks like a dick? Your sound has been described as an 'assault to the senses', a 'futuristic take on hardcore' and a 'pure sense of punk rock attitude' - do you have any particular influences that inspire this combination of sounds? We're all pretty different with our music tastes but the bands we all love probably influence our stuff the most. Refused, The Bronx, J.C.Q, G.O.A.T and then Billy Talent who we've always loved for the hook and the catch. JB (guitar) big fan of Guitar bands and 70's stuff so I think a bit of old school comes through too. That being said, how would you describe your sound in your own words? The British cut of American Punk. Raw, darkly humorous and fresh. You've been lucky enough to share the stage with Billy Talent - what was that experience like, and is there any other band that you would love to tour with? Billy Talent were incredible. They asked us on to this mini tour and it was massive. They're great guys and would love to play with them again. Their fans are the best fans you could ever want. Newcastle o2 Academy with Billy Talent in 2009 is still our favourite show to date. Any other bands?? Hmmm… Possibly RATM? Go on… sort that please.. Finally, what is the best piece of advice you would give to young, unsigned bands out there? Always write for yourself and think how cool your kids will think you are when you 55.
Thanks to Max Raptor for speaking to Meghan. Photo supplied by PR. Find more info and music clips on Max Raptor's MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/maxraptor.