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Interviews : “The bigger the band got, the more people wanted to get involved” – An interview with Michael Thomas (Bullet For My Valentine)

By on August 11, 2015

UK metallers Bullet For My Valentine are back and bigger than ever with the release of their fifth studio album, ‘Venom’. This will be the first album to feature new bassist Jamie Mathias, who replaced Jason “Jay” James earlier this year.

Martin Michea of Metal Obsession had the pleasure to speak with Michael “Moose” Thomas ahead of the album’s Australian release to have a chat about said new album, the band’s current tour, two hour shows and potentially another ten years of Bullet For My Valentine.

Metal Obsession: Hey Moose, how’s it going?

Moose: I’m good, how are you?

MO: Yeah good thanks! You’re in the US right now aren’t you?

Moose: Yeah, we finished our set just an hour ago actually!

MO: That’s sweet! Let’s start with your current tour. You’re on the Summer’s Last Stand Tour right now, how’s that been so far?

Moose: We’ve been on this tour for two and half weeks now. Motionless In White opening, Lamb of God, us, Slipknot. It’s been incredible so far!

MO: I’m really jealous, that lineup is amazing! You’ve played some songs from Venom, how’s the reception been so far?

Moose: Really good! Obviously, most people are into Slipknot, but the new songs have worked really well so far!

MO: That’s really awesome. Do you have time to watch the other bands as well?

Moose: We’ve been watching Lamb of God religiously every night. I think I’ve missed three shows in total so far!

MO: That’s a pretty good job then [laughs]!

Moose: I know right?!

MO: Let’s talk a bit about Venom. Ever since you released No Way Out there has been a pretty big buzz around you online, mostly positive. Is the band in a good place right now?

Moose: Ah, definitely, the best we’ve ever been! We’ve got a really good album, everyone’s happy, we’re loving the new guy Jamie and yeah, it’s really terrific!

MO: Speaking of Jamie, I saw an interview where you mentioned that you had a bass audition, how did that go down?

Moose: Yeah, a bunch of people just sent in videos from a few bands and stuff. And Matt was like “well, I know this guy back home, he’s been to the studio two, three times, do you want me to ask him?” and I just said “yeah, go on!”. He sent in three videos and automatically blew me away. Showed the rest of the guys. Asked him to audition. Nailed his first audition, and his second audition. And then he was in the band!

MO: Alright! I just have to ask something. I read an interview from Metal Hammer, and you said that you “failed miserably” with Temper Temper, is that right?

Moose: Yeah, Metal Hammer, like to uh…

MO: [laughs]

Moose: I probably did say it hahahaha! It wasn’t a failure really, it was successful in the heavy metal world, but to us it was a bit of a letdown, you know.

MO: From what I’ve heard so far it kind of sounds like a lovechild between The Poison and Scream Aim Fire, it feels like you’re really enjoying yourselves at the moment. Is this album sort of a version 2.0 of the Bullet For My Valentine that people fell in love with almost ten years ago?

Moose: Yeah, definitely, that’s what we wanted to do. The bigger the band got, the more people wanted to get involved. Producers, people pushing us, trying to get us into this and this radio station. Writing songs that you’re not comfortable with. So we just told people to fuck off. So we had a good idea, and when we listened to the songs we just went “OH! Okay!” You just gotta keep true to yourself, especially in the heavy metal world, because if you fuck off in the heavy metal world, you’ll know it, our fans fucking told us!

MO: You’ve worked with Colin Richardson again now, what part did he play in the sound of the new album?

Moose: We just wanted the atmosphere, his mix, quality and control about everything. It’s just terrific!

MO: I haven’t had that much time to listen to album yet, but from what I’ve heard so far it sounds really exciting and it sounds like you really mean business this time around!

Moose: Yeah, one hundred percent, definitely!

MO: Let’s talk a bit about the live aspect of your band. You’re on tour now, when Venom is released, do you know how many songs you’ll end up playing?

Moose: We’re playing three at the moment. The album is coming out next week, as soon as we’re heading over to England we’ll probably stick in a few more in because we’re very happy with the album. So it’ll probably be 4-5, but obviously people like the old stuff as well, so I guess we’ll just have to play for two hours!

MO: [laughs] Yeah, you should totally do that! Speaking of playing for two hours. In October it’s been 10 years since you released The Poison. Would you ever consider doing some shows where you perform the album in it’s entirely?

Moose: We’ve talked about it and stuff, but obviously with the new album, we’re very happy with Venom and we don’t want to do anything to overshadow Venom. So, not anything yet, because we’re very happy with Venom, but maybe in the future!

MO: Maybe in another ten years..

Moose: Oh, really? 10 more years? Fucking hell! [laughs]

MO: Can we expect to see you back in Australia anytime soon? Maybe for another round of Soundwave?

Moose: We really miss coming down to Australia, we haven’t been there in a while. We’ve done Soundwave and stuff, but we really want to come down and do our own shows. So maybe we’ll see what happens next year, but Australia is definitely in our plans at some point.

MO: When you’ve been here in the past, have you done any really touristy stuff?

Moose: We played Big Day Out once, it was weird because we played one show and then we had four days off. Me and Padge just saw it as a perfect opportunity for a drunken holiday!

MO: I have only seen you once, way back in 2010, but I still remember the gig like it was yesterday. Do you think it is important to be a good live band nowadays?

Moose: Oh yes, definitely! Because nowadays kids can write their own demos in their bedrooms and sound amazing! Without really knowing how to play, and when they get together and do a gig they sound absolutely terrible! So you definitely have to get together and play as a band!

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‘Venom’ available in Australia 14th August via Universal Music Australia

MO: Yeah, I’ve been thinking about social media in the industry now. You’re almost veterans by now I guess you could say, do you find it difficult to keep up with the changes?

Moose: We’re sort of used to it now. When it first happened we were just like “eh, whatever!” but obviously now it’s taken over. I mean, I’m looking at bands, tiny bands in America, and they’ve got more followers than us! But they grew up with it you know. And now we’re all like “Hello! Remember us!!” You just have to do as much as possible.

MO: Is it a weird feeling, do you see yourself as an old band now?

Moose: Yeah, we had this discussion the other day! We’re not old, we’re not young anymore, we’re like fucking, middle ground, almost classic!

MO: It’s the rock’n’roll hall of fame next!

Moose: Oh, I don’t believe that! [laughs]

MO: If you had the opportunity to be the drummer for any band for one show, who would you pick?

Moose: Nirvana for sure! I grew up watching Dave Grohl so it would definitely be Nirvana!

MO: Good choice! I just have one more question for you today. Matt said that he’s gone back to dark place with the lyrics for Venom. Was that difficult for him, or was it a natural process?

Moose: I think it was a bit hard to remember what it is like. But once the flood gates were open, he was right in it.

MO: Alright! I just want to say that I’m really excited about Venom, and I think you’re going to do really well with it and thank you for talking to me today!

Moose: Cool man! Thank you very much! Adios!

About

Martin is an aspiring music photographer/videographer. He is originally from the southern parts of Sweden and now he's living in Sydney, Australia. Thanks to his older sister, he got into Rammstein at the age of 9, and since then he's been into all types of metal/rock. He loves to combine photography and music, but also filming concerts and produce live material. Follow him on Twitter and check out his website.