10 Quick Ones with QUINN McGRAW of LIVING MACHINES – June 2018

According to a recent press release: “Sci-Fi inspired, progressive metal band LIVING MACHINES has released the official music video for “Valkyrie V2,” off of the Declassified Booster Pack for their debut LP, I: After Onyx. Originally premiered on Tattoo.com, “Valkyrie V2” is available to stream / download as part of the band’s I: After Onyx (Declassified Booster Pack).” We get drummer Quinn to discuss new music, influences, and more in our 10 Quick Ones…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

“The Valkyrie V2” is a stripped down version of our song “The Valkyrie,” and was released digitally as bonus content for our first EP I: After Onyx, as I: After Onyx (Declassified Booster Pack). It’s the first track with our new frontman Ryan Card singing on it, as we had parted ways with our original vocalist Robert Gardner prior to releasing I: After Onyx. We wanted to give him a proper introduction, and as a singer himself, we figured we’d make a ballad out of one of the softer songs on our debut! There’s also a dubstep remix of our title track Living Machines snuck in the digital bonus content release, produced by SixxSpeed.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I’d probably have to say my parents are the biggest cause for me getting so into music. My mom and dad are both big music buffs in their own way. My mom has seen Rush live, loves Jethro Tull, and my dad grew up during the punk movement in England back when the Pistols and Clash were just starting out. Like any kid growing up in the 90’s, if you weren’t inspired to become a performer by N’SYNC or the Backstreet Boys, then you’re probably a liar haha. But in all seriousness, I’d probably say bands like Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park and Korn really got me into wanting to start playing music, particularly bass.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Presently, I base a lot of my playing style off of musicians from Periphery, Coheed and Cambria, Shields, Being as an Ocean, and Architects. However, I’m hugely inspired by artists like Hammock, Daughter and Bonobo.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

Claudio Sanchez from Coheed and Cambria, without a doubt. He’s the man.

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

Loud. Very loud. Haha I try to tell people that even though we are a metal band, being conceptual allows us to explore many genres from song to song. Some songs are mostly aggressive, and others are purely singing and melodically focused. I usually just hope they know who Periphery or Architects are and it saves me the trouble!

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Immersing yourself in something you’re passionate about. Music is so much more than just picking up your instrument… Sharing passion with people whether it’s performing for them or being in the crowd at a show, it’s just so uplifting and liberating. Music is medicine in many, many ways.

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Whenever we hang out, it’s usually to work on music. We usually order a few pizzas and get right down to business. The only time we don’t typically hang out to work on music is when we gather for our pre-show ritual: Mini Golf with zero band discussions.

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Writing comics all flipping day. That and most likely designing tabletop games.

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

So far, I wouldn’t say anything has been a misstep. Everything is a learning process, and even if you fail, it’s important to fail forward.

10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Hmmmm…. It’s not that historic by any means. I don’t listen to too much of the older music I used to listen to growing up anymore, but watching David Gilmour rip the solo in “Comfortably Numb” in real time would be a pretty face melting experience I’d say. That guy shreds.

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Category: Interviews