A Dirty Dozen with MATT WEISS from OFF GUARD – February 2025

According to a recent press release: “NYC based modern rock band Øff Guard consists of classically trained musicians with a mission of mental health advocacy while staying true to themselves through the process. Delivering an electrifying sound that’s both reflective and heartfelt, Øff Guard’s energetic and unwavering focus on emotional authenticity brings forth their third EP, Complex Machines, produced by Alan Day (Four Year Strong) and Nik Bruzzese (Man Overboard). We are all complex machines, capable of changing our feelings and intentions in an instant, embodying the duality of man—wired for self-preservation yet deeply sentimental toward others. Following themes of mental illness, OCD, human’s shared spectrum of emotion and even the bittersweet loss of childhood, the ep makes for a raw, relatable & powerful listening experience.” We get Matt Weiss to discuss new music, influences, and more…

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 you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

We just put out a new EP called Complex Machines. This 5 song record is our favorite that we’ve ever put out! Something a first time listener might not catch is that there are two lead singers in our band. We sound pretty similar, but it takes a very experienced off guard listener to differentiate the two voices.

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

I’ve always been a big fan of music. At 8 years old, I started playing the cello, and ever since then I haven’t stopped playing songs, whether I’m jamming on guitar or singing.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Gerard Way and My Chemical Romance is who inspired me to be a singer in a rock band when I was 13 years old. Once I listened to The Black Parade, I knew that this was what I wanted to do with my life.

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

If I could collaborate with anyone, I think it would be Oli Sykes. His voice and writing style is so consistent and vast, and he’s one of my favorite artists today.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

My favorite thing to do when I’m not in the studio is to sit in bed and watch Netflix and Hulu. Nothing better than doing nothing, to be honest.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I would describe us as if Taking Back Sunday and Pierce The Veil had a music baby. People have made many comparisons for us, but one I did not agree with was Alien Ant Farm. All love to that band, though.

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

When we’re all hanging out, it would probably be Jordan (drummer) who will cook, Matt (guitarist) will get some Tecate’s together, and Tyler (vocals/bass) will ALWAYS bring out the guitar for a singalong.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

The last time I was starstruck is when we got the honor to play a show with Donovan Melero’s band, Nova Charisma. Meeting him was great, but it was surreal to be in the same room as one of my favorite singers.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part about being a musician is that there are no set rules on how to make songs and art. You can follow your own steps and make something completely original that people might love. If I couldn’t be a musician, my dream job would have to be an actor on one of those ghost hunting shows.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

One question I have always wanted an interviewer to ask is, has the place you’ve grown up in affected your sound? My answer would be yes. The good times of getting older, plus the bad times and all the inbetween, are why we sound the way we sound. To be honest, I don’t think I’m tired of any interview questions quite yet.

11. 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,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I don’t think I really regret any moment in my career. All of the missteps, steps taken back or missed opportunities I’ve had have set me up for who I am today – as well as the band’s identity. And we are a strong unit.

12. 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?

I would absolutely go back to My Chemical Romance making The Black Parade together. It would be insane to be in the same room as that moment. That record truly means everything to me. It’s what inspired me to write, and try to follow my own dreams. Gerard Way, if you’re reading this, thank you.

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Category: Interviews