"...it makes you want to drink more than being in a band does!"
Trash Metal/Hardcore Punk band Municipal Waste has been crawling out from the underground in recent years and now with their 4th studio album, Massive Aggressive, they are demanding the attention of the mainstream. I spoke with Municipal Waste guitarist, Ryan Waste, recently to discuss black face, retard icons, magic little people and putting their fan's lives in danger for the sake of being totally fucking metal. Enjoy!
Altsounds: Your new album debuted at #10 on Billboard Heatseekers... were you surprised to find yourselves on Billboard considering all of the mainstream competition?
Ryan Waste: Yeah I was. I don't even know what the Heatseekers chart is. It's a good thing though, can't go wrong.
Do you ever listen to the radio?
Old classic rock stations sometimes when I'm over records. I look for songs that I grew up with; the things I listened to as a kid. I get a little nostalgic sometimes. I seek that stuff out and make my own playlists, mostly with songs from late 70s and early 80s radio. Nothing new at all. I'm open to new stuff though... blow my mind.
Even with the internet and file sharing and band profiles and all that, it is still surprisingly difficult to reach a dedicated audience. Which avenues have proven the most successful for you? How do people hear about Municipal Waste?
I think going to shows is the coolest way to hear about new bands. I like to catch something live that captures my interest. I tell people to go to shows early and watch the openers. I think that's how people found out about us- as support on bigger shows. The die hard fans have the internet and all that, but going to shows is the best way to discover new music. You never know when something will surprise you. Opening bands are hungry. They really want it! It's exciting when you're up and coming and you're putting it all out there.
You guys are known for sort of blending metal and punk sub-genres. Do you ever find it challenging to be creative or come up with original ideas in a genre with such a deeeep catalog?
It's easy writing songs, that's never really been a problem. That's actually my favorite part of being in a band- creating the music. I play in a band that's all out heavy metal. If I wanted to take the Waste all metal, I could, but I choose to go with different bands. We keep punk elements in there and that's what makes the band what it is. I think if you try to sound too much like something, you'll fail. It's been done and it gets monotonous. If you just do different projects, you can be creative in different ways and keep it genuine.
Ok, a classic 'chicken or the egg' scenario- Do you think albums should attract people to the shows or the shows should make people want to buy the album?
You gotta go to a show to see a band, but I really think albums attract people to the shows. What I think is cool is artwork. There are so many bands I found just because the artwork looked cool, and it's on vinyl, so it's big. The problem I have now is I find a great album and the band has been broken up for 20 years! [laughs] I'll give this one to the record... and contradict myself. [laughs]
You guys do a lot of touring in the States and in Europe- where would you like to play but haven't yet had the opportunity?
Lately we've been in Europe constantly. We've been over there 4 times this year. I'm glad we're finally doing the US on a headlining tour. We haven't been to Japan yet, but we have 3 shows booked in May. We haven't been to South America, but we have shows booked there in the Spring. I have plans to go to the places I really want to go to and we'll accomplish that in 2010... so then I can say I've been there!
If you have to choose to play one kind of venue exclusively, what would it be? Small club, big outdoor festival show, arena?
A burned down house. The way the Waste used to be, we were crazy. We played in a burned down house one time... the ceiling was caving in and we had all this dry ice and creepy lighting. We ciphoned off electricity from other houses. People were really scared to come in. That's how you know who the die hard fans are- the ones that will see you play in a burned down house that's falling apart.
How many bands are you in at the moment?
Right now, just the Waste and I do a band called Volture, which is straight metal. It's really heavy. I played bass in that. We're going to record our first record this winter.
How will you juggle being in the studio and being on the road with a completely different band?
It's hard. I want to get some stuff on vinyl. I may even release it myself. It's something I'm passionate about. I have always wanted a heavy metal band and put the record out on vinyl. It's a second attempt at something I've really wanted to do for a long time.
Have you ever had a "normal" job?
Oh yeah, I've been a cook so many times. I've worked in restaurants. It's a cool job, but it makes you want to drink more than being in a band does! There are some real dangerous party atmospheres with cooks.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
That I'm a really good cook! My nickname is "Dr. Food." Also, I did a rap group called Dirty Wordz. In 6 or 7 years, we have a total of 3 songs. It's really childish and not much of a group, but I don't think people would expect that. I'm not the rapping type.
It's almost Halloween, are you excited?
Yes, I always come up with my costume like the day before. I'm very last minute. We're not playing Halloween this year, which means I can just go to parties and watch the shows. The best Halloween show we ever played was when we were on tour with Gwar in like 2006. We were in Milwaukee and our friend made custom costumes for us. Tony was the Kool-Aid Man. Dave was the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. I can't believe he didn't pass out from heat exhaustion, drumming in that costume. Our bass player, Phil, was King Diamond from Mercyful Fate. He talked like King Diamond.
Mine was kind of dated... I was Handiman. Black face AND handicapped. I was playing a character! I'm kind of known to do black face, actually. I don't think there's anything wrong with it. It's pretty extreme. The kids didn't get it though. They thought I was 'Captain Retard.' I just looked like a freak up there, but I stayed in character all night. Oh, and the coolest thing was Gwar came out in their costumes and killed us in our last song.
Which classic horror monster would you consider your favorite?
The Leprechaun. I know it's not a classic one really, but if you caught me 5 years ago, this is all I would be talking about. Warwick Davis- he's the world's richest little person. He's my favorite horror character. He can do ANYTHING. The Leprechaun has magic on his side, so he can make anything happen. He smokes bong hits. He went to the hood and he's in the fridge smoking bong hits. He can shoot lasers out of his eyes. The guy has ultimate powers! I don't think anyone could take him out. It's not very classic, but that's my guy. If I could dress up like him and pull it off, I would do it. I could be that character all night. It's a tough one to pull off, though.
Well that's all I had for you. Thanks for talking with me!
Hey, thank YOU!
Municipal Waste's new album Massive Aggressive in stores now!
Municipal Waste -- Official Website (www.facethewaste.com)
Municipal Waste on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads
Altsounds: Your new album debuted at #10 on Billboard Heatseekers... were you surprised to find yourselves on Billboard considering all of the mainstream competition?
Ryan Waste: Yeah I was. I don't even know what the Heatseekers chart is. It's a good thing though, can't go wrong.
Do you ever listen to the radio?
Old classic rock stations sometimes when I'm over records. I look for songs that I grew up with; the things I listened to as a kid. I get a little nostalgic sometimes. I seek that stuff out and make my own playlists, mostly with songs from late 70s and early 80s radio. Nothing new at all. I'm open to new stuff though... blow my mind.
Even with the internet and file sharing and band profiles and all that, it is still surprisingly difficult to reach a dedicated audience. Which avenues have proven the most successful for you? How do people hear about Municipal Waste?
I think going to shows is the coolest way to hear about new bands. I like to catch something live that captures my interest. I tell people to go to shows early and watch the openers. I think that's how people found out about us- as support on bigger shows. The die hard fans have the internet and all that, but going to shows is the best way to discover new music. You never know when something will surprise you. Opening bands are hungry. They really want it! It's exciting when you're up and coming and you're putting it all out there.
You guys are known for sort of blending metal and punk sub-genres. Do you ever find it challenging to be creative or come up with original ideas in a genre with such a deeeep catalog?
It's easy writing songs, that's never really been a problem. That's actually my favorite part of being in a band- creating the music. I play in a band that's all out heavy metal. If I wanted to take the Waste all metal, I could, but I choose to go with different bands. We keep punk elements in there and that's what makes the band what it is. I think if you try to sound too much like something, you'll fail. It's been done and it gets monotonous. If you just do different projects, you can be creative in different ways and keep it genuine.
Ok, a classic 'chicken or the egg' scenario- Do you think albums should attract people to the shows or the shows should make people want to buy the album?
You gotta go to a show to see a band, but I really think albums attract people to the shows. What I think is cool is artwork. There are so many bands I found just because the artwork looked cool, and it's on vinyl, so it's big. The problem I have now is I find a great album and the band has been broken up for 20 years! [laughs] I'll give this one to the record... and contradict myself. [laughs]
You guys do a lot of touring in the States and in Europe- where would you like to play but haven't yet had the opportunity?
Lately we've been in Europe constantly. We've been over there 4 times this year. I'm glad we're finally doing the US on a headlining tour. We haven't been to Japan yet, but we have 3 shows booked in May. We haven't been to South America, but we have shows booked there in the Spring. I have plans to go to the places I really want to go to and we'll accomplish that in 2010... so then I can say I've been there!
If you have to choose to play one kind of venue exclusively, what would it be? Small club, big outdoor festival show, arena?
A burned down house. The way the Waste used to be, we were crazy. We played in a burned down house one time... the ceiling was caving in and we had all this dry ice and creepy lighting. We ciphoned off electricity from other houses. People were really scared to come in. That's how you know who the die hard fans are- the ones that will see you play in a burned down house that's falling apart.
How many bands are you in at the moment?
Right now, just the Waste and I do a band called Volture, which is straight metal. It's really heavy. I played bass in that. We're going to record our first record this winter.
How will you juggle being in the studio and being on the road with a completely different band?
It's hard. I want to get some stuff on vinyl. I may even release it myself. It's something I'm passionate about. I have always wanted a heavy metal band and put the record out on vinyl. It's a second attempt at something I've really wanted to do for a long time.
Have you ever had a "normal" job?
Oh yeah, I've been a cook so many times. I've worked in restaurants. It's a cool job, but it makes you want to drink more than being in a band does! There are some real dangerous party atmospheres with cooks.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
That I'm a really good cook! My nickname is "Dr. Food." Also, I did a rap group called Dirty Wordz. In 6 or 7 years, we have a total of 3 songs. It's really childish and not much of a group, but I don't think people would expect that. I'm not the rapping type.
It's almost Halloween, are you excited?
Yes, I always come up with my costume like the day before. I'm very last minute. We're not playing Halloween this year, which means I can just go to parties and watch the shows. The best Halloween show we ever played was when we were on tour with Gwar in like 2006. We were in Milwaukee and our friend made custom costumes for us. Tony was the Kool-Aid Man. Dave was the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. I can't believe he didn't pass out from heat exhaustion, drumming in that costume. Our bass player, Phil, was King Diamond from Mercyful Fate. He talked like King Diamond.
Mine was kind of dated... I was Handiman. Black face AND handicapped. I was playing a character! I'm kind of known to do black face, actually. I don't think there's anything wrong with it. It's pretty extreme. The kids didn't get it though. They thought I was 'Captain Retard.' I just looked like a freak up there, but I stayed in character all night. Oh, and the coolest thing was Gwar came out in their costumes and killed us in our last song.
Which classic horror monster would you consider your favorite?
The Leprechaun. I know it's not a classic one really, but if you caught me 5 years ago, this is all I would be talking about. Warwick Davis- he's the world's richest little person. He's my favorite horror character. He can do ANYTHING. The Leprechaun has magic on his side, so he can make anything happen. He smokes bong hits. He went to the hood and he's in the fridge smoking bong hits. He can shoot lasers out of his eyes. The guy has ultimate powers! I don't think anyone could take him out. It's not very classic, but that's my guy. If I could dress up like him and pull it off, I would do it. I could be that character all night. It's a tough one to pull off, though.
Well that's all I had for you. Thanks for talking with me!
Hey, thank YOU!
Municipal Waste's new album Massive Aggressive in stores now!
Municipal Waste -- Official Website (www.facethewaste.com)
Municipal Waste on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads
