Interviews: The Biscuit Merchant

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Death Metal project The Biscuit Merchant from the USA. Check out this project and follow it on its FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Was it planned, or did it just happen organically?

The name was chosen back in 2009, and it just stuck. I'm not at liberty to comment further.

2. Why did you choose to play this genre?

I fell in love with metal in 2005, listening to Slipknot's "Vol. 3 - The Subliminal Verses" and moved over to thrash with Metallica's "Ride the Lightning." Slipknot got me into drums and the vocal stylings, and Metallica got me into the guitar. Dream Theater came around later and got me into prog.

3. Did you know each other before forming the band?

My live band is made up of 3 other members. I knew Dan (bass) from a previous collaboration. Dhruv (rhythm guitar) was a student of mine. And I met Anton (drums) through a musicians-seeking-musicians page on Facebook

4. Your favorite band?

Cattle Decapitation, Dream Theater, Foxy Shazam

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Lyrically, it mostly comes from my personal experiences. I get inspired to play guitar and write music by listening to and learning other songs from bands I love. 

6. Where was your last gig?

Gatekeeper Games is in Berkley, Michigan, though by the time this goes out, it'll probably be Ziggy's in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

7. Where would you like to perform in the future?

Anywhere and everywhere! I'd love to continue to expand outside of Michigan and play in bigger cities like Chicago, Cleveland, and all the way out to New York and Los Angeles. My favorite venue in the entire world is the Andrew J Brady Music Center in Cincinnati. Playing there would be a dream come true for me.

8. Which artist or band would you like to collaborate with?

I remain committed to keeping the albums contained to my own playing/singing. But there's a never-ending list of bands that I'd love to play live with. I'd love to get Alkaloid over the pond for a show in the states, and I'd totally open for them if they wanted :)

9. Is there anyone you wouldn’t want to collaborate with?

I'm very much open to playing with just about anyone, but I'd prefer to keep it to metal/hard rock. Sorry, no Taylor Swift collaborations on the horizon!

10. Have any of you ever experienced stage fright? Do you have any tips for beginners on overcoming it?

A little! Our first show was a bit nerve-wracking, since the music was never really intended to be played live. Doing lead guitar and lead vocals at the same time is especially challenging. As for advice, I'd recommend that any musicians remember that NOBODY knows your songs better than you. Don't be afraid of little mistakes. Just stay the course and play how you play.

11. Which bands have influenced you the most?

Ah, here we go. My influences are diverse within the world of metal. I think my music is a melting pot of different subgenres, with a "flagship" band that influences my writing. I love thrash metal (Megadeth), death metal (Carcass), melodic death metal (Dismember), and prog metal (Alkaloid) the most.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Nothing too crazy so far. I was super flattered the first time someone asked me to sign an album cover, though!

13. What do you think of your fans?

Love 'em. I feel so privileged to have even one person out there who enjoys my work. I primarily make it to fulfill my creative needs, but I'm immensely thankful to anyone who enjoys it.

14. What do you think of our site?

Awesome! The world of metal and hardcore is so dense, and it's important to have magazines (print and digital) and press folks that help show the world what's going on in the medium. I love the diversity of what you guys cover too.

15. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Stay tuned! Tempora is merely one piece of a gigantic, 26-album mega project called ALPHA. Eventually, there will be one album for every letter of the alphabet, and they can be experienced in a row from A-Z. You can experience a part of it for yourself right now by listening to Tempora, Unexplained Wounds, Visible Scars, and When Heart and Mind Collide in order. I've released a new album each year since 2017, and I'm not slowing down now!