Project X released their debut album ‘The Mirror’, back in 1995. Over fifteen years later and they are back with album number two, ‘D Generation’ out through 100% ROCK. Matt and Rick were kind enough to put some time aside to answer a few questions about why album number two took so long, how different the music industry is today compared to when they were first a band back in the 90′s, and how they are coping with using Facebook.
The obvious first question is, why has it been 15years in between albums?
(Matt) I guess it’s the usual thing of being involved with other bands/projects in the interim. Both Rick and myself lost contact with each other for a while. He was gaining a lot of experience playing with, touring, and booking heaps of different bands, running a recording studio etc. Also in that time, Black Steel was put together and I released several albums with them between 2000 and 2005. Funnily enough, we ended up catching up with each other on Facebook again last year (2010). We set up a Project X Facebook page, which included some old photos and links to songs and video footage from when we released the first album, ‘The Mirror’. Quite a bit of interest was generated in the page, so we then re-released that first album on iTunes, and before long, Rick and I were planning and writing a new album, which became ‘D Generation’.
When did the first seed get planted to make another Project X album?
(Rick) I guess its when the facebook page started getting a lot of hits, people were telling us that the first album was something of a collector’s piece, then it started selling on iTunes and getting some airplay, particularly in Europe where our sort of music is still very popular. The initial thought was to re-master ‘The Mirror’, maybe add a new track or something. At the time I was kind of at a loose end musically, kinda over playing covers and dealing with band politics. I started working on some songs for a short film a mate was shooting, one of which became ‘Alive’. Unfortunately the film didn’t end up happening but the enthusiasm was back. I knew Black Steel were having a break, so I called Matt and a phone call later we’d decided to do another album.
This band features members from a large list of other Australian bands. So with so many other influences was it hard to create a cohesive force between the members?
(Matt) The recording process was actually one of the easiest we’ve ever been associated with. Everyone who played on the album was very happy to come in, after having worked on their parts at home, and it gradually took shape over the time we were in the studio. Rick had worked with Ryan and Leon (both from Ragdoll) before. I’d worked with Jamie and Dave in Black Steel, Gareth in The Jamie Page Band and Humungous D, and do a lot of band and duo gigs with both Graeme and Sandra. The collective influences seemed to enhance and expand the range of the songs, particularly in the guitar solos. There’s lead contributions from a total of six different guitarists throughout the 13 songs. Particularly with players like Jamie (Page) and Leon (Todd), I feel the guitar component on the album is one of its strengths, and one of the aspects that has made it a joy to be involved with.
(Rick) I think everyone involved was experienced enough to just come in and do the work. As Matt said, the recording process was really easy. I think everyone was surprised how easy it was. I think our producer Tom Thorpe has to take some credit too, we’ve done several projects with him over the years and he always manages to maintain a relaxed atmosphere. I think we performed the entire Monty Python catalogue during the recording.
What have been the major changes in the music industry since releasing the bands debut album in 1995?
(Rick) There have been so many changes. In 1995 there was no iTunes, no digital home recording. You had to do it the old fashioned way, work the songs up and go out and get yourself a record deal. These days it’s definitely easier to get product out there thanks to technology and the net. Of course things like pro-tools have come along so the recording process is a little easier.
Social networking sites such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter, are a crucial part of a bands success big or small these days. Has this change made it easier to get Project X’s music out to the public compared to when you guys first started out?
(Matt) Facebook has been the primary ‘conduit’ of getting the awareness out there. People here in Australia and from around the world have been very supportive with their feedback, and we appreciate the way social media is able to reach rock fans the way it does. We also try and respect the fact that as social media users, people often go on Facebook just to chill, browse and chat, so we try not to plug our album incessantly (ha ha!). So far though, there’s been a great response from social media.
Is the Australian metal scene stronger today than it was over a decade ago?
(Rick) No question that it’s a much stronger scene. Don’t get me wrong, there were some fantastic bands back then. Bengal Tigers, Escape, Axe Attack, Allegiance, Boss, Trilogy and Black Alice to name but a few. Now there are fantastic acts all over Australia, in every state, so many great young bands. And metal seems to be a lot more accepted, not quite as underground. And we’ve got bands like Lord and Voyager who are taking Aussie metal to the world. I think we’re in great shape.
Are there any tour plans in the works?
(Matt) No tour plans as such at the moment. We’re focusing on filming a couple of video clips right now, and then a launch gig in early 2012. Touring is something we would definitely consider if an opportunity arose. A metal festival would be fantastic!
Finally, will there be an album number three?
(Rick) It took us a while to find our feet while writing this one, we didn’t really hit our stride till the end, so I didn’t stop, I just kept writing the whole time, so there’s certainly plenty of ideas in the vault. It’s been discussed and as long as there’s some interest and it can be done as easily as this one, I can see us going back into the studio sooner rather than later. Lets put it this way, it wont be another 15 years, that’s for sure. Touring the nursing home circuit doesn’t really appeal to me, ha ha!
(Matt) We’ve actually got a bit of a backlog of riffs, tunes and melodies recorded as rough ideas on the computer. Like Rick mentioned, when we seemed hit our stride writing for ‘D Generation’, the temptation was to keep adding new songs during the recording process. I think in the end you’ve gotta say ok, these 10 or so songs are this album, and get it out there. We’re kinda planning for the next album to have 10 tracks. Then again, ‘The Mirror’ had 14 (plus a hidden track at the end!), and ‘D Generation’ 13, so we’ll probably always be tempted to add a few more (ha ha!).
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