XM: First off can you get our readers up to date on who you are, how you guys got together and how you chose the name Noriega.
Jackson: We are a mathcore band from the San Fernando Valley in California. Our band consists of members from Brethren, Admiral Angry, Benoit, and Black Sheep Wall. The name... We went through quite a few before deciding this one, and in all honesty it's still not my favorite of the bunch,but this name was one we could all at least half way agree upon, some of us more than others. The name we chose is named after Manuel Noriega, a famous drug trafficker from Panama.
Trae: I was in a band called "This Moment" and one day after practice a friend showed me "Black Sheep Wall". He told me the band lost their vocalist and were on permanent hiatus. I contacted the band via email and asked to try out. We jammed for a while, and then the original vocalist came back and replaced me. Sometime later Black Sheep Wall had dispersed and were looking to start a new project. They contacted me to do vocals and here we are. I brought up the name "Noriega" one day at practice, Brandon responded "....The real Noriega, he owes me a hundred favors". Everyone hated the name...
XM: You guys are on Viable Records, a fresh new label, how did that come about?
Jackson: Viable Records is owned and run by a long time friend of Trae's, Jordan. Trae showed him demos of our songs in the recording process, and Jordan was down to help us out with everything. Jordan's always been interested in starting a label so this was a great opportunity for everyone involved. So far, he's doing a remarkable job of handling things.
Trae: Jordan has been doing shows with his promotion company Church of the 8th Day for years, and he and I met when he booked a few shows for my old band Brethren.
XM: How would you best describe your sound? Who are your biggest influences?
Jackson: I would best describe us as a heavy mathcore band, longing for innovation. Whether we're succeeding or failing in these descriptions, these are our intentions. My idea for the band was to purposely make the music sound awkward. It didn't turn out exactly how I would have imagined, but this isn't to say I'm at all disappointed. I guess I too am trying to really figure out our sound. Our biggest influences, (and not necessarily bands we sound like) are Meshuggah, Ion Dissonance, Cult of Luna, and Burnt by the Sun.
XM: “Desolo” is a great debut album, what was the recording process like? How long did it take to make the album?
Jackson: The recording process, I wish we could have filmed it for our own purposes to see what we could have done better for next time. The first day Brandon and I came in late, Brandon had the worst hangover I've seen out of anyone, he must have thrown up six or seven times in the hour drive to the studio. We started recording drums in a somewhat rushed matter to save money, I think after the first day we chilled out a little bit. But like any other recording process I've been a part of, there were countless problems. Anything from money to communication to technology was a problem at some point. The whole recording process took about three months, but this was very sporadic, some of us were going on tour with other bands and our engineer was gone for a while, so we had to work on this in short spurts.
Trae: Money was the main issue. There were days where all we had was enough for one hour of recording and we would squeeze in what we could. Pretty rad!
XM: I see on your MySpace page that your release is also available on cassette. Wow, it’s sad to say but I haven’t seen a cassette in quite sometime, who came up with that idea?
Jackson: I think this was actually Jordan's idea. I also haven't seen a band of our nature releasing much on cassette, but I have noticed it getting more popular in the more straight forward hardcore scene. I guess it's just kind of a gimmick, something to own if you really like the EP, or if you're a cool hipster.
Trae: I had recently come back from La's "Fuck Yeah Fest", where I came across the Hydra Head booth. I saw that they were offering many of their releases on tape; I loved the idea and passed it on to Jordan. I personally have a car that came with a tape deck, and I know most young adults inherit older cars from the family. Most of those old cars have tape decks and not CD players, so I wanted to make sure the album was accessible in as many formats as possible.
XM: Are you all self taught musicians, or did you take lessons growing up?
Jackson: I think I am the only classically trained musician in the band, and for the purpose of this type of music, I think I'd prefer it that way. Self taught people who really do have passion for their instruments tend to have a much more open mind with their writing style. With my understanding of the rhythmic stuff and their critiques and innovations, things are well balanced.
Trae: We would be screwed without Jackson. He is the glue holding this bitch together.
XM: Knowing how digital everything is now days, and with the presence of downloads being available all over the Internet. Do you think it hurts or helps a bands progress?
Jackson: I can honestly say that there's no other time I'd rather be doing music than right now. Although there's considerably less money in record sales, listeners have access to whatever they want, whenever they want it. For this reason it's harder for really good bands to go unnoticed. With our current technology, a solid band has their own tools to promote themselves and build their own career. I illegally download music every single day, and I don't feel guilty about it, because I feel like the music I listen to inspires me to be a better musician. It would be absolutely impossible for me to have all the influences of my playing I do without this easy of access to music. Brandon feels much differently about the issue, so this is not an opinion of our whole band, but a personal one.
XM: What’s your views on the whole metal scene and the dissecting of genres creating labels for bands? Do you think it helps, hurts or misrepresents bands? What’s your take?
Jackson: I hate it when I ask a person what their band sounds like and they respond "uh.. I don’t know, it's a little of everything I guess, you really just have to hear it" It's an excuse for not having a theme or main idea, and I've yet to see a band be successful that really sounds this way. Therefore, I think that while the labeling might be overdone at times, it is helpful, because it breaks down to a listener of what you're all about.
Trae: The walls previously separating genres are now windows and doors for people to come through. Even though there is a specific genre for almost every blend and breed of music, it doesn’t mean that is the only music you have to listen to. We all listen to a lot of different stuff. I like that it’s easier to find bands now just by typing in a band that you like.
XM: Where in the world would you most like to tour? Who would you most like to tour with?
Jackson: I would most like to tour in Europe, the UK I suppose. I keep hearing about how much better the music scene is there, I really want to check it out. As for a band to tour with, I'd really just like to go with one of my friends' bands. Touring with people you enjoy make things a hell of a lot more fun, and who knows if I'd get along with my favorite artists?
Trae: I Love touring the US, and have done it a few times. I feel like music fans out here haven’t given up on a musical scene, actually I think the other way around. I think some bands have given up on the musical scene in the US.
XM: I ask all bands this question: “If you could have been involved in the production, recording or writing of any metal album which would it be and why?
Jackson: I by Meshuggah. This album (or song?) has truly inspired me. To write and record something that complicated is no easy task, and they do it flawlessly.
Trae: “You Come Before You” – Poison The Well. I would have just hung out in the studio while they recorded. I don’t think I would touch or say anything.
XM: Do you have any guilty pleasure about listening to music that totally isn’t metal? If so, who do you listen to?
Jackson: No, I only listen to Cannibal Corpse. I'm kidding, if you consider listening to music that isn't metal a guilty pleasure, I imagine you'd be greatly disheartened at seeing my iPod. I wouldn't consider most of what I listen to metal. Some of my favorite artists include Thursday, Sufjan Stevens, Copeland, Cinematic Orchestra, and Gregor Samsa. I even like Vanessa Carlton, I know that one is pushing it, but I still wouldn't consider it a guilty pleasure.
Trae: I think Andrew and I listen to the most metal. I would say that a few guilty pleasures of mine would be: The Anniversary, Project Pat, The Rocking Horse Winner, Zapp & Roger!!!
XM: What is your favorite lyric of all time?
Jackson: "You Fail Me" - Converge. Probably not my all time favorite, but the first thing that came to mind.
Trae: “Your back is begging sweetly for my knives..” – Betrayal Is a Symptom – Thrice.
XM: What do you do outside of music? Any interesting hobbies?
Jackson: I tried skateboarding for a while, sucked at that. Now I play poker, I suck at that too, but I really enjoy it. My friends tell me I have a gambling problem, I tell them I think I do too.
Trae: I rap and freestyle with my friends. We record everything, but it’s just for fun. Some of my friends and I make short films for fun as well. I also play way too much beer pong.
XM: OK so Death Metal and Black Metal get in the ring, who wins the fight?
Jackson: How could black metal lose with all those spikes and shit?!
Trae: Black Metal wins for sure. There is way more blood and way more gore; it’s also more cult than mainstream so the fans are way weirder! Also bros took over metal a long time ago, they are easily swayed. Ha-ha!
XM: If you could be on any reality TV show, which would it be and why?
Jackson: Daisy of Love for sure. Daisy is ugly and hot at the same time, it's awesome. Seriously though, I'm a real sucker for all the VH1 reality shows.
Trae: Same here bub. However I am more of a “For The Love of Ray J” type of guy.
XM: For those of us still wishing or trying to be a part of something we are passionate about, what message can you give us?
Jackson: Do absolutely whatever it takes. When things don't go your way, don't make excuses, just make it work, even if it is greatly uncomfortable. If you find something you love, don't give it up no matter what. Make it the most important thing in your life. Other stuff will get in the way, but when that stuff passes get right back into your passion Love, Dad.
XM: Any last words?
Jackson: ...I just want everyone to know our singer is the new Howard Jones.
Trae: Not funny…..
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