Excellent Cadaver interview

I caught up with Drew Cochrane from Excellent Cadaver between gigs, day job and personal life and he kindly took the time to answer some questions about the band and to introduce their new album launch on 1st September in Beat Generator, Dundee, “Faith Destroyed”.

PM:How did Excellent Cadaver come about?

Excellent Cadaver was formed in 2008 by myself and original guitarist Michael Bell. We were in another band at the time, but didn’t feel that it was our thing, so we started up Excellent Cadaver and left the other band. The other members just fell into place.

PM:I know its not easy in the music industry to get anywhere let alone make a name for yourself and launch an album, What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome as a band?

The biggest obstacle has been lineup changes, without a doubt. We’ve had a lot of issues with our lineup in the past, but for about a year now it has been totally solid and all the guys in the band are best of friends.

PM:I’ve heard that really helps to get places. The amount of people who see you, music aside, is large, and your attitude as people over and above musicians does count for a lot. Lots of people may only be hearing you for the first time recentlly. Is there a big difference between this album and the music you played when you first started gigging?

Some of the material we played when we first started gigging is on the album, we’ve re-recorded and rewritten our early demos with the current lineup, but also added new material. Even with the new material, we’ve stayed faithful to our original sound, but developed it, essentially I’d say we still sound the same, but we’ve honed our craft a bit.

PM:Working hard at anything and being able to achieve your goals is important to many people, but what have been the main contributing factors to your development?

I think the main contributing factor to our development, certainly recently, has been the addition of Ryan on drums. He’s an older, more experienced musician than any of the drummers we’ve had previously and it really shows in the songs, I think that his playing has given the material a more cohesive, developed feel. I certainly feel that I’ve developed as a guitarist since playing with him and think the bands live performances have been enhanced by it too.

PM:Dynamics within the band do have to be just right otherwise the sound wont work. I dont believe its always about the best player possible to fill a slot, but the person who fits with the rest of the band. Lots of well known bands in the industry have perfected those dynamics and they not only play together but exist together too. If you could support any band, alive or dead, who would it be?

Machine Head, no questions asked. The only other band that would have come close would be Chimaira, and we’ve already done that.

PM:I can understand why, I caught half of Machine Heads set at Bloodstock this year and I was quite impressed. With the album launch, do you have any plans for a UK tour?

We’re doing a 3 date Scottish tour in November, and we do intend to get down into England this year too. It’s difficult, as 4 of us work full time, the 5th is at university and our drummers girlfriend is expecting a baby in December/January, so it’s difficult to co-ordinate time off. We tend to stick to 3 date mini tours, but we’ll definitely be headed down South early 2013 if we don’t make it this year.

PM:It’s encouraging to see so much energy going into your music despite all of you having so much going on personally. Time is quite precious but we have the wonderful internet which has speeded up communication since its inception, but it does have its pitfalls too. What are your opinions on illegal downloads?

For bands like us, illegal downloading can be a great thing. A lot of the bands I now listen to, I wouldn’t have ever heard if I hadn’t downloaded them illegally first. For example, Chimaira – I first heard of them as they were meant to be supporting Spineshank who I was going to see. I downloaded some stuff, fell in love with them and I now have all of their albums, multiple tshirts, both DVDs and have seen them live 7-8 times. I’ve spent a lot of money supporting that band and I’d probably never have heard them if I hadn’t downloaded illegally – so my illegal downloading of a few songs has actually helped their sales. I definitely think it hurts artists who are already successful and helps nurture smaller artists. If someone downloads our stuff and likes us then ends up buying a tshirt or coming to a gig, or maybe even buying a physical copy of the album I don’t see that it’s harmed us.

PM:Your album is available in hard copy. Will it be available to download too?

The album is available in hard copy from our webstore www.excellentcadaverstore.bigcartel.com and will be available as a digital download from all your usual retailers – iTunes, Amazon etc.

PM:Thinking ahead to the future, and with continuing success, if you had your choice of any event, where would it be?

I’d love to play something like the Mayhem Festival in America, they have such good lineups. Obviously, we’d love to get onto some of the UK festivals like Download or Bloodstock too.

PM:Thats not a million miles away, and with your track record, its certainly a possibility. But in the meantime, what’s next on the agenda for Excellent Cadaver?

Next for us is a 3 date Scottish Tour in November with Romeo Must Die. We’ll be playing 22nd November Aberdeen Tunnels, 23rd November Beat Generator Dundee and 24th November Audio Glasgow (as part of the Rock n Roll Tattoo Fest Glasgow.)

PM:Plenty opportunity for people to catch you then, and help support live music too. Its been lovely to chat to you, but is there anything you want to add?

Only that for people who haven’t heard us, please do check us out on Facebook, you’ll find our debut single “Faith Destroyed (Feat. Mark Hunter of Chimaira)” as a free download there. If you like what you hear, follow our page and stay tuned for updates.

Excellent Cadaver’s album launch “Faith Destroyed” is taking place 1st September at Beat Generator, North Lindsay Street, Dundee. Supporting bands for the launch include Battle of the War Machines, Hell Is Harmony, Dividing The Silence, Xeno, Primal Visions, Drug Couple, and Aletha. Tickets £4 in advance. £5 OTD. 4pm start. Please contact any of the bands for additional info.

Interview by The Metal Rooster.
www.facebook.com/excellentcadaver