Interview: Monsters Build Mean Robots

We have to start with the name. How/where did you come up with this?
(Pete - vocals) It’s actually from a Silver Mt Zion lyric - on ‘Horses in the Sky’ from same titled album...

How did MBMR come to be from your previous bands Last Days Of Lorca and Court Of Hidden Faces?
It started as a bit of an electronic / guitar loop side project mix of members from both bands, and then got some very nice reviews with the first album - we tried to play it live, failed miserably, and it sort of turned into the direct opposite - loads of live organic instruments, lots of vocals and no electronics whatsoever!

What can you tell us about WeShouldHaveDestroyedOurGeneralsNotTheirEnemies?
It’s a band in a bunker type concept really...the last broadcast, always sentimental and nostalgic but without regret. It’s about the adulation of starting afresh! By burning down your homes.

Is there any particular reason why your new record is only five songs long?
I think the music industry is making a massive shift away from full length albums and into smaller EPs or Mini albums. The attention span of new audiences isn’t what it used to be, myself included. I think shorter releases, more often, is the way the industry is heading. When we started recording we only planned for an EP, but Post Rock songs are supposed to be very long aren’t they! So it’s a full length record in time anyway!

The thing about post-rock is that it has pretty much no boundaries. Do you have grandiose plans for your future as a band?
We always have grandiose dreams! Realistically we want to do our first European tour this year, if the album does well. After that...who knows!

Where do you draw your inspiration from to create your music?
Eek. Er...thematically or musically?! GWBush has been my inspiration for the last few years! For MBMR, it’s textures more than parts, and the theme and lyrics come from that feel created really. Loud guitar amps with a decent loop pedal, in the right frame of mind and you’re off.

With your epic breakdowns and crescendos, how will you transfer your records to the live stage?
The tracks on the album were written live, however transferring them back after recording was not easy! We found we needed 3 more live musicians...! It gets complicated. Tim swaps between drums and 2nd guitar, Andy has taken over 2 or 3 parts per song (Keyboards) and I’ve added an all mighty Midi-Controller to my foot pedals to make sure we can keep up! Our live sound and set up is really based on layering up some guitar loops, and then Tim switching instruments...the contrast there between breakdowns and crescendos is a lot easier.

Your debut record was a lot more electronic based. Why did you move into a more post-rock sound for your follow up?
When we began playing tracks from the first album live they didn’t seem to work that well. It was all laptop based and we were all used to playing with a loud and energetic drummer. So these songs sort of progressed around either acoustic tracks or looped guitar parts. It just felt more natural. There is a little homage to it in the opening track of the new album though...our nostalgic look back. We all love our Post Rock, and just needed to put a twist on it - mostly being the vocal style.

You’re signed to the Nice Weather For Airstrikes label who are home to other post-rock delights. What attracted you to the label and what is it about post-rock that captivates you?
The phrase ‘Post Rock’ seems to be a bit of a taboo for other Post Rock bands...not sure why really. It sort of means anything forward thinking really, that’s why we like it. Its not ‘Neo’ which usually means copying something made 20 years ago and produced with more up to date equipment, Post always means moving forward. Whats the point of doing anything else?


WeShouldHaveDestroyedOurGeneralsNotTheirEnemies is released on Nice Weather For Airstrikes on July 18th.