Deathcore pioneers from Imphal, Dead Mobster, announces a new guitarist and plans for a crowd funding tribute gig in August in the memory of their beloved ex-drummer Morly.
As long as we have the courage to take down every blows of this cruel life, we are not yet defeated but we have strengthened ourselves more. This is what the Deathcore Gods from Imphal believes about life. Despite of the tragic incident last year where their drummer Morly passed away in a road mishap and guitarist Samson’s decision about parting ways with the band, Dead Mobster stood still crossing fingers and keeping faith in their only hope- the zeal of making music. After months of hibernation, they are now all set to house a crowd funding tribute gig for Morly and also release an EP afterwards.
Our crew Ken had an amazing time catching up with the band last week as a debut episode of Sound Check’s exclusive interview feature –‘Disclosures’. Here’s what the band had shared with us.
Sound Check: Hey Guys, we welcome you all to the first edition of ‘Disclosures With Sound Check’. It’s been a while since Dead Mobster has played on any stage in front of the fans. So, how has been the band all these while?
Dead Mobster: Hey Sound Check! Thank you guys for making this happen.
Well, after our beloved drummer Morly left us in a tragic accident last year so, since then we have sat back from playing live shows but focussed more on writing and materials. Also, we were on the look-out for a drummer for the band. And now that we have got ourselves one we are planning to bounce back on the road. So, in all, we have been doing just fine. We are housing a tribute gig for Morly in the upcoming weeks as a rebound.
SC: We heard that the band’s guitarist Samson is parting ways with the band now. Is there any particular reason behind him leaving the band? And, who is filling up Samson’s spot if he is no more playing in the band?
DM: Samson is our brother and will forever be. There is no scene of any conflicts with him abandoning the band. He had to leave the band for he has few other personal stuffs to work on at present, you know, life and its shits, so he needs a little time of his own to clear the shits out. We all are totally cool with each other and we hang out all the time. Now, we have James from War Machine to fill in his spot.
(James, Ex-Guitarist War Machine)
SC: So, about James filling in for Samson, has the band made any official announcement about it yet? And now there are changes in the line ups in the band, will the name ‘Dead Mobster’ remain as Dead Mobster only?
DM: Yes, there will be no changes in the name of the band. We were, are and will forever be Dead Mobster.
About the announcements, no, we haven’t made any special announcement yet. Samson played with us at our last gig and James was playing for War Machine too, so we are planning to lay low with it at the moment. We will come up with the official new line-up announcement with our upcoming releases which we are planning to do very soon or, on this upcoming Morly tribute gig.
SC: The tribute gig for Morly which the band is planning, is it totally going to be a crowd funded gig? Brief us a bit on how is the band exactly planning to organise it and how has been the help and responses from the people so far?
DM: Yes, this tribute gig for Morly is totally going to be a crowd funded gig. We are hoping to cover almost upto 50 percent of the expenses for the gig from our ends though. It will be a free gig, of course. Presently, we have reached out to our friends and families who love us or our beloved Morly, our fans and other people who wishes to support us with this event. We haven’t contacted any particular sponsors yet we are trying to reach out to as many as people possible. So, we heartily welcome any and every individual who is willing to contribute whatever he/she can to make this gig happen and show to our beloved brother that we still love and miss him. The whole metal music lover’s world still mourns for you, brother.
SC: Digging more on this upcoming tribute gig, brief us more about the detailed plans for gig- when and whereabouts? And also, about the other bands to play at the gig?
DM: Well, earlier this year we had actually planned to pull up the gig on the 26th of June as it was Morly’s first death anniversary but unfortunately, we couldn’t made it due to a few unavoidable circumstances. So, we have stretched out a complete two months’ period now and making it takes place on the 24th of August instead. As per plan, Iboyaima Shanglen’s open air grounds will the venue for the gig. Every essential information and contacts for formulating this gig has been taken under process now. We are pulling up 5 bands- 4 locals and one band from outside the State lines. No official announcements have been leaked about the line ups of the bands for the gig yet, although confirmations have been done.
SC: Is the special band, which you guys are bringing down in Imphal for the gig, related or bear any attachments to Morly or is there any specific involvements with his life?
DM: No, the band does not bear any exact attachments with Morly but we all knew each other back in those good old days when Morly was with us. On hearing about the upcoming tribute gig, this band, they really wanted to be a part of it in remembrance of one awesome drummer of a generation. So, during a conversation we fused together from both ends and resulted in taking them in.
SC: Ever since Morly left us all, Dead Mobster partly felt numb and drummers are very hard to get. So, how’s everything coming out with the new drummer?
DM: Well, Kelvin is helping out the band for now and we are taking him into the band and moving ahead with him. It is very hard to get drummer and bassist in a place like Manipur, you know.
SC: As you guys have told us that the band is almost done with its teaser of the upcoming EP so is there any tracks which the band is planning to release in the upcoming months where Morly was involved?
DM: Yes. There are 2/3 tracks where Morly was a part of it yet all of them were just rough recordings.
SC: We all have been noticing a huge change with the local music scene in your home town Manipur in the past few years, especially from rock music scene to metal music scene. What does the band has to comment on this change in scene?
DM: As we all know change is the essence of life, we all have the urge to change from time to time. We are not relating to music scene or tastes only but also in every aspects of life. It is actually the evolving generation that has resulted in making this huge change possible. Like no person prefers to stay the same forever, whether it is their looks, food habits nor any other way with every possible thing, we all urge to change with time. The same happens in case of music taste also. But, having said doesn’t mean that rock scene has been totally abandoned from the local scene. There are so many amazing rock bands rocking their way out till today.
SC: Dead Mobster is such a huge inspiration to the local metal scene. What responsibilities do the band carry to help the local metal scene and how has been the band’s journey so far?
DM: When Dead Mobster took birth, the mainstream local scene was full on with the Nu-Metal wave accompanied but Heavy Metal or Groove Metal music. Almost all of the bands in the scene back then either played Rock or Heavy Metal music yet they were very much perfect in whichever style they were playing. So, we wanted to pull up a little harder and create something new in the local music scene. We fused together our mutual love in music and shaped up ourselves resulting to this particular genre regardless of the mainstream considerations. Back then we have had a very hard time sticking to our music and being ourselves when the whole scene was flooded with other styles of music. ‘Rock Fest 2011’ had been a great breakthrough gig for us. It was the first time where people start noticing us and following the style of music that we were playing which was entirely new and different from the mainstream scene. Since then they continued to support us till today.
SC: The band has been playing Deathcore for a long time but lately we are witnessing slight changes in music style that the band plays at live shows, like little inclination to technical influences and other additional styles. So, is there any specific reason behind it?
DM: Well, there is no such thing as a genre in music, as we all know it. It is just the name of the style of music that different people experiment it to be. Yeah, we started out as total Deathcore band but we never stuck to any particular style or genre of music. Our main motive was to play what we love, what we feel regardless of the clueless genre boundaries and distinctions. So, for us, it’s like while we are sitting together and composing a track if we feel like adding a different riff or drumming pattern that, we think, will go well with the track then we do, we fuse it in to track. Having said does mean, we’d fuse reggae or pop elements to our sound. Not that we have any issues with such music styles but we keep our traditional Deathcore element stay as the soul for our sound with other matching elements from other sub-genres as sidekicks. That is how we shape our sound.
SC: When the general population thinks about ‘Metal Music’ the first thing they picture will be about brutal sounds, lyrics that a full of evil conscience or anti-government elements. So, what thoughts do you guys have about this.
DM: Our lyrics are mainly based on the society we live in today, you know, all those shits that we face in our day to day lives. Particularly, based on the local daily hindrances that we face every day in a society like ours, especially here in Manipur. We feel too much pressured with how the Government, the police and other people of higher authorities treat the ordinary citizens. We all need to shout out loud for a change. So, that’s what we wish to deliver to the ears of the entire populace residing here right through our songs.
SC: This one is for the frontman of the band, Vavanda. How long have you been singing, like as a vocal guy in metal bands? And also, brief us about your practices and transitions with vocal styles from early days till this day.
DM: Well, I started out practising Thrash metal around in the year 2008, so, in all; it has been almost 6/7 years now. Thrash metal bands like Metallica, Judas Priest, were my early influences. Back in those days there were very less genres of metal in the local scene. Only metal bands like Slipknot, Lamb Of God had huge influences in the local metal scene. So, I wanted to bring in a change in scene and I started looking for other heavier stuffs and my search didn’t go in vain, i did get what I was exactly looking for.
No, I have not gone through with any special vocal classes so far since in a town like ours we can never find a vocal tutor at any cost. So, I followed tutorial videos on YouTube and practised real hard in shaping up what I am today. It was not at all easy but you know, nothing is impossible in this world. All you need is determination and hard work, and the dream is yours.
SC: What are the upcoming plans for the band in the near future?
DM: Right now, we are fully focussing on the upcoming tribute gig for Morly so we all are giving in everything in making this gig as huge as possible. Our EP will be the follow up soon after the gig. Later, we’ll plan for playing as many live shows as possible in and outside Imphal as well.
SC: It’s been long that we have heard about the upcoming EP, so how has it been shaping up. Enlighten us and our readers a brief about it and its related elements such as recording process, artwork, etc.
DM: The EP will consist of 5 tracks including an intro. We are currently working on track listing and recording scratches at our home studio now but we will hit Lucid Records in Guwahati for the final recording. The Artwork of the EP is almost done now but we will reveal it only after all things are set to go.
SC: Lately, the whole NE India has been receiving a huge wave of Metal scene in its every nook and corner and every metal band has been working total hard with their possible efforts to make their music grow yet it fails to flourish up to the right level where it should be? What can be the main factor behind it and what should we all do to make it bigger like it does in other parts of the country, or the planet?
DM: Well, it’s mainly because of the so-long old traditions. The society and the general population that still follows this social taboo that long hair, tattoos, ripped out shirts and worn out jeans are the only outcome Metal music can result in the kids of present generation. The society still believes that Metal music and Satanism are like family. They don’t, and are not able to, see any good side of Metal music. Most people still believe that every metal gig are loaded with drug abused youths and spoiled kids causing chaos and nuisance. We’ll say ‘To hell’ with such believes and outdated ideas. Metal is just as much a style of music as the rest of the music styles. We know it can help bring peace for we have been in love and peace with every single person that loves metal music. People need to stop thinking negative about this particular style of music and give it a try. Recently, in some part of Shillong there had been huge conflict when wearing metal or black tee shirts were banned in the false believe that Metal music leads to Satanism. Such things should not happen. Metal music is not related to Satanism in any possible way. Instead of banning or standing against such music, we all should stand up for each other and support one another to grow hand in hand and then only Metal music will seek to grow bigger.
SC: We all have heard about the great news of Plague Throat being invited at their CM’s Bungalow for meet and greet evening with their superiors of the state. Don’t you guys think the superiors of their State are trying to support such music?
DM: Yes, it is indeed a great initiative from their State. We totally agree and respect the fact that their Government or the Superiors are evolving towards the brighter side. Here, it is totally different. The Government is defunct here in Manipur. They don’t know anything about metal music, not even a tiny bit of it. If they have known or atleast had a tiny idea about such music then it would have added a greater chance for us in promoting the local music scene. But see, here in Imphal, if there is any gig going on and when the clock ticks 9 the securities and police personnel will come down and wrap up the gig without any reason. And, it sucks to know that we cannot say nor do anything to stop them. It’s totally like we have been given a tiny parts of our own rights since it’s a democratic country but damn it feels like we are living in a communist country. We are even deprived from our own rights and freedoms. It just sucks to be a part of such society.
SC: A final message for the fans?
DM: Well, we are planning to play 2 new tracks in upcoming gig. We will love to see all of you in paying our tribute to our beloved brother, Morly. So, please be part of it. And, we are also planning to return a token of appreciation for every contributor and supporters. There will be no bar in the contribution, support with whatever you can. We’ll see you all very soon.
Well, now that all of you have a solid reason to help Dead Mobster in realising their profound dream of the tribute gig for Morly, go spend a few bucks and make the event go up the ladder.
Watch the video on Youtube here: Disclosures With Sound Check
Dead Mobster is Vavananda (Vocals), Kenyo (Guitar), James (Guitar), Bungbi (Bass) & Kevin (Drums).
For more about the bands follow them on Facebook: Dead Mobster
Or, listen to their tracks at Reverbnation: Dead Mobster
Interviewer: Ken
Photograph / Video / Documentation: Lenin Nameirakpam