Arsis – James Malone and Nick Cordle
Posted on February 07, 2010 at 7:06 pm by Rob
In my first trip back to The Phoenix in Toronto in about 5 years I was able to sit down with James Malone (guitars, vocals) and Nick Cordle (guitars) of Arsis before their show supporting Arch Enemy. Among the topics brought up are the bands disorganized chaos on tour, James’ struggles with anorexia, King Diamond as well as the new album “Starve for the Devil”.
WayTooLoud!: You have listed King Diamond as an influence and even cover him on “Starve for the Devil”. What is it that you like so much about him?
James Malone: I had always been into metal, ever since I was 5 years old. It all started with Twisted Sister and Motley Crue. When I was 13 I remember I had phenomena all week the very last day I was out of school I had my mom take me to a used record shop. I bought Judas Priest – “Painkiller” and Mercyful Fate – “Break the Oath”. After listening to “Break the Oath” I swear it flicked something in my brain because I was never the same after that album. It was just so creepy, partially because I had phenomena, I was pretty sick and probably not in the right frame of mind. Something about it always stuck with me!
WTL!: What is it about glam metal that grabs your attention?
James: It’s fun!
Nick Cordle: There is a guitar style to it that doesn’t happen anywhere else! And there is a vocabulary to it. I love it!
James: He and I like music that we can shut our brains off to! (Laughs!)
WTL!: You went back to Zeuss to record “Starve for the Devil”. What does he bring to the recording process?
Nick: He is extremely flexible and his work ethic is incredible. That guy can do anything.
WTL!: You returned to Mark Riddick to do the cover art for “Starve for the Devil”. Do you find it important to have a similar style of art on each release?
James: I think it does kind of help to keep things kind of uniform. You see the artwork and you associate it with the band and maybe vice versa. I’m just a fan of his artwork, especially the new lay out I’m a fan of!
WTL!: Did you have any goals in mind when writing and recording “Starve for the Devil”?
James: What were our goals? To make people angry! (Laughs!)
Nick: Death metal Skid Row. That was the goal.
WTL!: What is the song writing process like?
James: Nick and I write everything. I’ll come up with songs by myself and he will come up with songs by himself. There are a couple things we did some collaboration on. The next one will probably be totally different, we’ll see what happens.
Nick: The process is get a bunch of coffee and lock yourself away for weeks. It’s not a lot of fun but it works!
WTL!: How was “Forced to Rock” chosen as the first single off of “Starve for the Devil”?
James: It’s catchy and I thought it would make people angry! (Laughs!) This is my objective.
WTL!: It almost has a slight “Hot For Teacher” feeling to it. I understand you are a Van Halen fan. Was that by design or coincidence?
James: I think I wanted to initially go more over the top then what we actually did! My original plan was that we were in a catholic school and we had satanic nuns forcing us to rock. It didn’t actually get to materialize, I guess though “Forced to Rock” we could do a video that is fun. Hopefully people will get the joke but still think it’s a cool joke!
WTL!: I understand that Kym Dylla from Thismeansyou is the female in the video. Is she a friend from back home or how was that arranged?
Nick: I was in a band a few years ago with her. She’s a fascinating person.
James: We love Kim, we do!
Nick: She did a good job.
WTL!: Are there any plans in the works for any future videos?
Nick: We’re tossing around ideas, we’ll see what happens. The people who are angry at this one are going to hate the next one even more!
James: We’re going to do something to top it.
WTL!: Is there any personal meaning behind the title “Starve for the Devil”?
James: Of course, I’m sure you want me to elaborate on that.
WTL!: Since you let it be known that you are battling with anorexia have you gotten a lot of support from fans who are dealing with image issues themselves?
James: I get approached all the time at shows. A lot on this tour already, even people who mention a relative who is going through similar battles. A lot of people have been real supportive. Once our photo shots for this album were posted there were pleanty of comments like “Fucking pussy, eat a sandwich” or “it’s not right that a man your age should be able to wear a kids large t-shirt”. They’re endless but I just kind of laugh them off.
WTL!: While on tour does that make the battle easier or more difficult to deal with?
James: There are positives and negatives both sides. It’s never easy; it’s always in the back of my mind. I’m always counting calories and what not!
WTL!: How do your band mates support you through your battles?
James: Everybody has been great, especially this guy. He kind of looks out for me.
WTL!: If you could say one thing to other people fighting similar battles to what you are what would that be?
James: If you have insurance, go see professional help.
WTL!: You started Arsis as a two person studio band. And it has evolved to what it is now, was that the planned direction of the band?
James: I guess my plan was and kind of still is that I have no plan really with a lot of things in life! I really had no expectations when I first started Arsis. Mike (Van Dyne, drums) and I were on Christmas break in college and ended up getting signed after playing 5 shows. I never really had any clear thought about what I really wanted to do until probably this album. This time we were really sitting down with a plan for what we wanted to do and a video, tour and what not. It’s been a long time coming believe or not I’ve never really had any plans!
WTL!: How does it feel to have Mike Van Dyne back in the band?
James: It feels great, his style fits perfectly and he’s just a great guy.
WTL!: How did you come across Nathaniel Carter to play bass?
Nick: He’s an old buddy of mine from high school. It was summer and we were thinking about who we would get for the record. In the back of my mind I was thinking about who I knew. I thought he’s tall, he’s good looking, obviously I’m joking but you see how this works. When we got him in the studio he absolutely stepped up and he’s been great to tour with as well.
WTL!: What does Nathaniel bring to the band?
Nick: He cooks well; he’s a good driver late at night when the rest of us are in all sorts of trouble. Rock solid bass player, easy guy to get along with!
WTL!: While on tour what roles does each member of the band play?
Nick: We just kind of run around in disorganized chaos.
James: I don’t think we’re that bad at this point. We’re getting good at it. I think I’m good at driving, during the day! (Laughs!) Nat seems to be pretty good with money and keeping track of the accounting end of things. I’m kind of in charge of communication with the label and our manager. Nick is really good at taking care of the merch display; he likes things to look pretty. It’s kind of our job to hang out there and be social, the other two aren’t really into that!
WTL!: How does it feel to be on tour with Exodus?
Nick: They’re awesome! They are the easiest band to tour with. They are great guys, easy to get along with. They treat us wonderfully. And we are huge fans!
WTL!: What is it like touring with Jake Ososkie from Through the Eyes of the Dead? (He asked us to ask this)
James: Jake was awesome actually! I miss Jake a lot, we hung out a couple weeks ago actually when I was back home at my parents. We kind of grew up about 3 minutes apart. Just an awesome guy really, I miss that guy!
WTL!: What bands that you’ve toured with would you like to tour with again?
James: Morbid Angel I would tour with again. Behemoth as well, we’ve already toured with Exodus I would tour with them a third time, screw it! Arch Enemy anytime, Black Dahlia Murder as well.
Nick: I’d share a bus with Scar Symmetry again.
James: It would probably be easier if you asked us what bands we wouldn’t tour with again! That would kind of not be good either.
WTL!: Who would you tour with if you had no rules?
James: Deathstars, Depeche Mode who else? Duran Duran, King Diamond/Mercyful Fate!
WTL!: As King Diamond or Mercyful Fate? Or either or?
James: Either or, or both on the same tour why not? King Diamond can pull double duty every night!
WTL!: Where in the world would you like to tour?
Nick: We have a good time in Europe every time we go. We haven’t made it to Japan yet, that would be an adventure. South America, I’m into getting as far from home as possible.
James: Didn’t you want to goto South Africa or something?
WTL!: A lot of bands have been brining up South Africa lately!
Nick: A lot of places seem to be opening up. Behemoth played China, things are starting to open up a little bit and it’s kinda cool!
WTL!: Since bands get asked about their names a lot have you ever lied about your band name or what your band name means?
James: I have always kind of answered that one straight up. I couldn’t really come up with a clever reply I don’t think.
Nick: I think the line about all the diseases being taken was good!
James: That is really what was going through my head. There really aren’t any cool diseases left. Flu! (Laughs!) Everything cool disease wise had been taken!
WTL!: Thank you for doing the interview. Do you have any last words?
James: Turn up the hell!
Arsis at Myspace
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