Mesrine Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
DAN: The band has been very, very quiet since the album has been recorded. We took a sort of 'break' for a while. It only came out a couple weeks ago so up until now we have played the Earslaughter Fest in Montreal, and we have a show in july opening for D.R.I. in Quebec. Two members of the band had kids in the last few months so we have less time for shows and rehearsals.

2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
DAN: Well it's still old school grindcore, it's what we have been known for playing for the last 20 years. We are not about to get technical and add any new school ingredients to our stuff. I think it's probably our most diverse album, it's like a mix of the last three albums with death, crust and even
some crossover/thrash influences. Having two guitarists now and a new bass player (hi Seb!), their influences have brought a couple different ideas than before. But it's still raw, basic and in your face.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release?
DAN: For the most part only our vocalist Steve knows what the fuck he's talking about 'coz we didn't include the lyrics, so i don't know! But the subjects are mostly about serial killers, or strange people who have done strange things. Like 'Matricule 728' which is about a fat lesbian cop from
Montreal who got caught beating up and insulting people on various occasions for no apparentreason. We just thought it was funny. Or 'Colosse is back again', which is about this dude from Quebec who spent about 30 something years in prison and the second he got released he tried to rob a bank and got thrown right back in jail (which we also thought was funny). '12$' is basically about exhorbitant beer prices in bars! It's all non-serious stuff, mostly black humor or dumb shit and alot of fictional stuff about putting yourself in the shoes of a killer. Also some tracks have no lyrics at all.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Mesrine'?
DAN: Again it's the serial killer theme. It's a fascination i have since i was a teenager and started reading and watching tv shows about serial killers. Jacques Mesrine was a french guy who is very well documented, just search him on google or wikipedia. Let's just say that he was a very interesting
character and has done some really incredible stuff.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
DAN: That's not an easy one, we've had lots of great shows. The Earslaughter a few weeks ago was pretty cool. The 2015 Obscene Extreme fest in Montreal, 2014 MDF, Vancouver 2007, tons of crazy shows in France, Germany, Czech Republic etc... Our live show is pretty straight forward, no speeches, costumes or gimmicks. Just 30 minutes of grindcore.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
DAN: No tour plans but only select shows here and there. Gig wise we will be much less active from now on.

7.Over the years you have been a part of a great amount of splits, can you tell us a little bit more about the bands you have shared these recordings with?
DAN: A lot of those splits were done with bands we are friends with (G.O.D., Deboned, Roger Moore, Septicémie, Fuck The Facts etc) and al ot are just suggestions from different labels who wanted to release something from us. Sometimes we made splits with bands we met on tour and liked them so we did a split with them. Our first split was very special for me and Fred as it was with the Brazilian band Rot, which was an influence for us when we started the band.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of grindcore?
DAN: In the underground grind scene we have mostly had positive feedback for the most part. Any negative reactions/reviews we don't really pay attention about it. We play DIY grindcore aimed at a DIY grindcore public, we don't care about big magazines/labels or media attention.

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
DAN: That would be a question for our bass player Seb, as he has the most outside bands/projects going. But the main ones would be Fistfuck (grind/punk), Badass Commander (o.s. death metal) and Mighty Megalodon (stoner).

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
DAN: The same place we have always been. Just old school grindcore.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
DAN: Personally old Napalm Death, Agathocles, Blood, Grave, old E.N.T. etc. Every member has their own influences but it's mainly old school grind/death/crust/thrash stuff.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?
DAN: 1)Craft beer 2)Pro-Wrestling 3)Travelling

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
DAN: Thanx for the interview and check out our new album. Get in touch through our facebook for shirts/CD's/records and ask what we have available.
Cheers


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