ROCKNATION ISSUE 22
MAD MARGRITT
Interview with Eddie Smith by Tom Mathers
Hello Eddie and welcome to Rocknation. You will be releasing your new album
“LOVE, HATE AND DECEPTION” on Perris Records in 2016. Please tell us about
the release on writing and recording process.
When I was writing the lyrics to this album there were a lot of things I was dealing with
that really affected and influenced the way I was writing. There were a lot of people in
my life at the time who were doing and saying a lot of hurtful things, not only to me but
to people in my life who I am really close with. It was a really difficult and painful time
and I think the lyrics on this album really reflect that. The funny thing is that the music is
so high energy and in your face that the songs don’t come across somber or
depressing at all, it is actually a really fun, high energy sounding album even though the
lyrics are kind of dark. The contrast between the lyrics and the music is really cool and
I think without a doubt this is the best work we have ever done. I am so proud of this
album, it just kicks ass from start tofinish. The guys played their asses off and vocally I
think it is by far my best work. Every song just gets my adrenalin pumping, I can’t wait for
everyone to hear it!
You have a new Guitarist and Bass player since the last release “Show No Mercy”
release. What have they brought to the band in sound and image and how did you
find them?
Our guitarist Mark Cook joined the band back in 2013. He is the ultimate showman on
stage and he just shreds on the guitar. Not only is he a great guitarist but he is an
amazing songwriter as well. The stuff he wrote on this album is insane, I don’t know how he comes up with this stuff. In
addition to working with us, he also writes songs for movies, tv and commercials. The latest addition to the band is our bassist
Matt Aebi. Matt and I have been friends for almost 10 years and he had actually done a lot of shows with us in the past as a
fill in. When the bass position came available he was the first guy I called. Since we were already good friends and he already
knew our material it just made sense to call him. He stepped in and didn’t miss a beat. It was just a natural, seamless
transition. The whole band gets along really well and we have great chemistry together on and off stage, we are all having
a lot of fun!!
What was some of the influences and writing process for this “LOVE, HATE AND DECEPTION” release?
Anyone who is familiar with Mad Margritt knows that we love the old school stuff. That’s what we all cut our teeth on. I know
there are a lot of bands out there who try to follow all the trends and worry themselves to death about staying current but our
attitude is the exact opposite. We could care less about trying to fit in and we definitely don’t want to sound like just another
cookie cutter modern rock band.
Most of the rock stuff coming out
today is just so boring, we don’t
want anything to do with it. We
made a decision when this band
first started that we were gonna
write the kind of music that we love
and not sell out and we have stuck
to that.
Have you already inserted the
new tracks in your live shows?
Not yet. We decided this time
around to wait until the album
comes out before we start playing
the songs live. I am really
looking forward to playing all
these songs. I love every one of
them, it’s gonna be a lot of fun
performing them!!