Ezekiel Ox of Superheist
Hi and thanks for taking the time out to speak with us at Musicology.
Firstly congratulations on the new album, it’s a triumphant return for Superheist.
It’s great to have the opportunity to chat, and thanks for following our Lazarus period! The band is in a better place now that it ever has been. The drive to push ourselves musically is so strong, and our 2016 album “Ghosts Of The Social Dead (GOTSD)” has been massive for us. Recording it in LA, then coming back and touring it for the fans was a great way to spend the second half of last year, but we’ve already released more music, and are about to head out on our “Raise Hell” Tour. It’s an exciting time for Superheist.
On one hand the world has changed a lot since your last release but on the other hand, very little has changed. Being such a politically and socially conscious band, what has troubled you most during your musical hiatus and was this in part the reasoning behind releasing some new material?
I’m not sure Superheist has ever been known as a “political band”. When I joined the band I brought with me my history of activism. But GOTSD isn’t a political record at all. It’s a deeply personal and emotional release. If we see something wrong in the world we reserve the right to discuss it in our art, and our latest single “Raise Hell” is about fighting back against an unjust system, and we’re really proud of that.
In what ways has your new album evolved from your previous releases and what new directions did you intend to take with this record?
We’ve evolved the gear, moving on to 8 string guitars, which has been massive. We’re also self-produced now, which gives us more control musically, and financially, it’s smart to own as many facets of your business as possible, and harness the talents of each member fully. It has also produced the best results yet, the 3 tracks we just dropped are the strongest of our whole career as a band. “Got The Bounce” is my personal fave of the new shit, it’s aggressive, over-the-top and as bombastic as it gets.
What were some of the challenges in putting this album together and equally what were some of the great surprises in writing / recording Raise Hell?
It wasn’t that challenging at all in the studio. dw Norton, my co-songwriter and I have a really smooth, focused and respectful working relationship, there’s already 25 more tracks on the computer, we just do the work, no complaints. The most challenging part was making the film clip for “Raise Hell”, bringing everyone together from LA, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne, film crew, set, costume and then working outside in the elements, it was labour intensive. But the results couldn’t have been better.
Your video clip to Raise Hell opens with a quote from civil rights activist Philip Randolph and one of the visual messages in the clip is No Justice No Peace, is this a call to arms to the fight the tendency for people to slide into a state of complacency?
A call to arms? I’m not advocating people arm themselves in the struggle against capitalism, that’s their call, and it’s happening around the world without my help! “No Justice, No Peace” has always been about those who are abused by the system, until there is justice, they will never have peace, so why should the ruling class? I believe that if we are going to defeat capitalism and the war, famine and homelessness it relies upon to continue, then at some point direct action and non-compliance with the law is going to be a part of that.
Having meet so many interesting characters and musicians over the years, were any words of wisdom spoken to you that really resonated with you and altered the way you approach your craft?
Too many to mention, but Duff from Guns n Roses gave me the best piece of advice of my career when we were recording at the same studio in LA in 2003, he said “when you go to the airport, gaffa tape your guitars together in threes so they are ‘one piece’, then have them weighed that way, it will save you money.” And he was right.
You will be supported by Frankenbok, Dreadnaught & Rival Fire on the Raise Hell tour, do take the opportunity to speak with each of the bands knowing exactly what it was like being in their shoes many moons ago?
We have really strong relationships with all 3 of those bands, and the metal community in Australia and the USA. It’s always a chance to grow on tour. Grow the fanbase, the skill set, our experience of our planet and music. I can’t wait to dish it up night after night on this tour with the best metal line up I’ve been a part of since I toured with Sunk Loto and Frankenbok in the mid 2000’s. It’s going to be a fun show to be at!
What does the rest of 2017 have install for Superheist?
Raise some hell on tour, then back into the Studio in Melbourne to continue working on our 4th album, which is called “MAMMOTH”. It’s going to be one hell of a ride, and we can’t wait to share it with you once we’re done.
