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INTERVIEW WITH KRAIG MARSHALL FOR VM UNDERGROUND

VMU: Hey guy how are you doing?

I'm decent. I was actually just in the hospital for a near fatal bout of Meningitis but I'm much better. I have no idea how I got it nor did the doctors but for about twelve hours I thought I was a carrot and my body was paralyzed. It was kind of insane.

VMU: What's been going on?  I've studied your web site and hear so much news!

Well, on May 28th MvM's year and a half long line up peacefully disbanded and decided to pursue other projects. MvM is my baby so I'm sticking with it while doing other things as well. When we separated I kinda took a step back from the music for about a month to reflect, work on my personal relationships with people, and relax but now I'm getting right back into the game and I have a ton of really neat ideas for the next MvM record titled, "The Process of falling apart."

VMU:  Where exactly are you from and how many releases have you put out?

I'm from North New Jersey but I've lived all over the place, I can't exactly say where I'm living right now but just know it's by a set of the loudest railroad tracks in the universe. I've put out a few releases. In other projects I put out one record with a band called The Example 24 Kult, two EP's with Witchmoon, an unofficial demo with N17, one unofficial and two official full length albums with MvM. I enjoy recording.

VMU:  Who produced and where do you record at?

I produce all of my own stuff and record in my tiny ass apartment.

VMU: What gear do you use live and recording?  And who produced all the releases?

I actually track takes in a pirated version of Acid 4.0. It's really a loop program but I use Fruity Loops 2.7 as a sampler importing my own sounds into it exporting them out to Acid then recording over it. It's complicated and I definitely do everything backwards.

VMU:  It seems like the industrial/metal was taking a dive there for a while, I really wish half the bands that started it would go back and bring out more intense records!  I have a project called "Hardware Plus" and hope that many would stay true to that sound!  What are your major influences?

When I was thirteen my grandfather passed away and that event alone influenced my drive to create art from my pain. That mixed with a healthy blend of every kind of punk, heavy metal, and industrial band the local heavy station would play packed me with inspiration.

VMU:  How do you feel about the mainstream music scene?

I feel everyone needs a place to start. I don't call new school punk or metal kids lame or anything for only knowing one band the big radio station plays as the end all be all. They'll learn about others as they get deeper in the scene, but if they don't start somewhere they'll never know.

VMU:  I really loved the vocals (reminds me of FLAW) very cool!! What are your plans with MVM?

I really enjoy recording and performing music as MvM and I guess I just plan on doing it as long as I feel and take it as far as I can. Since it's just me at this point there's no point in stopping. I'm not going to get into a huge argument over fucking my own girlfriend behind my own back or anything and break up the band hahaha. In a tour situation I plan on putting together a live band. At this point I believe in the Trent Reznorian school of doing things.

VMU:  Any tours to look forward to and new releases?

I'm doing a few shows here and there locally in NJ but I'm not planning on touring until early 2005 when the next record will be done.

VMU:  Do you own your own home studio?  (if so what gear)

Yes, I have a very ghetto rigged but well working home studio, nothing fancy. No racks and racks of expensive gear. I Track on a Windows based PC in Acid 4.0. and I use a  Audio Technica Mic to record vocals. It all completely does the job. To young studio people trying to get into it. Remember its not the gear its how you EQ it. Save your cash and just learn your shit.

VMU:  How is the indie music scene in your home town?

The scene around here is definitely happening especially for emocore. Not much metal going around but a ton of that other stuff. I work sound for four different promoters in NY, NJ, and CT and its all the same everywhere you go now. The market is over saturated with it. There's a whole lot of super tight jeans, swept hair cuts, extremely tight black shirts, and mid song clapping going around lately.

VMU:  Thanks very much for your time!  Any last words?

I guess I'd just like to thank you very much for the interview, I always enjoy communicating with fans and friends all over the world via any medium. I create, you appreciate, we communicate. It's good stuff. Thanks everyone much for supporting. See ya on the road.

VM Underground!
08/10/04