The Atlas Moth Interview: SXSW 2010

Chicago-based band the Atlas Moth's combination of bluesy psychedelia and metal makes for a pretty awesomely grim sonic blend. But to quote someone who knows him pretty well -- his publicist -- lead singer and guitarist Steven is in fact "funnier than his mustache is curly." In anticipation of the band's upcoming SXSW appearance, Steven took time out of covering ground on the way to Austin to talk to Spinner about the band's myriad of influences, sludge vs. doom and Chicago deep dish pizza.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Take one part Sabbath, fold in one part Floyd. Cook for six minutes at 66 degrees. Season heavily with herbs.

How did your band form?

Tony and I got really sick of just sitting around one day and decided to start writing some songs. We met Dave through a mutual friend and started writing what would become our EP. Beetle was playing with Tony in another project, so it was a no-brainer to bring him into the fold when trying to fill the bassist position. We wound up recording the EP with Andrew and loved his outlook on what we were doing and couldn't not let him join.

What are your musical influences?

We listen to everything under the sun. Collectively, though: the Deftones, Coalesce, Neurosis, Failure, Cave In, Sabbath, Floyd. This list could go on for years. Pretty much everything from Hank Williams to Wu-Tang.

The atlas moth, of southeast Asian descent, is thought to be the world's largest moth with a wingspan of 25 centimeters and looks like a terrifying butterfly. Why did you guys choose the name?

We wanted a name that, first and foremost, wasn't metal sounding. It had to fit with what we were doing as well. We came up with a list a mile long, and that was the one we fell in love with.

The album title, 'A Glorified Piece of Blue Sky,' paints an almost pastoral scene. What is the title in reference to?

'AGPOBS' was a reference to all things in your life. No matter how wonderful things may look on the outside, when you dig a little under the surface you always find something to tarnish what you may have built up to be perfect in your life.

You call the band "heavy music for heavy thinkers." What's weighing on the mind of the average Atlas Moth fan?

Hopefully they want to hear something new and not the same old metal cliches. That or, "I wonder if I get a price break on a quarter pound?"

Sludge or doom -- what's a more endearing metal subset affiliation for the Atlas Moth, and why?

I personally dislike both just cause I think putting a label on any band really limits them. I associate doom with very epic, long songs and since I don't think we break the 7.5 minute mark on our record, I would associate us more with sludge. Not to mention sludge to me is more about the tone as opposed to the style. I would much rather be called a sludge band than a metal band though.

TAM is part of one the most highly anticipated metal showcases of the week, a pizza party at Hoek's Deathmetal Pizza. The pizza is described as having a vast amount of grease and gooey, delicious but weirdly orange cheese on top. How do you think this will compare in taste to Chicago deep dish?

I take great pride in our city in general and often defend our pizza, so I will take this chance to say there is no goddamn way it stands a chance against Chicago pizza.

The band will share stage with the likes of F---ed Up, Zoroaster, Torche and Dark Castle. Are there any bands you guys are particularly fired up about playing with?

I have one in particular, but I believe they are a surprise guest that I cannot mention. We are playing with some close friends in Yakuza, Zoroaster, Coffinworm, Struck By Lightning and Dark Castle, so that should be rad, as well as Yahowah 13 and Rival Schools.

Where to after Austin for the Atlas Moth?

We have some touring plans starting to shape up for summer that will be rad. We also plan on using any downtime in between tours to keep writing our second full-length, which we are hoping to start tracking this winter for a spring 2011 release.


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