Sometimes when band members reunite, it’s as if no time has passed and nothing has changed. That couldn’t be further from the truth for 10 Years. And, that’s a good thing. When guitarist/drummer Brian Vodinh and guitarist Matt Wantland returned to the Knoxville, Tennessee alt-metal/post-grunge band for their eighth album and Mascot Records debut, (how to live) AS GHOSTS,they burst through their comfort zones to create something new. Something better. Something career defining. We get a few words from Brian to discuss the new album.
“We are very happy with the album”, says Brian when asked if the resulting new songs turned out as they expected. “We were very deliberate in our intention to make a slightly different and more straight forward album this time around. “
The natural feel of the album was also another result of a more collaborative effort between the band on the new material as Brian points out. “This was one of the most organically conceived albums we have done. The process used to consist of myself and Jesse writing the majority of the songs on our own and letting other people add some spice to it later, but this time we made an effort to write the majority of the album all together in a room. We shared ideas and experimented with riffs until we all agreed on certain elements and then we would run with those ideas and that’s how the majority of songs came about. ”
Brian spent a number of years away from the band before finally returning along with guitarist Matt Wantland in 2016 which seemed to have injected a new found enthusiasm into the band. “It’s great to be back, especially with Matt so we can both be on guitar”, says Brian. “I’ve been playing guitar with Matt since we were about 14 years old, so we have a very natural musical relationship. We also write in completely different styles that happen to complement each other, so we definitely had a sense of “new beginning” and felt refreshed and excited to be writing and working together again.”
The band worked with producer Nick Raskulinecz, known for his work with Alice In Chains, Foo Fighters and Deftones and his style allowed Brian to step away from producing duties and focus more on the songwriting and recording this time around. “I produced the last two albums and wrote the music mainly on my own as well, so this time around working more as a group and having someone else produce really changed the process and the sound. Without an outside producer, we have the tendency to overthink things and venture a little left of center. This time around we wanted to make something a bit more stripped down and lean. More straight forward but it still has the signature elements of our sound.”
That gave 10 Years some challenges to face which Nick gave in order for the band to step outside their comfort zone. “Nick didn’t allow us to overthink”, Brian explains. “He had a very clear vision of what this record was supposed to be, even from the very first meeting with him. He wasn’t afraid to tell us if he thought one of our ideas sucked and he was a cheerleader for the ideas that he really liked. He was great to work with.“
Being on the road gave some inspiration that helped shape the new songs as well, a common trait for bands who constantly tour and write about their experiences. The organic feel of the album as Brian says, led to the songs translating much better for the live experience. “Touring gives us insight on how certain types of songs go over live. We actually set out to make this new album really translate in a live capacity. In the past, we have created songs in the studio that have a really cool sound and vibe, but may not translate quite accurately live. This album is really meant to be played live and we worked towards that in the writing process. In stripping down a lot of extra production elements and making these songs really based on the meat and potato elements like drums, guitar, bass, and vocals, these songs stand on their own without all the bells and whistles.”
Brian continues when asked what future plans there will be for the band’s tour schedule and how that made an impact on his decision to leave the band in 2013. “We are about to embark on a co-headlining tour with RED and then we finish out the year with Chevelle. We will be touring heavily in 2018 and beyond as well. The band dynamic is way better now. It’s much more healthy. The band had reached a very toxic state at the end of touring in support of the last album. That’s a big part of why I took a hiatus in 2013. I didn’t feel the band was playing well and our off-stage dynamic wasn’t healthy. Now, I can honestly say that with this lineup it’s the strongest the band has ever been. Every musician is top notch and executing on a level that is how I always envisioned with this band. We are happy and genuinely excited for the first time in years.”
10 Years have been described as an alternative metal and post-grunge rock band, borrowing influences from such acts as Tool which the band have even been compared to in many ways. Growing up, Brian says a lot of classical music combined with 60’s pop rock influenced his interest in playing music which then later became inspired by heavier music. “My dad played violin in a symphony orchestra in his younger days and my mom was very into pop music like Elvis and the Beatles so when I was growing up I had classical music and pop music played to me basically 24-7 and I can still hear those elements in my writing even today. It had a huge impact on me. I had a drum set when I was young, maybe at 3-4 years old, then I started taking guitar lessons at age 11 and right around that same age I became obsessed with Metallica and used to watch their Live Shit Binge and Purge VHS tapes over and over. That’s exactly when I knew what I wanted to do in life.”
Brian goes on to mention a few examples that helped shape his style of playing. “I grew up on Michael Jackson, Elvis, Metallica, Tool, NIN, and a bunch of others. I think my musical influences really have been a bit of a melting pot of different and varying artists. I think this has contributed to my desire to create dark and interesting music but still try to retain some pop sensibility with the chorus vocals that I write.”
If he could have been a fly on the wall to see the recording of any album in history? “Maybe something like Michael Jackson’s Thriller album or maybe the black album by Metallica. Though after seeing the documentary on that, a year and a half in the life of metallica, I kind of already feel like I’ve been a fly on the wall for that one. Also, The Wall by Pink Floyd would be pretty amazing as well.”
We leave things with Brian who gives his own meaning of life, a Rockpit favorite and one that is always varied no matter who is asked. “Find what you love and do the shit out of it. Surround yourself with the people you love, and love them like it’s the last day of your life.
“(how to live) As Ghosts” is out on October 27th through Mascot Records.
10yearsmusic.com
