Son of Man Get Bleak on ‘Child of the Morning Star’ — Song Premiere
Son of Man might hail from Southern California, but their music couldn't be further removed from the sunny pop sounds often associated with their home state. Instead of poppy guitar hooks and melodic vocal lines, they devlier a nasty barrage of metal-tinged hardcore that has more in common with groups like Integrity and Gism. At the moment, Son of Man consist of only two members -- vocalist Mike Browne and guitarist/programmer John Spence -- but that doesn't mean their debut seven-inch EP lacks any punch. The record's two tracks find Browne and Spence firing on all cylinders and channeling the fury and frustration of their collective influences, while bookending the performances with their own brand of nihilism.
Noisecreep is proud to premiere Son of Man's 'Child of the Morning Star.' The song is available now on the duo's aforementioned seven-inch and will surely please any fan of brooding hardcore and films about nuclear war. We caught up with Browne and Spence to ask them what in the world made them so angry.
Listen to 'Child of the Morning Star'
Tell us a little bit about Son of Man's formation. I know you recorded the EP with just you and John Spence handling everything.
Mike Browne: I was introduced to John Spence by a good mutual friend at a show at the legendary Showcase Theatre in Corona, Calif. back in 2006. The band has been floating around in our collective consciousness and somewhere in space and time since then. We recorded the EP in the first few months of 2010 in our apartment out here in Culver City. I would highly recommend Pro Tools to anyone looking to record at home. No one needs to go to a studio anymore.
Did you guys have a clear picture of what you wanted the SOM stuff to sound like? When I listen to the record, it reminds me of the old Japanese grind/punk bands like Gism and Gauze.
Mike: We wanted it to properly reflect the lyrical content and our bleak outlook on life. When I create music I want it to sound exactly how I feel. Despair, hopelessness and bitterness are emotions I wanted to evoke with Son of Man.
John Spence: Every month or so, I'd churn out something new and Mike would approve it or let me know whether it was missing something or we just needed to scrap it. Eventually I started aiming for something that sounded gritty and unsettling -- something that I felt was as sloppy and punk-sounding as possible without losing time or falling away from being heavy.
Mike: As far as other bands we might sound like, I don't really pay much attention to that. Our influences are what they are and that's that. I take it as a compliment that our record reminded you of Gism and Gauze. Both groups are legendary and are definitely on the same wavelength as Son of Man in terms of what we are about. We are out for your heads and all the things you hold sacred. The time has come to sleep with one eye open.
Lyrically speaking, what kind of themes did you touch on the record?
Mike: Depression, anxiety, dualities and paranoia among other subjects. A lot of the lyrics are extremely personal and are literal accounts of my life.
John: I feel like one major theme Mike and I have always connected on throughout our friendship is our shared hatred for the things in this world that we perceive to be disgusting.
How important are lyrics to you when you are seeking out a heavy band?
Mike: Lyrics are very important I would think. Words brew images, and imagery is something that is very crucial to any art form. Most of the artists and bands I enjoy are able to inspire me through their words and lyrics. I do realize unfortunately that a lot of punk and metal bands don't put too much emphasis on lyrics; maybe out of ignorance or by choice. Who knows? To each his own I suppose? Those are bands that lose my attention fairly quickly.
John: It's nice to read lyrics and feel like the person who wrote them is saying things I couldn't have said better myself -- but all I really care about is the feeling I get when I read something written from real pain/experience/frustration/etc.
In terms of a scene, are you guys aligning yourselves anywhere? Does that matter at all to you?
John: I'm too old for all of that. I scrape together a tiny income right now, and I am going to be paying for school loans until I die basically. I am not part of a scene.
Mike: This band is strictly for our pleasure. We are not out to make friends or become popular. Popularity is a little game that died in a high school in Anaheim, Calif. Scenes come and go, but the music is forever. That's what our primary focus is: the music.
How much of an impact did the Orange County hardcore shows of the late '90s and early '00s have on you? You guys had a pretty decent scene there for awhile.
Mike: The sound from the time that you speak of had very little influence. I was listening to '80s hardcore punk when the whole 'Chain Reaction-core' scene was going on. I met and connected with a lot of people associated with the Inland Empire and San Bernardino scenes more so than Orange County. There is something about Chain Reaction being within five miles of Disneyland that is a little disturbing and ironic.
At one point they installed a video game arcade and two flat screen TVs so people could watch the bands depending on where you stood inside. So you didn't necessarily have to be up front to watch the band. It's a little tough to take that place seriously, but they have recently taken the flat screens down, and I do have some great memories there.
Dwid from Integrity created the artwork for the EP. How did you hook up with him?
Mike: I have been keeping in touch with him over the internet for the last couple of years. I approached him about creating a visual complement to our music. He agreed, and the result is nothing short of amazing.
Once you get a full lineup together, will SOM be touring in 2011?
Mike: Our band is a musical parasite, and for a parasite to survive they need to spread and infect. Touring would accomplish this.
What newer bands should our readers keep a lookout for?
Mike: There are so many. Definitely keep a lookout for Hordes from San Bernardino, Seven Sisters of Sleep, the Mistake, Burn Your Life Down and the almighty Gehenna. Also be on the lookout for my label, Good Times Records.
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