Battles Bring Math Rock to the Neptune this Wednesday
Experimental math rockers Battles are making their first stop in Seattle since the release of their highly anticipated second full-length album, Gloss Drop. It's been four years since Battles released their critically acclaimed Mirrored. And in the intervening time, the band has been through some changes that forced them in a new direction. Fans hoping that Gloss Drop would pick up where Mirrored left off, are in for a surprise - the two albums are very different. But don't worry, it's definitely still a Battles album.
The change that had the biggest impact on the band's new direction is the loss of their lead vocalist. Part way through the making of Gloss Drop, Tyondai Braxton - whose digital, cartoon-esque vocals were heavily featured on Mirrored - left the group to work on new projects. The new album really came together in the months after Braxton's departure.
The remaining members of Battles could have recorded an all-instrumental album or they could have drafted a new singer; but they didn't. Instead, they reworked some tracks (although Tyondai did work on the new record before he left, he is not featured on the album at all), wrote whole new songs, and invited guest vocalists to fill-in where needed. They forced themselves down a different path and in the process created a new sound for the band. The result is a fun and interesting record that creates a great atmosphere.
We had a chance to ask drummer John Stanier some questions about Gloss Drop, their current North American tour, and their upcoming show in Seattle at the newly renovated Neptune Theatre.
What were some of your influences while writing and recording Gloss Drop?
The ideas behind Gloss Drop consisted of small ideas from a long time ago. They usually would start with one seed and grow after everyone got their hands on it.
When Tyondai left, was there any doubt that the rest of the band would continue as Battles?
Not at all, it was something that we dealt with the very next day.
It's so cool that you got Gary Numan to be featured on the album. How did that come about? Was "My Machines" written with him in mind?
[Gary Numan] was the one guest that we had no prior contact with so we had Phil Canning, our manager, contact his people to see if he would he interested. The music was already written before he got involved but he really took it to another level.
I've read that your live shows have some pretty incredible visuals. Where did the inspiration for that come from?
Obviously we cannot tour with our guest vocalists so we thought "why not have them on stage anyways".
What is the writing process like? Are you writing new material as you tour?
Generally speaking we do not write on tour due to the fact that we cannot set up our equipment on airplanes or a bus.
Looking at your tour dates, it seems like you guys have been touring practically all year. What's your favorite and least favorite parts about touring?
Touring is an essential element within Battles and we love to play live and bring our music to the masses. On the other hand we miss our wives and girlfriends which makes it very hard both mentally and physically.
