Email interview with Bury Your Dead guitarist, Slim
September 29, 2006
 
CLICK HERE FOR OUR ALBUM REVIEW OF BURY YOUR DEAD

The Massachusetts band, featuring drummer Mark Castillo, vocalist Mat Bruso, guitarists Slim and Eric Ellis, and bassist Bubble, have broken up, gotten back together, gone through 14 band members and 9 tour vehicles (including buckets of bolts like a Hyundai Accent and a Kia Sefia), but they’re still together and their stronger than ever on their new album, Beauty And The Breakdown, which is easily their most focused effort to date. In the Bury Your Dead tradition, the music is heavier than granite, but the band’s approach and collective attitude is light, fun and carefree. That’s what sets BYD apart from their peers, the fact that they do things you don’t expect. They keep you guessing at every turn, either making you bob your head to their catchy melodies or making you mosh your brains out to their ferocious, infectious breakdowns. As Slim says, “It’s always down and dirty, hustle and bustle with Bury Your Dead.” 

Dennis: I know everyone hate this question but, how did you guys come up with your name?
Slim: (laughs) I think it was at our first practice. We wrote some songs and then were like . . we need a name dudes . . . then someone was like how about the wild stallions. Then someone else said how about Metallica. Then I was like no way dudes its gonna be BURY YOUR DEAD! And we ran with it.

Dennis: What do you hope is the outcome for fans from listening to Bury Your Dead?
Slim: Hopefully a good time. Hopefully parties break out all over the world whenever people listen to it , hopefully.

Dennis: Your latest album, Beauty and the Breakdown is absolutely freaking insane. What makes you guys different from the other bands in your genre?
Slim: There's so many genres and sub genres its almost impossible to group any bands lately. I think everyone should be called rock n roll. But I think what really separates us is we are a party all the time (band), as well we have started bringing miniature seeing eye ponies on tour with us. I don't think anyone else has really taken that step yet.

Dennis: Lyrically the album seems to take a  direction to show the shortcomings in many different types of relationships.  I could be reading something wrong.  What inspired you guys to write this almost conceptual album?
Slim: Real life. Everything that we do we try to make easy for people to relate to. We have always been about real life, situations people have or will be dealing with. We have a fantasy metal band that we sing about lions, witches and wardrobes in outside of this which most of our outfits consist of blouses and boot covers.

Dennis: How can you inspire your fans to deal with the screw ups in everyday relationships with family and friends?
Slim: Life sucks sometimes. If you slow down after every speed bump you will eventually stop. Now that's deep.

Dennis: What is success?
Slim: To me . . . doing what you want to do and making yourself happy in the process. Inspiring people to shake their a**es all over the world. Leaving an impression after you are gone.

Dennis: When you die what do you think will happen?
Slim: Hopefully people will think about me and get bummed. Then get together and have a huge party and laugh at how ridiculous my life was and dance the night away.

Dennis: Has or does Jesus ever had an impact on your life? Why or why not?
*We are a Christian based site so we are always curious about people's thoughts about Jesus and Christianity.  Slim decided to not answer this question.

Dennis: Life on the road with the Family Values tour must be freaking insane.  What have been some of the best bands you have been seeing live?
Slim: Every band on the tour was the best band. My personal favorite was the Deftones, I mean . . . they are the Deftones.

Dennis: How do you maintain energy on a tour that packed out every night?
Slim: Uumm . . . drinking with groups of people helps, oversleeping, Kraft Easy Mac, Monster energy drinks with vodka, and high fives mostly. Oh and jump roping to Motley Crue's greatest hits.

Dennis: What was the best live show you have ever seen?
Slim: Marilyn Manson's Anti-Christ Superstar tour in Lowell, Mass.  I was way young and it was way ignorant. I thought I was going to have a panic attack. Word.