SOURCE – How would you describe The Distortion of Lies and the Overdriven Truth and its sound?
Steve Smyth (Guitar) – The title is an overview of the state of humanity in the 21st century. As we are brought closer together by technology, we seem to be further and further apart in every other respect of humanity. We have corruption on a level not seen before in the world; financial manipulation, as well as institutional manipulation, other means of imposing power over people that leave people homeless, powerless, and destroyed though war, repression, and oppression. Our leaders spout endless lies and keep us all seemingly fed with these, while the truth is kicked down, left for dead, overdriven.
I believe musically we’re doing something that is not being heard out there, a fusion of styles some of which you might be familiar with, but brought about in our own way. It’s progressive, thrashy, melodic, chaotic, and heavy as hell. It’s metal!
SOURCE – Who produced the album? How involved are you in the mixing process?
Steve Smyth (Guitar) – I produced the album, and brought in Roy Z to mix, Alan Douches from West West Side Music to master.
SOURCE – You released a lyric video for The Distortion Of Lies And The Overdriven Truth What’s your take on the whole lyric video phenomenon?
Steve Smyth (Guitar) – I like it when it’s done in a way that you can actually see the lyrics represented visually, and with The Distortion Of Lies And The Overdriven Truth lyric video, we’ve done that, plus included some slight footage of the band in there as well, so I think we’re keeping it interesting.
SOURCE – Can you introduce us to your band members and tell us whether we should know them from other bands or projects. Do they have other activities at this moment in time?
Steve Smyth (Guitar) – Mikkel Sandager is the singer, having come from the Danish band Mercenary, while Jamie Hunt came from Biomechanical. Tomas Koefoed came from the band Mnemic, and Michele Sanna comes from the band Coma. All of us are entirely involved in this band at this time, and intent on making this a full time band.
SOURCE – Is the Internet the single biggest change you’ve seen in the music industry?
Steve Smyth (Guitar) – I think it certainly is. The mp3 came around at the same time as the internet; and quickly gave ability to share an audio file over the internet. From there, everything changed. Napster highlighted the P2P trend, which began killing physical album/CD sales, and changing the face of radio as well. Internet radio seems to be a much more present entity than it has ever been, and you’ve got streaming services in which you can check out virtually anything you want nowadays for practically free. All of this has affected touring with bands, and the way we do things out there. You’ve got to be very smart with how things are presented, and work a bit harder to be heard, but I think we’re unique enough not to be passed over, like so many other bands out there can be.
SOURCE- How does it feel, when you are out on stage and you see a sea of smartphones, tablets and cameras taking pictures and videos? Gone are the days when we used to see horns. How does this feel?
Steve Smyth (Guitar) – It’s definitely different, that’s for sure, but it’s where we are with respect to technology. Again, we’ve supposedly moved forward, but you see something like that, but it’s a bit alienating. I get it, people want to save the memory of the show, show it to their friends, keep it for themselves, post it on the internet, whatever, but I’ll still play more to the people reacting to the music we’re playing every time. I feed off of that. I don’t see the days of throwing the horns and headbanging as over by any means, and people are certainly still thrashing, so that’s a great thing!
SOURCE – As you look back on your career, is there anything you would change?
Steve Smyth (Guitar) – Not a thing! All has been a great learning experience for me. I’ve to go on great tours, play with some amazing musicians and bands, make albums I am proud of, and now I have a band that I have put together, made an album with, and am looking forward to getting out there on tour and being heard with!
SOURCE – What is the biggest misconception people have about you?
Steve Smyth (Guitar) – That I died when I had my illness all those years ago? Ha ha People actually have said that to me in person when they see me somewhere after not having seen me in years. I laugh about it, but I guess if you’re not following me, you don’t know. But I’m alive and well! And in the best health state I’ve been in my life!
SOURCE – Do you have any plans of a South America and Brazil tour?
Steve Smyth (Guitar) – I would love to bring us there! There were so many times South America was on the books with various bands I was in, but it didn’t work out to get down there until I was with Forbidden. What a great time we’ve had down there! We all really want to bring One Machine down there, so if the reaction to the album is good, we’ll definitely come down there and tour!
SOURCE – Any closing words at all?
Steve Smyth (Guitar) – Brazil and South American metalheads we love you guys! We want to come and play for you! Come and feed the One Machine! Listen to the album, and stay in touch with us.
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