Moonbow – Uber Rock Interview Exclusive
Written by Mark Granger
Saturday, 09 November 2013 04:00
Anybody who read my recent review of Moonbow’s debut album ‘The End Of Time’ might have noticed I thought they had something a bit special going on. Formed when singer Matt Bischoff (previously best known for his stint on American reality show Survivor) approached David McElfresh of Hank3 about writing together, Moonbow quickly became a band with the addition of Ryan Mcallister (Valley Of The Sun) and Steve Earle (ex-Afghan Wigs/Hermano) on bass and drums.
Utilising the ever popular fan funding approach ‘The End Of Time’ was released this month and is chock full of devastatingly heavy stoner riffs and instantly memorable songs as well a bit of country stomp. Matt and David recently answered a few questions for Uber Rock on the band’s genesis as well as how they bagged JOHN FUCKING GARCIA for their album.
Moonbow started off as a writing project, at what point did you realise you had something special?
David: We realized that after Matt and I got together a few times and bounced riffs and vocal melodies around for the first 3 tunes on the album that we really had to get a “band” happening..
How did the addition of Ryan and Steve affect the songs?
David: Oh man, having musicians suddenly bring the pounding rhythm and thunder was exactly what we were hoping for and couldn’t have asked for a better fit than these two dudes!
Were they already fully formed (the songs, not Ryan and Steve) or did they evolve once you became a band?
David: The songs will always have changes made in arrangement and whatnot when in a “jam room” situation. But on this album, I did the main riff writing and brought the last 4 tunes arranged as well and Matt wrote the vocal/lyrics. Again, Steve and Ryan are so damn good they know exactly what a song calls for. And to add!! New songs are in the works with Moonbow and everyone is bringing some great material. We are stoked!
‘The End Of Time’ is full of classic stoner riffs, what was the main inspiration when writing the album?
David: Man, I think just sitting down, having a few brews, a little thc, and a guitar on whichever amp…then just start playing… hahaha, but always gotta tilt the nod to the greats like Sabbath..and of course all the later guys like Sleep, Fu Manchu, Kyuss, AIC, Down, Corrosion.. It’s hard to say man, there are all kindsa great “stoner” bands, metal bands, rock bands that riffs are kinda inherent…We all borrow something from somewhere.. Also there are some HEAVY ass riffs in old time fiddle and banjo music!
Moonbow is home to some musicians who are also busy with other projects, how will this affect any future plans for the band?
David: Moonbow is a thing of its own and very special to us. We will take things and schedules as they come. I think Moonbow will live for many years to come and be a blast!!
A question for Matt. You have your fingers in many pies outside of music but Moonbow seems to be your first major music project. Am I right in assuming you were involved in music before as you seem to be well connected?
Matt: I have always jammed with people and have sang in quite a few bands since the early ’90s. I jammed with David and Ryan in other projects over the years, but good studio recordings never happened with any of my previous projects. Music has always been a big part of my life and something I have done for a long time and will continue to do. Moonbow is special to me. I am real proud of the record and cant wait to write and record more.
The question I have to ask (and one I’m sure everyone else is asking) is how did the John Garcia collaboration come about? Also was it always going to be that song or did you have some back up tunes in case he didn’t like it?
Matt: John and I have been friends since 1997 when I met him at Ozzfest while he was touring with Slo Burn. I had a music TV show I hosted at the time and interviewed John. We have been friends ever since. John rules and is one of my favorite all time singers. Every project that he does kicks ass. When we were working on the Moonbow record, I asked John if he would be into singing on our record. With the help of modern technology, I emailed him the music for the track and he was stoked. He had full creative control to do whatever the hell he wanted to do with the song. In between a Unida tour and mixing the Vista Chino record, John went in and laid down his magic and then I went in and laid down some tracks as well. Real happy how it all turned out.
‘The End Of Time’ was partly funded through a Kickstarter campaign, is this something you always had in mind when you started the record?
David: We knew that we wanted to make a vinyl record, and having heard some great results about Kickstarter we figured why not? If people want to buy an album then pre ordering isnt a bad idea.
What’s your opinion on the fan funding model?
David: I think it’s great and to the point.
Being self-released Moonbow is currently an independent entity, is this independence something you want to keep or do you want to be on a label at some point?
David: Well, the way we see it is that, we will certainly keep making albums and see what we can do about touring. But sure, if a label happens to be interested, then we would would be open to see what might come about.
Finally what’s on the cards for Moonbow for the next 12 months?
David: Play our belated album release on Nov 22nd, record an acoustic EP, play more regional shows and write for a next album in between some label shopping.
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