Words: Sam Briggs
Artist: Miss May I
Ahead of Miss May I’s show at Corporation, singer Levi Benton took time out to talk to Sam Briggs about the pressure of releasing new material, touring and plans for the future.
For those who might not have heard of you, could you tell us a little about you and what kind of music you make?
We are a metal band plain and simple. Our band consists of 5 metal heads with long hair and walls of cabs. Our music is thrashy and heavy with some melodic parts here and there. By the end of the day we just strive for head bangs.
Who were your musical influences growing up?
When the band started it leaned more towards heavier stuff, into the As Blood Runs Black and All Shall Perish realms. Now though as the band has grown we are very influenced by bands such as As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engaged and Lamb Of God.
You released your first album while you were still at high school, did music always take precedence over other things?
Well in high school the band was basically a weekend getaway and something fun to do. We never thought about it being a career or that this success would happen. So when the record deal came we basically set school aside and decided being rock stars could be cool and we can put college off for a bit.
‘Forgive and Forget’ was featured on Saw VI and ‘Apologies Are For The Weak’ was featured on Saints Row The Third. Why do you think you music lends itself so well to media like that?
I feel like both of those media outlets in particular are one that have an intense and aggressive mood that comes with them. Our music has always been intense and aggressive as well and I think having our tunes in the back really enhances the audience’s experience either watching the movies or playing the games.
Did you feel any pressure releasing your 2nd and 3rd album? Were you nervous about how they’d be received?
I have always been nervous about anything we have ever released. The main reason being that we release what we would like to hear from a metal band and what we enjoy playing. But what we enjoy isn’t always the most popular thing or today’s hottest gimmicks. So when releasing anything we are always very nervous knowing we stray away from the main stream. Luckily though and by some miracle all of our head bang riffs and crazy lyrics have satisfied the metal heads listening to it today.
You’ve been on tour with some iconic bands, what do you take away from sharing a stage and a tour with other musicians?
After the fan boy in me fades away I always watch how they handle the crowd. As a vocalist I always want to be one step ahead of the next Joe Shmoe who is holding a mic. Watching these legends have so much confidence when holding the mic and talking to the crowd really inspires me to stand up and make each and every show one to remember.
You’ve been on the Warp tour a few times, how is that as an experience?
I would have to say the best thing about the Warped experience is playing to so many different fans. A lot of the crowd your playing to have never heard your band either they are waiting for the next band, they got stuck in your circle pit or they are just exploring Warped Tour. I feel we have gained a majority of our fan base from playing Warped Tour and we couldn’t be any happier.
You are sometimes labelled a Christian band because of your lyrical content? Do you think labelling like that is important, or is it something you ignore?
Its mainly something we ignore and the reason being that we think it is very unfair for the audience listening to these band to categorize and dislike bands for their release because that isn’t what the music is always about. There are so many people out there that will shun bands just because they curse or don’t say they are a Christian band when at the end of the day the bands could have a more positive thing to say than any Christian band out there.
Would you say you are a predominantly Christian band?
I am the only Christian in the band but I would never let it define us.
Are you looking forward to playing Corporation?
I am really looking forward to all of our UK gigs and the main thing being that UK fans go harder than any other crowd we play for in the world. Singing the loudest and basically destroying each other. It’s amazing!
You’re heading out on tour with Bullet For My Valentine at the same time, are you looking forward to that?
I cannot wait for the BFMV tour. Not only are we going to be playing in front of thousands of metal heads but we will be on tour with one of our influences as a band. None of us have even seen them live so we are just excited for that! It is about to be an amazing ride.
How do you think the UK music scene compares to that of America?
The music scene in the UK is way more family based then in America. In the US a lot of bands are very competitive and cut throat which we are used to. But in the UK so many bands help each other out and grew up with each other and know everyone. It’s very awesome to go there and see the brotherhood the UK scene has.
‘At Heart’ has been well received in the US, could you tell us a little about the ethos of the album please?
First off we went with a whole new team when we recorded At Heart which made the album sound completely different then our previous albums. But the main thing about At Heart was that we wanted to show everyone real topics and real stuff from the “heart”. All the lyrics were based on things I have been threw and things I know our audience could relate to. We didn’t approach the album to have the heaviest breakdowns or sickest pit calls but to have a real album that we were proud of front to back and that’s what At Heart is.
Are you pleased with the final result?
I am very happy that At Heart was accepted so well. We really took a shot in the dark writing the way we did and having the roots we did. Bringing back some old metal routines and not going with the times was very nerve wrecking but by the end of the day it turned out fantastic and now we can really go all out on the next record.
You founded Vursa Limited, tell us a little about that? Is it nice to have a different challenge to music?
It is very nice to have somewhat of a different challenge. The more successful we got the more auto pilot we got with all the managers and legal business that goes into the status we are. So when my baby MMI was out of my hands I started Vursa Limited to keep me busy and to inspire people to be
ambitious and do what they want. With fashion and urban culture being a huge addiction of mine I felt it proper to go into this realm of things. Also doing everything myself and being 100% hands on really is so rewarding. It has been a crazy journey so far and I can’t wait to see what comes next!
After you’ve done touring, how are you planning to spend 2013?
I get home from this stretch of tours and have my wedding that is followed by a nice relaxing honeymoon. Then hopefully recording a new album all summer long!
Miss May I play Corporation on Thursday March 14th.
