Interview with MAX CAVALLERA of SOULFLY
By Bob Cooper
Of all the bands I have enjoyed over the years, there is one that stands out to me for the fact that they have a huge following, yet never get any radio airplay. Soulfly has commandeered the attention of scores of fans for the unique usage of metal and so-called “world music”, which in addition to their Brazilian roots has influences of many other cultures of music and much unusual instrumentation to achieve the desired sound. Soulfly was formed by ex- Sepultura guitarist Max Cavallera, the writer and musical visionary who creates the music. The band has had many personnel changes from album to album, not because the members were fired or quit, but because Max uses whoever he feels is right for that particular record. It is always interesting for me to talk with Max because he is really a multi-faceted artist with many ideas and thoughts, and I never know what will be on the plate for me when we talk, other than that it will be delightful.
Soulfly have come through Portland headlining, with Morbid Angel supporting, on what is called The Saint Valentines Day Massacre, and I have joined Max for a brief exchange of conversation. I am greeted on the bus by Max’s partner Gloria and escorted to the rear where Max is waiting, but only after a thorough inspection by Chunky the Dog. Join us now as we discuss his latest record Prophecy, religion, and his next record.
Bob: Hello Max. Now that Chunky has allowed my entry, I thought we would talk about your latest album. I have been begging the record company for a copy but haven’t gotten one yet, so maybe you could elaborate a bit for me.
Max: Sure. The album is called PROPHECY and it has been out for a little over a year and we are still touring for it. All of the people seem to like Prophecy best out of all four Soulfly records because Prophecy was more of an x-ray of what we have tried to do from the beginning. I simplified it by breaking it down into heavy and fast bars and mellow and slow parts together and it has become our trademark. That is how people see Prophecy and I agree. I think it is the coolest one out of all the albums and the closest one yet to show people what I really wanted to do.
Bob: Was it difficult writing this album? I mean you do not strike me as the kind of person who is trying to make a big hit song by using a formula,.
Max: Yes, I really don’t know how to write a big hit song and have never tried for anything like that, thank god. I really don’t like the idea about having one song that is really big or whatever because the song becomes your enemy and everything is based on that. I don’t have that, but there are special favorite songs of the fans. They can be quite different ones, and sometimes the most underground ones can be the favorite ones. As far as the formula, I don’t know how that happens. I make records fifty percent the same and fifty percent completely different, one from another. Even today, the new album I am making now is really different.
Bob: How is it different? Is it more experimental?
Max: Yeah, that is the part of it where I let the music take control and take charge and take me to places. I went to Serbia and worked with these Serbian gypsy musicians and eventually a professor of music. It was unbelievable- he was playing instruments from the middle ages, and I’ll always admit I like it a lot. I’ve never seen them live, but I’ve seen them in Peter Gabriel videos with some bagpipes and things like that. That’s the thing I was saying. I worked with him and we both didn’t know what the hell was going to happen. When the CD is all done some of the stuff will be unbelievable. I know you cannot reinvent that kind of stuff. You can do it again and do something different, but you cannot do THAT again. There is something about it that made it that one time, and I am cool with that.
Bob: Yeah, doing something like that, to capture the same feeling as you had doing it that time, it would be hard to land on it again. Of course with the technology we now have you can digitally remix tracks a myriad of different ways, which would be better than trying to capture that original feel.
Max: Yeah, and I don’t even try to do that. I guess I didn’t have to go to Serbia. I could go to Best Buy and get a bunch of world music CD’s and put them together. But for me it is not about that. It is about the actual exchange of ideas and vibe of the culture, which is more important than the actual sound itself. The sound is great, but it is the experience. Like a saying I heard, “Life is a journey, not a destination”, which means where you are going doesn’t mean much but it is the journey that is important. A lot of people miss that when they worry so much about the destination that they forget to live. Life is a moment, and I know that. Where is it going when I’m done? I’m not concerned about that.
Bob: Yes, and if you start out with some pre-conceived expectation of what you should have at the end, it alters the journey there. If you enjoy yourself getting there then that is what it is all about.
Max: I don’t know anybody who makes the journey just fine. There is no such thing, you know. The good things balance out the bad things, and that is what makes life interesting. Even though we don’t like the bad things and we don’t like change, we do it.
Bob: That’s right. We deal with it, and often time the changes we fear the worst turn out to be for the better in the long run. Not all bad things for me were sure to turn out good, but they did teach me something and whip me into shape and probably made me a better person because of it. I think everything happens for a reason.
Max: Like a test almost. Whatever you want to call it- God, or a higher power or whatever- gives us these tests to see how we react to things and this spirit looks at that as a lot more important than how you dress. That is what is inside you, or your spirit and you can’t cheat it, so it is best to come out strong.
Bob: That is it right there. That is one of my beefs with modern religion. I have no problem with the religion itself because you believe what you believe, but the different churches you will find out there and the different ways they approach worship are awful, some of them. I think you are judged or assessed the minute you walk in the door by the way you dress or look, or in my case the length of my hair. It is what is in my heart and in my soul that matters, and if you judge me by anything else then you are way off. Another thing is how some religions like in Iraq can justify the things they do by saying it is gods will.
Max: I think it is just something they say. I don’t believe that the essence or foundation of any religion is based on that, and I know a lot of Muslin people. They don’t think like that at all. They are really religious, and pray five times a day. What those guys are doing is making it up to justify their actions. Anybody can do that. I can start up my own religion, and say, “I want to kill a bunch of people because my god told me to”, and blame it on god. It is a real cheap out for them. I think if you want to kill a bunch of people then you should own up to it and not fucking blame god and religion for it. The Muslims I know I am glad to have met and am proud to have as friends, and it makes me see that they are not violent. Those people are using their god as an excuse for their violence.
Bob: What bothers me is that they not only believe this stuff, but are able to convince many others to follow their beliefs, and that is scary. Anyway about your next record, is it nearly ready?
Max: Oh yes. In fact I think tonight we are going to be playing two songs from it. I think it is our best stuff yet and I am very excited about finishing it up and getting it out. We also have a DVD coming out soon that I hope will help tell more people who don’t know about us what we are about. It has musical footage and also lots of us talking and us at home being regular people. I think it is a good document of the band. It is called The Song Remains Insane.
Bob: I can’t wait to hear it Max. Before we finish up here I have to tell you that what you are doing musically is incredible and you should be very proud of yourself. While a lot of bands are making music with hopes of fame or fortune, or even are in it for the chicks, you are here to share with the world your visions and that seems to be your main satisfaction, and it is that kind of satisfaction that carries down to the fan and makes your following a very strong and loyal entity.
Max: Well thank you. I don’t think I will ever be on top forty radio but as long as I can make people happy, and myself happy with the music, then that is all I need.
Bob: Thanks for the music, and thanks for having me aboard for this interview. I’ll see you at the show!
