On tour for their most recent album "Terminal Romance," Matt Mays and El Torpedo played like a band there for the music, not for the money. They clearly loved every moment of the show, egging on the crowd to clap along. And the vibe of the crowd was amplified through their own personal microphone facing opposite the stage.

October 29, 2008

Review/Interview by: Amanda Waschuk

On tour for their most recent album “Terminal Romance”, Matt Mays and El Torpedo played like a band there for the music, not for the money.  They clearly loved every moment of the show, egging on the crowd to clap along.  And the vibe of the crowd was amplified through their own personal microphone facing opposite the stage. 

Matt Mays played a few songs solo joined only by the guitar in his hand and the harmonica strategically placed in his mouth with a metal contraption.  His voice was impeccable as this is a band that sounds even better live than on their album.  While the solo songs had more of a tranquil theme to them, the rest of the evening was spent rocking out.

Saving their two classics for the end, “On the Hood” pleased awaiting ears while “Cocaine Cowboy” saw opening band The Arkelles invade the stage to play along.  With both bands on stage, the instruments doubled (including not a “cowbell”, but a beer bottle) as did the energy of the crowd.  Whether or not you’re familiar with Matt Mays and El Torpedo, this is a show to add to the must-see list.

Prior to the show, bassist Andy Patil took a break from The Ramones DVD he was enjoying with his band mates to chat about the recent tour with Kid Rock and the success of their new album.

How long have you been a part of the band?

Right from the beginning, back in February 2002.  After Matt left his former band, he started his first solo record and everyone in the band is good friends so it worked.  Previously, we were gigging under the name Matt Mays with el Torpedo so that’s what it became.

Do you contribute to the song-writing process on the albums?

No, the songs are solely written by Matt.  The rest of the band can be considered the producers/arrangers.  Matt brings in a song naked and we color it, everyone contributes.  My part is adding the bass line.

You’re newest album “Terminal Romance” came out July of this year, has it been successful?

Yes.  The tour we’re currently on is the first proper promotion of it.  We were a supporting act for Kid Rock during the summer, which is when we released it, and we knew we would have to wait until fall to do our own tour.  So now we’re getting a sense of how successful it is.  Some of our headlining shows have sold pretty close to capacity.  And we’re playing larger venues than our last tour, there’s definitely more people onto us.  The album has done decent on the radio.  We’ve finished our video for our new single “Building a Boat” which will be airing next week sometime [week of October 27, 2008].  For it, we went to a boat shop that does “pimp my ride” for sail boats and got a crash course in heavy machinery.  But as for the album, we make our music and put it out to the world and our job is done, the rest is out of our hands.  It’s scary yet liberating and at the end of the day the people that see us get it.

You went on tour this summer with Kid Rock, singer of the hottest song of the summer, did this boost album sales for example through the merchandise stands?

Every night we would go to the merch table.  In Saskatoon we couldn’t sign enough, we were still signing when Kid Rock started.  But it was a weird pairing us and Kid Rock aren’t exactly the same type of music.  When we toured with Sam Roberts it was a better match, our audiences were better able to identify with both of us.

So what’s Kid Rock like in person?

Well he was on tour with his biggest album to date and he was a really nice guy.  He has this reputation as American bad ass, but trouble finds you.  During an early sound check we got to say hi and when I went for a handshake, he gave me the knuckle.  He insists you call him Bobby, not Kid Rock and he loves to beat box.  Basically he was a genuine nice guy and a huge music fan.

What’s his favorite music?

He loves it all!

Who else have you toured with?

We toured with The Black Crowes but America is a really tough market.  Mike Ness from Social Distortion is a fan of ours and he actually invited us to play his Christmas party this year.

What was it like playing in such big venues?

It’s strange.  We’ll play 500-1000 capacity clubs and then obviously it’s great to open for big arenas.  We’re just taking baby steps to get to that headlining stage.  The average age of band is 30 and we’ve been at it since 15.  “Almost famous” defines Matt Mays.

How did you choose “Tall Trees” as your first single from the new album?

It’s not too out there and is kind of familiar to the fans. That song sounded like the best choice for what we sounded like on the old record mixed with some new sounds which gives fans something they can identify with.  But we’re very happy with every song on our album.  The last record took us to the UK and the States for two years.  Our next single is “Build a Boat” and The Edge in Toronto started playing it on their own!

Where do you enjoy playing?

Germany has a very intelligent music audience.  All eyes are on the band and their festivals are insane.  There are so many different acts it gives buyers a good variety.

And what’s your favorite song to play?

Northern Bell.  There are some songs you just play and they fall together.  Some songs are just harder to play live.  The roll and groove is good, and as a bass player that’s my department.

We just had our federal election here in Canada; did you get out and vote? 

No because I was out of my district, don’t tell my mom!  Unfortunately American politics tend to overshadow Canadian politics and we’re all rooting for Barack.  He wants positive change.

What does your band have planned for in the near future?

We’re on the cross Canada tour for another 3 weeks and hoping for US opportunities in the New Year and look forward to playing the summer festivals.