Interview with Phil Demmel, Guitarist for Machine Head

This interview with Machine Head Guitarist Phil Demmel follows the concert I went to for Machine Head/Lamb of God in Grand Rapids, MI. The concert was at the Orbit Room on March 17, 2007.

Machine head was founded back in 1992, by vocalist and guitarist Rob Flynn. They had their first release in 1994, Burn My Eyes, which included their first hit single and controversial "Davidian", which was released shortly after the Waco, Tx. incident. This debut album propelled their career, and subsequent tours with the likes of Slayer and Pantera ensued.

Through the years the band went through some trouble times with their label, Roadrunner records, and saw a few line-up changes. Nevertheless, even through the rough times, Machine Head still hammers on with a new CD release and current tour with Lamb of God. Future plans are another tour with Megadeth and Heaven and Hell, as well as a re-release of Burn My Eyes later in the year.

Scott: How's the current tour going?

Phil: It's going amazing. We are playing in front of sold out crowds every night, and there seems to be a lot of, you know, a couple thousand kids that haven't heard us before, so it's awesome to play for them.

S: I went to the show in Grand Rapids and I was blown away. Was this the first time you've played Grand Rapids?

P: Excellent. Hell yeah man. Yeah, we played there a couple times. We played there with Lamb of God back in '05 and Chimaira in '04.

S: What did you think of Grand Rapids this time around?

P: Amazing man. Good crowd, good show. The crowd in front of me was a little tame, but looking out in the crowd everyone was having a good time. I just love playing and seeing everyone having a good time.

S: Are you guys going to be coming back to Grand Rapids?

P: Oh yeah, definitely. It's a main stop on our tours.

S: Awesome. You guys have been around for over a decade now. How have you guys kept it together over the years, when some great bands tend to fall apart?

P: It's a matter of adapting. The band has taken the stance of not wanting to put out the same kind of album. It's about making new music and evolving.

S: I haven't had a chance to hear the new album The Blackening yet. I've heard great things about it.