Today I come to you with a gift. Because tomorrow Florida-based noisey hardcore sludgers Meatwound release their new full-length Macho. Out on vinyl through the newly-launched Threat Collection Records (the label’s debut release), and digitally through Pax Aeternum Digital, it promises to be both fun(?… depends on who you are I suppose) and intense. It’s a lot, and I’m most certainly not complaining. So today we have the equally as entertaining responses to our Profile questions provided by Daniel Wallace (vocals). So give it a read. It’s a good time. Hit the play button. That’s also a good time. And if you happen to be down in Tampa, they’ve got a record release show on the 10th that you should make happen.

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How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start? Any pushback from family/those close to you?

I first got the idea to play music watching “Purple Rain” when I was around eight or nine years old. Prince seemed like he had it all figured out by the end of the movie and “Let’s Go Crazy” was my first favorite song that I remember wanting to hear over and over. 

Pushback? My mom wasn’t stoked when she found a Suicidal Tendencies tape in my Walkman in middle school but later on, she was the one who bought me my first bass and practice amp when the neighbor had a yard sale. $50 well spent. Also means this is all her fault.

How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the dark?

Like you had a birthday party at the skating rink and a bunch of punks showed up yelling about how they hate cops.

Like you were trying to practice with your metal band but the car stereo guys in the space next door were blasting slowed down Debbie Deb tapes so loud that it became part of your songs.

Is there anything about your upcoming album or about your band that no one will find in any interview or review that you care to divulge? 

You mean like secrets? Maybe someone will recognize where the cover art came from? Or the vocal arrangements I stole from Morris Day?

Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?

It wasn’t funny how bad the Culero tour went, I can tell you that.

What do you see as some of the great things happening in and around the metal scene (yours or just in general) and what are some of the worst things happening right now?

Melt Banana remains one of the best things to happen to any music scene. But I’ve also seen a lot of good punk bands all over the country in the last couple years. Mutant Strain, Public Acid, Invertebrates, Loud Night, Scarecrow, Generacion Suicida, etc. I also caught foreign bands like Slant, Mob 47, Split System, and Rocky & the Sweden on their east coast tours. The DIY scene is still going strong.

Worst thing? Hardcore bands. Sorry you weren’t good at sports but you’re also not good at music.

Most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music? 

On the record, we are not a band that is about causes. But there are generally agreed upon enemies that it’s ok for me to target in the lyrics, like religion and cops. It’s also agreed that we can have songs about animals. Outside of that, I try to keep the lyrics vague enough that I can lie about them when I feel like it/the other guys don’t have to answer for whatever extremist shit I’m on about. 

Do you have day jobs or hobbies you want to share? 

Can’t live on these digital payouts, no matter how long I leave our songs playing on repeat. Two of us do trade work, Marty runs a restaurant, and Dimitri does something that I’m not entirely sure of. Pretty standard working class type activities.

What advice do you have for music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician? 

Do more features about Meatwound from Tampa, FL. Give our scented candles a good review and put “Macho” on your year end top ten lists. Guaranteed recipe for infinite clicks.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

Trying to make more ignorant music (and music videos) forever. Trying to tour more. Make more pink merch.

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

I mostly listen to the Best Professional Work Playlist that I made to help me act like a functional human in the office. A proprietary formula. Outside of work, been listening to Repulsion, Slant, JK Flesh, Exploited, SD Laika, Tricky, Paris. Sepultura and Terrorizer.

What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

Near future, the “Macho” record release show in May, plus some other Florida shows in the summer. Then the Reversal of Man reunion in Tampa in August. We also started demos for a couple new songs so trying to record again as soon as those are ready. 

Summarize your band in one word.

Macho.

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Many thanks to Dan and Meatwound for the time!

No. Seriously. This was incredible.

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Macho is out on May 9th through Threat Collection Records. To stay in touch with Meatwound, head over to their website.