It’s on today…we at CVLT Nation bring a straight to the point interview with Todd Jones of NAILS. You probably know that this band released one of the sickest records of last year, entitled Unsilent Death, via Southern Lord. Along with this epic album, they destroyed stages all across the USA while on tour. Now the band are the process of wreaking havoc once again, recording a new album & getting ready to go on the road with Ringworm. Enough of me talking, hear about the world according to NAILS. So after the jump, get down the nitty gritty with a rad band & check out the interview!
Yes yes Nails crew…how are things in your universe?
Things are well with Nails. We’re currently getting ready for our Summer tour with Ringworm, Bitter End, and New Lows. Following that we’ll go into hibernation and construct our next full length recording.
When you were younger, was there one show you went to or a band that you were into, that made you want to start a band?
My father was a musician so I was exposed to live music at a very young age; I want to say around 4 years old. I didn’t take an active interest in music until I was 11 years old. No live performance made me want to do it, it’s just something that I knew I wanted to do since I had the desire to play guitar.
As teenagers, did your family support you in your musical aspiration? If so, what did they do to help build a foundation for you?
Yes, my father taught me how to play guitar. I learned a lot of things on my own by just listening to Metallica and learning their songs from the Master Of Puppets tablature book. My father passed away when I was 15 years old. My mother wasn’t in the picture in my teenage years.
What is your biggest source of inspiration when it comes to the lyrics you write?
Stuff that pisses me off.
When I think of Nails’ music, electric rage comes to mind, but also your songs have crazy groove to them, almost like a subversive melody…how important is melody to you guys when you are writing?
Melody isn’t something that we keep in mind when writing but sometimes it comes out in our slowed-down parts.
With your Unsilent Death album, to me you guys transformed heavy & fast into a different being…what can the fans expect from your new album ?
We want to make a more singular sounding recording. Dare I say, more primitive.
Tell CVLT Nation readers what the unifying element was that led you guys to form Nails?
To create music we like.
If your songs had the power to shapeshift, what do you think they would become & why?
I am legitimately clueless. For the sake of answering the question and because it would be completely useful, I’d say $1,000,000 just so we can do our band more comfortably.
What is your ideal setting for an epic live performance?
I’m a fan of cramped spaces. I like feeling physically close to the crowd and my band members.
What has been the greatest joy about being in Nails?
Making recordings I like.
Is there anything about the band that is never asked in an interview, but you want the world to know?
Just that Straight Ahead “Breakaway” is my favorite 12″ EP of all time and I hope that Nails will someday cover the song “Breakaway”.
Who are some of the bands that you consider peers & what bonds you to these people?
Every band we play with, pay attention to, or who pays attention to us is a peer. We just do what we do and do our best to not be annoying.
Big thanks to Todd from NAILS for the epic interview!
All Photos by CVLT Nation
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