Powerman 5000, aka PM5K, is a band that is standing the test of time with over 20 years under their belt, multiple albums and now the release of their newest record “Builders of the Future”. The new record has hit the market strong and hard and they are proving to be a force to be reckoned with. No one can deny the band’s power and ability to lure you into the dark with them as you find yourself belting out the intense and metaphoric lyrics that they continue to produce.
Interview with Spider One, frontman for Powerman 5000
By Leslie Elder Rogers
Metal Exiles: First of all, what do you think of the current state of the music scene that you are dropping Builders of the Future into?
Spider One: This is an interesting time. We don’t necessarily fit in, we never really have. We are a weird band. I look at other bands, popular bands, and feel like PM5000 is not seen, but I like being the odd-ball. I think being odd is cool, not all bands have longevity but we came up at a time where we’ve lasted and we are fortunate that we’ve stuck around like we have.
Metal Exiles: You haven’t had a studio album since 2009 but you are constantly out there touring and staying busy. What do you think keeps the fans back in droves even without a studio CD to promote?
Spider One: Hopefully the live shows keep people engaged. I always go out there wanting to perform the best live show possible. The fans sense when something is authentic and real. We have that weird science-fiction type style and our fans like what we’re about.
Metal Exiles: Considering the label issues you have had in the past, you landed T Boy/UME for Builders of the Future. What has the experience been like for you so far with the biggest major?
Spider One: Essentially it’s like being on an independent. We’ve never felt pressure from the labels. It’s part of Universal so we can utilize what that brings versus and independent. There are a lot of cooks in the kitchen getting the job done.
Metal Exiles: The new album is one of your darkest statements to date. Where did you go mentally for this material?
Spider One: We never really set out for it to be that way. It just unfolds and one song leads to another. I don’t feel it’s all that dark but maybe that’s where my head was at the time.
Metal Exiles: How to be a Human is a disastrous but true statement of the human race. How do you think people ended up there?
Spider One: The song is like a sarcastic and clever way of talking about us as humans. There is an element of humor from an outsider observing human nature and how horrible or great we can be.
Metal Exiles: I Want to Kill You is a mellow but staggeringly sinister track. How did you put these thoughts to such a slow tempo?
Spider One: This song is the biggest surprise on the record. The song came out of nowhere. It was written and recorded in the moment one afternoon. Some love it, some hate it. I have always lyrically hidden personal stuff. I’ve never been open. This song is not what people expect from us. How many times have we all said that phrase without really meaning it? The song starts out innocently and then turns its’ head on you.
Metal Exiles: Builders of The Future reflects a current trend of mixing EDM and metal, which you basically started years ago. Where do you think the scene would be now without your groundbreaking albums?
Spider One: I really don’t know. I don’t credit for that even though we were some of the first with the sonics and electronic sounds. I like to think we are an inspiration for lots of others. It’s rewarding. What we took a chance on has become very exciting. I love the combination of sounds. To me, just the sound of a drum, a bass, or a guitar is not always exciting.
Metal Exiles: You have been a part of some great tours in the past. What have been some of the highlights of your touring past?
Spider One: They have all had special moments. You learn so much about being a good band from others. There are so many that I grew up listening to that we’ve performed festivals with like Metallica and Pantera. It was amazing. We opened for KISS when they had just gotten back together with their original lineup and make-up. It was unreal, like it wasn’t really happening. I used to draw pictures of them growing up.
Metal Exiles: Are there other artists that you would like to see yourself performing on tour with?
Spider One: I look forward to maybe touring with Prodigy and Queens of the Stone Age among many others. There are too many to name.
Metal Exiles: On that note, what kind of touring will you do for Builders of the Future and how will the stage show reflect the new CD?
Spider One: We just completed a US tour and are going to Europe. We will be back to the US later this year. The show is geared heavily toward our new record even though most bands only do maybe one or two songs from new records. Catchy songs are great but being able to excite the crowd, the fans; that’s what it’s all about. It’s about taking chances. I always want more. It’s human nature to want more.
If you have not already purchased it, make it a priority. Song after song, you will find this record quickly addictive; a necessary addition to your metal library.
BUY Builders Of The Future
Official PM5K Site
Interview with Spider One, frontman for Powerman 5000
By Leslie Elder Rogers
Metal Exiles: First of all, what do you think of the current state of the music scene that you are dropping Builders of the Future into?
Spider One: This is an interesting time. We don’t necessarily fit in, we never really have. We are a weird band. I look at other bands, popular bands, and feel like PM5000 is not seen, but I like being the odd-ball. I think being odd is cool, not all bands have longevity but we came up at a time where we’ve lasted and we are fortunate that we’ve stuck around like we have.
Metal Exiles: You haven’t had a studio album since 2009 but you are constantly out there touring and staying busy. What do you think keeps the fans back in droves even without a studio CD to promote?
Spider One: Hopefully the live shows keep people engaged. I always go out there wanting to perform the best live show possible. The fans sense when something is authentic and real. We have that weird science-fiction type style and our fans like what we’re about.
Metal Exiles: Considering the label issues you have had in the past, you landed T Boy/UME for Builders of the Future. What has the experience been like for you so far with the biggest major?
Spider One: Essentially it’s like being on an independent. We’ve never felt pressure from the labels. It’s part of Universal so we can utilize what that brings versus and independent. There are a lot of cooks in the kitchen getting the job done.
Metal Exiles: The new album is one of your darkest statements to date. Where did you go mentally for this material?
Spider One: We never really set out for it to be that way. It just unfolds and one song leads to another. I don’t feel it’s all that dark but maybe that’s where my head was at the time.
Metal Exiles: How to be a Human is a disastrous but true statement of the human race. How do you think people ended up there?
Spider One: The song is like a sarcastic and clever way of talking about us as humans. There is an element of humor from an outsider observing human nature and how horrible or great we can be.
Metal Exiles: I Want to Kill You is a mellow but staggeringly sinister track. How did you put these thoughts to such a slow tempo?
Spider One: This song is the biggest surprise on the record. The song came out of nowhere. It was written and recorded in the moment one afternoon. Some love it, some hate it. I have always lyrically hidden personal stuff. I’ve never been open. This song is not what people expect from us. How many times have we all said that phrase without really meaning it? The song starts out innocently and then turns its’ head on you.
Metal Exiles: Builders of The Future reflects a current trend of mixing EDM and metal, which you basically started years ago. Where do you think the scene would be now without your groundbreaking albums?
Spider One: I really don’t know. I don’t credit for that even though we were some of the first with the sonics and electronic sounds. I like to think we are an inspiration for lots of others. It’s rewarding. What we took a chance on has become very exciting. I love the combination of sounds. To me, just the sound of a drum, a bass, or a guitar is not always exciting.
Metal Exiles: You have been a part of some great tours in the past. What have been some of the highlights of your touring past?
Spider One: They have all had special moments. You learn so much about being a good band from others. There are so many that I grew up listening to that we’ve performed festivals with like Metallica and Pantera. It was amazing. We opened for KISS when they had just gotten back together with their original lineup and make-up. It was unreal, like it wasn’t really happening. I used to draw pictures of them growing up.
Metal Exiles: Are there other artists that you would like to see yourself performing on tour with?
Spider One: I look forward to maybe touring with Prodigy and Queens of the Stone Age among many others. There are too many to name.
Metal Exiles: On that note, what kind of touring will you do for Builders of the Future and how will the stage show reflect the new CD?
Spider One: We just completed a US tour and are going to Europe. We will be back to the US later this year. The show is geared heavily toward our new record even though most bands only do maybe one or two songs from new records. Catchy songs are great but being able to excite the crowd, the fans; that’s what it’s all about. It’s about taking chances. I always want more. It’s human nature to want more.
If you have not already purchased it, make it a priority. Song after song, you will find this record quickly addictive; a necessary addition to your metal library.
BUY Builders Of The Future
Official PM5K Site
