Twitter might be my favorite social network. I am always using it and I’ve connected with a lot of brands on Twitter over the years. I follow a lot of different accounts, but last week I discovered MAD-ERA, a rock band from Madrid, Spain. That is the power of Twitter. It is easy to connect with people from all over the world. I listened to their latest album and was really impressed with their sound. I love their vocals, too. Just a good rock band. This is the type of band I would expect to see on stage at Birdy’s Bar & Grill, one of my favorite music venues. I reached out, via Twitter, for an interview and was excited to learn more about this band. It is my pleasure to introduce you to MAD-ERA.
I found you guys on Twitter. Love the sound. Tell me more about the band and the guys in the band.
Thanks! Glad you like our sound. The band was founded in 2012 by Alejandro Jorge (bass player) and me, Robert Navajas (guitar/vocals.) We played in a previous project together called acidball. When the band dissolved I told him that I had a project in mind and asked him if he wanted to be part of it. Later on Luis Aguirre (drummer) joined us and completed the formation of the band a year after.
There are a lot of great rock and roll bands out there. Who are some of your biggest influences?
Yeah, there are so many! For me it’s all about Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera, AC/DC, Slayer, Korn and so many others. Eric Clapton and Pink Floyd was the stuff that I used to like when I was 3 years old and my parents played it in the car or at home. Later on AC/DC made me pick up a guitar when I was eleven, and Pantera rewired my brain at sixteen.
Where did the name MAD-ERA come?
MAD-ERA is something that I made up thinking about how technology and internet has made it available for people to access to so much extreme content. I mean there has always been crazy stuff going on on the planet but because of the fact that people can actually see that stuff going on on there smartphones, TV, etc. It makes it kind of alienating to the human beings because of the decontextualizing of the events. Don’t get me wrong, I think technology is magic if used in a good way but the name of the band kind of shades a little bit of light over the dark times that we are living as a race.
Tell me more about your single “Drowning (in a River of Blood).”
“Drowning (in a River of Blood)” is based on a weird dream I had. I dreamt that I was on a boat over the Amazon River, suddenly I fall from the boat and piranhas come to dismember me. (Laughs.) The song is about my thoughts half a second before getting slaughtered, on the moment between me falling in the water and dying. Kind of creepy. (Laughs.)
What is your songwriting process like? Do you sit down to write a new song or does it just come to you?
Both actually, but I actually feel more inspired when I am not committed to it. It usually starts as a riff and then it develops in to a song. Rarely I write lyrics before the music si finished so yeah, music usually goes in first place.
Do you guys ever make a mistake on stage?
Yeah sure, everybody does. I mean I think its way more important to be able to make people feel things when you play than making a mistake. We actually practice a lot and work very hard for them not to happen but you know, sometimes shit happens, not major song structure mistakes or anything like that.
You recently released a solo album titled SPECTRUM. What was the motivation to release a solo album? How does that connect with what you’re doing as a band?
I always write stuff and I actually have a very open mind on that. I always like to experiment with different genres of music. This is not always compatible in a band situation because I prefer to keep everybody happy and though I get to do songwriting wise whatever I want to in my band, I know what it works and what doesn’t. SPECTRUM is just me writing music in my bedroom with no external influence – 100% me – that’s what I wanted to do on my solo album.
The band is based in Spain. What is the live music scene like in that country?
Yes, we are from Madrid. As far as the music scene, honestly it really sucks. The lack of passion is really disturbing but there are also some cool bands out there that really put a lot of work on what they do, we are definitely one of them but are genre being so unique really freaks people out. (Laughs.) I love that stupid look some people put on their faces, they don’t understand as, which for me is a big compliment because the bands that actually created unique genres where very misunderstood in the beginning.
You guys are from Spain, but all of your lyrics are in English. Do you ever sing songs in Spanish?
Nah, I actually think that rock & roll was made to be sung in english. I mean you wouldn’t sing flamenco in French, would you? (Laughs.) I respect Spanish sung rock but it’s definitely not for me. It doesn’t sound like rock to me; too abrupt. On the other hand, I love flamenco. It actually makes sense to be sung in Spanish because the music is rooted in that language,.
I love the single “Orange.” Tell me more about that release.
I love that song, too. It’s a song about being as true to yourself as you can possibly be, living your own life and loving yourself. No one will love you more than you love yourself so it really makes a hole lot of sense to start by looking at yourself in the mirror and working on you first.
I love Spotify. What are your thoughts on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music?
To be honest, I don’t really use any of those, so I can’t really judge them.
You guys are a rock band… Most rock bands know how to party. What is a live show like? Do you guys party after the show?
Many rock bands like to play live and make people have a good time, dance, etc. We like to terrorize people with the dark atmospheres that we create through our art, something we take from Black Sabbath; what an amazing band.
After the show it really depends on if we have to drive or not hehe, but I love partying after shows. It’s actually the best party you can have because you know that you have worked very hard and that you deserve to have fun.
What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
That’s a difficult one. I would say when I first saw AC/DC in Madrid, I was thirteen I believe and I was actually so amazed about what I was watching that I wouldn’t react to my father speaking to me when the concert ended. But I really feel so gifted to have had the opportunity to see almost all of my heroes: Roger Waters, BB King, Guns N’ Roses, Mark Knopfler, Megadeth, Ghost, Slash, Exodus, Slayer, Napalm Death, etc.
Robert, how many guitars do you own?
I own 6 guitars, and I hope to get more in the near future!!!
What’s next for MAD-ERA?
We are recording the new album and its sounding extremely innovative. The first album was cool but this one is in the one that we are really going to let the world see our full potential as a band.
Thank you for doing this. In all of the interviews I always give the artist the last word. Go.
Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to talk a little bit about the band and our music. It’s been my pleasure. Thanks again!
