Interview with Unearth guitarist Buz McGrath

After over a decade on the Metal scene Unearth have released their best effort yet. The March, is the latest CD from the band and features unbelievably heavy riffs and thunderous drums and has everything a Heavy Metal fan could want: neck-snapping riffs that assault your senses right from the first note and a brilliant production turned in by the band. This album is proof that these veterans of the genre can still grind out Metal with the best of them. Buz McGrath, guitarist extraordinaire, was kind enough to answer a few questions about the band and their newest release The March.

Your brand new CD titled The March was released on 10/14/2008. Now that it is complete, how do you feel about it? Are you satisfied with the outcome?
Buz: We are all very happy with the way this record came out. I don’t ever remember us being this excited about any of our releases.

What was the writing process like for this CD? Did you guys all write together? How long did it take?
Buz: We had about 6 months off to come up with the music and a little over a month to record. A lot of the ideas materialized on our own time and when we got together we would put it all together like a puzzle.

What can fans expect when they pick up a copy of The March?
Buz: Expect to hear Unearth doing what Unearth does best. Insane riffage and goodtime breakdowns.

The band keeps things interesting thematically. Can you talk about some of the subjects you tackle on this record?
Buz: Trevor created most of the lyrical themes on the record. Some political, some ideas are based on personal experiences of his and some are just cool stories that he reads.

You guys have been around since 1998. What are some of the lessons you have learned while recording and touring for the last decade or so?
Buz: Nobody else knows what is best for this band but us. Some people kiss your ass when things are going well and then are nowhere to be found when times are tough. We have learned to trust our own judgment and see past all the bullshit.

All of that passion that you play with must be tough on you physically. How do you prepare for the physical demands of a tour?
Buz: I guess we prepare by being unprepared. Just going out to have a good time is our main preparation.

What is a normal day on the road like for you? Can you walk me through it?
Buz: Wake up, pound coffee, do some interviews, sound check, go out for dinner, put back a few beers before show time, play show, shower and rage until 5 am.

When you are on the road for a while I am sure you see and experience many different things you might not even have known existed. Are there any stories that stand out in your mind as being exceptionally strange or odd?
Buz: I guess what is odd to me is that people are pretty much the same everywhere you go. In the world of heavy metal anyways. We are lucky enough to travel the world and get to see many beautiful places.

When you are out on the road, anything can happen and often does. Can you think of any disastrous events that happened while out on tour? How did you solve the problem?
Buz: Each problem is different requiring a unique solution to fit the situation. Whether it’s vehicle failure, trailer tires exploding in the middle of the night, or crew fist fights you just take it as it comes and deal with it.

Are you guys very politically minded? If so what are your thoughts on the upcoming election?
Buz: No, I personally do not take too much time being concerned with it. Whoever is elected is going to fuck it up anyways.

What have been the best countries to play so far?
Buz: I like Australia, Japan and Germany.