Madlife
An interview with singer Angry Phil
by Tina Hall
February 2011
Madlife
Madlife was formed from the breakup of the Los Angeles based band Merge in 2004. It is currently comprised of Angry Phil on vocals, Isaiah on guitar, Jimmy Minj on bass, and Kylio on drums. Over the years they have toured with bands like Marilyn Manson, Prong, Adema, Bullet For My Valentine, Trivium, and All That Remains. Their newest single “Be Tomorrow” is out now from the album Angry Sonnets for the Soul . The album was produced by Powerman 5000 guitarist Evan 9.
Maximum Ink: Can you tell us a little about where you are from? Do you think you carry the influences of where you came from with you today? How has coming from where you have influenced your musical tastes?
Angry Phil: I am from just outside of Toronto in Canada. I carry some of the influences. I was driven to get out of there and away from what I hated most: snow. My musical tastes have been influenced mostly by East Coast Industrial Music, coming mostly out of NYC.
MI: When did you first become interested in music?
AP: I have been into listening and playing music my whole life.
MI: What was it like when you first realized you had to be a musician?
AP: I was born into it. My family emigrated from the Azores and everyone always played music.
MI: What do you think you’d be doing at this time in your life if not for the music?
AP: I always knew this was where I would be. I never wanted to do anything other than play music and I never gave up on that dream.
MI: How would you describe the Madlife sound?
AP: Angry.
MI: What are the live shows like?
AP: Angry and fun. We really like to get the crowd involved, and I am told I always put on quite the display of intensity
MI: Do you prefer to work in the studio or on the road?
AP: Definitely on the road. That is where I am happiest doing what I love and being with the fans.
MI: Other than Jimmy’s chicken nuggets/fishnets, cowboy hat story, and the filling of the bus with 22 gallons of water in 10 degree weather in Oklahoma, do you have any interesting stories from the road to share with our readers?
AP: We were somewhere in Montana and we played at an old coffin factory. The elevator was just a plank of wood and a chain. No walls or door. It swayed about 4 feet in each direction. We didn’t think we were going to make it to the club on the second floor. Then when the show began all the women were at the front of the stage. I would say about 200 plus of them, and the guys were hiding at the edge of the crowd. I thought that was weird, but when the show started I was in shock. The women were the ones in the mosh-pit. Those women in Montana really know how to kick some ass. The whole floor was bouncing we thought it was going to collapse. It was sick. Horns up to Montana women who really know how to rock.
MI: Does Jimmy don fishnets often?
AP: Yes, just ask his mom
MI: What led you to fill the bus with water exactly anyhow?
AP: The water pipe broke inside the wall for the shower, and wow does 20 plus gallons make a big mess.
MI: What is it like to work with the other guys in the band?
AP: They are awesome. It took a while to find the right mix of guys to work with, but we are all on the same page and want the same things for Madlife.
MI: Were you excited to have Evan 9 from Powerman 5000 produce this album? What was it like to work with him?
AP: He actually co-produced it with us. Evan is great. He really helped translate what was in my head into the songs.
MI: Who do you consider to be some of the best bands in rock today?
AP: Rammstein, Avenge Sevenfold, SIXX AM, and OOMPH.
MI: What projects are you working to bring to the fans next?
AP: We are preparing to go out on the road. When we return we will begin filming for our next video.
Madlife
CD: Angry Sonnets for the Soul • Purchase Angry Sonnets for the Soul on Amazon
• Download Angry Sonnets for the Soul on Amazon