Curlupanddie can be considered one of the newest and most innovative bands of this year. “Unfortunately We’re Not Robots” was released not too long ago on Revelation, and it is an amazing example of music: metal riffs, screaming roaring vocals, violent and soft momenst thrown all together in one album, it shows how these four guys from Nevada can play some of the best tunes of metal influenced music. After a long time spent on tour, Mike stopped at Truepunk.com to tell us all about his band and their music. 

Interview by Carlo Gironi ( carlo@staff.truepunk.com ) with Mike. 

First thing I’d like to ask you is to introduce Curl Up And Die to the people who never heard of you before : how did you get together, started playing and got signed to Rev ?
Matt plays guitar, Jesse plays drums, Mike sings and Gavan plays bass. We just got together messing around playing cuz we grew up together and music was one thing we were all interested in. Revelation Records watched us play in our garage in our previous band when we are all 15 years old and said when you turn 18 we will give you a contract if you all graduate highschool, so we held them to it and signed .

What does the name Curl Up And Die refer to ?
It was a joke at first, but it definately has serious meaning to it, I’m sure people can find something by themsevles. It’s like a sickness.

You have a short discography, is “Unfortunately We’re Not Robots” your first album ?
Sure. I think it is. We alos made an EP called “The Only Good Bug Is A Dead Bug” and a seven inch.

I saw your line up changed, are you a solid band right now ?
Yes, we have been for a while now.

Your new record is called “Unfortunately We’re Not Robots” : I think it is sarcastic. What does this title stand for ?
It’s saying that sometimes its easier to not have emotions. Pretty simple, everything else im sure you can figure out on your own.

You recorded the new album with Kurt Ballou of Converge, in Boston: how was to work with him and how was the recording expirience ?
It was one of the best things i have ever done and accomplished in my life. To be able to go
across the country and record an album or music you helped create. It was a lot of fun and
rough at times, but overall great thing.

I read on your bio that your influences go from Neurosis, to Saves The Day and Black Flag: what about Saves the Day ? Do you like emo ?
I have no idea what that is all about. There are some things that are band has no control over these days.

And what about your influences in general ? Have you got some particular influence?
Comic books, for sure.

Your music has been described as “metal core” : do you agree ? How would you describe your record ?
Sure. Not metal core.

Talking of “Unfortunately, We’re Not Robots”, it has some really strange song-titles: do they deal with the lyrics of the songs or it is just a way to get attention ?
No, they dont deal with the lyrics, we are just trying to be funny. I can’t write a serious song title for the life of me.

Would you describe in general what you sing about in this album, even with some examples if you want ?
It goes through a personal experience in my life that opened up my mind to a lot of other things
going on in the world. And it’s my story of that.

The funniest title is surely “You’d Be Cuter if I Shot You in the Face” : what is that song about ?
I don’t really remember. I think something about me hating everyone and myself.

The artwork of your record is quite “hi-tech” , also the lyric sheet, and it is really hard to read your lyrics.
First off, the layout is printed too dark, it got fucked up. That’s why its so hard to read the lyrics. The tech feel is just what our designer pulled out from what he heard in the record. It’ss his
interpretation of our music through his art. He also has grown up with us so he has a
somewhat good idea of us as a band and us as individuals.

What’s you relationship with technology and the internet ?
A strong one. We have been on three dates so far. Sorry really bad joke, but i don’t really know what the hell is going on anyway.

Talking of computers and stuff , what’s your opinion on the whole mp3 thing that everyone talked about sometime ago when Napster was not dead: do you download songs from the ninternet ?
What is the ninternet? Is that like nintendo that you can play on the internet? That is sick, a really good idea. If you want you can get our record off the internet, we don’t care.

I saw you are not very pro-religion : so what do you think of the so called christian hardcore metal bands that sing about God ?
You are allowed to sing about whatever you want.

Have you got some plans of touring ? If so, have you got some anticipations ?
Yeah, as much touring as we can possibly do, more U.S. throughout the year, hopefully Europe sometime in the future, that would be awesome.

What’s in your cd-player right now? Have you got some cool bands to advice ?
Endeavor. Not really, sorry.

Final comments ?
Thanks a lot for the interview, you are really nice