Interview with Mat DiRito of

Pop Evil

Conducted by Dave Smiles

For a lot of people this would be an introduction to the band. How did Pop Evil come into existence?

 

Well all the guys in the band played in separate bands around the West Michigan area and we would go out to shows and here each other’s bands play and be like “Oh man I really like what that guy done” and “I really wish I could be in a band with him” and we all said the same things about each other and we ended up combining forces and creating Pop Evil. So we toured around the West Michigan area for quite some time doing the bars and pubs and playing cover songs and such until we could afford to do our first album and about 2007 is when it really started to take off. We got local radio play, we started touring regionally and then nationally and then never looked back.

 

For somebody who hasn't heard the band how would you describe Pop Evil?

 

Where just kind of a mid-west Rock band you know. You look at all the different artists that have come out of Michigan like Bob Segar and Kid Rock and it’s a mix of different flavors like that. We have heavier elements. I wouldn't say we are a metal band by any means, we've got your good mid-tempo rock songs and a handful of ballads.

 

How did the name Pop Evil come about? What’s the story behind that?

 

Sort of what I was just saying. We have songs that go from one extreme to the other. So what it represents is the pop being the lighter side and the evil being the heavier side. We’re five very different guys in a band with five very different influences so we like to take those influences and bring them out. So having a name like Pop Evil gives us the ability to go anywhere in the spectrum. If we’re feeling angry, we write a song like “Trenches” or “Last man standing” If we’re feeling solemn or down or happy we’re gunna write a song to represent that as well.

 

Can it be difficult bringing all the influences together?

 

Absolutely. I mean you got five very different guys and trying to get them to agree on one thing can be very challenging. At this point we are on our fourth album and we have really learned how to work with each other. I think that’s the key. You can have five phenomenal musicians or five great song writers each individually on their own but bringing them together can create something or make something but can be very challenging.

 

How would you say the band has developed over time? Like you say you’re on your 4th Album now. Looking back at the first one to the one now how have you guys changed?

 

We had a few lineup changes for starters. The past two albums have been all of the same line up but early on it’s hard to get the right mix up of guys in the band. We found that out very early. The way we have developed is mostly in our song writing. We found that time and time again it doesn't really matter what genre or sub-genre the song is. If it’s a good song it’s a good song and if people relate to it they hear it. So over the years we try to pick apart our own songs and be our own worst critics. And say well ok we just finished this album but what could we have done better? And six months after you've stepped away from it for a while we look back on it and say you know what? Maybe we could challenge ourselves a little more here or there. And so we are always critiquing our work and trying to make the best songs possible, Stuff that people can relate to and apply their own lives to.

 

I believe the new single “Footsteps” is heavily requested on radio in America. What does it feel like when you hear your own songs on the radio?

 

You know its funny man. I still get a little geeked out about it. If there are people in the car with me I try to play cool and pretend and be like “Oh that our song?” But really deep down I just want to boost the volume. I still feel like a kid about it.

 

How do you decide which one is gunna be released as a single. Is there something special that you feel while recording or does it come during the writing process?

 

You know I think it’s really during the recording process. We all kind of feel it as a group. As the album starts coming together and we’re looking at different songs and different flavors. We say what foot do we want to lead off on and how do we want to present ourselves on this new cycle. Like what is our goal and what are we pushing towards? And I think we all felt that while in the studio that “Footsteps” was really the way that we wanted to present ourselves on this album. It’s about moving forward and upward you know letting go of the things that hold you down in life and seeing your full potential.

 

The song “In disarray” has just been released, what was it about this one that made you guys release it.

 

You know, we wanted to give a little bit of a different flavor. I think that footsteps might sound a little popier then a lot of the songs in the past and a lot of our fans probably weren't used to that. Although we got a great response from it. We kind of wanted to back it up with one of our rockier tracks. I feel like that one’s got a great guitar solo in it. It pushes and drives the whole way through and keeps people excited about the whole album.

 

In your career to date what would be one of your proudest achievements?

 

Early on in our career, I say early on but it was only about 5 years ago, we played a small show in our home town and it was a festival they put on every year. Probably about 7000 people or so. We headlined the show and the mayor came out and declared it Pop Evil day. It kind of stuck with me and he said that for being an inspiration to our community. And for your team work and commitment. And that was before we were really doing anything that big. We were touring nationally and stuff but not internationally. It stuck with me. It’s really cool to be acknowledged by your home town.

 

Must be a good feeling. What do you do to stay in shape while you’re touring and performing every night?

 

Great question. When you’re stuck on a bus it can be difficult some times. Our drummer Chachi is very much into Cross fit and he got me involved in to Cross fit about a year ago. I mean that guy is a freak of nature. He takes it to a whole new level. Me myself I try to maintain it and try to keep a pretty decent diet and not eat too much junk. It’s all about a balance.

 

When did you first discover music and who was the person that made you want to join a band and learn to play base?

 

My family always played music since I was a kid. We never had a TV in the house until I was in high school. So I’d wake up every day and wed have music playing, records and tapes all day every day it was music. It wasn't until I got to high school that I thought maybe I could do this myself. And the person that got me into it was an upper classmate in my high school and he played in a jazz band. And I heard the sound of bass guitar and how that fit into jazz. Even though I grew up on Rock roll and heavy metal it was actually jazz that piqued my interest and grabbed my ear towards playing jazz guitar and made me want to play. That was a random fact.

 

A lot of musicians have influences from different type of music. Anything else besides jazz that inspired you to write music.

 

You know what. I’m really into industrial music and stuff. Nine inch nails And Ministry. And so I like to experiment with different drum loops and beats and different sounds. Experimenting with different sounds leads you down a different creative path that you wouldn't have heard if it was just sitting down with a drummer. Its different effect that lead you down a different road.

 

So what next for Pop Evil?

 

Well we’re getting everything lined up for the big release date on August 21st. We’re finish up our music videos and editing those. And getting all our marketing stuff together and all our PR together and then touring. Hopefully come down your way and see you guys soon. That’s it for the next year or two I’ll be living on the road.