By: Robert Cavuoto
The influential industrial metal band, Mushroomhead, released their eighth studio album this past May entitled; The Righteous & The Butterfly.
It’s a dedication to original guitarist, J.J. Righteous and the band’s former photographer (and drummer Steve “Skinny” Felton’s wife) Vanessa Solowiow, who both passed away.
The CD marks the return of vocalist J. Mann, the debut of new guitarist Church and bassist Dr. F.
Now with the band supercharged with drummers Skinny, Robert Diablo and Stitch, vocalists J. Mann, Jeffery Nothing and Waylon, guitarist Church, keyboardist Schmotz, and bassist Dr. F they!
The songs, as one would suspect from a great Mushroomhead CD, are aggressively varied and very well-constructed. Church is an outstanding addition to the band and his eerie aggressive riffs work perfectly with the band’s vocals.
I was able to catch up with Church to talk about his joining the band, as well as his experiences in writing with the band for the first time.
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Robert Cavuoto: Tell me about your role and experiences in writing with the band for this new CD.
Tommy Church: It was very exciting to be able to write and record with such skilled musicians. Also, being a part of the Mushroomhead’s camp which has been around for over 20 years is an honor.
Robert: Being new to the band, was it a challenge to capture their signature style and sound?
Tommy Church: Well, I have worked with Steve Skinny Felton for a few years and being around the studio and working on different projects, so that really helped a lot. I’ve grown accustom to their style and writing process.
Robert: Who influences you the most as a songwriter?
Tommy Church: There are so many it would be hard to name them all. I definitely have to say Nikki Sixx has been a very big influence on me, as a songwriter and performer.
Robert: Did you have to adjust your playing techniques for Mushroomhead when you joined in 2012?
Tommy Church: Actually I did. I’ve never played a 7-string guitar prior to joining ‘Shroom. So that was a big learning curve getting used to that particular instrument and still learning.
But being able to write songs and play the ‘Shroom’s catalogue helped out a lot, particularly being a part of the Old School shows. Performing songs from when the band first began really opened me up to the ‘Shroom’s style. It’s still exciting to perform those songs.
Robert: What is like to have J. Mann back in the band, writing and performing?
Tommy Church: It’s a great honor to be able to perform and write with him. He brought a lot back to the process and the style. We have a lot of fun performing, recordings, and touring.
Robert: Besides learning to play a 7-string, what do you think has been your biggest challenge with joining Mushroomhead?
Tommy Church: Getting use to playing guitar with the mask. [Laughing]
It’s extremely warm, but a ton of fun! Drinking anything that isn’t in a bottle is extremely difficult. [Laughing]
Robert: I found your guitar sound to be crisp and sharp with great attack. What gear did you use recording this latest album?
Tommy Church: I used DBZ guitars and Egnater amps. I found the attack was what I was looking for and thought the tones helped bring out some of the other instruments and accented them very well. And the tone was and could be very aggressive for some of the heavier moments.
Robert: Where does this CD rate for you personally, as well as the band?
Tommy Church: I feel this CD ranks very high for all of us; it is a unique work and is an amazing feeling to be a part of it.
Robert: I recently read on the Internet that Mushroomhead is planning to tour with Slipknot, is it true and has both bands agreed to end all the feuding?
Tommy Church: I am unaware of any tour with Slipknot. I enjoy some of their music and have seen them live several times. I believe that most of the “feuding” is from the social media and fans feuding amongst themselves.
Robert: When playing live is the goal to blow all the other bands off the stage?
Tommy Church: I believe that’s the goal every time we step on stage. Not any particular band or performer in general, just all of them!
Robert: Let’s look ahead several decades. You’re in a pub playing, you’re old and gray and your fingers are gnarly. What are you playing and what’s your game plan for the night?
Tommy Church: It would definitely be some classic rock and some blues, and there would be plenty of Bud Lite involved.
