John Wells Interview from 2004

I got a few requests from some girls that wanted an interview with John Wells, singer for MSD. John was nice enough to oblige, so here they are ::imagine eerie, gothic pipe-organ music here::...20 QUESTIONS WITH JOHN WELLS !


1. What is MSD up to these days ?

Mostly we've been writing new material for our next recording. If things go as planned, we should be back in studio by the end of winter.

2. What does MSD stand for, and how did you come up with the name ?

When I first began playing with Gote, Samual, and the forgotten drummer back in 1997, though they weren't really a band, they called themselves MSD. It didn't have any meaning, just three random letters that they picked. I didn't understand it then, nor do I know. Regardless, It stuck with us all the way through out the evolution of the band, until 2002 when we finally decided we had to give some sort of meaning behind it. After going through hundreds upon hundreds of name possibilities, we decided on Musica Silentis Doloris. Roughly translated from Latin, it means "Music to quiet the anguish" or "music to silence the sorrow". One of the aspects of Latin that I find very interesting is that it's very vague, so it can be taken in a lot of different ways.

3. Who inspired you to become a singer ? Who are your influences ?

I have so many singers that I love and admire, but I'd say some of my strongest and more obvious influences come from Glenn Danzig, Mike Patton of Faith No More, Phil from Pantera/Down, and the list goes on and on. However, Loreena McKennitt has always been my single greatest influence and inspiration, vocally and lyrically. I've always had an extreme passion for Celtic music, and no one does it better or more dramatically than Lareena.

4. What type of mic do you use live ? Is there any particular processor or effects that you like to sing through ?

I'm not picky at all. I practice with the SM58, on stage I usually just use whatever is in house (which is usually a 58). I just use it because it's the standard. As far as processing, I don't use it. If the house sound guy wants to throw in some reverb or delay somewhere, that's fine. I just sing.

5. What is the best show you have ever played and what was the worst ?

I don't think of any show as a "bad show". Sure, we've had our fair share of rough nights, but I'm appreciative for every opportunity we get to perform. I love what we do, and never take it for granted. Every time I get on stage, it's a blessing to me. No matter how it goes, I'm thankful for the experience.
One of my favorite shows, although not at all one of our largest, was when we played with the Misfits (with Marky Ramone, and Dez from Black Flag). The Misfits and Black Flag are two of the largest reasons I decided to start playing music in the first place. Jerry Only in particular (for being the driving force behind the Misfits) has always been someone I greatly respected and admired. At the show, Jerry offered me the opportunity to sing one of my favorite Misfits songs with them on stage. Actually performing with three icons that have had such a strong effect on not only myself, but the entire musical genre, was something that will stay with me for along time.

6. How long have you been singing, and were you in any bands before MSD ? If so what were those bands like in terms of style of music ?

I was in a few bands in high school. Back in 95, I played in a hardcore band called Entity for about a year and a half doing guitar and bass work. I'm still friends with the guys, and we get together and jam every now and then. The first band I ever sang for was a metal band, sort of along the lines of Pantera, called Primal. Ryan from Flaw was the guitarist and founding member of that project. It was short lived, but we had some good times. There was also Dead Machine, a dark industrial project. A guy named Justin Hall was the driving force behind that band. From what I hear he has a new project in the works, which is good news for the scene. I'd really like to see things work out for him. We shared a lot of great times, and I learned a lot form him.

7. As far as lyrics go, what song that you have written are you the most proud of ?

I'm deeply proud of the new stuff. I can't wait to get it into the public. It's very different for me, but very honest and very real.

8. What are 5 of your favorite CDs of all-time ?

Just from the top of my head I'd say...
Loreena McKennitt - "The Visit" or "Book of Secrets"
Danzig - "II Lucifuge"
Down - "NOLA"
Pink Floyd - "Pulse"
Faith No More - "The Real Thing" or "Angeldust"

9. The songs on your web site entermsd.com sound really good. Where were those songs recorded and who produced/engineered them ?

Thank you. The stuff on the website is really old, but it was all done at Canyon Studios by Chris Cassetta with some help from Ivan Arnold. Both guys are incredible. Both wonderful human beings, and an absolute joy to work with. I can't say enough nice things about either one of them.

10. You got a great spot to play at the recent "Attitude Fest" at Headliners. How did that show go and were you impressed with any other bands that played ?

Attitude Fest was a blast. Julie did such a great job piecing that gig together. All the bands were great of course. I know that's a very cliché thing for a musician to say after a show, but I really do mean it. Kallus blew me away. Those guys are intense and very powerful to watch. I love Engrind. That was my first time seeing them with Donnie, and he really works well with their sound. Cold Shovel really impressed me, very solid. False and JCDT (Faceplant) are two of my favorites, and they always rock. It was a great night from bottom to top, easily the most fun I've had at a show in a long time.

11. You have opened for several national acts, and even played at the first Summer Sanitarium tour (Metallica) What national act would you most like to do a long tour with ?

Danzig, without a moment of thought.

12. I will list some bands and you rate them on a scale of 1-10. 10 Being great, 1 being the worst.

I don't believe in saying a band is "better" than another band. As with any form of art, it's all a matter of individual preference. But as far as how the bands fare with my personal taste...

1.) Type O Negative - 7
2.) Misfits - 10
3.) Metallica - 10
4.) Pantera - 10
5.) Tool - 4 (I'm sure I'll be lynched for this. I fully appreciate their talent, but I just can't get into their music no matter how much I try.)
6.) Dimmu Borgir - 3
7.) Cradle of Filth - 3
8.) Hatebreed - 6 (Their vocals get redundant, but I love the riffs. It's good weight room music.)
9.) Danzig - 10
10.) Marilyn Manson - 6/7

13. When you aren't singing or going to the gym, what do you do ? Do you have a day job or do you go to school ?

I play a lot of guitar, and I've been trying to better myself at piano. I have a thousand different hobbies that I never really get to enjoy, due to my horrendously busy schedule .Of course I have a day job. I work at Ford. Let's face it. There isn't much money to be made as an unsigned band, however there are plenty of expenses that come along with it (equipment, studio time, merch, etc.), all in addition to living expenses. It would be nearly impossible to live comfortably off nothing but our band income.



14. What are your 5 favorite movies of all-time ?

LOTR- Fellowship of the Ring
LOTR- Two Towers
LOTR- Return of the King
(I read the books at a young age, and was very effected by them. Seeing them come to life and portrayed so beautifully was extremely powerful.)
BRAVEHEART
SNATCH

15. Who has had the biggest influence on you as a person?

Marcus, Gote, Samual, and Robie. We've been close friends longer than we've been band mates, and Marcus of course being my older brother, has been with me my entire life. Together we've experienced so much, learned so much from each other, and created so many wonderful memories. We've seen the lowest of times, but have always stuck together to overcome. I'd fight to the death for all of them.

16. What is the most money you have made for a single performance ?

I honestly don't know. None of it ever reaches our pockets. It all goes directly into the band account to go towards recording and merchandise.

17. You must fight Glen Danzig. Whoever wins that fight will fight the singer for Dimmu Borgir. The winner gets to have sex with Marilyn Monroe's corpse. Who would win ?

I'd have a hell of a height advantage over Glenn, but I still wouldn't stand a chance. I might be able to handle the Dimmu Borgir guy though. I probably wouldn't get involved to begin with. I'm not a violent guy, and I don't have any great desire for dead bodies.

18. Last of John Wells...

1.) Last cool famous person you have hung out with ?

A lot of WWE wrestlers visit my gym pretty frequently. Most of the Ohio Valley Wrestlers are members, and I work out with a few of them regularly. OVW is the minor leagues for WWE, so anytime a WWE superstar is in town working with OVW they end up in my gym. Just the other day I ran into Sean O'Haire. He used to be in OVW, and a regular at the gym before he got signed to WWE. He's a good guy.

2.) Last girl you have thought about having sex with ?

Marilyn Monroe's corpse, but that's your fault.

3.) Last time you shaved your arms ?

Never. My arms aren't very hairy. I keep my torso pretty clean though, usually once or twice a week.

4.) Last really good meal you have had ?

Thanksgiving. I follow an extremely strict diet through out the entire year, so I take full advantage of holidays. They give me good excuse to eat until it hurts, and not worry about counting nutrients.

5.) Last time you signed an autograph ?

Yesterday. I was Christmas shopping at the mall, and a couple of kids approached me for autographs. They were really excited to seeing me out in the world and not in a "show" atmosphere, but I'm sure I looked really bad ass with all my bags from the Disney store and The Gap.

19. What person or band in the 502 scene deserve the most
success and why ?

MOST of the bands in the city work very hard, and deserve national recognition. I'd love to see My Own Victim get another shot in the mainstream. They're just too damn good to be grounded in Louisville forever. I'd especially like to see Sailor make it. He's so incredibly talented, and has such an immense passion for music. I hope he gets his chance to share it with the world.

20. Do you believe in Christmas, what are your thoughts
about the holiday ?

I absolutely love Christmas. I'm the type of guy that really gets into the holidays. I love shopping for my family and friends, putting up decorations, even watching all the stupid Christmas specials that come on TV. It's just a very happy season. I get really excited about it months before hand. I'm a big kid like that.
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Let's recap...

John told us that MSD has been the name of their band since '97, but the letters didn't actually stand for anything until 4 or 5 years later. In 2002, they decided it would stand for Musica Silentis Doloris.

His favorite band to tour with would be Danzig.

He is a big fan of LOTR movies and has read the books.

He also loves Christmas.

John had some great things to say about his band mates, and many great things to say about other people in the 502 scene. I think this interview has been the most positive so far. Great interview !

Thanks John Wells !

John gets 5 out of 5 stars for his 20 Question Interview. êêêêê