ATX Metal Podcast

ATX Metal Podcast: Hey, what's going on everybody. Ryan, ATX Metal Podcasts. And in this episode, we've got Matt with Cryptopsy. They are coming through on the Decibel Magazine tour, May 9th. It's humble sponsor. Come and take it live down on East Riverside. We had a whole host of technical difficulties. And when I say we, I mean, I. Par for the course, technical difficulties, but thankfully my guest, the great Matt McGaacky, he used to run Vox and Hops and like he said on the interview on the episode that he clocked over 500 episodes. So technical difficulties and working your way through them is par for the course. from me to you, Matt, thank you very much for waiting it out and toughen it toughen it out and waiting it through, seeing it through, toughen it out, seeing it through. Anyway, get your ass to come and take it live for Cryptopsy with Neckrot and the other lovely bands that are gonna be coming through on the Decibel Magazine Tour. I got to talk to Matt about kind of the past, you know, cause it's the 30 year anniversary of one of the most heavily regarded death metal albums and now they also have their other album that they're one of their latest albums that they're touring on insatiable violence sorry non-so-vile insatiable violence and you kind of can hear the before and after he talks about worm I was honestly too ignorant to the fact of what type of show that guy put on but man apparently it was wild speaking of shows that are wild they have a new LED setup that we talk about. not only will you get to have the entertainment of the live set, but you're also going to be visually entertained with some amazing engineering with the lights that are going on. I'm a sucker for lights. You may see me come and take it live with a local going on, hitting the switches. I have no clue what I'm doing. That's very apparent, but at least I can stay on time, right? So at least there's that. If you want to hire me a couple beers, we're good. Um, so yeah, a lot, a lot went on, a lot happens and just, it was really good. It was a really good interview and I'm really thankful that I got to, got to go through it. And you know, like I said, in the interview, I wasn't a Cryptopsy fan before, but I am now. I mean, it just takes time. It's like a, it's like a fine wine. So anywho, thank you very much for tuning in and listening again. This is the Decibel Magazine tour. Coming through Cryptopsy headlining, come and take it live. Also, they have some other shows in Texas as well. You can look those up. Come and take it live.com, come and take it productions.com. If you guys are interested in getting your butts to a show down on East Riverside, you can come on out, check out the event calendar tab. And if you see a local on the show, you can put their name, all one word, full caps, and get a little bit of a discount. Helps them out, helps you out. Save a little money, everybody wins, because I know that money's tight a little these days. anywho, save up your pennies and come to Cryptopsy. How about that? May 9th, see you guys there. Enjoy the show.
Ryan Rayle: Oh, man. Welcome back, team. This is trip number five. I promise we're not doing this on purpose. Fortunately, Matt, like he said earlier, how many episodes did you do on your podcast? 500. I think I'm almost to 300 in 11 years. We took a hiatus during obviously COVID and...
Matt McGachy: We're back again. We got this. 500 episodes of Vox and Hops, yes.
Ryan Rayle: I had a co-host and we were kind of funny in the beginning, not so serious, just kind of get going. And then after COVID, I got serious. mean, I got more involved into the process and the production and making sure that these things were polished. And then you get stuff like this where it's just like nothing works. And those are usually the best ones. But I appreciate your patience and that for everybody listening and this is gonna be heavily edited to try and...
Matt McGachy: Nothing works. It's okay. Not a problem.
Ryan Rayle: trying to get this together. But it's okay. We have the technology, but we don't have the time. So let's get this thing moving. we got just to recap, in case you're coming in mid conversation, I don't know how you do that unless you just skipped it. we got Matt here with Cryptopsy. We got Decibel Magazine Tour, North American Tour 2026, Headliner, first time on it, correct?
Matt McGachy: It's our first time doing the Decibel Magazine Tour. Yes. We had been offered a few times and it just never lined up. excited to be there.
Ryan Rayle: Okay, so not only is it your first time on it, you're also headlining. So what I would like to know is two questions. What is one of the songs that you feel is like almost dangerous to play on stage? Not in terms of violence, but I mean, just whatever you think, whatever you think dangerous means. And then the second one is...
Matt McGachy: There's amazing moments. I'll go to...
Ryan Rayle: yeah, and then the other question is, what song do you think is going to hit the hardest for the lifers?
Matt McGachy: I think it's the same answer, honestly. We have this song called Graves of the Fathers from None So Vile. It's a classic song. It's one of those songs, as soon as it kicks off, the crowd just lights, you can see their faces just open up and then the pits are just insane. There's a breakdown in it and there was breakdowns in death metal back in 1996 and that did not make us death gore back then. And having breakdowns in our songs now, does not make us Deathcore in 2026.
Ryan Rayle: Well, I can tell you that the music that I heard this morning on the run, there's definitely moments there where you just don't know what's gonna happen next, and then you hit this groove, and then the BPM just, and then the kick just comes and you're like, shit, okay, all right, and then it's chaos.
Matt McGachy: Yep. Yep.
Ryan Rayle: I could only imagine what it's like, right? I sit here and I interview people like yourself and everyone from just starting out in the Garage Band and everyone says the same thing. They're super excited to be on stage and just kind of just sharing what they've been doing for fun with everybody and being able to enjoy those moments in a space, in a time and space.
Matt McGachy: Like you said, the album is about, it has the overarching social media aspect to it. So getting in the pit and getting to the show, is that, I don't know. I know when you go on tour, there's always this kind of theme, but with the album being about social media, is it more, is there more of an ask? Like seriously guys, get the fuck off the doom scroll and put down the book and come to my show.
Ryan Rayle: to my show. I would love for people to come out. I just, I am lucky and I am privileged to be able to go out there and play as many shows as I do because it's a huge part of my identity. This reward that we get of standing on stage and getting that energy from a crowd is, there's nothing out there in the world quite like that experience and we're very, very lucky and I'm fortunate.
Matt McGachy: to have the opportunity to do this. And we're basically wrapping up a world tour, having played all over Asia and New Zealand and Australia and then all of Europe and the UK celebrating 30 years of Dunsovile and now we're wrapping it up in the States. And every crowd is like just filling up this reservoir.
Ryan Rayle: of this energy and it's just amazing and it's something that when I've been home for about two months now and I'm really really looking forward to getting up there on stage. The first show is in about four or five days and I'm eagerly anticipating that experience of filling my reservoir up a little bit so please come out to the shows people come celebrate 30 years in None So Vile with me and the rest of the Cryptopsy.
Matt McGachy: Boys, we're greatly gonna appreciate your presence and we have quite the show planned for you. The visuals are adding a whole other dimension. It's gonna be really intense.
Ryan Rayle: That's great, man. really, you know, the more that I looked into it and just from talking to you over the past collective 30, 40 minutes, this almost seems like a career in motion that you guys, know, yes, this is, you know, where we started, but look at where we're at and everything that's happened in between. I mean, there's a lot of stuff that happens day to day and the fact that, like I just interviewed...
Matt McGachy: Exactly.
Ryan Rayle: one of the local bands, Villa Mora, metalcore outfit, up and comers doing really good stuff. And they've been together for, you know, 10, 11 years. And so, you know, seeing the, you know, the young guys sticking it out that long, but then also seeing veterans like yourself still out there, still grinding.
Matt McGachy: There's a lot that goes into being able to go on tour. There's a lot of behind the scenes stuff that has to happen. I'm a father, I have children. There's a lot of missing birthdays and getting out there. But without the support system behind the band, it wouldn't work, it wouldn't continue. So there's a lot of sacrifices that go into being a touring band and being a professional band.
Ryan Rayle: Yes.
Matt McGachy: but we're very, very fortunate that our fans still want to see us up there and still want to come out and enjoy these experiences with us because Flo is 50 plus years at this point. He's the sole original member of Cryptopsy and he's playing fantastically, but I always look at him as a professional athlete and there comes a point, sadly, when professional athletes can no longer...
Ryan Rayle: Yes.
Matt McGachy: perform at the Olympics. So that is something that we have to keep in mind too, that these experiences are finite and there is an expiration date on them. So I go out there and I plan these tours as best as I can, organize them as best as I can, but then when I'm on the tour, I have to enjoy the moments. I can't just live in the stress. I'm gonna go out there and I'm gonna soak up each of these shows and each of these experiences, because...
Ryan Rayle: was true.
Matt McGachy: It's not gonna go on forever.
Ryan Rayle: Yeah, that's, man, that's well put. I think that's probably one of the most realistic takes that I've ever heard from someone because, like I said, just talking to Villa Mora, they've they're just now getting ready to go on tour outside of outside of the state. Right. And it's just financial hurdles, fatherhood, work, stuff like that. So I always like to ask this from from people. And it's one of those kind of gimmicky questions.
Matt McGachy: after 11 years exactly.
Ryan Rayle: What would you say to the working class rock star right now?
Matt McGachy: I would say have fun, in the jam room, write some songs, push yourself outside of your comfort limit just a little bit. Always try to play just, that's what I do vocally. In the studio I'm lucky that Chris really, Chris is our guitarist, producer, records everything. He really pushes us to just perform at the top of our level and then that slowly becomes your main level and then you can just keep pushing it.
Matt McGachy: to that next level again. For bands that are just up and coming, gotta, very important, you need to have a scene. And in order to have a scene, I was very lucky that when I was coming up in Montreal, Montreal is always a hotbed for death metal, a hotbed for lots of music. And the way that it works is that you need to have a scene and in order to have a scene, you have to hook up with other bands and you gotta play with other bands. And when you do play with the other bands,
Ryan Rayle: Yeah, it's always thriving up there.
Matt McGachy: Don't leave after you're set. You have to stay and watch all the other bands. And that's how you're going to learn and how you're going to get influenced by other musicians like frontman as a front, someone that stands on stage and has to communicate with the crowd. I love going to shows and getting inspired, ripping off other musicians for their front.
Ryan Rayle: Etiquette.
Matt McGachy: the way that their crowd control. So I would highly, highly encourage people to, you got to hook up with other bands. You got to create a scene. You have to hang out with these people outside of band practice. You got to become a family and you got to grow this thing slowly. And once you do have a scene and there's people that actually come to your shows, then you can start inviting bands from other cities into your city, into your scene. And then they can...
Ryan Rayle: reciprocate.
Matt McGachy: hopefully return the favor and bring them exactly. Then you can go and play shows with them out there. Because band practice is super cool and you can learn a lot in band practice or as my mom would call it jam practice, which always made me laugh so much. you got jam practice today and I'm sorry. But you can learn so, so much more playing a show. I think a show is worth seven jams work because...
Ryan Rayle: and practice.
Ryan Rayle: You
Matt McGachy: the adrenaline, you're not looking at your bandmates playing in a circle, which is typically how a band practice happens. When you're on stage, it's you and the crowd and the lights, and that's intimidating, and that's where you tend to make the most mistakes and learn the most.
Ryan Rayle: Well, there you go guys. You heard it first. Get out there and jam as, as Matt at jam practice as Matt's mom says. Well, aside from the technical difficulties today, Matt, I feel like I have learned, I've learned a lot. and I definitely have become more of a cryptopsy listener, more of an engager, but for me, what's going to solidify it is the live show and the fact that you guys have the new, you know, led display and everything coming down. I am.
Matt McGachy: Jam, jam practice. As my mom would say.
Ryan Rayle: I'm excited and I can't wait to...
Matt McGachy: It's gonna be an intense experience. We're really excited to come back. We love, I can't eat there, but there's that little taco truck in the parking lot. Okay.
Ryan Rayle: Yeah, there's there's more now. There's more they've they've I think since the last time you've been here, there might be another apartment building or two that that skews the view that you used to have. But just around the corner, not the taco truck that's just next to come and take it. You got to go to the stoplight, turn left and walk down the hill a little bit. There's more there's more. Yeah. There's more there's more choices these days. So, yeah. And plus, whenever you get there,
Matt McGachy: wow, okay.
Matt McGachy: Really?
Matt McGachy: Okay, okay, but there was that little taco truck that my band reveres and they're really excited. Interesting. Okay, good, good, good.
Ryan Rayle: they'll guide you in the right directions.
Matt McGachy: Exactly. I tend to head to the Starbucks across the street first as I need it because I need a toilet. So if you want to see me like 10, 11 in the morning in Austin, that's where I'll be people. Exactly.
Ryan Rayle: Just yeah, down the hill next to the face.
Ryan Rayle: Starbucks taking a shit. man. Well, Matt, thank you very much. I wish you guys nothing but the best. Obviously there, you know, when you go on tour, like you said, you're there to soak up all the good times. I wish you guys nothing but the best. May 9th here, Austin, Texas. Come and take it live. You can buy your tickets online. I'm pretty sure this one might sell out. I haven't looked at the low ticket count alert yet.
Matt McGachy: I would hope so. It would be very nice. There's still some tickets left at this point, but if you go and buy them, there might not.
Ryan Rayle: Yep. Yeah, there it is. Just go buy tickets, show up. Hell, hit me up. I might be able to finagle a few for a discount. Who knows? But any final words, any final shout outs, thanks, or any social media?
Matt McGachy: That would be wonderful.
Matt McGachy: No, we're really happy. A shout out to you, Ryan, for taking the time to hang out with us and to all the local fans in Austin. I am eagerly awaiting my arrival at Starbucks to spend some time with all of you and bang our heads and just celebrate 30 years of None So Vile and have a blast together on the Despo Magazine Tour.
Ryan Rayle: thank you.
Ryan Rayle: Yes, sir.
Ryan Rayle: Well, there we go. Again, thank you guys very much. My name is Ryan. This is Matt with Cryptopsy. Thanks for joining us. Aside from all the technical good, and there's my producer knocking on the door. Perfect timing. Matt, stick around for a little bit. Let this upload and we'll see you guys at the show. Later, guys.
Matt McGachy: Hahaha
Matt McGachy: Thank you very much. Be good.