What is your name and role within Making Monsters?
Hi my name is Paul Monk and I play guitar in Making Monsters.
How did you start?
We formed late 2011, it began as more of a jam project between our drummer Brian and I, as our interest grew we started to seek members to make it a full live band.
Where are you based?
We are based in Derry in Northern Ireland.
Please give an example of your music writing process?
It normally starts with a few guitar chords, we take it into our rehearsal space and jam it out until theres a beat and bass line coming together, Emma would then start improvising vocal melodies. Once we have a solid section, we kind try out different progressions to flow into a chorus, or riff, each section slowly dictates what should happen next.
What are you working on right now?
We currently writing the final few songs for a debut album which we hope to record and release early 2018.
What is your gear setup?
I use a Gibson Les Paul Studio 2015 Sprint Run and a Fender Blacktop Telecaster, through an Orange Rockerverb MKIII head and Orange PPC 4X12 cab. My pedal board is quite minimal, Boss Tuner, Boss Tremelo, Boss DD 7 Digital Delay, Digitech Whammy 5, and an MXR micro amp to act as a slight boost in solos’ and chorus’.
What do you like to do outside of music and does it affect your music?
Outside of music I enjoy films, particularly horror, probably why the riffs end up so dark and minor.. and spending time with my two children.
How would you describe your music genre?
I try street clear of the term ‘Metal’ as it seems too generic and general, but we would probably fit under some kind of rock sub genre, our style is a collection of several genres merged, possibly Alternative Rock or Hard Rock? Its quite difficult to put a name to it.
Do you know any music theory?
When I first started guitar I focused a lot on theory, but as I got past basic chords and scales and got into the more advanced stuff I began to lose interest. Music theory is a great reference and starting point to build your songs and improve your playing, but now I try to experiment and feel around for what to play next, as apposed to referring to the theory books, sometimes it helps come you up with more unusual structures or melodies.
What are your plans for the future?
Main priority right now is to write and record the best debut album we possibly can, and to tour as much as possible.
How did you get into music?
As a teenager I never had much interest in pop or chart music, there was just something more appealing with guitar music. A few guys in my class got electric guitars for Christmas and I was just intrigued, I had to have one too.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Lately I’ve been going back to my roots, listening to a lot of the albums that got me into Rock, such as Papa Roach – Infest, Linkin Park – Hybrid Theory, POD etc
Who are your top 5 influences and icons?
Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy, Freddie Mercury of Queen, Joe Satriani, and in terms of modern rock possibly Deftones and Papa Roach.
When are you playing next?
Our next performance will be Sunday 25th June at Wildfire Festival in Scotland.
Please feel free to include any extra info.
Other dates include 2000 Trees Festival and Fort Fest.
www.facebook.com/makingmonsters
www.instagram.com/makingmonsters
www.twitter.com/makingmonsters1
Featured Photo Credit by Carrie Davenport
