When Poughkeepsie, New York metalcore trio Genghis Tron released their Cloak of Love EP in 2005, it was immediately clear that they’d be a band to watch. Since then, the band has continually outdone itself with insanely technical metal riffs, heart-stopping production and a dedication to innovation that has seen them subvert genre constraints by exploring elements of grindcore, electronic music, classic metal and punk, sometimes within the same song.
One such subversive element is the band’s lack of a drummer. They opt instead for programmed drums. “We were coming at it from an electronic music angle,” says singer and keyboardist Mookie Singerman. “A lot of the artists that we really took inspiration from were Richard D. James, Squarepusher and Boards of Canada. Those are all electronic artists. Beyond that, a lot of heavy bands that we grew up idolizing, like Big Black and Agoraphobic Nosebleed, were drum machine bands, so what we’re doing isn’t exactly without precedent.”
Still, this decision has earned the band some flak from metalheads who consider the reliance on technology cheating. Singerman believes this stems from the competitive nature of heavy music. “It’s all about technical precision in metal and bands being as technically impressive as possible,” he explains. “To have one of those elements be programmed comes across to some people who aren’t familiar with us as cheap. But I feel like it’s an integral part of the band, and that’s what the band is.”
Following the runaway success of the career-defining Board Up the House earlier this year, the band has launched a massive remix series. In five vinyl-only releases on five different record labels, tracks from Board Up the House will be remixed by nearly 20 artists, including Black Moth Super Rainbow, Rob Crow, Jesu, Dntel and many others. “The idea was to work with as many artists and different kinds of labels as possible,” Singerman says. “We just sent out tons of e-mails to these artists that we admire, and we were stunned at how many people not only got back in touch but wanted to do it and participate. It was humbling and flattering.”
With all its international touring, the band has yet to tour across Canada. That’s all about to change with the Aggressive Tendencies tour, which will see them tear up The Warehouse with tour mates Baroness and Bison on September 30. “We’re excited to get to the middle of the country and play a bunch of places we’ve never been before,” Singerman says. “I know to expect some long drives and flat scenery.”
Once Genghis Tron’s current round of touring is complete, the band plans to work on new material. Singerman believes it could go in any direction. “That’s been the motto of the band since the beginning. We’re constantly looking to expand our sound and not do anything twice, which is a surefire way to bum fans out. We put so much into it and we need to keep it interesting for ourselves.
“It’s a selfish endeavour,” he adds with a laugh.
