ION INDIE MAGAZINE November 2015, Volume 18 | Page 51
Every now and again I get to go back to my roots and shoot some of the “underground” shows. There are many small bars that
host the local and sometimes national talent. Photographing the bands in this environment is truly a lesson in low (no) light
photography. Tonight MAX ILLIDGE and his band 40 BELOW SUMMER are here for their pre-album release show.
Dagda: What brings you to GEMSTONES in Lowell, MA?
Max: DENNIS MORROW of MARIDON and his partner NEVER FORGET ENTERTAINMENT brought us up here. I was here a few
years back with another band, THE DAGGERS DRAWN. I didn’t remember the venue, but once we pulled up, Joey and I said,
“Yeah, I remember this place.” We have always has a good following in the New England Area. We have played at WALLY’S in
Hampton Beach, NH, THE MIDDLE EAST in Cambridge, MA, SOUTH SHORE MUSIC HALL in Quincy, MA.--we might as well come
to Lowell, MA--“Micky Ward Town”.
Dagda: 40 Below Summer’s new album “Transmission Infrared”
is coming out 10/16/15. What is it going to sound like? Will we
hear songs like “Welcome to the Sideshow”?
Max: Nothing like “Sideshow”, nothing at all like “Invitation to
the Dance” or “Morning After”. When people ask me how to
describe the record, I can’t really describe it. It’s different…it’s
a little more progressive; a little more out there in a lot of ways.
You have to hear it to really understand. It is not a specific sound
or style of heavy music. It’s heavy--probably the heaviest thing
we have done so far. It is heavy, but different. It takes you on a
different journey--especially rhythmically. It is a new experience
with our new band. Jordan left the band after 15 years to get
married and we have a new guitar player on stage—DAVE
MONDRAGON--over here (Max pointing to Dave sitting behind
him). A lot of people in the east coast area will know Dave from
his other band, E.TOWN CONCRETE. Dave pipes up with a
“What’s Up!” (There is always some food around when I am
interviewing a band. Burgers were just delivered...who has the
Steakhouse?)
Dagda: With your new album coming out, will there be a tour?
Max: The pre album release tour starts here at Gemstones. We are not going on an official “tour”. We all have day jobs and
will be playing on the weekends. We would love to do this full time if we could find the right deal. We would rather just make
our music and put it out ourselves. We will make a little money and we will save a little money. The money we save will be used
to promote our album. This time around we were able to raise a good amount to support the album and we will be looking to
start a radio campaign. We will just keep doing what we are doing. Playing anywhere we can drive to on a weekend.
Dagda: Do you have any advice for the new bands out there that want to take the next step?
Max: Don’t try to be like everybody else. There are too many copycats; too many clones. First off, practice. If you are not going
to practice you will not be getting any better. Second, don’t try to sound like anybody else. Just be you. There used to be more
individuality. Our new record is about that a lot of ways…the fall of the individual. More and more people are becoming
anesthetized; on their phone, on their tablet. I remember when I was growing up, you actually did things…spoke to people.
Now everyone just sits behind a screen. In general, they are just tuned out in their computerized dream world. We are here
because we can still make a little bit of extra money and play our music. We are not here to please anyone. We want to make
the best, unique and creative music that we can. We are too old to care about trends. You will not hear any drum triggers or
auto tune on my voice. This is a real album played by real musicians. If you want to hear something that is real and not cut up
in a computer, pick up “Transmission Infrared”.
www.facebook.com/40belowofficial
www.40belowsummer.net