The Dark Matters are a trio in the Tiny Giant Collective that, although keep a somewhat low profile, can deliver when it counts. Despite not having released anything since December 2011 and enduring a difficult 2012, 2013 is looking prominent for the newly found three-piece. I had the opportunity to email some questions over to the band to see what they had to say about the Tiny Giant Winter Beach Ball, their upcoming shows, and what the future holds for the band.
The last thing released on your Bandcamp was in December 2011. What has the band been up to since then?
Eric Wooster: We have been writing new material and playing as many shows as we can. 2012 was a difficult year on a lot of fronts for us as a band, and the pace is certainly not what we were hoping for, but 2013 is going to change that.
Mario Bezares, Jr.: 2012 was especially difficult because we lost a member.
What does the band have in store for 2013?
EW: We will be recording a three-song live demo in Feb. It will be three new tracks as a taste of our upcoming EP. The EP we are planning to record in May is with Kevin [Antreassian] from Backroom Studios in Rockaway, NJ. It will be about five tracks with some acoustic pieces thrown in as well.
MB: The EP will be a collection of small stories about life and we hope to have it released by the end of the summer.
Your Facebook tag reads, “Music For Thought.” What does that mean to you as a band and individually?
EW: Our music and lyrics are a reflection on what we are going through at the time we write. But it can also counteract what we are going through when we write it. I personally like to get lost while playing our tracks. I like the music to bring me elsewhere, to take me away from all the negative things that may be going on around me. So “Music For Thought” is not necessarily meant to provoke thought, but rather to get lost in your own thoughts, to escape reality if even for a few moments.
MB: For me, these songs come from a very personal place. They represent some difficult thoughts and/or times in my life. I chose to share them because I think that others would benefit from them. I know that when things are tough that most, if not all, people turn to music for an escape or some different perspective. I am hoping to provide that escape or perspective.
Where does the band draw their influences from?
EW: All over the place. Incubus is a big one for me. More recent influences would be bands like Circa Survive, Coheed And Cambria (one of our favorites), The Mars Volta, Paramore. We really listen to a lot of different stuff, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a little of everything coming through in our tunes.
MB: I would say, for me, it’s more Jimi Hendrix, who is absolutely my favorite guitar player, hands down. Then it would be bands like Yes, Coheed And Cambria, Frank Zappa, Paramore, The Mars Volta, and Incubus.
What does the name The Dark Matters mean, and how did you come up with it?
EW: We always hated picking band names. Mario and a friend had a list of possible names, and Dark Matter was one of them. We tweaked it to be The Dark Matters, so it’s like a group of dark matter—grammatically incorrect or not—in the style of, say, The Beach Boys, The Black Crowes, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc. Also, I love theoretical physics, so I was totally on board for anything science related.
MB: It could also have multiple meanings. I personally like the band name because it has more than one meaning, so it’s kind of mysterious that way. It could mean matters of the dark, the dark matters, or like what Eric said.
How’d you get involved with Tiny Giant?
EW: Mario, you can answer this one.
MB: This is how I got involved with Tiny Giant: I was asking a friend where I could get a show for my band. A friend of mine had mentioned to me that his friend’s band [Holy City Zoo] were involved in a collective of artists who were helping each other get shows called Tiny Giant. So I messaged them, and they welcomed us with open arms. I would say that our experience with the collective since we’ve started has been excellent. I couldn’t imagine this band playing as much as we have without the connections I’ve gotten with them.
Are you excited for the Winter Beach Ball?
EW: Hell yeah! This is an awesome idea to get a ton of bands out to venues across the state. We are both really excited to be a part of it.
MB: Yeah, it’s gonna be sick. I’m really pumped to see/play with a lot of very cool bands.
What are your expectations for the early show at The Lamp Post on Feb. 10?
EW: We have always had a good turnout at The Lamp Post. I think it will be even better at the earlier time, seeing as it’s Sunday. It will be a nice way to wrap up the weekend.
MB: I expect it’s going to be a great show as well. We’ve always had a pretty decent turnout there, and it’s going to be better on Sunday. I mean, there’s really nothing to do on Sundays, so why not come out and see some really awesome bands that you’ve never heard of?
How is the band preparing for the show?
EW: We’ve been rehearsing as usual, posting that flyer as often as we can, and getting the word out about the whole weekend. Even if you can’t make The Lamp Post, I guarantee you’ll be able to find some awesome music in your area because of the Beach Ball!
MB: Yeah, we’ve just been practicing a lot. I’ve personally been practicing singing and playing guitar every day. I’ve also been promoting the show as much as possible.
Who are you guys excited to see during the festival?
EW: Friday at Court Tavern I am excited for Vasudeva; every time I see them they are excellent. Also, Holy City Zoo on Saturday, as well as Cinema Cinema. We played with Cinema Cinema and my face melted. Also excited to play with Cotton at The Lamp Post; we have played with them a few times and they are awesome dudes and always rock.
MB: I, too, am excited for the Friday Court Tavern show. Vasudeva rips! And as far as Saturday, Holy City is always a guaranteed awesome [show] and Cinema Cinema always melts faces, so I’m super pumped to see them. And playing with Cotton on Sunday’s show should be great. I think overall it’s going to be a great experience for discovering new music.
You guys played at The Lamp Post acoustically. How do you think your full band will translate over?
EB: We played once a good while ago with the full band, but things are a bit different now. We are just going to rock like we normally do and hope it is well-received (laughs).
MB: I don’t think it’s going to be too much of a difference. We already played through everything with a four-piece; we’ll rock with a three-piece just as hard.
What are your favorite songs to play live?
EW: I like “Paradox,” as well as “This Too Shall Pass,” both of which are going to be on the upcoming EP. Unfortunately, we don’t have them recorded yet, so come to the show!
MB: “One In A Million” because it’s fun to play and I get to release a little bit of aggression every time I play that song. Also “This Too Shall Pass,” because lyrically, I love the message and that, too, is a very fun song to play.
How would you describe your sound for those who haven’t heard of you before?
EW: I would describe us as aggressive rock. Most people refer to us as prog rock or prog metal, or just tell us we sound like Coheed And Cambria; I don’t hear it, but man, that’s a compliment.
MB: Some people have said, “You sound like a prog rock band” or “You sound like a prog metal band.” Other people have said that we sound like Coheed And Cambria mixed with Incubus. I personally don’t hear it, but I think a comparison to such great bands is a great compliment. But to answer your question, when people ask, I just say we’re a rock band.
The Dark Matters will play at The Lamp Post, in Jersey City, on Feb. 10. For more information, go to facebook.com/thedarkmatters.
