Interviews: MALICIOUS INC.

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Groove Metal/Nu-Metal band MALICIOUS INC. from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name?

Malicious Inc came about because vocalist Kyle Mortiss was originally in a band called Malicious Intent some years ago. Since they split there was a demand directed towards Kyle to bring it back for quite some time but that never happened. When the idea for this band started to take shape we toyed with the idea of having that legacy, but under a new brand, new music, etc while retaining some elements of Intent unique to Kyle, such as the facepaint.

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

 Between all our individual influences and tastes and Nu Metal having some sort of ‘revival’ it just kinda made sense really. Why not make music we all love to play, write and listen to while having a chance to put our own spin on it and help be part of a movement.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Myself (Morgan) and Kyle Mortiss did and we both knew original bassist Chris Watkins and original rhythm guitarist Christian Elvins. Luke Hill was the only member we didn’t know before setting the band up. After parting ways with Chris and Christian new bassist Matthew Hulin and rhythm guitarist Kyle Zehtabi were longtime friends of Lukes so it was a pretty quick and easy transition.

4. Each band members favorite bands ?

Kyle Mortiss: Slipknot/Machine Head/Twiztid/Tech N9ne.

Morgan Weeds: Staind/Cold

Kyle Zehtabi: Suicidal Tendencies

Matt Hulin: Kublai Khan/Pink Floyd/Rage Against The Machine

Luke Hill: KoRn

5. Who or what inspires you to write music?

I think all of us can agree that other music is a massive inspiration for what we do, thats a definite. Another big one is emotional/mental state and thought process. We tend to write about a lot of very real or relatable things. For example the EP ‘Red Flag’ covers topics of self worth, depression/suicidal thoughts, abuse, honesty and ownership of past mistakes and even a song inspired by the accounts of a rape victim. Nothing is off the table for us really. Music has to have feeling. For a lot, if not all of us, other peoples music has helped us so much in our lives, I guess we’re inspired to hopefully write music of such substance that it can do that for our listeners as well.

6. Where was your last gig?

Malicious Inc have only actually played 1 show since formation in late January 2019. We played somewhat of a ‘preview’ show in our home city of Bristol to give people a taste of the single ‘Bone & Mortar’ and the follow up EP ‘Red Flag’ as well as some new material that may very well make it’s way onto our debut full length album. The show itself was held at the Taboo Nightclub back in August 2019.

7. Where would you like to perform?

Anywhere and everywhere, we all just want to get out there and play our music to anyone who is willing to hear it any and everywhere around the world. To play some big metal festivals would also be a massive thing for us.

8. Who would you like to feature with?

Kyle Mortiss: “A range of artists from Nu Metal acts we’re influenced by or would compliment such as Slipknot, King 810, Machine Head etc to the likes of Lamb Of God and then also hip hop/metal crossover artists like Tech N9ne." 

Morgan Weeds: “Either Aaron from Staind or Scooter from Cold. To do a song as heavy as what we do but allowing room for their clean vocals in areas would be really cool I think.”

Kyle Zehtabi: “Suicidal Tendencies.”

Matthew Hulin: “Ocean Wisdom.”

Luke Hill: “Phil Anselmo.”

9. Who would you not like to feature with?

As long as the sound complimented each other, or a cool crossover idea where we could really do something special was there and there weren’t any underlying moral issues, I think we’d be pretty open to featuring with artists.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Some of us do and some of us don’t. Kyle (Mortiss) does which is why from the early days in older bands he always adopted the face paint as something to get behind and become someone on the stage. Luke worries himself with this idea that everyone is watching every move made and critiquing it. Matt doesn’t really get it and neither do I or Kyle Z. When it comes to advice for beginners I think we’re all in the same place where it would be practice is the main thing. Take any and every opportunity to perform and over time you’ll either find your way of dealing with it like Kyle M and his paint, or like the rest of us you’ll learn that it is something to be enjoyed and if you do it enough the fear fades. At the end of the day people buy tickets to the shows to come and see you. It’s harder in the early days when this isn’t so much the case, you’re the opener and you’ve got something to prove etc, there is that added anxiety, but when you’re the band selling the tickets, the people are there to see you and as long as you’re well rehearsed, know what you’re doing and give it your all thats all you can do. There’s so many factors to performing live but you can only be in control of your impact to that performance.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Kyle Mortiss: “There are so many bands and artists across so many different genres for varying reasons that it’s too hard to really pin that down into a handful, or even a list. I guess just music in general.”

Morgan Weeds: "For me it would have to be Staind or Cold again. I think the emotion, sheer honesty and realism in the music both these bands make is why they are my favourite bands and why they inspire me so much. I’m not big on conceptual music these days. As my life has gone on my inspiration and influence has come from very personal subject matters either myself, or people close to me have dealt with. Something that both these bands with their music continually inspire me to do.”

Kyle Zehtabi: “Suicidal Tendencies. Everything they stand for with their loyalty, friendship, brotherhood, sisterhood and believing in yourself. Telling their story and inspiring others and thats exactly what I want to do with my music. 

Matthew Hulin: “Parkway Drive. How they started just playing shows in their back garden, to naming their band after the road and the whole story really, it’s awesome.”

Luke Hill: “KoRn, Pantera and music in general.”

12. What’s the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Kyle Mortiss: “An Autograph.”

Morgan Weeds: “Signing a couple of asses literally before breaking into there first song of a set…”

Kyle Zehtabi: “My sisters phone number.”

Matthew Hulin: “I don’t have fans.”

Luke Hill: “Nothing, no one ever talks to me.”

13. What do you think of your fans?

The fans are great. The support we get to see out there on the internet on our posts, videos and all the stuff floating around really makes it worth while. It’s gonna be great to be able to get out on the road soon and see that in the flesh just like our show back in August 2019. Their continued support means the world to us.

14. What do you think of our site?

It’s a wicked site, well laid out and it really is a pleasure and an honour to be included on it and with everything that everyone involved is doing for us and for music in general.

15. Something to add?

Watch this space for further developments, we’re working on a few things moving forwards. Plans are being made, discussions are being had and music is being written. Keep your eyes and ears open.