Interviews: Brain For The Masses

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal band, Brain For The Masses from Portugal. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Hi there, Rui here! The story behind the band’s name is an interesting one in the sense that none of us in the band came up with it. We were hanging out with a friend that was helping us out as a temporary drummer and we started brainstorming some ideas for names. He suggested the name Brain for the Masses and we kinda just stood there, reflecting on the name. He explained that he came up with it by altering the name of the VH1’s show “Music for the Masses”, which in turn is probably based on the Depeche Mode’s album with the same name. We thought it had a really nice ring to it, so we stuck with the name. We see it as a reference to collective thinking and society’s ever-changing norms and values.  

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I guess that out of a pure passion for it. Growing up, music was always something that brought me solace when life started showing its adversities. Some songs have really hit me on a deep emotional level and eventually, the desire to become an active part of the music started to grow in me. So playing music also became a way for me to express things that words could not suffice. I wanted to one day share my experiences and touch people like music has touched me.  

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

Me and Goghy attended the same high school but we only started talking after graduating. We formed a cover band shortly after and it was there that we began sharing some ideas that would become the basis for Brain for the Masses.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

That is a hard one to answer. We like a lot of stuff across the Rock and Metal genres and subgenres. From the softest form of Rock to the heaviest form of Metal. There are a few things we like outside of that, but for the most part it’s everything related to Rock/Metal and within that spectrum, we really like tons of different stuff with equal preference. So it’s really easy for us to find points in common.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Our own experiences as humans and the things that surround us. I guess that Brain for the Masses, in a way, is a band all about “flesh and bone” in the sense that our themes address the human condition from different perspectives. Whether it is from a more personal angle or something from our species as a whole, it’s always about us as humans and our existence as such.  

6. Where was your last gig?

It was at Metalpoint, a small venue in Porto. Coincidentally, it was one of our favorite shows. Unfortunately, the venue closed recently but Metalpoint was a very popular place for metal shows in Porto. It was also very close to where we rehearse, so we actually played there a couple of times. For some reason, that one time felt special. By the time we hit the stage, the place was really crowded and it felt that people were really eager to see us, as if we were the main band of the night. It was a great show and we really had a great time.

7. Where would you like to act?

At least once in my life, I would like to play in Hardclub. I can’t really pinpoint why exactly, but for some reason, I always felt attracted to that place. Maybe because of the history behind Hardclud or the fact that, while it is a medium-sized venue, the building itself is huge and very imposing, with a lot of cultural significance.  

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

I can’t really think of anyone.  

9. Whom not?

I can’t think of anyone as well  

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

Yes, I have. I’m not an expert but something that I would advise is to practice as much as you can until you feel that the margin for error is very small or almost non-existing. If you go to the stage with the songs poorly practiced, the margin for failure is bigger and that sensation of fear can get worse if you don’t feel secure in your playing. Also, it may sound weird, but I would also suggest practicing failing. Try to emulate situations where you make a mistake so that you can come up with strategies to recover from that. That will help you develop ways to make those mistakes seem unnoticeable and that will make you feel more in control. Last, but not least, try to let yourself go. Don’t think so hard about it and let yourself dive into the music.  

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Recently, Gaerea. They are a Black Metal band from the same city as us. They have a very unique and fresh sound that has been turning a lot of heads. However, what really fascinates me, is what they’ve been able to accomplish as a Portuguese band. They signed with Season of Mist a couple of years ago and since then, they’ve been growing bigger by the day. They now have shows booked all across the globe, slots in major festivals, and were even the third Portuguese band to ever play in China. Bands in Portugal usually have a hard time entering the international market, so it is really amazing to see a Portuguese band having such success all across the world. I believe that the success of one is the success of all, as now maybe more people will give Portuguese bands a shot. I admire what they have accomplished and I am fully supportive of them.  

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

It was actually a few months ago. A girl bought a copy of Monachopsis from our website, she was from the vicinity, so we met in person to deliver it by hand. When we arrived at the meeting point, she was holding a huge feather and a plastic bottle that contained a small amount of what appeared to be some sort of red fluid. We delivered the CD and immediately after she asked if we could sign it, but it had to be specifically with the feather as pen and the red fluid as ink. We asked her what the red fluid was and she simply answered: “It’s my own blood”. We just stood there without knowing what to do. Before we had the chance to say anything, she explained that she got it from a blood test and even showed us a video as proof. We all signed it, but the whole thing was something really unusual.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We absolutely love them, they are the best! It’s because of them that we are here and we would like to thank each and every one of them for all the support. We love you all.  

14. What do you think of our site?

It’s a great website with a beautiful layout and a lot of features for fans to sink their teeth into. You can feel a lot of love has been dedicated to this website. A comprehensive archive made with a lot of passion. It reminds me of those websites back when the internet was actually good.

15. Something to add?

We would like to thank you guys for this opportunity and we hope that everyone enjoys reading this interview. By the time this interview is published the music video for our next single “Seclusion” should be out, so be sure to check it out. We had a great time. Thank you and all the best to you at Breathing the Core.