Mark Tremonti on Sevendust, ‘A Dying Machine’ and the Next Alter Bridge Album

2019-02-13

Mark Tremonti interview – Story and photo by Anne Erickson

Mark Tremonti speaks with Anne Erickson about touring with Sevendust, “A Dying Machine” and the next Alter Bridge album in this extensive interview

Mark Tremonti and Sevendust go way back. They toured together in the ’90s and, over the years, have developed a strong appreciation for each others’ music and remained good friends.

That said, it makes perfect sense that Mark’s band, Tremonti, is on the road with Sevendust for a North American tour. The trek runs through early March and sees Tremonti performing songs off their latest release, “A Dying Machine,” and Sevendust touring behind their latest set, “All I See Is War.”

Tremonti caught up with Anne Erickson of Audio Ink to discuss the Sevendust tour, his plans to follow up “A Dying Machine” and the status of new Alter Bridge music. Read the full interview below, and for more information about Tremonti’s music, novel and the tour, visit MarkTremonti.com.

Anne Erickson: Congratulations on all of the success of “A Dying Machine.” Now that the album has been out a while, how do you feel about the fans’ positive reaction to it?

Mark Tremonti: It’s been great. Everybody who is familiar with the band has been really complimentary, and coming off all tours and everything else, it’s been awesome.

What has been your favorite song to play live off “A Dying Machine?”

The title track is my favorite. It’s definitely one of the highlights of the set. That song is so important to me and the record, in general. It’s one of my favorite tracks that I’ve done with the Tremonti band, and the dynamic it has live is great. Even when we play it at festivals to people who aren’t familiar with the band or the song, it always gets a good reaction.

Do you think you’ll ever make another concept album?

It all depends on where my head is at when I start writing for the next record, and if the book is a success– we’re finalizing a publishing deal for the international release of the book, because so far, it’s been self-published, so we’re going to the next step. If it’s success and people enjoy it, then it would make sense to follow it up.

If you were to do another concept album, it would continue the story of “A Dying Machine?”

Yeah, that would make the most sense. At first, I would have to come up with an outline of what the novel follow-up would be and then fill in the blanks, writing the songs based on that, but I’ve been so deep into writing the next Alter Bridge record, that I haven’t had time to really sit down and try to be creative with that at this point yet.

The tour with Sevendust is coming up, which is a great bill. What made you want to hit the road with Sevendust?

They’re like family. We’ve been touring with them since since the late ’90s, and they are such a great live band and such a good mix of guys. We know it’s going to be awesome.

I was just talking with Clint Lowery of Sevendust about their tour with Creed and 3 Doors Down back in the ’90s. What do you remember from that run?

It was great! I remember them being appreciative that we let them open up for us, because a lot of bands didn’t like them opening up, because they would always blow them off the stage! Sevendust is such a great live band. They bring such energy. I always remember watching them before we went on, because a lot of times, I would be warming up before, but for those guys, I would always go down there and watch.

Aside from being friends with Sevendust, what do you really admire about their music and career?

I think that they are a very influential band and the way they write and follow patterns rhythmically on their guitar parts was something a lot of bands started doing after Sevendust did. I think they deserve a lot more credit for being one of the most influential rock bands.

How is the writing going for the new Alter Bridge album? People are stoked for it.

I’m in the process now that I’m up until four in the morning every day writing, writing, writing, and on the (Tremonti) tour, I’ll be recording demos. When we get off of the tour, we’ll be going right into the studio with Alter Bridge through March and April. After that, we’ll do another Tremonti run, which will be the final Tremonti tour of this cycle, and then we’re setting up for the tour later on with Alter Bridge the end of the year.

What can you tell me about the direction of the new Alter Bridge music?

Right now, I’m writing a lot and trying to come from a different place. It’s hard to explain, but I’m trying to make it not be the same. We always try to reinvent ourselves with every record. Right now, it’s still early, and Myles and I haven’t gotten together yet. But so far, it’s been me writing stuff, and Myles writing stuff, and when we come together and combine stuff, we really see what it’s going to sound like. But, I’m trying to have it sound a little different than it has in the past, and we’ll see how it tunes out.

Do you think what you are doing in Tremonti will influence the new Alter Bridge music at all?

Yeah, you’re always growing. Always taking in new experiences. Sometimes it’s good to get the really heavy stuff out with Tremonti so I can come back to Alter Bridge and do the more atmospheric and moody stuff. Working with Myles, he’s such a great singer, and it’s great to leave a lot of space and room for his great vocals. With Tremonti, sometimes it’s more straight-forward and heavy, and I like to get a little more experimental with Alter Bridge.

Do you think the new Alter Bridge album will be out this year? People always want to know a release date.

Yeah, I think the plan is to have it out this fall…October is kind of the target.

You’re so busy, but would you ever consider doing something with Creed again?

There’s nothing on the books, but between all the different managers and agents and all the agents out of there we’ve worked with in the past, if somebody came up with something, we’re always all ears for whatever opportunities are out there.

Anne Erickson
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Posted by Anne Erickson | Features, Interviews, Metal, Music, Rock

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