https://www.facebook.com/promachinaband
Sounds like: Progressive Metal
From: New York
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? How did the name "Promachina" come about and is there any meaning to it?
This band started with our bassist, Jamie Mazza and guitarist, Todd Haefele. Jamie missed playing in a band and got together with a long time drummer friend of hers, Rob Aldi. Then she found Todd at another jam session where Todd and Jamie spontaneously broke out into Master of Puppets, surprising the other musicians around them that stood back and watched. From there they found Seth Mazzeo, guitarist and recording engineer, who brought more expertise to the group. Then Adam Pimm on vocals, an energetic and passionate front man. Rob Aldi moved onto a different genre of music (which he continues to play today) and the band was searching for a drummer. Enter John Murch Jr. on drums, experience and years in the field. From there, they started playing shows and have been slowly taking off, writing, recording, and getting more gigs.
The name Promachina (Pro-ma- key-nuh) is a derivative of “Deus ex machina” which is latin for “god in the machine.” So adding the ever so popular prefix “Pro” meaning in favor of and adding to “Machina” meaning machine… We are In favor of the machine. For giggles, I like to think in the pop culture universes where the machines take over, we are the faction on their side.
Jamie - I’ve always loved bass. Anytime I heard a bass solo, I was entranced. Guitar solos were not as exciting to me. I eventually saved up money and bought my first bass in 2001. From there, I learned anything I liked and have been self taught since. My heavy influences started with Korn and Machine Head, then progressed to more complex styles including Lamb of God, Slayer, Primus, Megadeth, Iron Maiden and even Victor Wooten. I have a very tappy style of playing however I utilize all techniques (bends, slap/pop, hammering, rumbling, slides and straight percussion). What I play depends on what the song demands as well as how the crowd is responding and how I am feeling.
Seth - My start in music started with my father’s music collection. Then after getting “The Song Remains the Same” DVD to see Jimmy Page be a rockstar I thought I would try too. But it was after a trip to House of Guitars and falling in love with anything and everything guitar where it was all over; that pushed me into more and more technical playing which naturally got heavier.
The sound comes from the overwhelming amount of inspiration surrounded by learning to play, music that changed the paradigm of metal making instruments (Dream Theater, Periphery, and Megadeth), and push from my fellow players/bandmates old, current, and new.
Todd - My particular style of playing is a conglomeration of all the amazing musicians I’ve had the pleasure of playing with through the numerous bands I’ve been in over the years. Every new musician that I play with leaves something in my style, whether large or small, and I owe who I am as a guitarist to all of the wonderful people who I’ve made music with.
Adam - I have been playing music my whole life and started playing in bands at a young age as a guitarist. Since then I've had many roles as a guitarist, bassist, drummer, and vocalist in bands like ReapR and Element 36. Promachina is by far the most talented group I’ve been with. I absolutely love performing, entertaining, and progressing my vocal techniques and Promachina is the perfect group for that!
John - I started when I was 2, beating on my parents pots and pans.Then I got my first 4 piece Ludwig 1968 drum set at the age of 4. On my mothers side, my Aunt was a singer and guitarist, my one uncle (out of three) played guitar and was one of the founding members of ManAWar. My second uncle played drums as well as my third uncle.
I am very fortunate and very proud to be with Promachina, filled with amazing, talented, musicians. The music that comes out is just amazing and well written. The bands I was previously in were Million Miles From Broadway, Hate Machine, and Poison the Prophet, just to name a few.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
Jamie - The same passion and drive I feel with the songs that I love. I just hope people hear our music and feel moved!
Seth - An appreciation for the journey that got the songs there; from an idea to execution and a full band production.
Todd - Energy is contagious, especially when it comes to music. I would hope people experience the energy and passion that we put into our music.
Adam - I would want someone to walk away with a deeper understanding of the meaning of the songs or being able to follow a story that we tell throughout songs, and at the end of the day just being able to deliver something that makes you bang your head!!
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
Jamie - Heavy and complex. Full of timing changes, key changes, solos and dueling guitars. Just what you could want from a Progressive Metal band.
Seth - Progressive thrash metal. VERY heavy but dynamic in tempos, technique, and tone.
Todd - Progressive thrash is what I tell people who ask what our sound is. When they ask for clarification, I have no idea how to answer so I just direct them to check out one of our songs!
Adam - Angry and aggressive.
John - Ears bleeding.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Jamie - Mythorya, Lamb of God, Wage War.
Seth - Twelve Foot Ninja, Periphery, and any band that likes to have fun, talk shop, and play video games.
Todd - Alestorm, as I hear they’re fans of Magic: The Gathering, and I’m always looking for people to play a quick game with, plus who doesn’t like fun pirate music? Killswitch Engage, one of the first metal bands I ever got into way back in the day.
Adam - First band that comes to mind would be GWAR, just being able to see the behind the scenes of a tour like that would be amazing, and another dream would be touring or even just playing 1 show with Megadeth!
John - Lamb of God, Megadeth and Pantera.
5. What's your thoughts on AI generated music?
Jamie - Well, we’re “for the machines” right? In reality, I appreciate anyone with talent. That being said, I question AI generated music as it takes some of the skill out of the equation (meaning the years it takes to learn and master an instrument). It’s a tough question as I do agree with Seth where if it’s something that the audience is moved by, then great! I have no right to knock that. But would it be for me, most likely not. I’d be very curious to see what copyright laws have to say about pulling music from other musicians to create something else.
Seth - Everyone consumes audio differently so I leave it to the opinion of the world. Generated, or formulated music doesn’t feel like a new thing, and if it happens to be AI music that changes you or makes you feel some type of way, I won’t slander it. For me, musicianship is a priority, so it probably won’t go past a good laugh.
Todd - There’s nothing inherently wrong with AI generated music, but crediting what sources the AI used to learn to make music is probably important, so it’s not just ripping off an artist without credit.
Adam - When it comes to music and lyrics I personally feel like if you're an artist it should all be natural and created by you. That being said I am very interested in how AI can be used simply as a tool to help with production in the studio or simply just help with new ideas.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Progressive Metal?
Jamie - I feel like there’s still a lot of great musicians out there and great bands. I’m still finding bands out there I haven’t heard of before and really taking to them. I feel like audiences tend to gravitate to what’s catchy and auto tuned as well as the image of the musicians themselves. Despite this, I feel there’s still a place for progressive metal and there are those fans out there that will still be awed by skill. It’s frustrating to me when people will pay insane amounts of money for a show where the “musician” has zero talent, however won’t take the time to appreciate those musicians out there that have worked for years to achieve excellence with their instruments. I think that gets lost on audiences sometimes.
Seth - The music itself is very good albeit a big pill to swallow, but I am not a fan of how loose the qualifications have become. The cool thing with progressive metal is, it is almost like a competition nobody will ever win or lose, just pushed forward in ability and inspiration to experiment.
Todd - What even is progressive metal these days? There are so many genres of rock and metal that I can’t keep track anymore. If the music makes me nod my head along to the beat, then it’s good!
Adam - The best thing about progressive metal to me is you can go in any direction musically with many different influences.
John - I’m old school. I can say that progressively ot slams!
7. What’s the current music scene like there in New York?
Jamie - The venues out here are few and the fan base is small. But they are welcoming and accepting and the fellow musicians in the other bands are fun, friendly, and talented. The Rochester scene has definitely given us a good start and we are more than appreciative!!
Seth - The opportunities are there, and the people are nice. That is a great start to ask for.
Todd - I can’t complain! The venues have all been welcoming and the music fans are great.
Adam - The Rochester Metal scene is one big family. The community is made up of great people. Rochester has some of the best metal you can ask for!
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
Jamie - Luckily, we all have full time jobs so this is more of a side gig for us. If we had to truly make a living on this, I think we’d all be in trouble. To become heard, you definitely have to put a lot of money and time into it and there’s an aspect of luck as well! It’s rough but I really wouldn’t expect that to be much different.
Seth - I can’t say it’s good or it’s okay. I also understand it is the price to pay to get the music out there and helps the hobbyist get heard and that creates a more active technological community.
Todd - Maybe in 3 or 4 more years I can use the streaming royalties to buy a can of coke.
9. What’s next for Promachina?
Jamie - We are currently working on an album, but in the meantime we are releasing a single at a time. We’re also working on getting more gigs and expanding our fan base.
Todd - More of everything! More music, more shows, more riffs, more fun.
John - what they said.
10. Any shoutouts?
Jamie - My husband, Frankie Mazza, for helping raise my beautiful daughter, Riley, allowing me the flexibility to follow my passion with Promachina. Without him being so supporting, this band most likely wouldn’t even be here. I love playing on stage and it means the world to me when he can be there to see us succeed! Also my parents for exposing me to music and theater, giving me the starting blocks to get me where I am today. They continue to support us by coming to our shows, even though it’s not their music genre of choice, and that means A LOT to me as well. To my close friends, as well, for coming to all of our shows as we get rolling, helping support the band and providing the constructive criticism to help us grow! To all our fans for being there from start to now. We LOVE the energy in the crowd and we do this for you!!
Seth - To my family, mainly my parents and my wife Emily. Thanks for the 100% support and sorry about the noise. The necessary equipment to get started doesn’t just fall out of the sky; I consider myself as lucky as a lottery winner to just get a guitar (or a few) before I could legally “get a job.”
Todd - My wife Chelsea and son George for putting up with me running off to band practice every week and holding down the house while I’m out making music. Also, the guy I take guitar lessons from, Jerry Preston, for being an awesome guy and helping me take my guitar playing to where it is today.
John - To my parents, first and foremost, my four amazing kiddos (John, Cyle, Jayce and my beautiful daughter Abby) my band ,and to all the good humans!!!!
