Q&A: Matt Harvey and the Filmmakers of the New Exhumed Documentary ‘Decayed Many years’

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You’ll be right when you thought you’d been seeing rather a lot about Exhumed recently. First, the band is celebrating the twenty fifth anniversary of their debut Gore Steel with a nationwide spring tour. Second, Gore Steel was simply inducted into Decibel‘s vaunted Corridor of Fame. Lastly, the band simply completed work on a three-part documentary on the band’s historical past that can premiere on Exhumed’s YouTube channel on April 28. The documentary can also be accessible for DVD or VHS (!) preordering through Exhumed’s webstore. Followers within the Bay Space can see Decayed Many years and meet the band and filmmakers (Andrew Corson and Avinash Mittur) this Saturday at 4 pm at Ghost City Brewing in Oakland. Decibel talked to Exhumed frontman Matt Harvey and the filmmakers about how the documentary got here collectively and why Exhumed’s story is finally about group and relationships.  A brand new long-form trailer for the documentary is embedded within the interview under.

 

How did the concept for the movie come collectively?

MATT HARVEY: We knew the twenty fifth anniversary of Gore Steel was arising. We deliberate to construct a tour round it and get the sooner information pressed. It appeared a great way to encapsulate what we’ve performed and the place we’ve been. Ross (Sewage, bassist) agreed we shouldn’t do the interviewing. We’ve got our concepts in regards to the story and narrative. We’re too near it. We solely considered Avinash and Andrew once we considered the individuals who ought to do it. They agreed to get entangled and have helped elevate the undertaking.

Andrew, you’ve performed a podcast and have been a music author. Avinash can also be a printed music author and a touring metallic musician. Have both of you labored on a movie earlier than?

ANDREW CORSON: I went into this assuming I might do what I understand how to do: have good conversations. I’ve recognized Matt, Ross, and Col (Jones, authentic drummer) for many years. It sounded enjoyable, and I’ve seen sufficient documentaries to comprehend it’s all about good questions. I used to be comfy understanding this was about getting the story from individuals who lived it.

AVINASH MITTUR: I’ve performed loads of interviews, the most effective of that are conversations. I’ve additionally seen loads of rock documentaries. With each interview I did (for the documentary), I prefaced it by asking for as a lot element as doable. Generally, I simply wanted to close up and let individuals do their factor. The artwork of interviewing was the identical for this documentary. We simply needed to bear in mind the visible elements and the way it could look on digicam.

The perfect documentaries aren’t in regards to the footage or soundbites however about telling a narrative. With that in thoughts, what’s Exhumed’s story, and the way did you inform it? 

MITTUR: Andrew did the preliminary interview with Matt. So we checked out that and the preliminary historical past of the band. The conclusion we got here to was that the story was about relationships. This was a few group who began a band as children and grew into it. It’s additionally about Matt discovering a lineup that may work and permit the band to be what he needed. Some members left on not-awesome phrases. There are band members who got here again. We tried explaining how these relationships grew and matured from youngsters to grown males. 

CORSON: It made sense to concentrate on relationships as a result of I knew the origin story. These relationships have been shaped in these childhood. This band has been happening for a very long time. I witnessed what occurred with these relationships, particularly when Col’s relationship with Ross disintegrated. That theme was acceptable, and listening to all these totally different views was profound. 

What did you consider specializing in relationships, Matt? In the end, the group is what retains excessive music going.

HARVEY: I assumed it was the proper transfer. One of many issues we prized from the start was that we have been pals. Initially, I used to be probably the most formidable, however I all the time felt it was vital to have private relationships and play with individuals I appreciated and revered. When you’re in a band, you spend a whole lot of time with individuals. The relationships hold all the pieces going when a present sucks or your van breaks on tour and through no matter snafus and pitfalls come alongside.  In case you are taking part in arenas, you may get your personal bus. You’ll hit a brick wall within the underground when you don’t just like the individuals you play with. The band is perhaps extra fashionable now than ever, nevertheless it’s additionally extra enjoyable. We will do extra now, however we nonetheless have a well-known relationship.

Some metallic bands discover that it turns into a slog. Their inventive power is sapped, and it turns into only a gig.

HARVEY: It doesn’t really feel like that more often than not. We nonetheless have enjoyable with this band and are excited to get collectively. Inside cause, we are able to do a whole lot of issues.

What archival data did you’ve got on Exhumed, and the way did you give it to the filmmakers?

HARVEY: I didn’t watch a whole lot of footage. There’s a man named Jesse Davis within the Bay Space who has been filming because the mid-90s. A number of years in the past, I requested him to undergo tapes and provides me all the pieces on a tough drive for a lump sum. It was nice to have an archive, whether or not for YouTube or sitting round laughing. After we began the documentary, I simply tried to assemble the footage. I didn’t wish to be too hands-on.  The purpose of doing this was to do it warts on all.  It did give me a greater perspective on what the fuck I’ve been doing since highschool (laughs).  Andrew and Avinash helped us navigate a whole lot of this footage. 

MITTUR: (Videographer) Frank Huang at Relapse deserves a lot credit score. We aren’t videographers. I don’t know the way Frank did it, however he discovered these wonderful moments from the video and photograph archives. Frank deserves a lot credit score for this coming to life; in any other case, I’d be educating myself to make use of Adobe Premiere (laughs).  

CORSON: I’d not have taught myself to make use of Adobe Premiere (laughs). The movie wouldn’t have occurred! I didn’t understand this undertaking’s measurement once we took it on. I did some substantial items. Avinash traveled, paid for a lot of issues, hunted individuals down, and put in hours of labor. At one level, I mentioned this factor wanted a undertaking supervisor, and Avinash volunteered. If it weren’t for him, this wouldn’t have occurred. 

How did you all wedge this undertaking into your busy lives with jobs and music? 

MITTUR: It was like being in a band; talk your availability and schedule. 

CORSON: Most of what I did was lengthy interviews on weekends.  The trickiest factor was discovering when individuals weren’t out on tour. 

Matt, I think about once you began this, you didn’t suppose anybody would make a documentary on Exhumed. But right here you might be three a long time later.

HARVEY: I attempt to hold a ways from these ideas. I truthfully really feel lucky as a result of loads of individuals go entire hog into music and aren’t in my place. By way of a mixture of persistence, luck, and some good riffs, we’re nonetheless able the place individuals give a shit. I’ve realized that Exhumed is within the stage of our lifespan the place possibly albums aren’t as vital as they have been. Perhaps it’s a greater use of our time speaking about issues individuals have already got a connection to.   

Did the three of you develop nearer whereas making the movie?

MITTUR: I really feel like I’ve grown nearer to Matt. Andrew is one among my greatest pals. Whatever the documentary, we nonetheless have our hangouts each few weeks. However I really feel like I’ve grown rather a lot tighter with Matt. 

HARVEY: Among the best methods to keep up friendships is to work on one thing collectively. I used to be already pals with Andrew and Avinash; Andrew was there once we recorded Gore Steel. We received these guys as a result of it was about who we knew, trusted, and revered. We’ve got the identical familial method to this undertaking because the band.

CORSON: I don’t get to see Matt fairly often. Simply a few of the tough cuts, it was outstanding to listen to these tales and bear in mind my very own experiences with these guys. Doing this made me pleased with these guys and all they’ve completed. 

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