Metz Talk Steve Albini Collaboration, Kudos From Liam Gallagher Ahead of May 25 Yue Space Gig

From having legendary producer Steve Albini helm their latest LP, to getting a loving shout out from notoriously brazen rockstar Liam Gallagher, it would indeed be an understatement to say Metz have had quite a year.

The Ottawa, Canada-hailing post-punks recruited Albini (famous for his work behind the boards with Nirvana, Fugazi, The Breeders, and a litany of other bands, along with his own troupes Big Black and Shellac) to produce their latest LP, Strange Peace which they released last fall. Critics, fans, and yes, even the Oasis co-founder all fawned over the LP. Soon Beijing fans will also be able to join the chorus at Metz's May 25 gig at Yue Space.

Below, guitarist and frontman Alex Edkins tells us about those recent breakthroughs; the importance that Metz places on music videos, album covers, and other visuals; and what they enjoyed most about their last Beijing stop in 2016.

I love your video for "Cellophane". Tell me about how you think director Shayne Ehman successfully complemented the music with these visuals.
Shayne is a genius. We love his art. It expands on our music, it takes the viewer somewhere new that the song couldn’t do alone. I think his videos make you scratch your head and think “what am I missing?” We’ve always considered our music to be a little “strange” and we like that Shayne’s art compliments that side of us.

I also really enjoy your drummer Hayden Menzies' artwork for the band's various releases. Can you tell me about how his visuals suit Metz well?
Hayden’s work was the obvious fit for our early 7-inches. Very abstract and bright and it really jived well with the more experimental, non-traditional music we were making back then. He continues to design several of our merch items.

Speaking of experimental, boundary-pushing artists – what was it like to work with Steve Albini on your latest album, Strange Peace?
It was a very enjoyable and easy experience. I think Steve’s tastes are very similar to ours. He helped us streamline our approach. His instincts are good and we trusted him. We didn’t overthink the process because we knew that his methods work. We wanted to submit to his way of working and we are all glad we did. It made a very distinctly different sounding Metz record of which we are very proud. We spread our wings in many ways.

A review of the album by the AV Club says: "Metz specializes in a sound that’s both cutting and pummeling, and Albini famously has a knack for capturing bands at their grittiest. Not to mention Metz bears the influence of Albini’s band Shellac, and all signs point to a perfectly symbiotic partnership." Would you agree with that comparison?
I’ve never considered our music to be influenced by Shellac, or Big Black for that matter. But art and music is subjective. I certainly don’t take any offense to the comparison. If anything it is flattering. We are fans of both bands as well as many bands he has worked with. It was a perfect working relationship and I do agree that it is our most serrated or rough around the edges record. There is less gloss on this one.

Liam Gallagher recently described your music thusly: "They sound pissed off, which I f**kin' like." How does it feel to get that kind of praise from that particular rock legend?
I loved it. I thought it was totally hilarious and surreal. I’m not sure if his taste can be trusted but we will take what we can get.

Tell us about your fondest memories of your last show in Beijing, back in 2016.
Just the fact that we are able to play in China is incredible to me. I remember the crowd being so excited and energetic. We felt loved and comfortable halfway across the globe. It was something we never imagined possible when we started playing in Metz. We are looking forward to returning.

Metz will perform at Yue Space on May 25 at 8.30pm. Tickets are RMB 140 at the door, RMB 120 presale. For more information, click here.

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Photos: Pizza Fm, courtesy of the band