Torche Interview: Casbah Carries the 'Torche'
Wednesday, December 03 2008 | Topic: Shows
Torche
TORCHE TOUTS MEANDERTHAL, THE STRESS OF TOURING AND THE VOLCANO TACO
By: Desiree Howell and Brittney Carratelli

Torche is a four piece from Miami, Florida. Some have described this band as metal, pop and sludge. They call themselves “bad ass rock and roll.” Their music has a unique, hard-hitting sound that provokes a wide range of emotions, and they have a large fan base throughout the world.
The Casbah in San Diego hosted Torche on November 14, 2008. Before the show, members Juan Montoya, Steve Brooks, Jonathan Nuñez and Rick Smith sat down with mTraks.com to discuss their current tour and latest CD Meanderthal.

Torche has toured through Europe relentlessly and has played several shows in Japan before beginning their US tour in October. With the April release of the CD Meanderthal, the whole band agrees that their fan base has increased all over the world. “I think [fans] can hear that we are growing and progressing,” said Jonathan Nuñez. “They can hear we are having more fun and growing up,” he added. “Yeah, this time around, it was a lot smoother, we actually played for lot of people that were more into…what we’re into,” said Juan Montoya. This tour marked the first time Torche has ever performed in Japan, and it was exciting for Torche to see how enthusiastic the fans were about the music. “It was really cool, a lot of them [in Japan] were a little bit reserved, but I think we brought them out of their shell,” explained Montoya.

These shows were important to the members of Torche, as it has always been a life dream of theirs to perform in Japan. With that dream realized, what is next for Torche? Montoya pointed out that every experience and every show gets better and better and that they are looking forward to playing in the Nightmare Before Christmas concert in the UK December 5th through the 7th. “It’s going to be amazing!” exclaimed Montoya. “It’s with the Melvins, one of my childhood favorite bands,” he added.

Torche has come a long way from their earlier days of touring in a small van with all of their music equipment. Their musical success has afforded them a trailer and room to move while on tour. Even still, their schedules are hectic and sometimes they just want some time to themselves. “I’d like a break,” said Brooks. “We’ve been off like two months, in the last 6 months, I know that’s what I need,” he added. Montoya agreed, saying “It’s pretty intense… you are with three or four other people all day long and people get on each other’s nerves, smells get on your nerves.”
Has the “rock star” lifestyle lived up to their expectations? Brooks concedes that it can be hard to balance their passion for music with the shadiness of the music industry.

“It breaks a lot of people, and bums people out with all of the shit you have to put up with,” admitted Brooks. Rick Smith pointed out that many bands break up dealing with the pressure of success. “We are at the breaking point with all the touring,” Smith said with a serious look on his face. “This is the test to see how long we will last,” Smith added. Nuñez, who had been fairly quiet throughout the interview, softly said that the success has changed things from what they started off doing. “It’s different… what was important at one point and what [we] used to enjoy,” Nuñez said.

Montoya recalled how as a child, he thought being a rock star would be the most amazing thing. “It’s a beautiful thing of your childhood,” said Montoya with a smile on his face. What he really wants for the band though, is to create meaningful music and to be innovative. Being a “rock star” is not a high priority for Torche. What do they really want? As unique people, the members of Torche have different goals. “As long as we are together [I want to] make the most interesting music that we can [and] be challenging with the music,” said Montoya. “We get to travel the world and meet amazing people.”

Brooks admitted he doesn’t like to make plans, but rather “fly by the seat of his pants and see what happens.” He acknowledged that while touring sometimes is stressful, he loves it, and wants to see more of the world. When asked what his goals were, Nuñez sat quietly for a moment with a pensive look on his face. What he wants is to develop as a band and to be satisfied with the music that they produce. Above all though, Nuñez wants to succeed, live comfortably and to do it in a respectable way.

“Integrity is a big part of it for me,” Nuñez stated. “As long as I see things paying off and progressing, I will be happy.” What Smith wants, on the other hand, is very specific. “I want to party, write good records and hang out on tour,” Smith said. “I still have more of the world I’d like to see!” he exclaimed. He has some business ideas in mind as well that he has considered pursuing. “I would get a Taco Bell tattoo and see if they pay me $10,000 to get their logo tattooed on me!” Smith said with a devilish grin. “I plan on writing them a serious proposal ‘I love your fucking volcano tacos SO much, I will get your logo as a tattoo.” Taco Bell, if you are reading this, just imagine the kind of advertising potential Rick Smith is offering.

Everyone else, check out this band Torche. They take their music seriously, but also know how to have a good time. However you choose to categorize them, just know that this is a band that transcends labels to produce a dynamic sound that is worth listening to. You can check out songs from their recently released album Meanderthal here on mTraks and read more about Torche online at http://torcheband.blogspot.com.