EMQ’s with MERCIC
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Grândola, South of Portugal based Industrial Metal/Rock project, Mercic. Huge thanks to Carlos Maldito, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Hello, I’m Carlos “Maldito”, I’m the musician behind the name MERCIC. This project was created in 2015 and brings together several musical genres always immersed in an industrial environment. It focuses on releasing long-lasting albums, has no promotional video clips or commercial radio singles.
How did you come up with your band name?
MERCIC is MERCIC!
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
MERCIC comes from the south of Portugal from a paradise by the sea called Grândola. The music scene in Portugal is small; the circuit has few spaces and is often reigned by the same ones as always. Rock is not dead but is dying, metal is always underground but has the faithful support of fans. The cult bands have been the same since the 80’s / 90’s and the new bands appearing are acclaimed and disappear shortly afterwards. Life runs too fast without the necessary calm to taste the art that is made from the heart.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
The most recent release was a double album, released on the 4th of June divided into “MERCIC_7” and “MERCIC_8” in collaboration with UNP music.
‘Batalha de Egos’ (Audio) from “MERCIC_7”.
‘The Crown Belongs To Johnny’ (Audio) from “MERCIC_8”.
Who have been your greatest influences?
The biggest influences for me are several and of different styles but I will name the ones where I have their complete discography and I continue to buy all the new albums that come out; Sepultura, Gary Numan, Marilyn Manson, NIN, Orgy, Emika, Depeche Mode and Bizarra Locomotiva (the best Portuguese band for me).
What first got you into music?
Marilyn Manson with “Beautiful People”, I always liked drummer Ginger Fish and it was looking at his videos that I learned to play the drums.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
Producer Ade Fenton and Trent Reznor.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
MERA LUNA in Germany because it is the one that best fits my musical taste.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
MERCIC has no fans, but friends who support my music and I feel very happy about it. The gifts I received were always beers and good wine.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
I reiterate that there are no MERCIC fans. But a message; be more basic and live life instead of hiding behind the opinions of others or shitty fashions that often have nothing to do with you and just follow them because others follow. Be true to yourself there is nothing more pure than that.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
David Bowie.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love being able to express my deepest thoughts through music and I love it when there are people who feel embraced and involved in the MERCIC songs, making them theirs too. I hate the lack of critical awareness that musicians generally have. The small pubs that ask the musician to play for free and in return say that he should still thank the opportunity to promote himself and the public that takes out entire albums for free without giving a penny to the artist and without worrying about it.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Exactly what I mentioned in the previous answer.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“The Fragile“ by Nine Inch Nails.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Anything that allows people to listen to music and through this experience they can feel good.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
With MERCIC we only played once because the project was only for the studio and when we started playing live the pandemic arrived, so our first show is still our best show today.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Something related to music.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Trent Reznor, James Hetfield, Dave Grohl, Andreas Kisser and Eddie Vedder.
What’s next for the band?
Launch the new album and play live if possible.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
www.open.spotify.com/artist/4FVgsPzqO3p2gspmkhxakf
www.facebook.com/groups/1012004925676903/
www.facebook.com/MERCICmusic
www.instagram.com/mercic_official/
www.store.undergroundnproud.com/category/mercic
www.youtube.com/channel/UCx74JJAezgGY8xyEaBZWyXg
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
I have no idea. I do not care.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Many thanks to Wallace for his support.
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.