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Mere Theory.
Adelaide's Mere Theory are embarking on their first national tour alongside rock sensations Gyroscope. They are also the support for the MXPX, Unwritten Law show at Heaven and have just released the driving, emotive CD-EP 'Disengage.' "An interesting story goes with that song," explains guitarist Nigel Black of one of his favorite tracks from the EP, Freedom In Mind. "It was written in the middle of the night on a beach in Kangaroo Island. It's a very emotive, expressive song about slave labor and the change that has to happen in the world with each person and inside of us. Peace isn't something we can get from stopping two people from fighting, it has to be in everything we do. It comes through in that song."
Charismatic new vocalist Ryan Patterson has fitted in quite comfortably. The group were open to his ideas and even modified some songs to help create a more emotional link between the singer, lyrics and song. "If a melody line is written and it doesn't emit a certain emotion or even if a lyric is not understood we change it. There's a lot of freedom in our band to change stuff so it makes sense. Ryan has to be happy with it or he's not going to sing it. When he sings it comes from his heart, he becomes the music. We shape everything so it involves everyone.
"We've got a unified approach to song writing. We have a recipe and a line that we follow with our song writing. I make the basic skeleton of the song, sharing ideas of melodies and lyrics with Ryan. It's definitely a free band and we have a productive relationship with each other that works well. We're all escalating in our talents and our attitudes. We're getting a lot more focused on what we're doing and we can see what we're doing is paying off and what we want to do is becoming a reality. The main goal is to play and just express ourselves through music which is what we're about."
Black has a very distinctive style, blending elements of lead and rhythm guitar to create a rich sound. "That's a comment often applied to us; my guitar playing sounds like two guitar parts. I usually have a bass chord running while I'm riffing with my little finger. I use all my fingers on the guitar. It comes across as a rhythm and a lead sound at the same time. It's just something that has become a natural thing for me. I just try to play the emotion that comes through my fingers. I don't think it's anything special; it's like writing words and getting ideas down and that's what comes through my hands."
For a four piece band Mere Theory manage a very full sound. "Basically it's just emotive driven hard rock and it also has subtleties. I think the solid sound has got something to do with the arrangement of the instruments because we're not using any excessive force through our amplifiers or anything like that. It's through arrangement, notes, frequencies and the way the music is structured that gives it strength or subtlety. I enjoy playing guitar and sometimes I make it too hard for myself. At times I feel like if it's not a challenge it's not worth playing but that's not a general rule because a lot of our stuff is subtle and simple. What we try to focus on is the emotion. What's coming through the music words, melodies and what we're trying to express."
Although some of their lyrics may address political issues, Black is quick to dismiss any claims they are a political band. "We have a few political ideas. Life's political. You have to realise everything around you affects you and how you live your life. You can't escape politics. I just think we're aware. We try to get our views out there. We aren't trying to convert anyone, it's just thoughts, ideas, observations and expressions. That's what I think art is; regurgitating what you see. We're taking a picture and showing it. It can be beautiful to capture a moment. It can make you think, maybe it can change some views if people are open to that sort of thing."
Adrian Lee
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Mere Theory support Gyroscope at the Adelaide UniBar on Sat 18 Sept.
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