Interview: Moist Refuse to Rely on Past Glory
Moist never really broke up. After successfully climbing the Canadian rock n’ roll rope through the back half of the 1990s and 
into 2001, they just went away.
Frontman David Usher continued to pursue a solo career (with original Moist members Kevin Pearce and Kevin Young backing him); while guitarist Mark Makoway became a successful producer/mixer; and drummer Paul Wilcox bowed out of the music industry because of a back injury.
Left behind was memorable rock radio staples “Push,” “Silver,” “Resurrection,” “Leave it Alone,” “Tangerine,” and others. As was the question: will we ever hear from Moist again?
Then, in 2013 came word that the band would tour a select number of dates across Canada. After 12 years apart, Moist had reconvened.
“During our break, we’d get together – because we’re still friends – and the band would always come up. For whatever reason, someone always had something else going on and it wasn’t the right time. It just so happened that [recently] everyone felt that it wasn’t a bad time,” says Makoway while spending some time with Riffyou.com.
He continues: “There was also a sense that if we didn’t do it soon, it wasn’t going to happen…the break would just keep going on forever.”
While it would’ve been easy for Moist to perform reunion gigs for years to come and cash in on being a ‘90s nostalgia act, such an idea wasn’t of interest to the band. It was decided early on that if they were going to re-emerge, they were going to do so in a creative manner.
Soon enough, the band – which consists of Usher, Makoway, Young, as well as newer members Jonathan Gallivan, Louis Lalancette, Francis Fillion – began generating song ideas that would eventually pave the way toward Glory Under Dangerous Skies (released October 7), Moist’s first proper studio album in 15 years.
“We wanted this to be real, viable, and alive with fresh ideas,” explains Makoway, who also produced the album. “We wanted to make [the band] better than it was before, rather than sit around and pat ourselves on the back for having written a bunch of good songs in the ‘90s.
“Everybody had a lot of ideas to bring to the party and the songs really started to flow and feel good.”
What we get from Glory Under Dangerous Skies is an album that feels very reminiscent of what Moist produced during their glory days. But, you can also sense the evolution in their sound, as well as that desire to not rest on any laurels.
To Makoway, this album reminds him of the band’s 1994 breakthrough debut, Silver, in terms of how it came together, as well as the vibe in which the music exudes. There’s a darkness and aggression to him that feels familiar, yet fresh.
As for where Moist goes from here, Makowy confirms that there isn’t an “end-date” for the band. Right now the guys are having fun and making music for the right reasons – that appears to be all that Makoway needs to continue.
“I don’t think anyone was sitting around and waiting for Moist to get back together. That’s what makes us being back together now much cooler – no one had to do it. We weren’t putting the band back together because nobody could pay their rent,” relays Makoway with a laugh. “We just wanted to work with each other again – and that’s what makes this honest.
“I’m sure that there are naysayers out there,” he agrees. “If we were doing the pure nostalgia thing and not making new music, that would be one thing. But, since we’re actually out there and have made what’s quite possibly our best record, that’s the best way to go after the naysayers.”
-Adam Grant
Tour Dates:
NOV 7 – Halifax – Casino Nova Scotia
NOV 13 – Moncton – Casino New Brunswick
NOV 14 – Quebec City – Imperial
NOV 15 – Montreal – Metropolis
NOV 21 – Barrie – Sound Empire
NOV 22 – Toronto – Danforth Music Hall
NOV 26 – Winnipeg – Burton Cummings Theatre
NOV 27 – Saskatoon – O’Brians Event Centre
NOV 28 – Calgary – Grey Eagle Event Centre
NOV 29 – Edmonton – Union Hall
DEC 4 – Vancouver – Hard Rock Casino
(visit Moist’s official website for VIP package details)
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