When indie metal mag, Decibel, ranked Pig Destroyer's Phantom Limb as the best disc of 2007 -- above records by Dillinger Escape Plan, Down and Machine Head -- it seemed like a bold move. But it wasn't as audacious as the publication's decision to emphasize its choice with a year-end cover story interview.
Most bands would sell their sisters' souls to achieve such an endorsement, however Pig Destroyer are too concerned with staying true to themselves to worry about what other people think of them. While he was flattered by the attention, singer J.R. Hayes told us he hasn't even taken the magazine out of the shrink-wrap, and can't understand why the band is drawing praise from everyone from fanzines to major monthlies.
In truth, as Hayes explains in our Headbangers Ball Blog Pig Destroyer podcast, Pig Destroyer would rather remain an underground entity than ever become popular. And, that's why they're so damn cool.
They don't give a crap what other bands are doing, and would never cater to the demands of their label, management or even their loyal fans. Rather than tour for months on end, they play shows here and there, relying on their day jobs for the bulk of their income. In turn, they can be even more discriminating about the music they make. If their albums suck or don't sell, it doesn't matter. At least they pleased themselves and can still put food on the table.
Pig Destroyer may never release a gold record, but they're even less likely to ever put out something that sucks. Their songs are raw, bludgeoning, heartfelt and artful, ranging from pummeling grindcore to experimental drone metal. And they've gotten better and better over time.
In our conversation with Hayes, the cynical recluse discusses why he likes to be called a misogynist (even though he isn't one), his struggle with depression and anxiety, why he hates shooting videos, how Pig Destroyer will never tour more than a few days at a time and the bitterness and hate that makes Phantom Limb so powerful.
Click here for a direct MP3 download of the Headbangers Ball Blog Podcast interview with Pig Destoryer's J.R. Hayes.
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