True metal, hardcore, and punk junkies aren't strangers to the long and illustrious recorded legacy of Mike "IX" Williams. Influential on all fronts, especially with well-respected New Orleans sludge band Eyehategod, he has made massive contributions — as a musician, former editor of Metal Maniacs, and freelance music journalist — to underground American music over the past four decades. However, as a man of multiple personalities, Mr. IX is often unpredictable and occasionally irascible.
So to say this interview got off on the wrong foot is something of an understatement. But sometimes questions must be asked. And though brief and to the point, Williams still took the time to indulge a few questions concerning his most recent outfit, Corrections House, an experimental collaboration with Neurosis's Scott Kelly, Nachtmystium's Sanford Parker, and Yakuza's Bruce Lamont.
Read on to learn whether Mike likes Miami, why the so-called supergroup is bullshit, and how to "destroy/annihilate/depress/confuse."
New Times: How did Corrections House come to be? The members certainly share some background, but the direction of the band is not something fans might expect from you guys.
Mike IX: I just wanna start this interview off saying we are not doing any interviews. I will answer the questions as best I can.
The direction is where we want to take it. And no, it's probably not what folks think.
You were here last year with Eyehategod. Any thoughts on your South Florida experience?
I've always had a good experience in Miami and Florida in general. Speedfreek's Roger [Forbes] has taken good care of us in the past.
What should the Miami crowd expect from Corrections House, given the outfit's slightly more experimental approach? Is this is a new venue for expression? Is it more for you than for the fans?
It's for the people who come to the shows. However, please come out with an open mind. It's not a new venue of expression at all if you've followed the individual members. The reason we are touring together is because we have all been doing our own thing, on our own terms, for a long, long time and felt it was time for us to collaborate.
You've been involved with Eyehategod since 1988. Most recently, you've been in Arson Anthem, which could be compared to Corrections House because they both get the supergroup tag. But when I think of supergroups, I think of inflated egos and a thousand directions. How does this group work?
The concept of supergroup is a ridiculous idea made up by the media. Next question.
What are the objectives of the Corrections House tour?
The objective is to destroy/annihilate/depress/confuse [with an] experimental/spoken-word/acoustic and end-times collaboration.
