What is your full name?
Let’s just use William Miller, it sets me apart from the six pages of us in every phone book in every major city.
Do you have any aliases?
Of course but this will be likely used against me in a court of law so there is no way I am gonna answer without first discussing with legal representation.
If you had an alias what might it be?
Oh we are pretending, okay. So I have always been a fan of any name that is associated with Vikings and/or world’s strongest man competitors. Magnus ver Millerson. That would be it right now as I powered down six beers after sweating in the heat for the last four hours.
What bands are you actively involved with?
The Age Of Truth and The Age Of Truth only. She is my everything.
What was the first instrument that you played?
Drums. Not really drums though, just a practice pad in grade school and that probably ruined it for me.
Tell me about one of your first musical memories?
Playing a pool party in my first band at 12 years old with three of the hottest girls in the school swimming while we jammed. I likely peaked early in my musical career.
What was the name of the first band you were in?
I don’t know if we even had a name. If we did it was something that I should have remembered. I’m sure it was brilliant to my 12 year old mind.
Tell me about the genesis of The Age of Truth.
Mike D and I were in a band together a long time ago. We have known each other since we were children. We started a band that eventually ended up being called Son of Soil and we were pretty good but young and cocky. Everything fell apart just as things were getting interesting because of drugs.
Then I see Mike D playing in a cover band one night. The drummer invited me and it was close to my place so I went down there with my lady, had a few and watched Mike D perform. It was insane. They had no singer and Mike D was playing the guitar rhythm parts and also the vocal melodies at the same time. I had never seen anything like it and my jaw was hanging off my face. During a break and after their set we hung out, had a few and he asked who I was playing with and I happened to have a show at a local festival the next day. Mike D rolled up, watched us play and hit me with the greatest of rock moves. He hands me a cold beer as soon as I step off stage and says, “you are the best one in that band.”
We swapped numbers, I called him up and four days later we were writing the songs we love in my living room. We never went back to those bands after that.
What inspired the name The Age of Truth?
Everything is saved and cataloged now, there is always a video and people still believe you can lie in this day and age. The news is a fucking joke, the politicians are all frauds and the people who are supposedly better than us in society are craven assholes. The next step is a reckoning. We have been lied to for so long, we are probably exposed to more lies than truth every single day. We are numb to it. We even drop small lies in casual conversation just to grease the rails of living in society.
I’m an asshole. I tell the truth especially when it hurts. Not saying I am perfect or better or that I don’t have my moments, but truth matters. Without honesty there is no trust in or from me. I fully understand that not everyone works that way and that it makes my path much more challenging. I see it as I am my reputation and my word and it’s the way I want to live. The Age Of Truth is my hope for what should be and likely will be once we get through this golden age of fraud.
Three years. As soon as Scott Frassetto joined the band everything changed. We found that missing piece and could only push forward. No matter how many obstacles were in front of us we just Killdozered all of it. We finally had the unit together that could make what we all wanted to happen possible. Fights, money, drama, the rona, nothing was gonna stop us and we blasted through all of it.
If you could insert yourself into any one band what band would it be and why?
The Age Of Truth. I am in my favorite band. I’m sure it sounds corny as hell and I don’t care because it’s true. I don’t want anything else but to play the songs we write together and feel that excitement when we all make something new and everyone starts talking fast and screaming “wooos” and “fuck yeahs!” because we all love it at the same time.
Have you ever heard a song and immediately wished you had written it? If so… What was the song and artist?
Countless times. A good recent example is Apostle of Solitude “Ruination Be Thy Name.” I love everything about that song and think it is so well crafted. Great riff, great changes, sets a mood that is completely their own.
Do you have any non-metal musical inspirations?
If it is great, no matter what genre or classification you slap on it, I want to hear it. I frequently don’t agree with the consensus on what is or isn’t great, but I want to hear it and analyze it and see why it appeals to people.
What’s a non-metal song that you'd like to do a cover of?
Right now I am trying to convince the guys to do a TAOT version of “Mexican Radio” by Wall of Voodoo. I have not been successful yet but I know Kevin is in.
What band have you played with that has really impressed you with their live show?
So many because the talent levels are really, really high in our scene. Pale Divine live was a sight to see and they got me at the Maryland Doom Fest. We have played with Sasquatch and the songs live are somehow better than the records. Gozu is the same way, you expect it to be great and end up with even more because it’s happening in front of you. Inter Arma was another one and I never listened to them before we played the Chicago Doomed & Stones festival.
Do you have a favorite venue to play at?
Every room is unique and I really love every single place that has had us, but I have a list of venues that I want to play that matters more to me. The Black Heart in Camden, the beach in Sardinia for Dunajam. It’s a long list, tell me if you want them all.
Do you have a pre-show ritual?
Squats and beer and copious amounts of ball busting. Probably some ridiculous high kicks as well. Oh and face smacks and a splash of water. I’m a nervous ball of energy and look like an absolute moron in the half hour before I go onstage.
What is your favorite thing about touring?
I really love the guys I get on stage with every night. Sure we fight once in a while and don’t always agree, but there is no question we are all working towards the same exact goal. We have a good time on the road together. It’s really non-stop hilarity most of the time.
What is your least favorite thing about touring?
Tolls and waiting for Scott
Everywhere that will have us with a crowd that feels what we are doing.
What’s the weirdest experience you’ve had on the road?
It’s all weird. We are grown men sleeping in one or two hotel rooms together. I appreciate the funny shit more like when Kevin walked into a casino in Vegas and immediately had to buy the ugliest shirt I have ever seen. Why were they selling hideous shirts on the floor of a casino? Why did Kevin have to have one at that exact moment? Who designed that shirt and was like, “Yep, this is the look I want my name on”?
The year is 1998. Where are you at and what are you listening to?
Queen Village neighborhood in Philly. I just looked at the list of albums from 1998. The first Karma to Burn album came out the year before, I have listened to that regularly since then so it’s on the list. Lauren Hill’s record was great that year, DMX too. I was all over the System of a Down debut as well.
What advice would you give young musicians that are just starting out in the music business?
Be cool, make friends, keep the commitments you make.
What is an absolute band killer?
Ego, dope and/or a lack of ambition.
If you were to start your own music festival what would be the name of that festival and who would be the three headlining bands?
I would call it Wonderland. Right now the bill would be Earthless, Greenleaf and Colour Haze.
What’s the longest time you’ve gone without bathing?
I am a dirtball. Longest is probably two and a half weeks. After that everything sticks to everything else and you can’t even take a piss without gagging.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I am a Certified Financial Planner and a good one.
Is the Fistful of DOOM show in the top 10 of your favorite music podcasts?
Top 4.
Do unicorns sleep standing up?
No, they hibernate inverted balancing on their horn and only where the earth’s axis intersects the surface.
You’re driving cross-country and you can only listen to one album the whole time. What album will it be?
Actually happened, when Kyuss - Sky Valley came out I bought it at Tower Records on the sunset strip and it was the only album we listened to for the rest of the ride north and then back east. At this moment I would say Greenleaf - Trails and Passes.
You are writing a book about your life thus far. What is the title of that book?
Resolute. You serious?
What is your favorite song by Will Smith?
Summertime. Every other song is garbage.
Clutch or Corrosion of Conformity (if you had to choose)?
Impossible choice. Love them both for who they are and the way they do what they do.
Doobies or Boobies (if you had to pick one)?
Boobies, not close.
For all time? Pancakes. For tomorrow, waffles.
Star Wars or Star Trek (if you had to choose)?
The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov
Favorite band t-shirt you own?
So many and have love for all of them. Right now my End Of Hope shirt in requisite black.
Favorite meal?
Crabs at Avery’s in Frederick Maryland
Favorite book?
Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles MacKay
Favorite movie?
Trading Places
Favorite album?
Yes - Fragile
Massive thanks to Magnus… err.. Umm… I mean Bill for taking the time to answer my questions. I am grateful. Here’s a little nugget of truth dear reader. The Age of Truth’s album Resolute is a phenomenal fucking listen. Do not think. Just click on over and get this album in your collection. You can thank me and The Age of Truth later!
~El Pedo Caliente (aka Uncle Jameson host of the Fistful of DOOM show)
https://theageoftruth.bandcamp.com/album/resolute
Comments