Villains
Devin – Vocals | Trevor – Guitar | Reese – Guitar | Andy – Bass | Cody – Drums
I recently chatted with Devin MacGillivray to learn more about about Villains, a Street Metal band from Illinois, USA.
First and foremost, Freudian Slip. Great work on that album, I think I speak on behalf of everyone who’s listened to it when I say that it has some of the most depressing and “emo” lyrics ever written. What was the goal with that album?
The goal was never to be as depressing as it came out. I just wanted to write about how I felt on a few issues and it ended up spiraling into the sad music it became. Freudian Slip was like my diary.
The album has some really catchy sections in it, I know I often find myself singing “my antidepressant lies in a Smith & Wesson, I don’t know how to make anxiety lessen”. How long did the band spend on the writing process of Freudian Slip?
Well I write all the instrumentals and lyrics, with the help of Reese for a few lyrical ideas. The writing process for Freudian slip was probably somewhere between 4-6 months, with lyrics being the last thing that I finished up.
I’ve heard of some cool shows where bands have played on cruise ships, beaches, skateparks etc. Where is your dream location to play a show?
I would love to play a show on top of a mountain (granted there are no snakes/scary animals around that are ready to attack me and the boys)
You guys are currently on tour with Barrier, Gift Giver, Traitors & Adaliah as a part of the Destress The US tour. How have the shows been so far?
The shows have been phenomenal. I think this is one of the best tours we’ve ever done because everyone that comes to the shows, for the most part, genuinely loves each of the bands. So it’s a perfect combination of bands.
10 Code was released before you stepped in as vocalist of Villains. Had you listened to that album much prior to joining?
I wrote that album! Haha. I’ve been in the band since day 1, Villains is my brainchild. I’ve always written all the instruments and most of the lyrics, I just played drums back then. We kept on losing vocalists and I got fed up with it so I stepped up to the plate.
I think most people will agree when I say Freudian Slip is a step up from 10 Code, what can we expect from the next release?
The most strange, unique, emotional, and hard-hitting combination of instruments and vocals that you have ever heard in metal music (hopefully).
When can we expect to see Villains touring in Australia?
Hopefully some time this year but don’t quote me on that!
If you could choose ANY 4 bands to go on tour with, which bands would you choose?
(Completely unrelated to our genre, these are just bands I would love to travel with) 1. The Antlers 2. Red Hot Chili Peppers 3. Rage Against The Machine 4. Black Tongue
Describe Villains in 3 words.
Emotional. Bizarre. Badass.
This is something with do in all of our interviews:
Tea or Coffee? Coffee no doubt.
Brad Pitt or Samuel L Jackson? Brad Pitt has been one of the most handsome men (to me) since I was 13.
Summer or Winter? Summer but winter rocks too.
Hogwarts or Narnia? Narnia.
What’s next for Villains? A new record, a whole bunch of tours, and hopefully the start of a revolution in the music scene. I want to change the world.