As I Destruct has always pushed the envelope with its song writing and musicianship, combining haunting melodies, crushing grooves to create a unique blend of metal that is driven in equal measures by unbridled aggression and technical prowess.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Luke Dietrich - Yelling at people in traffic
Matthew Adams - Sleeping on tours
Tony "Coota" - Making converstaions with people at the supermarket buying toilet paper.
Josh Liebelt - Being smart enough to manage the band but not smart enough to leave it for more money.
Matthew Marotti - Lying about how long it took to loose his virginity.
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to As I Destruct? How long has the band been around?
Band has officially been around for nearly a year. Me and Josh were in a power metal/ metalcore band called Quaero Verum. When we lost our singer and Luke came in with his anger and stories about the war, we decided it was best to start fresh.
No one in the band could even say Quaero Verum properly, let alone spell it. Smartest move I think the band has ever done. Changing the band name I mean, we still aren't sure about Dietrich.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
We wanted something short, easy to pronounce and even easier to spell. Luke really liked "As I Destruct". It was 3 words and the album "Under Reprisal" from Threat Signal is awesome. We were stealing their riffs for QV anyways.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
Matthew Marotti is 100% to thank/ blame for all the music. Lyrically, Luke generally works alongside Josh Liebelt. The guys work well and can handle being in the same room together for 7-8 minutes at a time. That's better than most bands I've been in, believe me.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Bands that are usually so underrated, their guitarists are forced to join other more established bands so they can make way more money, compromising their original sound and musical talent for being able to eat on weekdays.
Also, Meshuggah aren't bad either.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Slayer was the first metal concert I went to. Didn't realise that wearing ear plugs is a thing at shows. Still have the tinnitus. Fun though.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
Some people in the band do stretches, others warm up with beverages. I like to ponder over how many riffs I've forgotten from the car to the venue.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
My Mum came to our first Adelaide show after we released our first album "From Fear To Oblivion". She said she was so proud of me. It's good to be number 1 son in my family for a change.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Just like all the girls I've ever dated have said to me. The bigger the better. Also I hope the crowds aren't as nasty as my previous ex girlfriends. It was winter! And you know I have bad circulation. On a really cold day, I can still sometimes hear them laughing...
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Head over to www.asidestruct.com/shop and buy our latest album or a t-shirt. Every album sold goes towards helping a starving guitarist get closer to a can of baked beans for Christmas each year.