Noxious uses deathcore, metalcore, slamming death metal and hardcore to create pissed and violent music for people who are sick of this world.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Matt Gagnon on vocals, Michael Herman on guitar, Tony Wyatt on big guitar, and Adam Polanco on drums

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Noxious? How long has the band been around?

Michael: Our vocalist Matt was previously the vocalist of the band Villiska. Back in 2009-2012 or so, and Tony and I knew him from back in those days. The other three of us were previously in the band Subvert from around 2014 - 2017, and when that ended we all started up this project. The idea for this band and some of the early writing got started around 2016, but we really got started in 2018 when we released our debut album Chaotic Cycles, and started performing as Noxious.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

Michael: Funny story, I originally planned on naming the band End. While in the process of recording our first album one of my buddies sent me teaser that was like a few seconds long from END (the one with Will Putney and members of Counterparts/Misery Signals etc) and I kinda got hit with a "dang well I guess we have to go back to the drawing board on that one." So we considered a bunch of possible options together and felt this was the right thing to do going forward.

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?

Michael: I do a lot of the overall structuring of songs generally, the first album was mainly written by me and Ryan Wolanski who produced and engineered it as far as instrumentals. Adam did all the drums live and Adam and Matt worked together on the lyrical content. Since then we've definitely developed a more involved writing style, where I'll usually demo out a rough song structure with riffs I and/or Tony write and we all make decisions about the direction from there. With Paralysis and our upcoming second album Matt did and is probably going to do the vast majority of lyrical content himself. Chris Davis has helped us with a few rough edges and spots that were lacking on the upcoming record we're doing with him as well and we're really excited to get those songs done and out for everyone.

Matt: A lot of the lyrics, simply put, are about how life can be miserable. Growing up in a fucked up home environment, running the streets, living in a violent state of mind, mental health issues, and the like. Things that I've experienced in large parts of my life.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

Matt: Harms Way, Rise of the Northstar, Sunami

Tony: There are so many but im really liking what Left Behind, Varials, Kublai khan are doing right now and really what the whole new age heavy/hardcore scene is right now.

Adam: Bands that are influences to me right now are Varials, Orthodox, Spite, and Bodysnatcher

Michael: This one is hard for me to keep short but Danza, Ion Dissonnce, Car Bomb, Jesus Piece, Sleepers, Prison and Kublai Khan have been really hitting lately for me. There are a lot more bands but I don't want to turn this one into an entire page. I'm bad with limiting genre or focus when I write, but I'm working on a side project in addition to Noxious now, so I've been able to compartmentalize a little bit stylistically.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

Matt: When I was 14 I saw Protest the Hero, The Devil Wears Prada, A Day to Remember, and Silverstein headlining. I'll never forget because it was my first big show I went to, and after that I knew no matter what else was going on in my life I had to make time to be in a band and play shows. Music became like a part of me that day, I'll never forget it.

Adam: When I saw TDWP, Fit for a King, and MyChildren MyBride at Intensity Fest was what made me want to start a band.

Tony: For Christmas when I was 11 i got AC/DC's live at Donington 1991 DVD and it changed me seeing the sea of people in the crowd going crazy for a band like that. Also Rockstar Mayhem Fest 2009, seeing all the big metal bands at the time live and on the big stage I knew that was what I wanted to do right off the bat.

Michael: Initially probably Volumes and Periphery many years ago directly made me want to first start writing/recording music in general. I really hadn't thought about trying to join an actual band until I was 20 or 21 when I joined Subvert. Before that I originally got into bands like The Ghost Inside, Parkway Drive, August Burns Red, and bands like Suicide Silence, Despised Icon, and Whitechapel.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …

Tony: I like to warm up on Mikeys guitar, do a few finger and hand stretches, and drink a couple beers. Really just try not to think too much.

Adam: A lot of stretches and warm ups on the practice pad.

Matt: Stretching is a must for me, sometimes I'll do some pushups and squats if I remember.

Michael: I should stretch but I forget to a lot. Just some quick guitar warmups and I'm good to go.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

Adam: When we went on the road for a short run with Silent on Fifth Street, Sleepers, and Flesh of the Lotus through DC/MD/PA.

Michael: It's all been a lot of fun, lots of good times, really at this point we are just all itching to put out new music, but unfortunately

the covid situation has put a complete stop on a lot of our plans including a cancelled tour which I know every band out there is experiencing.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Matt: Man, thats such a hard question, I'd have to say for now it'd probably be Lionheart, Madball, Impending Doom, and The Story So Far.

Adam: I'm not sure who I'd like to tour with but a run with I AM, Varials, and Left Behind seems like it'd be fun.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Shoutout to Chris Davis at Iron Foot Audio. Nate White and the guys at Sleepers, Silent on Fifth Street, Flesh of the Lotus, and all the other bands we've played with, and all the homies. Jon Pentz, the Riffhouse homies, VFW homies, Zach Ellwood, Fredericksburg Rec Center, Metal Teresa, etc for being a big part of keeping the local DMV metal/hardcore scene kicking. Our second album is coming as soon as it possibly can and we can't wait to get back on the road to come see some of you guys. Dead Ends coming soon.