FEAR FACTORY // Machine Fabricated Headlines

It’s early in the morning, and guitarist of Fear Factory/metal legend Dino Cazares is far too pleasant for someone who should be taking a year long nap.

Asking where in Australia the hell Hysteria are calling from, he recalls (both fondly and with a tinge of sadness) the last time he was in Melbourne for the final Soundwave. “We had absolutely no clue that [the cancellation] was going to happen. At least I didn’t when we went over there. I guess everything always comes to an end and Soundwave had its run.

Even huge festivals like Coachella will eventually die out, some get lucky and go past 10 years but some of them just don’t. It’s a shame but that’s how it goes!” As the conversation moves onto the avenues that are now available for younger artists, Cazares has clearly done his fair share of interviews over the years as he speeds through topic after topic. After recounting the sheer amount of effort it took to get signed by a label in the formative years of Fear Factory, the guitarist notes that it’s shocking to him how savvy entrepreneurs have made their success in the Internet age.

“You’re making money off clicks. I’ve seen people do ridiculous things and make money, somebody fucking farts the national anthem and it gets like 10 million views? I know guys who make their entire living off literally just playing guitar on YouTube. If it works for you man, go for it.” However, Cazares’ voice darkens when the topic of virality is brought up in regards to negative press. Discussing his infamous quotation on moving to Australia if Trump became president, it’s clearly something that’s been on his mind ever since his name started going viral.

“Sometimes people take something that an artist says seriously. It depends on how the actual website words it. Most people who own these metal websites know exactly what to put down as a headline that’s going to get the clicks. Blabbermouth, Metal Sucks, Metal Injection, Metal Armada: all these websites, their sole purpose is to get as many clicks as possible…” Taking a sardonic tone, the singer elaborates on just how ridiculous the headlines that make the rounds are. “If a site like Blabbermouth says ‘Hey, Dino took a shit on Donald Trump’s face’ that’d get a lot of attention and make them money. I don’t actually see that money. Just for the record, I didn’t mean that seriously. It went super viral, I love Australia, we’ve made it as many times there as possible, but living there? It’d be impossible.”

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“I didn’t realize we had a lot of Donald Trump supporters in the metal community. A lot of them got very racial, and were telling me ‘get the fuck out of here you fuckin’ beaner’ – that’s a Mexican slur – ‘Donald Trump’s going to build a wall to keep you out, he’s going to keep your people out of this country’. It got so racial, like wow? I’m an American citizen, I was born here, I pay taxes. I’m not turning my back on my country.”

[DINO]

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As we further head to the root of why Dino’s statement went so far around the world, it’s disheartening to hear that the singer failed to find overwhelming support from the community that’s been his life for over 20 years. He notes, “Unfortunately for most of the people who read what I said, they didn’t actually listen to the audio. They just read the headline and that was enough to send them off.” For most who didn’t agree, common sense would dictate they should scroll on and continue without a second thought. However, a number of metalheads who had no association with the band began hurling abuse at the singer and his family. “I didn’t realize we had a lot of Donald Trump supporters in the metal community. A lot of them got very racial, and were telling me ‘get the fuck out of here you fuckin’ beaner’ – that’s a Mexican slur – ‘Donald Trump’s going to build a wall to keep you out, he’s going to keep your people out of this country’. It got so racial, like wow? I’m an American citizen, I was born here, I pay taxes. I’m not turning my back on my country.”

From a writer’s standpoint, the singer’s words continue to resonate as the conversation comes to a close. Bringing us back to the points he made earlier about young artists capitalising on media attention to find their way, he warns of the potential backlash that can happen in such a fast-paced news environment. “It’s something when the artists says something like that, they have to expect that the media’s going to twist your words around. It’s going to get exaggerated, they’re going to use a particular quote that’s going to make you look bad. I’ve been a victim of that, but it’s just something we’ve gotta deal with though!” The time ticks over, but just before hitting the red button, Dino quickly jumps back on the phone. “Okay just one other thing, just so you know. We’re hanging to go to Australia, we can’t wait!” He hangs up, and it’s clear that’s a statement he fully intends to be quoted directly on.

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Catch Fear Factory on their Australian Regeneratour this June:

Thursday 2 June The Tivoli Brisbane 18+
Friday 3 June Roundhouse Sydney 18+
Saturday 4 June Prince Of Wales Melbourne 18+
Tuesday 7 June HQ Adelaide 18+
Wednesday 8 June Metropolis Fremantle 18+

Tickets available from Destroy All Lines