Powerflo is the new group featuring Sen Dog (Cypress Hill), Christian Olde Wolbers (ex-Fear Factory), Billy Graziadei (Biohazard), Rogelio Lozano (ex-Downset.), and Fernando Schaefer (Worst). Today the band is releasing their début album on New Damage Records, and we have an exclusive interview with one of the brains behind the project. Billy Graziadei opened up about the beginning and future of Powerflo, the latest on Biohazard, and much more in our exclusive new chat. Read it below.
Metal Mark: What’s up Billy? You must be excited, because today Powerflo’s new album is finally out to the people.
Billy Graziadei: Good to hear from ya Mark. Yea, we are definitely excited. That’s the understatement of the year (laughs). This project has been a long time coming, but we put together an awesome record with some awesome people, so we hope the fans enjoy it as much as we do.
MM: We first heard about Powerflo earlier this year, but this has been in the works for a while. When did this idea actually originate?
BG: That depends who you ask (laughs). My answer would be 1992. Sen and I have known each other for years ya know. We did that Biohazard track together back in the early 90’s, and kept working together on and off over the years. Despite what people may think, he grew up a metal head. He was hanging with Dave Lombardo as a kid in Los Angeles, so this has always been an idea in the back of my head. Now that there is some downtime between Cypress Hill and Biohazard, and everyone else’s projects, it made sense to get this done. The timing was perfect.
MM: I’ve heard from numerous people how incredible Sen is in the studio. Obviously you know from working with him, but it seems like he’s as good as ever on this record.
BG: Sen is something else in the studio man. A lot of guys in the studio, no matter what style of music, they can only handle so many bars at one time. They are limited. It still comes out great, but with Sen, he does it all in one take. He’s all about the vibe, and if the vibe is off, he won’t go behind the mic. If the vibe is there, it’s on, and he goes in and knocks it out effortlessly. I’ve seen him do it countless times, but it still blows my mind to this day.
The funny thing about this record is that we would finish a take, and he would be like “I want it heavier. Let’s make it heavier.” I would tell him to keep a groove and do what he does best, but he always wanted it heavier. We would sit back and laugh about it, but once we heard the final product, he was right. Most of the time (laughs). There are just so many influences in this band, so while it was challenging to make our own signature sound, we really came together well, and we are beyond happy with what’s on the record.
MM: I was going to ask, because sometimes with “super groups” you hear one influence more than the other. As an example, one song could sound like Biohazard, while another has a Fear Factory feel. This record really sounds like a whole new band, which is really impressive. How difficult was that to do?
BG: It was actually not difficult at all. I’ve gotten to the point as a songwriter and producer that I know how to articulate things better, and it’s not a chore. It’s fun as hell. It may keep my up at night, but it’s worth it (laughs).
I also feel that it wasn’t difficult because of who’s in the band. We aren’t rookies by any stretch of the imagination. We know what we like. We know what we can do, and we just did it. We were open to everyone’s suggestions, and therefore, it became its own entity that we call Powerflo. It was definitely one of the easiest and most fun records I’ve done in a while.
MM: Very cool man. You guys are bringing that new material on the road with P.O.D. later this year, but what else do you have planned? I see this more than just a studio project.
BG: For sure. We are having so much fun with this right now, so we are going to see how far it goes. Hell, we already have stuff for next record already written. Obviously, we aren’t leaving our other bands behind, but we are going to push this material as much as possible. We got those tour dates with P.O.D. like you said, but if something else comes up in the future, I’m sure we’ll jump on it. Nothing has been confirmed yet though. We are just enjoying life as much as possible right now.
MM: I can hear the excitement in your voice. You’ve been in the scene for decades, but it seems like you’re more inspired than ever.
BG: I wouldn’t say I’m more inspired than I’ve ever been, but I’ve been really good at maintaining the love for music very well over the years. No matter what new trends come out, or who leaves the scene, music isn’t going away. When music is around, I’ll be able to find some kind of inspiration, and that keeps me going. If I wasn’t surrounded by music, I’d probably be in an insane asylum. So yea, I’m still inspired, because that’s who I am. This is what I know, and I’m going to keep doing it until I’m physically not able to (laughs). Powerflo is already bigger than I expected, and it’s only going to get bigger. That rules man.
MM: That’ll definitely keep you inspired to keep pushing yourself.
BG: Totally. I mean, to have this idea come to life, and now seeing it take off, that’s the coolest shit in the world. We’re having a blast with it, and hopefully it continues. I didn’t get the name tattooed on me for no reason (laughs).
MM: That’s good to hear (laughs). I know, not only Powerflo fans, but Biohazard fans are stoked to hear that. What’s going on in the Biohazard camp these days?
BG: It’s funny. You do something different, and people think you left something else behind (laughs). That’s not the case. Biohazard is still going strong. Everyone has their own things going on right now, whether it be work or family, but we are working on a new record. I can confirm that. There will be a new Biohazard record at some point in the future. As of right now, Powerflo is what I’m focused on. We got this killer new record out, and tour dates lining up, so we are going to take full advantage of the buzz, and bring this stuff to the people.
MM: Very nice. Billy, it’s always a pleasure to talk to you. Do you have anything else you’d like to add?
BG: I just want to thank you and the fans for the support over the years. I know that Biohazard fans are die-hard, and I hope they dig this Powerflo record. Every member of this band has a strong fan base, and it’s cool to see them all come together. All of our families have come together to create a Powerflo family, and it’s a beautiful thing. We won’t disappoint you.
Follow Powerflo on Facebook, and pick up their debut album today!