While sitting down to talk with Dragonforce guitarist Herman Li, one of two Polyphia axemen, Tim Henson, reflected on some of the things band members said in the past which ultimately led to controversy among guitar music fans. When asked about the wrong impression they got after some interviews, Henson commented (transcript via Ultimate Guitar):
“As we were starting out and even with the last record… The last record particularly — we were going for just saying anything and everything to bring attention to the record. The first press release that we did, we insulted one rock singer and call them a dildo.“
To clarify, the rock singer who he’s referring to is Ronnie Radke of Falling in Reverse. The band was promoting their 2018 album “New Levels New Devils” at the time. Henson further clarified these comments:
“It was similar to when Tyler, the Creator before he was like a huge artist tweeted at Chris Brown just talking shit to him, to the point where Chris Brown actually responded. And then it became a thing that people know who Tyler, the Creator is now because he was talking shit to Chris Brown.“
“And just taking inspiration from a lot of things that were going on at that time of like 2017-2018. That was like, right when Lil Pump came out and just like a bunch of super ignorant… Just kind of being a dumbass online. And that was the shtick that we were going for.“
“What you were saying — you say something, and then they [the public] just hold on to it forever. We’re still dealing with the consequences of that, mostly me. And hence some of these getting done dirty jobs that are happening currently.“
“But, you know, I guess it’s to be expected. It’s also like a learning process and it’s gonna take 10 or so years of doing press to get past it, I guess.”
As of this moment, Polyphia are promoting their latest album titled “Remember That You Will Die.” Released in late October 2022, it comes with 12 new songs, including their collaboration with Steve Vai called “Ego Death.”
Photos: Delusion23 (Polyphia – Manchester, UK – 6 February 2019), Stefan Brending (Falling in Reverse-Rock im Park 2014- by 2eight DSC9470)
