The Mighty Nimbus are a great rock band from Minnesota. This interview was conducted via Email. My intros are getting very lackluster.

1. Introduce yourself.

My name is Big Andy Campbell, drummer in The Mighty Nimbus. I’m a Scorpio who enjoys intimate talks with loved ones and cuddling until the sun comes up. No, seriously, I am a 25 year-old University student studying to become a health and phy ed teacher; pretty fun stuff, huh? I grew up in Minnesota but currently reside in North Dakota…in a van down by the river.

2. I've heard that you've got some big plans for the rest of the year. Want to talk about that a bit?

Yeah, we are going to be recording a new album in July at the Crypt in Minneapolis. It’s cool because it’s the same spot we used during the recording of the last album. We are all excited to get back into the studio to record the new material because it is very heavy. This album will be heavier than the previous, mark my words. We’ve all grown so much as musicians through the experience of playing with Crowbar and Entombed. We are also working on a tour right now for a few week Europe tour with some killer bands for January. So, check www.themightynimbus.com.

3. How difficult is it to balance all of your endeavors?

Well, because we are all so busy with life, it is a struggle at times. But, we approached TMN with the idea we would tour 2-3x per year in America and in Europe and then spend the rest of the time writing and recording songs. All in all it is a good system. We all wish we could get out more. If we can all make a descent living at touring and playing music, we would; trust me. So, until then, we are just going to continue to play when we can and put out an album-a-year as long as someone is willing to put it out.

4. Will the Internet ever be able to replace touring as the premier way to get your name out there?

Will it or has it? I believe the “scene” has gotten to the point where people won’t come out to a show unless they know the band. So, the only way to know a band is by either word of mouth or binary code. When we were out with Entombed and Crowbar in February, a bulk of our fans said they heard us on the internet. Of course there were the ones who had never heard us and were pleasantly surprised when we played. We approached that tour as a captive audience. We had the opportunity to play to Crowbar and Entombed fans, both of which are our target audience. So, it was successful in that aspect. For a new band like us, the internet is our best friend. On the same token, however, an up and coming band cannot deny the power of a bigger tour for promotional purposes.

5. How would you feel about The Mighty Nimbus being played on popular rock radio stations?

I think everyone wants me to say, “That would suck because heavy music is meant for the underground.” BUT, I think it would be cool. We’ve been on popular radio in some major markets, especially during specialty programming. We want to be a part of the “Heavy Music Revival” which is going on. The insurgence of DOWN, COC and Clutch are all helping push our music to the masses. We want to be a part of that; we want to make our mark. I’ve read people say that we do nothing special or original and no; we don’t do anything special nor original. But, we do play our instruments which are different and original if compared to the shit that is on popular rock radio. I think people are growing tired of the nu-metal and industrial-metal bull shit. People lust for guitar solos and heavy rock & roll, that’s what TMN gives them. Call it popular; call it radio worthy; I call it rock & roll.

6. Have your musical tastes shifted as you've gotten older? If so, how?

Yea, of course. I think anyone that says they’ve been listening to the same shit for years is full of it. There are staples for me which have been around for a decade or so: Clutch, Entombed, Crowbar and Obituary to name a few. But, I’ve developed into a rock guy. I have grown to really enjoy new bands like Government Mule, Dixie Witch, Grand Magus and 2-Ton Predator. Of course the classic rock staples like Black Sabbath, Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Allman Bros, Blue Oyster Cult, Kiss, Cream, etc have been there since conception. For example, my CD changer reads: Clutch, Bob Marley, Murder Squad, Entombed and Pink Floyd.

7. Whats one movie everyone should see?

Super Troopers.

8. Give one piece of advice that people could take with them.

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning,” Albert Einstein.

9. Whats a little known fact about Minnesota?

Minnesota is well known as the “State of 10,000 Lakes.” However, Minnesota actually has 15,921 lakes which are over 10 acres. Perty freaken sweet, huh?!? Yaw, sure, ya betchya!

10. Name one album, besides your own, that you think all kids should have in their collection.

Clutch—Transnational Speedway League.

11. Final Comments.

Thanks, Bobby and www.theplaylist.net, for your time and for the interview. This is a personal invite for everyone to come and chat with us on our forums at Global Domination. This is by far the coolest band forum around. The Global Domination forums are home to Entombed, Bolt Thrower, Gorefest, Dark Funeral, The Project Hate MCMXCIX, Vicious Art, 2-Ton Predator and The Mighty Nimbus to name a few.

Cheers,

Big Andy Campbell & The Mighty Nimbus

Interviewed by RF

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