Interview: Upgrade

by Suzanne Baran
27 August 2007

A couple of weeks ago, I met with one of the best local bands I have heard in since I’ve been living in Los Angeles. Prog-rock band UPGRADE have boldly gone where other bands in their fortunate position might not have dared. They’ve been courted by record execs, but have decided to wait for a deal that won’t force them to compromise their sound.

In a bar blasting cheesy ‘80s music, I sat down with vocalist MICHAEL PICKLE, drummer/multi-instrumentalist MARCOS LARA, and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist JAIME RODRIGUEZ. The band’s bassist NELSON LEAL and other guitarist FERNANDO LARA—bother of the drummer—could not attend. But Fernando had a good excuse: he’s an Emergency Medical Technician who was on call.

The band was formed ten years ago by the Lara brothers who added Mississippi-born vocalist Michael Pickle—who assured me his name is spelled like the gherkin.

Upgrade’s music evokes an unpredictability of musical direction, the core characteristic for progressive music. But they add an old-school ‘90s metal twist.

Just like their name, Upgrade is ready to take their sound to the next level. But it’s rough in this current age, especially when experimenting with heavy sounds and guitar work infused with guttural vocals. But that’s just one side. Coupled with soft sentimental lyrics, Upgrade songs often lull the listener into two divergent yet symbiotic spheres of being.

So why did you guys turn down a record deal?

PICKLE: A guy from MTV approached us, he wanted to change our sound to keep at one style. But we’re original and this makes us less marketable for record companies. We can have more fans doing it our way, too. Just as TOOL began with word of mouth to get people to their shows, experience is what makes you successful. We try to just find people and inspire them, the way I’ve been inspired. Never concede defeat.

If you could meet any musician whom would it be?

RODRIGEZ: ADAM JONES and TRENT REZNOR.

PICKLE: BJORK, I have listened to her since 1983, and MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN of TOOL.

LARA: VINNIE PAUL and the late “DIMEBAG” DARRELL of PANTERA.

How did you come to sing with such diverse vocals—they range from heavy to mellow?

PICKLE: I was a karaoke DJ and learned to build diversity into my voice. People would actually request songs from me to sing, and this gave me more fine tuning. They didn’t want to sing the songs themselves, they wanted to hear me.

What are the bulk of your songs about?

PICKLE: Social commentary, spirituality, being haunted by internal demons, dark themes, and catharsis. I write all of the lyrics and it helps me feel fulfilled. If some thought doesn’t tear me apart while I’m writing lyrics, then I don’t write it down. I live inside my own mind.

Who are your musical influences?

LARA: NIRVANA, the grunge scene, THE BEATLES, PANTERA, METALLICA, PINK FLOYD, and ERIC CLAPTON.

RODRIGUEZ: THE BRONX TOOL and THRICE.

PICKLE: JIM MORRISON, MR. BUNGLE and FAITH NO MORE.

Where do you see yourselves in five years?

RODRIGUEZ: A place I can say I am proud of what we’re doing.

PICKLE: I want to play without a day job (he’s a designer at a furniture store which caters to celebrities), to create and perform.

LARA: To quit my job and play music, tour, show the world what I have. I’m taking classes in engineering, but I don’t want it to be my full-time job.

How do you keep persevering—prog-rock and your harder sound is not as popular as it once was?

PICKLE: I started meditating years ago, and then I found the band. Creative visualization and meditation have helped me get to where I am now and stay true to my art without compromising for money.

You’ve had some impressive gigs at The Key Club, The Viper Room, The Roxy, The Whisky A-Go-Go and The Knitting Factory. How did you get those?

PICKLE: We piggybacked on the shoulders of other bands like “In This Moment” and “My Ruin” and once people heard us they were blown away.

One day smaller acts will be trying to team up with you guys, the headliners.

ALL: YEAH!

Marco, you’ve been in a serious relationship for several years, and you’re only 22. How do you keep it going?

LARA: We have boxing gloves at home! (Laughs)

If you could choose one song which embodies the band, what would that song be?

ALL: Cemetery Gates by PANTERA.

I leave you with striking lyrics, so beautifully delicate as I read them on paper. They are vocalized with an infusion of brutal intensity and drive:

Piercing is your stare
Intent to focus in now
On all the things that forced your
Spirit to die ‘cause
Constant is the onslaught
Infinite are the obstacles

Filed under prog hard rock