Interview with Symphony X Bassist Mike LePond

By Mick Michaels

COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Mike! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it’s greatly appreciated.

CV: Many artists feel their shot to make a living playing music is near impossible. How do you feel the current music industry climate has impacted new, young bands and their opportunities to make a living creating and performing their music? Are there greater odds than ever before?
Mike LePond: I feel terrible for the new bands in the current music industry climate. Their chances of making a living are now far worse. In the old days we at least had record companies who could sort out the great bands from the bad ones and get them on the national stage. Now the labels are going out of business and everyone is trapped in the internet with almost no way out.

CV: How do you feel that same climate has affected seasoned, veteran bands on how they look or choose to make music today as opposed to 15 years ago? Has their ability to make a living diminished as well?
ML: The seasoned, veteran bands have also been affected negatively. Streaming services have decimated physical sales, forcing the bands to be out on the road to make up the difference. Fans only have so much money for shows, so even being on tour all the time is not helping. 

CV: Many people say that the music industry itself is beyond repair, much thanks to digital technology and the internet. But there are others who attest that the industry's greed has finally caught up to itself.  Could it be as cut and dry as one or the other...or is there another underlying reason the industry and artist are in such disarray?
ML: I don’t think it’s that cut and dry. A certain amount of blame must go to the fans for illegal downloading, but I would mostly blame the industry for not regulating itself properly. For example, if you buy a movie or video game, you can’t copy it and send it to your friends. There is no reason music can’t be regulated that way.

CV: Mike, you are known for being an incredible bass player, but you have also been credited for playing rhythm guitar on your solo band, Silent Assassins' debut album.  Many bass players originally start out in guitar.  Was this the case for you?
ML: In my case, I started on bass. Interestingly, I write primarily on guitar, so I needed to learn enough to compose songs. I am not a great lead player, but my rhythms are solid enough to record, and it was fun to actually do that with the Silent Assassins.

CV: Was your approach to playing the guitar parts on the album any different than how you approach the bass? Were the guitar rhythms designed to compliment your bass parts or vice versa?
ML: Since this was for a solo album, I wanted the bass to be very out in front of the mix, so I wanted the guitar parts simple and complimentary. I also wanted the guitar tone to be thinner so the bass would pop out that much more.

CV: Would doing more intricate and in-depth guitar work be something you would like to explore on future albums?
ML: Honestly, I don’t have enough time to practice hard enough to achieve some serious intricacy in my music. I would rather keep my solo music more bass heavy and let the guitar just be in the back.

CV: Does it benefit musicians and artist to be versatile both in styles and instrumentation? Or could having such a diverse set of tools to work with or offer get in the way of truthful creativity?
ML: In my experience, it can only benefit an artist to play multiple instruments. Different instruments will give you an option of ways to write and create. Use all the tools you have available in your musical arsenal to advance your art.

CV: Mike, in your opinion, are producers more likely to work with more versatile artists over those who may not be? Or do they look at the versatility as a possible avenue for artist confrontation and studio delays?
ML: I think a producer would rather work with an artist that is versatile. Bands and artists with versatility are much more likely to work creatively with a producer. They also tend to be more open minded. Closed minded musicians just tend to shoot themselves in the foot and write the same stuff over and over.

CV: Today, artists are expected to wear as many hats as possible aside from being songwriters: promoter, manager, booking agent, social media guru and storyteller just to name a few.  Do you feel this sort of role overload has detracted from the artist's sole purpose to create? Or does it provide a unique and enhanced viewpoint that ultimately has them reach their true musical potential?
ML: In the old days, only the young unsigned bands had to wear many hats. The bigger signed bands only had to worry about making great music and leaving everything else to the record company. Now even the “signed” bands are expected to help in the promotion. I think this cheapens their art and is creating and unhealthy entitlement relationship with the fans.

CV: Symphony X has always been grouped and or compared to Fates Warning and Dream Theater, which is great company to be in. But in my opinion, Symphony X has always been the heavier band of the three, thus, distinguishing themselves.  What do you think has been the band's formula for such fan allegiance all these years? Is it more than just the music?
ML: We were always lumped in with all the prog metal bands of our time because there wasn’t much else to compare us to. We don’t sound like any of them bands. We like much heavier stuff. We have a cult following because of our musical integrity. Our fans will wait years for a new album because they know it will not have any filler material. Quality above quantity always.

CV: Symphony X recently completed a European tour and has a Latin American tour coming right on its heels.  Mike, how does it feel to be back out performing with the band? Is there a renewed energy?
ML: This was our first tour since 2016, so we were really happy to get out and play again. We sounded phenomenal and the fans were psyched to have us back. We have a renewed energy and are looking forward to doing more stuff next year.

CV: Any plans for a new Symphony X album in the near future?
ML: We have been talking about a new record and I think that will be something to look forward to in the near future.

CV: "Pawn and Prophecy" was awarded Rock Solid Pressure's Album of the Year for 2018.  How does that translate to the next album...what level of confidence does such an accolade bring to future songwriting? Does it create any pressure?
ML: I feel so happy and blessed to have gotten that award. To have my music appreciated by others is better than anything to me. Rather than put pressure on me, it inspires me to keep my solo project alive and going. Thank you to everyone for their support.

CV: In May you signed a new deal with Metal Bastard Enterprises for the release of the next Silent Assassins' album. What can fans expect from the new album?
ML: Yes, I’m so excited to be working with Metal Bastard! I am in the process of recording the new album now and it will be released next year. The style will be the same as the first two: Classic Heavy Metal with some folky, Celtic things thrown in.

CV: Mike, what's one piece of advice you would give to a young artist just starting out?
ML: My advice is to be patient. The music business is extremely difficult with many ups and downs. People will try to talk you out of it but don’t listen to them. Follow your heart and see it through to the end. Learn from the greats and aspire to be like them. If you do that, you will have no regrets.

CV: What's next for you?
ML: I am probably the busiest bass player in Metal, so there is always something going on. Presently, I’m in the middle of recording the next “Silent Assassins”…I am tracking bass for the next “Death Dealer” record…I’m writing songs with “Ross the Boss”, and of course preparing to play South America with Symphony X.

CV: Thank you again Mike for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. I wish you all the best and continued success.

ML: Thank you for the well thought out and intelligent questions. All the best to you and your readers.

Check out Mike at:

Silent Assassins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikelepondssilentassassins/
Symphony X Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/symphonyx/

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word.  Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.

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