Interview -- Michael Tapson of Maintenance of Order

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Last Edit/Update
02 April, 2000

Interview Conducted by
Mike Sanparpia
in January via email, 1998 with
Michael Tapson.

M. Santarpia: Where do you reside now?

Mike Tapson: Chicago, IL.

M. Santarpia: Did you go to college? If so what was your major?

Mike Tapson: I went to NIU and have my degree in computer science. George also has a degree from NIU. His is in design.

M. Santarpia: What bands did you like while growing up?

Mike Tapson: I was really into all types of electronic
music growing up. Depeche Mode, Erasure, Front 242, Nitzer Ebb, etc.

M. Santarpia: What bands do you like now/dislike?

Mike Tapson: There are a lot of bands that I really like now and it ranges from Morphine to Autechre. Some of the things I'm listening to right now are Aphex Twin (Come to Daddy), Crystal Method, and 16 Volt (Skin). As for [dislike] : I really can't stand what I'm hearing on mainstream radio today. It all sounds like one big band cracker-live-hootie- wallflowers. I guess that's just the trend that the industryis following right now.

M. Santarpia: What were your influences to want to make music? What bands influenced you?

Mike Tapson: The same bands I listened to growing up were the bands that I was influenced by.

M. Santarpia: What instruments do you play if you play any? Which one(s)? which is your favorite?

Mike Tapson: I grew up playing guitar. I started when I was 9. At that time, all I could jam to were some sweet ACDClicks and Van Halen. This wasn't the kind of music I liked so I bought a keyboard and started playing that when I was 15. I was writing strictlyelectronic music for a few years and then guitar started to seep backin to my music. And that is the way it has stayed through Maintenance of Order.

M. Santarpia: What other interests do you have besides music? Do you like any other aspects of the music industry do you like?engineering or producing etc..?

Mike Tapson: I love technology. I guess that is my main interest besides music and that kind of goes hand in hand. We also own a studio in Chicago that Derek runs. I enjoy the engineering side of music but it is far from exciting.

M. Santarpia: Is there anything you would like to accomplish in the music industry that you haven't yet?

Mike Tapson: There are way too many things to speak of.

M. Santarpia: Have you played with any bands previous to this one? If so which ones?

Mike Tapson: I played in some garage bands growing up, but I think everyone who plays has been in that kind of band at some point. I was starting my own bands since I was 10. I knew 5 chords and damnit I was ready to ROCK! Some of the memorable names were Pre, Unit II, and 16-bit Revolution.

M. Santarpia: How did the band meet? And where?

Mike Tapson: Derek and I met at college and went through 2 bassists, 2 guitarists, and 5 drummers. George and Josh joinedup at NIU also and have stayed with us throughout. Luke Smith, our drummer,
has only been with us for about 4 months.

M. Santarpia: Why did you choose your name? What does it mean? Did you have any other names in mind before choosing this one?

Mike Tapson: Actually, I was looking for a name for my newest project and one of my friends mentioned the name Maintenance of Order. He said that he learned it in sociology. It means Government intervention to prevent rioting. It has stuck ever since then.

M. Santarpia: Do you have any other albums that were releases on other labels? Or is the one you are on currently your first?

Mike Tapson: We are currently independent. We have had numerous offers, but none that we thought were worth it. We are in a situation were we can afford not to sign. We have the studio and Entropy Multimedia to keep us fed. Being independent keeps the music pure, and un-produced. I guess that could be a bad a downside too, depending on how you look at it. <lol>

M. Santarpia: How long did it take to record the album? Which is your favorite song on the album? Why? Is that also your favoritesong to perform live? if no then which one?

Mike Tapson: It took about a year and a half to record the album with Ethan Novak and Jamie Duffy of Acumen Nation helping us out. My favorite song to listen to and playing live changes weekly, right now it's 150 MPH.

M. Santarpia: What equipment do you use?

Mike Tapson: Lots, and lots of equipment. Mainly the Ensoniq ASR-10, NordLead, Korg Prophecy, and Emu ESi-32.

M. Santarpia: What equipment do you use live?

Mike Tapson: Beater amplifiers, Ibanez and Washburn Guitars, the ESi-32 controlled by a Yamaha SY-22, and a sweet jazz drum kit that sparkles like the starry sky. <lol>.

M. Santarpia: Is your band on any soundtracks or compilations? If so which ones?

Mike Tapson: We are currently working on two video game projects and an HBO film for next year. We did a song last month for an Ozzy tribute CD and they didn't put it on the compilation because it wasn't "metal" enough. I guess we misunderstood the project. I thought they wanted interesting remakes of metal songs not metal remakes of metal songs. That seems kind of pointless.

M. Santarpia: Were you ever asked to do participate any [compilations]?

Mike Tapson: Some of the compilations we've turned down were the kind that you have to pay to play. I think we are beyond the point where we have to shell out bucks to be heard.

M. Santarpia: Have you made any videos?

Mike Tapson: We have made two videos. One low budget for Merry-Go-Round, and one high budget for Angry Christ. Brand X filmworks did the video for Angry Christ and it looks real nice. It needs to be re-edited before we release it but it should come out shortly after the album is released.

M. Santarpia: What is you favorite city to play? Favorite venue?

Mike Tapson: Chicago. Metro. There really isn't much competition. Metro is the best.

M. Santarpia: What bands have you toured with?

Mike Tapson: We haven't really "toured" in the traditional sense. Some of the bands we have played with: Diatribe, 16 Volt, Acumen Nation, Sister Soleil, Evil Mothers, 20 Dead Flower Children. To mention a few.

M. Santarpia: Which was your favorite band to tour with?

Mike Tapson: We love Acumen Nation. They are the coolest.

M. Santarpia: What is in the future for your band? When can we expect to see another album?

Mike Tapson: You will definitely see another album. Hopefully very soon after the first.

M. Santarpia: What do you think about industrial music in general? Do you feel Industrial music is dead? Do you see a future for industrial music? Do you see it becoming more popular? Do you feel industrial music as a whole is recognized by the music industry?

Mike Tapson: The industrial of old is dead. I hate to say it but the Goth/Industrial sounds of the 90's will never emerge to the mainstream. I really don't know the future of industrial.

M. Santarpia: What do you think about the "mainstream" bands like NIN, Marilyn Manson, Filter, Gravity Kills and Stabbing Westward?

Mike Tapson: I think that all of those bands made the break for a reason, they are good. Except for Manson, they just made it because they are shocking. I think too many "industrial fans" shun those bands simply because they are mainstream.

M. Santarpia: What do you think about MTV and the music award shows?

Mike Tapson: I don't watch Mtv.

M. Santarpia: Is there anything you would like to add to any of your fans or future fans who might be reading this?

Mike Tapson: Watch for the new album "System" and some remixes for the band Luxt on their upcoming release on 21st Circuitry. We love you guys. Thanks.