Meaxic
Jersey City, New Jersey, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014
Music
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Progressive metal band Meaxic recently released a new single, “On Instinct,” from their upcoming EP, Synergy. The New York-based band has received airplay on Metal Express Radio, Cyanide Radio, Bullspike Radio, and other popular stations, and consistently plays in venues across the city. Meaxic is currently wrapping up their debut EP, which is expected to drop this spring. Learn more about this unique group in “The Questionnaire.”
Where did the band members grow up and where do you currently live?
Sudeip Ghosh (guitar): I grew up in Bombay, India and settled in New Jersey.
Nick Johnson (bass): I grew up in Newport News, VA, and moved to New York City in 2010 to work my Masters degree at NYU. I am currently living in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
Jeet Suresh Paul (vocals/guitar): Long story short, born in India, went to Ireland when I was two, moved to England at around six, moved back to India at 12 and came to the US at 24.
How did you get your stage name?
JSP: I just wanted something abstract and original. Something that wouldn't predefine the music we made. When I think about it now, I like how we'll get to define the meaning of this “word” Meaxic as our music and career grows.
SG: I thought the Jedi Counsel appointed the name...
What was your first gig?
JSP: I started performing live with my guitar, a mic and a laptop full of backing tracks. The first time I played under the name “Meaxic” was at this mall in India right before I came to the US. I was opening for some local acts. First solo show in the US was at the Trash Bar, 2012.
SG: I played with Jeet for the first time at the Lit Lounge bar, NYC in mid-February.
NJ: I joined these guys the following month at Desmond's Tavern, NYC.
JSP: It took us a while to find each other, but by Fall 2014, we had our first gig with a full lineup.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
JSP: Metallica, Periphery, Alter Bridge, Dream Theater, Breaking Benjamin.
SG: Dream Theater, Megadeth, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson and Yanni.
NJ: Mudvayne, Dream Theater, Periphery, Vertical Horizon, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jaco Pastorius, Jonas Hellborg.
What has been your biggest professional challenge?
NJ: My constant thirst for knowledge and new experiences, musically or otherwise, can definitely distract me from the projects I'm currently involved with. The challenge for me is continuing to find new ways to express myself, and to not get bored with what I'm already doing.
SG: Trying to give sufficient time to all my side projects.
JSP: Managing a band.
What do you like about the current state of progressive rock?
NJ: I like how the progressive rock scene is still finding ways to be relevant and intriguing to their younger fans. Having easy access to any music they want encourages them to have eclectic tastes, and that keeps the progressive bands writing music that brings them back. Also, I like how progressive rock doesn't seem to be as underground, or the word “progressive” isn't a dirty word, as it once was.
SG: People have warmed up to social media. YouTube and Facebook are helping little bands come to the limelight. Artists are endorsing all kinds of Guitars, Pedals, Amplifiers. This has put good sound within the reach of even musicians just starting out. Progressive Rock has its own technical challenges but has suddenly become the Working Man's music. I think it will only go forward from here.
JSP: It's definitely hitting a wider audience these days. Some might even say it's getting oversaturated. But honestly, I'm fine with oversaturation.
What are you not feeling regarding the current state of progressive rock?
SG: Mainstream media should start promoting progressive rock. It’s in the natural order of things. It’s an art that should be considered seriously and embraced with an open mind. It’s both entertaining and challenging. It has the ability to embrace world music and showcase it as part of its repertoire.
JSP: I guess I'd like it if Prog music was in the limelight too. But at the same time, that's kind of what makes it special and personal.
What do you love about New York?
JSP: The diversity in culture and the amount of live music that's accessible. Really amazing.
NJ: I love that, even though I've been here for nearly five years, there is still so much that I've yet to do and see – that there are so many opportunities that still await me here.
SG: The New York subway is so much better than the New Jersey PATH
What are you currently working on?
JSP: With the release of our EP, Synergy, we're focusing on playing the local scene more and strengthening our live gigs. We will play out of state once in a while though.
SG: I've been putting some riffs down. Fingers crossed they'll make it into the Meaxic catalog down the line. - Brownie Marie
"The New York outfit puts together a refreshing blend of rock and metal with a progressive sensibility" - xFiruath
"Meaxic have a rare and individual sound and I for one am highly anticipating the release of the EP ‘Synergy’ and await more from this great new band" - Leeann Dare
"Intriguing prog-metal delivered with passionate, masculine voice, breathtaking guitar-work — and an arrangement so fascinating that it will shake your curiosity-nerve fibres into action" - Neil Mach
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
Meaxic [May-ax-ik] is a progressive rock/metal band formed in Brooklyn, NY in 2012.
Stretching the confines of conventional rock music beyond what’s purely on the surface is an instinctive compulsion that runs deep for founder/frontman and lyricist Jeet Suresh Paul.
Despite growing up surrounded by strong societal expectations to “conform” and live a linear, predestined life, Paul was vehemently aware from an early age that forgoing passion (a career in music) for a ‘stable’ occupation was not an option he was willing to accept. In fact, since Paul’s introduction to music began at the tender age of 3, his serendipitous relationship with the art form only avalanched over time into his own personal frequency; a cathartic catalyst through which he could not only openly express but manifest his deepest self and the compulsive urge to ‘break away’ from an impending life story that was not to be his own.
Yet for Paul, it’s not only his ‘narrative’ that matters. Mesmerized by the ability to tell a story not just with words, but through non-linear, unconventional compositional structures (all elements he admires deeply in bands such as Dream Theater, Periphery, Tessarect and Metallica), Paul aims through Meaxic to “take the listener on a journey in a way that challenges them to ‘connect the dots’, form their own interpretation and open their mind to new possibilities”…just as music enabled him to.
And taking his own words to heart, it was this philosophy that compelled Paul to converge other equally ardent, creatively curious musicians who together would form the 4-piece that is Meaxic today.
Paul recruited lead guitarist Sudeip Ghosh immediately after witnessing him “shred his ass off” at a local music showcase. A session musician and film score composer/producer, Ghosh’s intricate guitar technique is equally matched by his versatility in progressive metal, rock, jazz, funk and Indian classical/folk guitar and beyond. Bassist Nick Johnson soon followed. With both electric and classical bass training, Johnson’s vast stylistic proficiencies rouse a unique interpretation of basslines, pushing the depths of Meaxic’s musical frontiers even further. Last to join the 4-piece outfit was Denis ‘Cobz’ Macabre. A staple on the NYC death/prog metal scene with previous contributions to bands such as Confusion NYC and Life Generator, Macabre’s frenetic footwork and explosive intensity are the high octane fuel that drive Meaxic’s musical potency.
In early 2015, Meaxic released their self-produced 5-song ep Synergy. Generating impressive accolade from music media including Metal Underground, Rock Industry, Metal As Religion and Dead Timez, the band followed the release with an active presence on the local performance circuit and as an opener for national touring acts like Sponge and Saving Abel.
With their unique blend of raw, technical intensity, deeply-rooted cathartisism and collective compulsion for exploring new musical terrains, Meaxic have already begun their next chapter, firmly implanting their footprint in the generation of progressive music to come.
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