SPILL FEATURE: FILTER HAS BECOME THE EXHAUST PORT FOR MY CREATIVITY – A CONVERSATION WITH FILTER’S RICHARD PATRICK

FILTER HAS BECOME THE EXHAUST PORT FOR MY CREATIVITY

A CONVERSATION WITH FILTER’S RICHARD PATRICK

“I don’t want a comeback” Richard Patrick exclaims, adding “This isn’t 1995, or 1999, or 2002. I’m 54-yrs-old, if nothing happens with this music, I still live a wonderful life”. Having spoken to Patrick once before in 2019, the industrial, alternative rock pioneer seems at peace with his band, his legacy, and, ultimately, his vast creativity. On the verge of releasing his latest album, The Algorithm, Patrick reflects on the making of Filter’s eighth record, his hit single “Take A Picture”, and his recent live reunion with Nine Inch Nails.

Dropping on August 25, The Algorithm is Filter’s first full length album in seven years, following 2016’s Crazy Eyes. Patrick proudly exclaims “This is the best stuff I’ve done in 20 years. I feel like I’ve outdone myself with The Algorithm, I’m really stoked with what I’ve done.” A large source of his pride comes from the fact that, for the first time ever, Patrick was the sole producer and, save a handful of co-writes, the lead songwriter on the album. He explains, “A lot of this record was me being on my own. There were no producers, it was just me doing my thing, except for songs co-written with Sam Tinnesz– he co-wrote some lyrics with me on “Obliteration” and “Burn Out The Sun”. It was collaborative, but the decisions were all made by me – not like a boss, but, you know, a boss”. Elaborating on this sense of creative freedom, he states, “I was just having a blast. There was no pressure. It was just a lot of fun… I do a lot of film scores now, where you’re beheld to the director, a producer, and a studio – Filter has become the exhaust port for my creativity, I can do whatever the fuck I want… I’m doing this because I love writing stuff for Filter. It’s my passion”. Bringing it back to The Algorithm, Patrick concludes, “This sounds like The Amalgamut, Title Of Record, Short Bus – I’m not fucking around, it’s very inspired.”

PURCHASE THE ALGORITHM

Looking back on Filter’s 1999 hit, “Take A Picture”, Patrick surprised listeners and his label with the song’s mellow approach that made use of pop sensibilities. He recalls, “I remember with ‘Take A Picture’, my label at the time was like ‘are you sure about take a picture?’ They had marketed us as this industrial metal band like Ministry and Nine Inch Nails, but I had this other side that was similar to U2. The record company was like ‘we’re happy you did this, but you didn’t have to write it’ but that’s a part of my soul. I wanted to make a song that sounded as good as drugs make me feel.” He adds, “The record company was like ‘we’re happy you did this, but you didn’t have to write it’ but that’s a part of my soul. I wanted to make a song that sounded as good as drugs make me feel. You have this incredibly lush, gorgeous music – that is the high – but the vocals are the reality of what’s happening to my life: I’m fucking drunk, I’m getting in trouble on airplanes, I can’t remember anything so I need you to take a picture so I can remember it later… I’m singing about the most embarrassing moments of my life, but it’s ear candy.”

CLICK FOR LARGER

More recently, Patrick reunited with Trent Reznor, live onstage at a Nine Inch Nails concert for a six-song encore – “Eraser”, “Wish”, “Sin”, “Gave Up”, “Head Like A Hole”, and Filter’s “Hey Man, Nice Shot” – in Ohio last September. Patrick, who was once a part of Nine Inch Nails from 1989 to 1993, has had a publicly tumultuous relationship with Reznor since exiting the industrial outfit. That, however, is all in the past, as Patrick happily explains, “I am eternally grateful. I’m so glad Trent and I buried the hatchet. We’ve been friends for years now… it’s all happiness and roses.” He goes on, reflecting on the live reunion, stating, “It was definitely one of the highlights of my career. It was so absolutely astonishingly amazing to feel… the fact that Trent had Nine Inch Nails literally rework “Hey Man Nice Shot”, whipping up their own version of the song, was amazing.” While he remains hopeful for a future reunion, both on stage and in the studio, Patrick is just happy enjoying his friendship with Reznor.

With a new record on the way, Filter will hit the road this August and will support Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, and Ministry on the upcoming Freaks On Parade Tour – Patrick laughs “Its called Freaks On Parade and I look like the normal one; I’m the handsome one, I guess!”. The four-band lineup will tour across North America until late September. From there, Filter is off to Europe in early 2024.

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Background Photo Credit: Chapman Baehler

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