The Obelisk Questionnaire: Michael Smario of Monster God
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Michael Smario of Monster God
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I love this question because this has been up for debate for some time. Not a huge fan of “genre” labels or categories. Monster God the band started with Kyuss and “stoner” metal as its main influence then morphed into something completely different. My writing style incorporates a lot of different styles from Doom to Stoner to bands like Neurosis who is a huge influence for me. It all comes full circle though because I feel like everything all comes back to Black Sabbath lol. All three of us grew up in the heyday of the bay area California metal scene. Our bass player Mike Kauffman was the founding member of the thrash band Defiance and our drummer Karl and me played in a band called Inhalent with Harald O (now former D.R.I. bassist) all throughout the ’90s. Karl and myself after a 10-year hiatus decided to start playing music together again in like 2017 and Monster God formed from that past relationship.
Describe your first musical memory.
Honestly, I think KISS was the first band I really fell in love with. One of my father’s employees handed me the dressed to kill album when I was like 6 and it was all downhill from there! After that Black Sabbath, AC/DC then on into Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Scorpions etc. When I heard Accept Fast as a Shark that blew me away then I heard Kill Em All from Metallica and that was that. I took drum lessons early on because I loved Peter Criss then that led into playing guitar when I was like 12 I think.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
The first thing that came to mind when I read this was seeing KISS in 1979. Feeling the heat from the flames and that stage show had a huge affect on me.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
I was raised Lutheran, went to Sunday school, and took communion and all that jazz. I had a good friend of mine; really cool guy and he was Jewish. One time in Sunday school, I asked the Pastor, “I have a friend who is Jewish, since he does not accept Jesus as his lord what will happen to him when he dies?” The Pastor said straight up, “unless he accepts Jesus as his lord and savior he was going to hell.” It was at that very moment I decided the whole religion thing was not for me and shattered a lot of what I thought were truths.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
Enlightenment. Release. Evolution in ideas and thoughts. Growth as a person.
How do you define success?
Waking up on this side of the dirt lol. I battle with depression so getting through the day with a smile is success for me. Enjoying time with the people I love. Musical success? I have already achieved what I consider success, I play music and recorded music. I never wanted to make money or be famous doing this, seemed too far out of reach, especially at my age now!
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
When I was younger, I drove tow truck for a company for while and we had the fatality contract. Basically, if there was a car accident and someone was killed, we had to do the tow. Seen a few dead bodies but one in particular sticks out. An entire family was hit on the interstate, Mom, Dad and two small children in car seats. The car burst into flames, and they were all burned to a crisp. I had to hook up that car with the bodies still inside and get the car to the side of the road where they could tarp it off the do the body extractions. Seeing those kids burned up was really hard and stuck with me.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
I have always wanted to write and record an acoustic solo album and let that side of my creativity flow.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
Sanity. Music – listening to and playing music, that’s my safe space. Creating and fostering emotions, good and bad. Visual art as well, but music is really my form of expression as well as my release and escape from depression. When I am really feeling down though the number one rule is “DO NOT listen to Alice in Chains Dirt,” that album can send my into a spiral emotional because it is so fucking raw. Down in Hole, Rain when I Die, man those songs hurt to listen to now. Masterpiece of pain and struggle right there.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Watching my boys grow up. Waking up tomorrow! lol
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