by Mark Kadzielawa

Dan Mongrain is a very experienced and versatile guitar player. He is playing with his band Martyr, and currently helping out Voivod replacing the recently deceased Piggy (Denis D'Amour.) With Mongrain in the picture, Voivod is able to tour, spread Piggy's music, and attract new audiences. Mongrain is certainly a worthy replacement as Voivod is his favorite band, and he knows the material inside out. He is honored to be there, and he is the right person for the task.
Mongrain's playing certainly gave Voivod a second lease on life, and allowed the band to properly function. The guitar player is having a time of his life playing the songs he grew up with, and paying a great tribute to Piggy. Piggy was perhaps the most original player produced by the thrash metal genre, but it was his progression and the never ending quest for originality that hold him in such high regard.
Dan Mongrain explains how he answered Voivod's call, and shares his overall impression at this very difficult challenge.

How did you get involved with Voivod?
Dan Mongrain: First of all let me say that Voivod is my favorite band of all times. I remember being 11 years old and listening to Killing Technology. I didn't even play guitar at that time. I bought a guitar after I saw these guys on Music Plus (Canadian MTV), and started to play. It was Ravenous Medicine video clip they showed, and it was just awesome. I decided to play guitar at that very moment. I met Blacky in 2002, and we played together for 20th anniversary of metal in Montreal, Quebec. It was a band with Flo Mounier from Cryptopsy and some local players that were known in Quebec. We played a show there and became friends. Couple of years later I was writing an album with my other band, Martyr, and we decided to do a Voivod cover of Brain Scan, and we invited Blacky to play on it. Around the same time, Piggy got sick and passed away. Our album was finished. We decided to do that song live as a tribute to Piggy. In fact, we played with Blacky at another festival, and we did a medley of Voivod songs. Snake and Away were in the crowd, and so was Piggy's family. We did like a 15 minute medley of Voivod's songs. I wrote an email to Away saying if he ever needed me to perform a song with them for a special event I would be very honored to do so. Couple of months later, he called me back and asked me play a show with Voivod. He told me Blacky was coming back as well, so I immediately agreed to do it. I'm honored to play with Voivod, after all I'm playing in my favorite band.
When you picked up a guitar, how influential was Piggy's playing to you?
Actually, Piggy was a big influence for me for writing music, not as much playing, but much more about his way of thinking about writing music and composition. His writing is very progressive, it was very thrash metal in the early years, then he got very progressive. He's got that Stravinsky vibe, and King Crimson, and lots of jazzy influences as well. He had keyboard chords like Emerson, Lake & Palmer in his writing instead of power chords. All in the upper register of the guitar. His writing was very unique and it's still very unique to this day. And Blacky's bass line were always so complementary to Piggy's guitar, and the drums as well. It's like every piece of the puzzle that falls in the right place. It's perfect.



When you stepped into Piggy's shoes how did you adjust your playing?
First of all I knew the songs well. I knew all the structures, and all the ideas behind the songs. The sounds and the solos were all in my head. So, it was not really hard to learn all that. Some parts were hard to figure out as to what he was doing, but I've listened to these records a lot, so I knew the songs. My playing, in my other band, Martyr, it's more like surgical and precise, very tight picking. Piggy was more loose and more laid back. I had to learn to play with Away because Away plays a lot more laid back too. It's more heavier actually because he is sitting on the beat. I had to learn to play with the guys. After a couple of rehearsals I felt more comfortable. It was more of a challenge to learn how to play with new musicians who knew each other very well.
What song or songs did you find most challenging?
That's a good question. The song that is most difficult for me to play is Missing Sequences. I have to loop on this track, and I have to time it with the drums, and do back-up vocals at the same time. It's difficult to remember the rhythm, vocal line, and playing guitar at the same time, and pushing the pedal at the right time for the loop station. It's pretty complex for sure.
When you play these songs, how much of your own style were you able to regain?
That's difficult to say. I'm not Piggy. Piggy was unique, and he was a genius at what he did. I try to play like him, but I know it's not the same in 100%. Simple because it's not the same person playing. I try to play the right notes, but I still have my personality in it. You see, I play in many bands. I played in about 70 bands in my life. I've done everything from reggae to hip hop to metal, even country and pop. I had to learn how to play all of these styles. It's like being an actor really. It's like when an actor is doing comedy, and after that he plays a drama part. He has to adjust to everything he does. I had to adjust to play with Voivod. So, I adjust my playing to the situation or to the song. I do whatever the song demands.
How are the fans responding to the new face of Voivod?
They are pretty excited about seeing Voivod back with Blacky and Snake and Away. They are very excited to hear the old songs. The crowds are really kind to me, and show me great respect. They tell me that they like what see and hear on stage. They are glad Voivod is back on the road, and they are very happy about it.



Do you see yourself writing new music with Voivod?
I would give it a try, but it's not my decision to make. We'll see in the future. It's a day by day thing for now. We're touring and playing shows, and we are enjoying it very much. If we can try something, and the guys are willing to go for it I would be very open to that. And if nothing will happen, I'm OK with that too. I don't want to force things. I feel it will come naturally when the need is there.
Finally, did you ever expect to find yourself in this situation?
No, I honestly wish Piggy was still there, and me in the crowd watching the band live. After Eric Forrest left Voivod and Snake came back. I remember calling Piggy on the phone and asking if they needed a bass player. He didn't know me of course, and I was calling about an audition out of nowhere. He told me not to call this number again (laughter.) That was funny actually. Honestly, I never imagined what I'm doing now would be possible. I'm sad it is possible because of a loss, but I'm honored to play this music, and I'm honored to play Piggy's parts. And as long as they need me I'll be there.

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/danielmongrain