The University News had a chance to talk to the creative mind behind Master Slash Slave, Matt Jones, before the band’s show Wednesday, Sep. 24, at The Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center. The San Francisco duo use synthesizers to complement the drums and guitar in their catchy pop-rock songs. Jones, a veteran of several bands, formed Master Slash Slave three years ago and has released two singles. Currently, he is putting finishing touches on the band’s first full-length album.

You seem to have gone through a lot of drummers.

Yeah, there have been seven different drummers total, it just been coincidence. First there was a legal issue, the next one went to be a lawyer, the guy after that left because of creative differences, one guy didn’t want to tour and the last drummer broke his wrist.

You balance work as a professional musician with a day job. How?

For the last three years I have taken three-week periods off work to tour twice a year. I went to junior college for a bit but then I found this job at Pirate Press, a vinyl record publisher. Not to discourage anyone else, but [leaving school] was the best decision I’ve made.

How did you get interested in music?

When I was 8, I remember getting my first CD: Faith No More’s The Real Thing. I started playing guitar at 10 and formed a band with my friends two years later.

I have heard vinyl records are making a comeback.

Yeah, we recently did the albums for Madonna, Slayer and My Chemical Romance. We also do work for smaller artists. Pirate Press is going to print Master Slash Slave’s first full album. I don’t have many CDs made because the album comes with a digital copy for iTunes.

Have you met any famous musicians?

Yeah, it was in St. Louis actually. I was in town and ended up heading to an art show and met Mark Mothersbaugh from Devo. It was pretty cool.

What is the song writing process like for you?

Sometimes ideas just pop into my head. I’ll be riding my bike and get a gist of something. Then I’ll start with a guitar part or a sequencer and build from there … I find it easy to write songs. It’s recording, publicity and fine-tuning that take lots of time.

What are your thoughts on the modern decline of CD sales?

The people who are upset are the people who think in terms of the old business model. [CDs were] a huge profit. They are not making use of [file-sharing]. Free downloads are the best way to be heard and get exposure.

Do you classify your music?

The guy who made up the term psychedelic is probably really proud of himself because that captures the feeling of [Master Slash Slave] pretty well.