Songs to Live By: Polyphia’s Clay Gober

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Texan progressive-metal crew Polyphia do not give a fuck. Unrepentant smartasses, they’ll troll anyone: haters, lovers, Ronnie Radke, their own fans. Tongue-in-cheek hypebeasts, they regularly wear the most ridiculous streetwear imaginable and pose for band photos like they’re rappers. Instrumental virtuosos, they shred like nobody’s business — just crank up their latest album, 2018’s New Levels New Devils, which incorporates elements of pop, EDM, funk and more into the group’s sound. Considering the aural and emotional scope of his band’s new offerings, we caught up with Polyphia’s Clay Gober to find out what music he listens to for every mood. Read on to find out the songs that the bass player turns to when shaking off the morning grogginess, looking for a pick-me-up and more.

WHEN I’M PISSED OFF:
PANTERA – “STRENGTH BEYOND STRENGTH”

Anything on the Far Beyond Driven album just pisses me off and gives me a good buzz. That super trippy-ass part a minute in gives me chills.

WHEN I’M FEELING DEPRESSED:
FRANK OCEAN

I don’t really listen to music when I’m depressed. If I do for some reason, it’s probably Frank Ocean, which would probably make me more depressed.

WHEN I GET UP IN THE MORNING:
PANTERA – “25 YEARS”

I hate to throw out another Pantera song, but definitely “25 Years.” Scott got me into that song a couple of years ago and it just amps me up to fuck life in the ass.

WHEN I GO TO BED:
KENDRICK LAMAR – “GOOD KID, M.A.A.D CITY”

Anything off of good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar. That whole album has such a dreamy vibe to it that just makes me feel really comfortable. Definitely an album I’ve jammed driving around at night with the windows down.

WHEN I’M HUNGOVER:
WU-TANG – “C.R.E.A.M.”

“C.R.E.A.M.” by Wu-Tang. That and some Cracker Barrell.

WHEN I’M GETTING ON:
DRAKE – “NOVEMBER 18TH”

SONG I MOST WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR:
POLYPHIA – ANYTHING OFF NEW LEVELS NEW DEVILS

I don’t know if I have the capacity to put all of the others on the chopping block, but definitely anything off our newest album. But you always want to be remembered for your most recent work, I feel like.

SONG I WISH I WROTE:
VULFPECK – “DEAN TOWN”

Joe Dart is just a fucking madman. A madman. Big respect for that guy.

SONG I WANT PLAYED AT MY FUNERAL:
NO COUNTRY MUSIC

Just don’t play country at my funeral. I won’t be there so it honestly makes no difference to me one way or the other, but just don’t play fucking country please.