An instrumental juggernaut. That is just one of the many adjectives used to describe the sonic vibe of Miami-based duo Fight Like Animals. The duo, comprised of producer/ guitarist Brett Flaherty and primary songwriter/ guitarist Rostislav (Steve) Vaynshtok, layer an arrangement of beats and synthesizers with rhythmic guitar riffs, which is the signature sound of Fight Like Animals. The group’s debut EP, In The Company of Monsters, was released on May 2 and is available at all major digital retailers. I spoke with Vaynshtok about the band’s interesting name, what makes them unique and what their plans are for the future.

Neil de la Flor: Why the name Fight Like Animals?

Steve Vaynshtok: The name came from a great painting I saw of two men with animal heads who were fighting to the death. They were chained together at the neck, and it just seemed like a great allegory to modern man and his struggles. It pretty much summed up envy, war, hate and personal battles, at least to me.

ND: Incredible image. What makes Fight Like Animals distinct from other instrumental indie rock bands?

SV: We are influenced by the greats, like Zombi, Ratatat, Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky, Japandi, This Will Destroy You, Grails, Shellac, Stage Kids. We take all that and we try to make it better. I take certain aspects of each and mash them up, but with my own writing style and my own skill set. Brett brings in the skills and techniques that I may not have, and I bring in the strange writing style he may not have. It just works. I like to think what sets us apart is we’re the next step in the evolution of bands like that. In the ’90s you had Mogwai, in the ’00s you had Explosions in the Sky and Ratatat, and now I’m hoping for the ’10s (and a long while after) you’ll have Fight Like Animals.

ND: Fight Like Animal’s sound has been described as an “an instrumental juggernaut” and “an unlikely mash up of Ratatat, Explosions in the Sky and Joe Satriani.” But how would you describe the band?

SV: I like to think of it as my passion, but through sound. I like to describe the music as the deepest connection I can have with anyone, because when they listen, they get the whole spectrum of my emotions through the music. Love, hate, anguish, pain, joy, rapture, desire, despair, complacency, contempt. Everything. The songs soar between feelings, and that’s why passion is such a good word to describe them.

ND: Tell us about Fight Like Animals debut EP, In The Company of Monsters.

SV: It’s the first official debut of Fight Like Animals, but Brett and I are definitely raising the bar from here on in. I’m absolutely proud of every song that’s on that EP, but that’s the first level of Fight Like Animals. With every new song, every new album, I hope to advance. I don’t want to be the band that comes out strong with an amazing debut and then falls off, so I’m glad this EP isn’t getting a rave response. People like it, and people don’t. I’m glad. If everyone liked it, it wouldn’t be fun anymore. I’m hoping as it progresses and our catalog expands, more people will enjoy it and feel the music and the styles we explore with it. I don’t want to start big, because you fizzle out quick that way. I want to build it up into something that can’t be torn down.

ND: What are the most important elements used in the EP, and how do these elements and/or tracks feed off of each other?

SV: The elements I most enjoyed were the syncopation, accents, specific leads that highlight the rhythm and create an atmosphere. I really enjoyed the solos, too. They were very big to me, and by big I mean arena-rock big, like they just felt huge. When I play them, I feel like they climax the song. They feed off each other by setting this mood and then build upon it. The structure of the EP is so that it starts out heavy, builds into something steady and then completely breaks away by the end and explodes into chaos. “A Sequence of Lights” is just the perfect song to start the EP with, and “Drywall Canyon” is the perfect song to finish it with. There’s no way to really explain it. It just works.

Listen & download Fight Like Animals here.

ND: Where will Fight Like Animals be in 10 years?

SV: Hopefully we’ll be huge. I want an insanely dedicated following. I want fans, tours, festivals, the whole shebang. I’m hungry for Grammys and film scores. In 10 years, I want to win an Oscar for best film score. I just want everything that every band aspires for, but with integrity and no vocals. To me, adding vocals to my music, just because people will find it an easier listen that way, is absolutely selling out.

ND: What is your ultimate goal/dream for the band?

SV: Probably to be the biggest band ever— and not based on hype or anything, just the music and the ethos of work, work, work. I want to tour extensively. I want to play so many shows that everyone will know our name. I want that phone call from Jay-Z with him telling me, “I see you.” That’d be cool. I’d also like to work with Ratatat, Zombi, Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky in some capacity.

ND: What’s next?

SV: Just keep playing shows. I’m working on new music now, and it’s just going to be enormous. I’m going for a big sound. I want the new stuff to be so full and comprised of so many different elements that it just invades the soul. We’re also getting ready to play with The Memorials, which is Thomas Pridgen’s new band, at Eve on May 28. And then we’ve got a little something we’re putting together at Transit Lounge on June 16.

Event Information: Fight Like Animals, May 28, 2011, 10 p.m., Tickets $10 advance purchase, $15 at the door. Eve, Downtown Miami, 1306 N. Miami Ave.; 305.995.5050. Ticket and venue information: http://www.miamieve.com/slider/the-memorials-ex-mars-volta/. Fight Like Animals Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fight-Like-Animals/219939911349480.