If this is what the coming plague is going to sound like grab yer shit and run like fucking hell. This is the debut CD from Louisiana's Black Market Ministry and is also the debut from their record label, Leaf Lust Records. If this album is a sign of things to come from this band prepare for lots more sludgey goodness and world fucking domination.
It starts off with a nice ring of feedback and it take off from there. A mix of slow and muddy riffs with some pretty fucking tortured vocals, killer drums and amazing sounding bass.
Fans of Eyehategod (or any of the slew of bands from the southern part of the country that seem to do this kind of stuff better than anyone else) this is a sure treat. There are faster punkesque parts that lead into all out sludge meltdowns. The riffs are thick and heavy, the recording is fucking top notch and the cover is pretty fucking sweet.
This band and this CD are the real fucking deal.
There seems to be a good amount of bands doing doom/sludge coming out that do it very well and these fucking guys are right there at the top of my list. Of course when it comes to sludge, doom, filth or whatever ya wanna call it, the best place to turn is Louisiana. Must be something in the swamp water that makes it way more pissed, devestating and violence inducing than anywhere else. If you don't feel the need to launch a brick at someones head while listening to this you need to be checked for a pulse.
This is just how this motherfucker right here likes his music...Filthy, miserable, heavy, loud and violent as shit.
Again (and I can't stress enough) if you are into doom metal then this CD is a must. Sleeping on this band would make it suck to be you.
http://www.myspace.com/blackmarketministry
http://www.leaflustrecords.org
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Devil and the Sea-Heart Vs. Spine review
Holy fucking hell is this shit heavy. Wandering across the doom metal landscape is getting to be such a treat lately with bands like this coming along.
These guys are a three piece band from Louisiana but you'd think there were like 8 guitars and 5 or 6 basses due to the extreme heaviness of this. They blend together (and very well I might add) sludgey low end sounds with experimental (at times) noise fests that fit like a glove.
I can't really grab a handful of bands to compare them to but if you are into Neurosis with less of the beauty and a touch more filth then this is right up your alley.
There are 7 songs on this beast of a CD. Highlights are Monolith which kicks off with an awesome sounding drum and guitar combo, Tea Pinky which has two of the best riffs I have ever heard (and back to back, mind you) and the 14 minute plus title track (Heart Vs. Spine) which is just as devestating as it gets.
They write super good and catchy doom riffs and just batter your eardrums from start to finish. Saw them live recently and you wouldn't believe me if I told you how goddamn heavy they are live.
Any fans of doom metal, sludge or just fucking sick as hell music done exactly the right way need to get this.
http://www.myspace.com/devilandthesea
These guys are a three piece band from Louisiana but you'd think there were like 8 guitars and 5 or 6 basses due to the extreme heaviness of this. They blend together (and very well I might add) sludgey low end sounds with experimental (at times) noise fests that fit like a glove.
I can't really grab a handful of bands to compare them to but if you are into Neurosis with less of the beauty and a touch more filth then this is right up your alley.
There are 7 songs on this beast of a CD. Highlights are Monolith which kicks off with an awesome sounding drum and guitar combo, Tea Pinky which has two of the best riffs I have ever heard (and back to back, mind you) and the 14 minute plus title track (Heart Vs. Spine) which is just as devestating as it gets.
They write super good and catchy doom riffs and just batter your eardrums from start to finish. Saw them live recently and you wouldn't believe me if I told you how goddamn heavy they are live.
Any fans of doom metal, sludge or just fucking sick as hell music done exactly the right way need to get this.
http://www.myspace.com/devilandthesea
Monday, February 23, 2009
Interview with Sonorous Gale
First off, how has life been treating you?
S: Good. A little stressed putting out our record and I'm fairly sure my van is pissed off at me. Other than that, good.
A: Well. I’m getting to play lots of music and the record we’ve been sitting on for a year is finally about to be released.
When did Sonorous Gale start? Who all is in the band and give a little dirt on how it all came to be?
S: SG initially started in either late '04 or early '05. Aaron Weese and I (Steve Kerfien) were jamming in my apartment after both of our previous bands died off (Abusing the Word and Robot Has Werewolf Hand respectively). I had gone through 2 or 3 previous attempts, with different notable Buffalo musicians, at starting a new band prior to this but as most bands do these attempts failed. The initial attempt at SG was a failure of sorts as well. The original idea didn't have us as a 2 piece. We were supposed to be a solid bass/drum foundation for a lead organ or guitar. We had a group of 5 songs all written and recorded with this in mind we just couldn't find someone either we deemed a good fit or interested. After 8 months or so of waiting for this 3rd party we decided to scrap the idea. A few month went by and Aaron called me in midwinter '05/'06 asking if I was up for giving it another shot only this time just the two of us. Obviously I was game and a few hours later I had a tape with some bass riffs on it in my mailbox.
What exactly is a Sonorous Gale?
A: Literally translated “sonorous” means a large musical sound. And “gale” is a wind ranging from a breeze to a hurricane. So together I guess it would be a large musical wind. Seeing as though we go from thunderously loud to whisper quiet it seemed to fit.
S: According to the internet it comes from the vagina?!
I love the sound of just bass and drums. Is it tough writing songs that way though? Any specific reason for no guitar?
A: It’s like any limitation: it pushes you to be creative and make the best out of what you have. We enjoy the challenge and I think it’s allowed us to indulge our already exuberant individual styles. As for guitar, we would have liked to have a guitar player but it’s difficult to find someone who’s not rhythm-based who also isn’t a total wanker.
S: From a drumming standpoint I usually add my parts based off from the inspiration of the main riff so there really hasn't been much if a change in the way I approach the writing. It's understood between us that we each comprise 50% of what people are hearing instrument wise so we step up our game accordingly. Tasteful is a word I like to throw around when I describe proper drumming but to be honest I wouldn't be able to tell if I was being tasteful or not. I guess that's were being able to take criticism comes in.When it comes to lyrics what are some of the themes you write about?
A: Guns, sex, and money son. But beyond that the lyrics are a bit diverse. I try to encapsulate experiences into songs and also try to put enough abstract ideas next to each other that they might take on a life of their own. Some theme’s we’ve hit on in the past are the generation gap, the trials of being honest, embracing obscurity, and the farce of competition.
Tell folks a little about the new LP. When is it out, whats it called and how can they go about getting it? I highly recommend everyone get a copy.
S: Like many things there's a long and short story to it. To go super short on the whole ordeal we recorded these songs initially as a means not to lose the work we had put into them - as in the band was going to be no more. After logging some time in the recording process and some other personal details it looked as though the end was not as certain as once thought. It then transformed from a personal demo to a LP. We are releasing it on our record label 'Wrong Foot' and it's available at our release show March 21, 2009 at the Soundlab. After that we'll be working on getting it around to local shops and distros. To be honest this is our first barbecue with being a 'label' so I'm guessing our dedication to playing shows out of town will be the main distro.
A: The record’s called “Two’s a Crowd”. It’s coming out on white vinyl and I can honestly say that I’m pleased with the results. It’s damn near impossible to capture a bands live energy on a recording but I feel this is the closest we’ve come so far.
Chicken wings and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Great combination or asking for trouble?
A: I fully endorse greasy food and cheap booze being enjoyed together or separately.
S: Manageable risk.
What are some of your thoughts on Buffalo's music? Some of your favorite bands?
A: Buffalo only sucks if you like shitty music. I love it here, all the horseshit that tends to flood major cites is practically nonexistent in Buffalo. There are too many good bands to mention them all but: Plates, Brown Sugar, and Able Danger are making great punk rock. Trystero and Cages are nurturing their artistic side without losing their edge. Corpus Dei, Into Ruin, Gas Chamber, and Hyperion Blast are keeping it brutal. Lemuria, La Cacaouette and Unwlecome Guests are on the indie side but still rock hard. Jim Colby and Nick Gordon are both solid singer songwriters. And there is even a local comedian named Ben Verbeck who performs at shows from time to time.
S: Needs more keg parties.
There seems to be a ton of styles throughout the city. Does that seem to divide things up a lot or do people more embrace the differences and try to grow as one big scene?
A: It’s small enough here so that a big scene of a particular style doesn’t dominate. Almost every Buffalo band that I know of has their own thing going on and is willing to play with each other. A lot of the folks who are in bands have been doing it for a while and still come out to shows and support each other bands. I think most of the people who come out to shows in Buffalo have pretty diverse taste and are just looking to hang out and hear something with some substance.
S: I'm a firm believer in quality. I believe quality trumps ones inability to accept something new, if there is a problem, or lack of exposure. SG isn't easily pigeon holed for better or worse so we've been bouncing in and out of scenes both in and out of Buffalo. We try to bring quality and solid execution to what we do in hopes that it may transcend any preconceived notions of what or who we are.
Peace bridge. Eyesore or who really cares?
S: It's easy to get to since Aaron and I both live downtown.
A: Just build the new fucking bridge and get it over with.
What are some bands you are personally into and into as a band?
S: I guess the best way to answer this is to just list what I've been listening to lately: Big Black, Rapeman, Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu, Beach Boys, The Jesus Lizard, Radiohead, Tegan and Sara, the Archers of Loaf, and the Pixies.
A: Dillinger Four, Crappy Dracula, The Body, Leonard Cohen, Big Business, Hammerhead, Born Against, Grand Funk, Aura, Catharsis, Propagandhi, Archers of Loaf, Sabbath, Neurosis, Melvins, Torche, Hot Snakes, Preying Hands…
You guys are pretty tough to classify for me. Maybe I am just out of the loop. Describe yourselves to someone who has never heard it before. Sell the band based on words alone.
S: Loud, driving, versatile, and sweaty.A: We sound like a band that will make you more attractive to others.
Sabres or Bills?
S: Bills (big time)
A: Go Bills!
One word...Obama.
A: I really hope he doesn’t turn out to be the Antichrist.
S: If the greatest Olympian and the leader of the free world have both smoked weed what does that tell you about swimming and being president?
Whats the future hold for you guys? Is SG something you plan to do for an extended time?
A: Yeah, we’re in it for the long haul. We’re both pretty miserable unless we’re playing our instruments or working on songs. One of the benefits of being a duo is that a whole group of people doesn’t have to put their lives on hold just to make a band work. So unless something unforeseen happens we’ll keep trudging away.
S: I've never quit a band before so I'm pretty sure I don't know how. We have a set of loose goals that we have both as a band and as individuals. Some of these goals we have spoken about some we have not. I'm sure we'll continue to work towards those goals for as long as we see fit. Aaron and I both enjoy the role music plays in our lives which in may ways is what brought us together. We are both working 'professionals' with all that 401K and PTO shit so we work at our own pace doing weekends. We are about to do our first 10 day tour in what will be our 4th year of activity. The first band I was in/joined that toured & recorded was doing our first 10 day less than 4 months after I joined the band. Aaron likes to refer to us as the tortoise. Slow and steady.Any last thoughts?A: Support your local blog.
You know the drill.. Plug stuff. Shit talk. Bitch about the weather.
A: Fuck Town Ballroom security staff. They kept me form seeing Dillinger Four because I walked up to their shitty club with an ass-end can of beer in my hand. Nothing but limp dick fascists on the only power-trip they can find. Thanks…I feel better now.
Thanks a ton for taking the time to do this. Sonorous Gale is seriously the best thing going in Buffalo as far as I am concerned and I wish you guys lots of luck in the future.
A: Thank you.
S: Thanks.
S: Good. A little stressed putting out our record and I'm fairly sure my van is pissed off at me. Other than that, good.
A: Well. I’m getting to play lots of music and the record we’ve been sitting on for a year is finally about to be released.
When did Sonorous Gale start? Who all is in the band and give a little dirt on how it all came to be?
S: SG initially started in either late '04 or early '05. Aaron Weese and I (Steve Kerfien) were jamming in my apartment after both of our previous bands died off (Abusing the Word and Robot Has Werewolf Hand respectively). I had gone through 2 or 3 previous attempts, with different notable Buffalo musicians, at starting a new band prior to this but as most bands do these attempts failed. The initial attempt at SG was a failure of sorts as well. The original idea didn't have us as a 2 piece. We were supposed to be a solid bass/drum foundation for a lead organ or guitar. We had a group of 5 songs all written and recorded with this in mind we just couldn't find someone either we deemed a good fit or interested. After 8 months or so of waiting for this 3rd party we decided to scrap the idea. A few month went by and Aaron called me in midwinter '05/'06 asking if I was up for giving it another shot only this time just the two of us. Obviously I was game and a few hours later I had a tape with some bass riffs on it in my mailbox.
What exactly is a Sonorous Gale?
A: Literally translated “sonorous” means a large musical sound. And “gale” is a wind ranging from a breeze to a hurricane. So together I guess it would be a large musical wind. Seeing as though we go from thunderously loud to whisper quiet it seemed to fit.
S: According to the internet it comes from the vagina?!
I love the sound of just bass and drums. Is it tough writing songs that way though? Any specific reason for no guitar?
A: It’s like any limitation: it pushes you to be creative and make the best out of what you have. We enjoy the challenge and I think it’s allowed us to indulge our already exuberant individual styles. As for guitar, we would have liked to have a guitar player but it’s difficult to find someone who’s not rhythm-based who also isn’t a total wanker.
S: From a drumming standpoint I usually add my parts based off from the inspiration of the main riff so there really hasn't been much if a change in the way I approach the writing. It's understood between us that we each comprise 50% of what people are hearing instrument wise so we step up our game accordingly. Tasteful is a word I like to throw around when I describe proper drumming but to be honest I wouldn't be able to tell if I was being tasteful or not. I guess that's were being able to take criticism comes in.When it comes to lyrics what are some of the themes you write about?
A: Guns, sex, and money son. But beyond that the lyrics are a bit diverse. I try to encapsulate experiences into songs and also try to put enough abstract ideas next to each other that they might take on a life of their own. Some theme’s we’ve hit on in the past are the generation gap, the trials of being honest, embracing obscurity, and the farce of competition.
Tell folks a little about the new LP. When is it out, whats it called and how can they go about getting it? I highly recommend everyone get a copy.
S: Like many things there's a long and short story to it. To go super short on the whole ordeal we recorded these songs initially as a means not to lose the work we had put into them - as in the band was going to be no more. After logging some time in the recording process and some other personal details it looked as though the end was not as certain as once thought. It then transformed from a personal demo to a LP. We are releasing it on our record label 'Wrong Foot' and it's available at our release show March 21, 2009 at the Soundlab. After that we'll be working on getting it around to local shops and distros. To be honest this is our first barbecue with being a 'label' so I'm guessing our dedication to playing shows out of town will be the main distro.
A: The record’s called “Two’s a Crowd”. It’s coming out on white vinyl and I can honestly say that I’m pleased with the results. It’s damn near impossible to capture a bands live energy on a recording but I feel this is the closest we’ve come so far.
Chicken wings and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Great combination or asking for trouble?
A: I fully endorse greasy food and cheap booze being enjoyed together or separately.
S: Manageable risk.
What are some of your thoughts on Buffalo's music? Some of your favorite bands?
A: Buffalo only sucks if you like shitty music. I love it here, all the horseshit that tends to flood major cites is practically nonexistent in Buffalo. There are too many good bands to mention them all but: Plates, Brown Sugar, and Able Danger are making great punk rock. Trystero and Cages are nurturing their artistic side without losing their edge. Corpus Dei, Into Ruin, Gas Chamber, and Hyperion Blast are keeping it brutal. Lemuria, La Cacaouette and Unwlecome Guests are on the indie side but still rock hard. Jim Colby and Nick Gordon are both solid singer songwriters. And there is even a local comedian named Ben Verbeck who performs at shows from time to time.
S: Needs more keg parties.
There seems to be a ton of styles throughout the city. Does that seem to divide things up a lot or do people more embrace the differences and try to grow as one big scene?
A: It’s small enough here so that a big scene of a particular style doesn’t dominate. Almost every Buffalo band that I know of has their own thing going on and is willing to play with each other. A lot of the folks who are in bands have been doing it for a while and still come out to shows and support each other bands. I think most of the people who come out to shows in Buffalo have pretty diverse taste and are just looking to hang out and hear something with some substance.
S: I'm a firm believer in quality. I believe quality trumps ones inability to accept something new, if there is a problem, or lack of exposure. SG isn't easily pigeon holed for better or worse so we've been bouncing in and out of scenes both in and out of Buffalo. We try to bring quality and solid execution to what we do in hopes that it may transcend any preconceived notions of what or who we are.
Peace bridge. Eyesore or who really cares?
S: It's easy to get to since Aaron and I both live downtown.
A: Just build the new fucking bridge and get it over with.
What are some bands you are personally into and into as a band?
S: I guess the best way to answer this is to just list what I've been listening to lately: Big Black, Rapeman, Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu, Beach Boys, The Jesus Lizard, Radiohead, Tegan and Sara, the Archers of Loaf, and the Pixies.
A: Dillinger Four, Crappy Dracula, The Body, Leonard Cohen, Big Business, Hammerhead, Born Against, Grand Funk, Aura, Catharsis, Propagandhi, Archers of Loaf, Sabbath, Neurosis, Melvins, Torche, Hot Snakes, Preying Hands…
You guys are pretty tough to classify for me. Maybe I am just out of the loop. Describe yourselves to someone who has never heard it before. Sell the band based on words alone.
S: Loud, driving, versatile, and sweaty.A: We sound like a band that will make you more attractive to others.
Sabres or Bills?
S: Bills (big time)
A: Go Bills!
One word...Obama.
A: I really hope he doesn’t turn out to be the Antichrist.
S: If the greatest Olympian and the leader of the free world have both smoked weed what does that tell you about swimming and being president?
Whats the future hold for you guys? Is SG something you plan to do for an extended time?
A: Yeah, we’re in it for the long haul. We’re both pretty miserable unless we’re playing our instruments or working on songs. One of the benefits of being a duo is that a whole group of people doesn’t have to put their lives on hold just to make a band work. So unless something unforeseen happens we’ll keep trudging away.
S: I've never quit a band before so I'm pretty sure I don't know how. We have a set of loose goals that we have both as a band and as individuals. Some of these goals we have spoken about some we have not. I'm sure we'll continue to work towards those goals for as long as we see fit. Aaron and I both enjoy the role music plays in our lives which in may ways is what brought us together. We are both working 'professionals' with all that 401K and PTO shit so we work at our own pace doing weekends. We are about to do our first 10 day tour in what will be our 4th year of activity. The first band I was in/joined that toured & recorded was doing our first 10 day less than 4 months after I joined the band. Aaron likes to refer to us as the tortoise. Slow and steady.Any last thoughts?A: Support your local blog.
You know the drill.. Plug stuff. Shit talk. Bitch about the weather.
A: Fuck Town Ballroom security staff. They kept me form seeing Dillinger Four because I walked up to their shitty club with an ass-end can of beer in my hand. Nothing but limp dick fascists on the only power-trip they can find. Thanks…I feel better now.
Thanks a ton for taking the time to do this. Sonorous Gale is seriously the best thing going in Buffalo as far as I am concerned and I wish you guys lots of luck in the future.
A: Thank you.
S: Thanks.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Interview with Uncle Bill
First off, how are things going for you guys? Life been treating ya well I hope.
Shane) Can't complain ... wait, yes I can, ha.Danny) Pretty decent, staying as busy as I can musically, trying to keep myself from getting too drunk to play.Who is in Uncle Bill and what does everyone do? S) The core of Uncle Bill consists of myself (Bass, Samples, Voices) and Danny Taylor (Guitars, Voices) but we have a sort of revolving door of good friends that contribute in a wide variety of ways from the odd percussion to chants to cracking open beer cans.
D) I'm the slacker, all I do is play the guitar, Shane takes care of everything else.How long ya been at it? S) In the grand scheme of things its been in the back of my mind for a few years but it wasn't until 2008 that we sat down and started putting all the ideas together into a (semi) cohesive package.D) Long enough to release our lp. So yeah, this shit is only gonna get better.
I have an Uncle Bill on my dad's side of the family. Where did you guys get the name from?
S) We've tried to keep this one kind of hush-hush so don't tell anyone, ha. It's actually taken from a documentary about a up and coming filmmaker thats trying to produce films on a non-existant budget. The subject of the documentary has an uncle (yep, Uncle Bill) that is this really lovable elderly guy that is inspiring in many ways and miserable at the same time which is much like what we try to convey in our music. It's sort of a shitty outlook with a silver lining peeking through, ha.
I know ya just finished the Lp and I heard it. Love it by the way. Check out the review of it at the bottom of this blog. What are the plans for it? Got anyone to press it?
S) Plans are the antithesis to what U.B. is all about, somewhat intentionally and somewhat not. We've actually had some interest from a few different labels but while they all wrote back with positive reviews the general concensus was that they were a little concerned with whether or not it was "marketable". Maybe some of the positive reviews we're starting to get will change a mind to two ... it'd be nice to get some vinyl out there but we'd put out wax cylinders at this point.
D) I just want everyone to hear it. I didn't think that many people would get it at first (which only makes it better). But so far it's had great success, people all over the world have written to share their love for the old UB! It's a great way to express more of my stoner/doom influence.Take folks through the song writing process. D) step 1. Shane does all the work step 2. Danny goes chuga chugaS) Ha, DFT's being a bit modest. Hmm, this is a tough one. To tell you the truth, I was completely at the end of my rope when the very first UB song was written. I was at the point where someone else might've driven off a steep cliff but I decided to kick out a jam instead, ha, it hurts less. It all kinda goes back to the idea that there's a silver cloud even in the worst of situations. We try to give the songs a nice flow without unnecesserily complicating things, maybe throw in a couple surprises here and there. Alot of times we'll try to think of what most bands would do and then do the complete opposite. We basically just take the song where it tells us to go.
What are some bands you guys are really into lately? Do any of them play a role in the influence on the band?
S) Personally I try to avoid listening to other "doom" oriented bands when we're writing. I'll listen to some old punk, HxC, Jazz, Hank Sr. Of course now that were done writing for a while i'm free to crank some Weedeater, Rwake, EHG, Earth, Iron Monkey, Grief and of course the new Hyperion Blast! And I don't care if we were being interviewed by fuckin' Vanity Fair I still would've mentioned HB, you guys have done an amazing job! Everything that enters our ears influences the band. Pro and con. Although we don't sound much like Sabbath at all it would be impossible not to list them as an influence.
D) Ironically enough I've been crankin some Hyperion Blast, also been listening to some Earth, OLD Fear Factory, Poison The Well of course. Not to mention I've been gettin down to some Bootsy Collins. I cant see any of those bands influencing Uncle Bill with the exception of Earth. My bad.
Up here it's all about the Buffalo Wings. Nobody anywhere else can do them right. Whats the big food there that only seems to be good there?
D) I dont know about that situation, we eat a fuckload of deer. And I likes my fuckin biscuits and gravy!
S) The only food product this area is famous for is Corn Whiskey! I ain't even gonna lie, most of the food around here (commercially) is bland as shit! To get the good stuff you gotta hit up some of these southern housewives, man o' man they can put a hurtin' on a stove! I may have to agree with Danny though, it's hard to go wrong with biscuits and gravy, ha.
You guys do Wicked Jones Vicodin too? Is that like a side project to Uncle Bill or are both bands a huge priority?
S) Danny may disagree with me here but both projects are relatively equal in my mind. They operate on different planes though. Wicked Jones Vicodin has more of a "traditional" setup in that there's one person responsible for each instrument and live shows are inevitable. U.B. on the other hand follows no particular schedule or patterns. Just let the chips fall where they may, no stresses involved. It may be a year before we put the next album out and it might be a couple months but they'll be there when you least expect it.
D) Both bands are a huge priority for me. I started WJV a couple of years ago but with all the lineup changes and shit it has taken quite some time to pull it all together. WJV will definately be a live band, a live, loud, dirty, raw, agressive, doomy live band. Personally I'd love to see an UB show in the future but I'll leave that up to Shane. I couldn't ask to be involved in any other two projects, I love this shit.Dream gig.
Pick any 5 bands from any genre and time to add onto the ultimate Uncle Bill show.
S) Ahh, good one. Off the top of my head i'd have to go with Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, G.G. Allin and "blood, guts & pussy" era Dwarves. Damn, I could keep going and i'm sure it would change by next week but that should give you an idea.
D) SLEEP, NIRVANA, ELECTRIC WIZARD, CROWBAR. JIMI HENDRIX, UNCLE BILL ... LIVE TONIGHT! SOLD OUT!!!!
How are you guys recieved in your hometown. I know personally it seems to be harder to sell a band in the town they are from for some reason.
D)We have quite a few good people here who help us out and show their support. For example there is a girl I know who works at Pizza Hut and she stuck an UB sticker on her little order booklet where she keeps the reciepts and shit. That way everyone who orders sees the sticker and asks who we are. So I can't say we haven't done okay, this just isn't the place to get famous or anything.
S) To be honest we don't promote ourselves locally AT ALL. We have some close friends that dig what we're doing and the word has kinda "eeked" out slowly from there. Just to keep things following the UB philosophy we're doing it ass backwards ... we'll hit the local market after we're famous in Haiti (much love to our "Haitian" buds in El Diablo!)
Any touring plans? The current economy really puts a halt to that for lots of bands.
S) Nah, no plans anytime soon. The economy definitely plays a big part in that. We live in the heart of Appalachia where money has been tight historically but it's worse now than ever. Our town actually has the lowest employment rate in all of Virginia. In fact that is part of the reason that we've put the album up for free download, at least for the time being. To borrow the title from the old Cheech & Chong movie ... things are tough all over.
D) Fuck the economy, even if we never go on tour I hope the shit CRASHES AND BURNS! I hope it's worse than the last depression and stops all this music downloading and shit (except for bands like us who do it out of the goodness of our black hearts). Yup I hope it all goes straight to hell and people have to start scratching and clawing to get anything they want. UB and WJV will be good soundtracks to it! And maby people will start looking for something diffrent, stray away from all this bullshit music that's out now and start looking for honesty and passion in music again. But back to the point, touring would be cool, and I'm shure as time permits one of our bands will go on tour.
What you guys paying for gass down there? Its kinda all over the place up here.
D) Its kinda all over the place up here.
S) I think it's averaging about $1.80 around here but it was down to like $1.05 a couple months back. Huge improvement from the $4.50 we were paying a year ago. Fuck gas, We're working on a car that burns politicians!
Myspace. It is a great tool and a necessary evil. When I started doing bands it was hours at the post office and costly as fuck to get shit out there in little envelopes. I like the idea of having social networks to spread a band out but it takes lots more than just sending emails. What are your thoughts on that whole thing?
S) I'm all for it. Sometimes you've gotta sort through alot of b.s. but overall it's a great way for bands and fans to keep in touch, promote shows, albums, etc. There are sooo many good bands back in the day that have lived and died on total anonimity and these sites give everyone a somewhat level playing field. If you've got something worth checkin' out people will find it.
There seems to be a huge difference in the sound of doom genre bands from the south as opposed to the north. I asked Jesse from Buzzardstein that too and he gave a slew of reasons why that make some sense. Do you think that is the case and why? I personally (and my band) being from the north draw most of our influence from southern bands.
S) I've noticed that difference myself but it's not easy to say with 100% certainty that it's one thing or the other. I've always had a theory that the oppressive summers had something to do with it ... who knows. Although, as I sit here freezing (18 degrees) with the heat cut off, I may have disproved myself already, ha.
D) Dunno, There are good bands from everywhere, I'm shure my southern influence stands out a lot. I don't think it's just the music of the area you live in that influences you, I think most of it is whats there surrounding you.
It's been said to me that all music is in some way shape or form emo (as in it is emotional). I guess I can buy that. I mean putting your heart and soul into a band a putting your thoughts out there for people. Would you rather hear a band just play and sing about whatever or would you rather hear lyrics of a more personal nature?
S) Most of what we've done to this point is trying to convey feeling through sound more so than with the lyrics but in general I prefer something of a personal nature. As they say "write what YOU know".
D) I like very personal lyrics. Not the ones about cutting my wrists over some stupid bitch, but the ones about burning shit and doing drugs and fighting and killing! Yeah, anything that's trippy and written in a metophor is good with me.
There are lots of sources on the net for doom metal bands. One I think is really cool is the Doom Metal Alliance. What are your thoughts on what they do over there?
D) They can keep up the good work!
S) Agreed. Any publicity is good publicity. I've been a huge "doom" fan since the late eighties myself and I appreciate anything these guys do, however big or small, to promote the music that I love. Props to Ed at Earthdog Promotions for his help!
Well I mean it when I say the LP is fucking great guys. I really dig it tons. Whats the future of Uncle Bill? I hope lots of more goodies like what I heard so far.
D) There will be more UB in the future, definately. I'm gonna try to add just a littlt more doom next time ;)
S) I think we've found a comfortable little groove with UB. We kinda have a process down thats working for us and we'll be able to elaborate on that a little more in the forthcoming material. Trippy, heavy, different is the goal. The only rule is there are no rules. It would be nice to find a label thats willing to work with some oddballs but the music stops for no one, we'll get it out there one way or the other.
With any band there is a natural progression. You become better musicians and songwriters as you go. Do you think alot of bands get to a point where they forget their roots and have gotten away from the basic sound and idea that the band originally had?
D) I see it every day and it's fucking sad. Every band evolves of course but there are so many bands these days who will do a total 360 between their albums and I hate that. If you're gonna sound completely diffrent go start another band. I think as bands go from album to album they should make shure each one is very unique, but once you've sculpted a sound stick with it. Don't go changing your tones and singing techniques and shit or else you're gonna lose that passion. Pretend every album is your first and keep the shit raw and dirty as fuck, that is where your honesty and passion will surface. So long as those two elements are there you will never forget your roots.
S) What he said, ha. I look forward to writing each new song, new possibilities. I also think that 95% of the bands that change direction, all at once and in the space of one album, do so to their own detriment. More often than not they seem to move towards a more commercial sound and usually lose most of their original fans in the process. Maybe i'm just rambling ... Above all keep the music REAL, the definition of real may change from band to band but PLEASE don't write a song based on how well it will sell. Chances are it won't and chances are it'll suck!
Any final thoughts? This is your space. Go nuts.
D) Quit school, smoke pot, listen to good honest fuckin music. I hate wal mart with a fuckin passion. Test your limits and stay creative as fuck through any mind expanding activity you can find. There is a time on it's way where music like this is gonna reign fuckin supreme! All the "shit" is finally dying slowly but surely. Twinkies rule and so does beer.
S) This is as close as we'll ever get to the Grammy's so i'd like to thank everyone that has been so supportive of Uncle Bill. If you dig what we're doing maybe you'll consider covering up your carcass with and fancy new UB t-shirt. It'll look damn fine on ya and it'll help me turn the heat back on, ha. Think outside the box ... Be yourself ... buy the new Hyperion Blast cd and stop shopping at fuckin' Wal-Mart! peace.
Thanks a ton guys. It was a pleasure to do this and try to help spread the word. Best of luck in the future on all you do.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Interview with Steve from The Midnight Ghost Train
First off, hows things been with you guys?
TMGT: Things been good workin hard on our new record and we are currently booking a tour for this summer. So we are busy but thats how I like it.
Tell folks a bit about the bands history?
TMGT: Well I am Steve Moss i play guitar and vocals I moved out here from california after my best friend John passed away. His death was the spark that got this band started. It is in his memory that this band exists. The members consist of Brandon Burghart from kansas he plays drums. He is a real close friend of mine that I met cause I knocked up his sister years ago. And Odie Lallo on bass a guy from nyc who saw us play a show there and dug us so much that he wanted to play in it so he relocated as well.
Where do you draw most of your influence from?
TMGT: Black Sabbath of course, Clutch, The blues, and fucked up women.
I love the band name. Where did you come up with it from?
TMGT: Actually we just kinda threw names back and forth one day driving back from kansas and The Midnight Ghost Train just seemed to stick. But later on during our second tour I was reading a book called Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac and he used the term the midnight ghost train which he described as a train that went from LA to San Fran. So even though we allready had the name by the time I found that lets just say we got it from Kerouac. Cause thats much cooled than just sayin we were throwin around names.
You guys seem to do alot of shows outside of Buffalo. How are you recieved in other cities as opposed to in Buffalo?
TMGT: Yeah we tour alot. We have played the hole U.S. twice now. It always seems to go real well. People seem to dig our different style. And we always work our ass off to put on the best live show we can so i think people can really see our passion in what we do, and dig on that. Exspecially in the mid west and the south people have seemed to really like our music.
Dream show. Five bands you'd love to share a stage with.
TMGT: Clutch, Black Sabbath (original line up), Kyuss, Muddy Waters and Tom Waits.
I hear you guys are looking around for labels right now? Did something go wrong with the last one or just trying to see what else is out there?
TMGT: Well we dont currently have a label. Labels kinda scare me so I am really careful and picky with them. I have been dicked around in that field in the past and i dont want that to happen. I just want whats best for our music. So if a small label can help us promote, and help us book more tours (cause its a pain doing it all myself) I would be interested but we just like to be careful.
You guys are one of the better bands I've heard around here but it seems like most of the city has been sleeping on you guys. I know doom is not a huge draw or genre of interest around here. Any idea why that might be?
TMGT: Well thanks for the compliment we really appreciate that. Well as much as I dig buffalo, we dont want to be known as a local buffalo band so we only play as needed out here. I think people out here dont really dig on doom or stoner rock cause of the lack of exposure out here. It seems like buffalo is overcrowded with this pop, emo, pussy rock shit. I guess people dont like to think to much for themselves. They come to shows mainly cause they have a friend who is playing in the band, then when there friends and is done playing they leave, and not even stick around for the other bands. Those same people are the ones that claim they love music, ha. They would rather have some catchy pop song stuck in there head then take the time to understand and embrace real music from the soul. I guess thats what these people are lackin "soul".
Who are some bands out there and around Buffalo that you are digging lately?TMGT: Well of course Hyperion Blast. Also there is this band from OKC called Spacefaze they are a two piece, heavy stoner psych rock band. I love that band so much we have played with them several times, and they just put on a show that is so epic and mind blowing. Talk about soul those two guys got plenty of it. Check them out. Also I really like White Witch Canyon Heavy doom stoner band from Oakland CA.
What are some of your favorite cities that you've gone to with the band?
TMGT: Baton Rouge LA, Cincinnati OH, Eugene OR, OKC, Topeka KS, NYC, And Oakland CA all those cities are great for our music and the crowds seem to really like us out there.
Give us a horror story from the road. Something bad has had to have happened out there.
TMGT: Oh God where to start. I dont know if this is bad or not and i know this will sound crazy but its totally true, Brandon lost his virginity on tour to a 400 pound prostitute in Orlando FL after one of our shows. Thats what our money went to that night from the show. Now if that aint rock and roll what is.
I know a few genres mix well together. Death metal and grindcore seem to mix well. They are kinda like an offspring of each other. It seems when a doom style band plays there really is no other style that really goes too well on a show with it. Agree or disagree? How come?
TMGT: I disagree, The music might not be the same but if the crowd will dig on some doom, mostly they are down with most other kinds of heavy rock and roll. But I do see where u are coming from, cause u gotta to have a certain ear to be into doom. It is shall we say an acquired taste.
Ever heard Orodruin? They are from Rochester and kinda have that same vibe as you guys which is a style of doom that I personally love.
TMGT: Thanks again for the compliment. No never heard them but ill check em out. Maybe we will get a show together in rochester this summer.
What topics do you like to touch on with your lyrics?
TMGT: Anything really. Women, Hell, Death, Life. Anything that will provoke some kind of feeling.
I was brought into metal as a whole by Black Sabbath. Same for you? Are they the blueprint for doom?
TMGT: Definitely, no question about it.
Favorite Buffalo venue to play a show at?
TMGT: Tudor Lounge. It was where we played our first show. Since then we have played almost all of them and still my favorite is the tudor.
Buffalo wings or beef on weck? Wings from DuffsWhat does the future hold for you guys?TMGT: New full length record on the way. Then we just want to tour tour tour. Thats what we love and it seems to help us spread our music a lot.
Any of the members in any other bands right now or is TMGT kind of a full time thing for you all?
TMGT:This is it. We are all pretty dedicated to this band.
Have you gotten a chance to tour down south at all? Seems that doom metal is way more of an acceptable form down there.
TMGT:Yes we have and it definitely is. Also its real big in the mid west.What other kind of music are you guys into?TMGT: Ol Mississippi Delta Blues. Psych Rock. Blues. Singer song writer stuff like Nick Cave and Tom Waits. More Blues. And Old Old Country.
Any final thoughts for the folks out there?
TMGT: For you musicians dont focus on makin money or bein famous, or even just tryin to be the cool guys. Just work on leaving your artistic impression on the world. Remember music is the ultimate trip. And always just do what u love.
You know the drill. Plug away on the site and anything else you want to pop in there.
TMGT:Check us out at http://www.myspace.com/themidnightghosttrainLook for our new self titled record out this summer. Check us out and come see us live we will get ur body movin.
Thanks a ton man. It was a blast. Can't wait to catch the train soon.
www.myspace.com/themidnightghosttrain
TMGT: Things been good workin hard on our new record and we are currently booking a tour for this summer. So we are busy but thats how I like it.
Tell folks a bit about the bands history?
TMGT: Well I am Steve Moss i play guitar and vocals I moved out here from california after my best friend John passed away. His death was the spark that got this band started. It is in his memory that this band exists. The members consist of Brandon Burghart from kansas he plays drums. He is a real close friend of mine that I met cause I knocked up his sister years ago. And Odie Lallo on bass a guy from nyc who saw us play a show there and dug us so much that he wanted to play in it so he relocated as well.
Where do you draw most of your influence from?
TMGT: Black Sabbath of course, Clutch, The blues, and fucked up women.
I love the band name. Where did you come up with it from?
TMGT: Actually we just kinda threw names back and forth one day driving back from kansas and The Midnight Ghost Train just seemed to stick. But later on during our second tour I was reading a book called Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac and he used the term the midnight ghost train which he described as a train that went from LA to San Fran. So even though we allready had the name by the time I found that lets just say we got it from Kerouac. Cause thats much cooled than just sayin we were throwin around names.
You guys seem to do alot of shows outside of Buffalo. How are you recieved in other cities as opposed to in Buffalo?
TMGT: Yeah we tour alot. We have played the hole U.S. twice now. It always seems to go real well. People seem to dig our different style. And we always work our ass off to put on the best live show we can so i think people can really see our passion in what we do, and dig on that. Exspecially in the mid west and the south people have seemed to really like our music.
Dream show. Five bands you'd love to share a stage with.
TMGT: Clutch, Black Sabbath (original line up), Kyuss, Muddy Waters and Tom Waits.
I hear you guys are looking around for labels right now? Did something go wrong with the last one or just trying to see what else is out there?
TMGT: Well we dont currently have a label. Labels kinda scare me so I am really careful and picky with them. I have been dicked around in that field in the past and i dont want that to happen. I just want whats best for our music. So if a small label can help us promote, and help us book more tours (cause its a pain doing it all myself) I would be interested but we just like to be careful.
You guys are one of the better bands I've heard around here but it seems like most of the city has been sleeping on you guys. I know doom is not a huge draw or genre of interest around here. Any idea why that might be?
TMGT: Well thanks for the compliment we really appreciate that. Well as much as I dig buffalo, we dont want to be known as a local buffalo band so we only play as needed out here. I think people out here dont really dig on doom or stoner rock cause of the lack of exposure out here. It seems like buffalo is overcrowded with this pop, emo, pussy rock shit. I guess people dont like to think to much for themselves. They come to shows mainly cause they have a friend who is playing in the band, then when there friends and is done playing they leave, and not even stick around for the other bands. Those same people are the ones that claim they love music, ha. They would rather have some catchy pop song stuck in there head then take the time to understand and embrace real music from the soul. I guess thats what these people are lackin "soul".
Who are some bands out there and around Buffalo that you are digging lately?TMGT: Well of course Hyperion Blast. Also there is this band from OKC called Spacefaze they are a two piece, heavy stoner psych rock band. I love that band so much we have played with them several times, and they just put on a show that is so epic and mind blowing. Talk about soul those two guys got plenty of it. Check them out. Also I really like White Witch Canyon Heavy doom stoner band from Oakland CA.
What are some of your favorite cities that you've gone to with the band?
TMGT: Baton Rouge LA, Cincinnati OH, Eugene OR, OKC, Topeka KS, NYC, And Oakland CA all those cities are great for our music and the crowds seem to really like us out there.
Give us a horror story from the road. Something bad has had to have happened out there.
TMGT: Oh God where to start. I dont know if this is bad or not and i know this will sound crazy but its totally true, Brandon lost his virginity on tour to a 400 pound prostitute in Orlando FL after one of our shows. Thats what our money went to that night from the show. Now if that aint rock and roll what is.
I know a few genres mix well together. Death metal and grindcore seem to mix well. They are kinda like an offspring of each other. It seems when a doom style band plays there really is no other style that really goes too well on a show with it. Agree or disagree? How come?
TMGT: I disagree, The music might not be the same but if the crowd will dig on some doom, mostly they are down with most other kinds of heavy rock and roll. But I do see where u are coming from, cause u gotta to have a certain ear to be into doom. It is shall we say an acquired taste.
Ever heard Orodruin? They are from Rochester and kinda have that same vibe as you guys which is a style of doom that I personally love.
TMGT: Thanks again for the compliment. No never heard them but ill check em out. Maybe we will get a show together in rochester this summer.
What topics do you like to touch on with your lyrics?
TMGT: Anything really. Women, Hell, Death, Life. Anything that will provoke some kind of feeling.
I was brought into metal as a whole by Black Sabbath. Same for you? Are they the blueprint for doom?
TMGT: Definitely, no question about it.
Favorite Buffalo venue to play a show at?
TMGT: Tudor Lounge. It was where we played our first show. Since then we have played almost all of them and still my favorite is the tudor.
Buffalo wings or beef on weck? Wings from DuffsWhat does the future hold for you guys?TMGT: New full length record on the way. Then we just want to tour tour tour. Thats what we love and it seems to help us spread our music a lot.
Any of the members in any other bands right now or is TMGT kind of a full time thing for you all?
TMGT:This is it. We are all pretty dedicated to this band.
Have you gotten a chance to tour down south at all? Seems that doom metal is way more of an acceptable form down there.
TMGT:Yes we have and it definitely is. Also its real big in the mid west.What other kind of music are you guys into?TMGT: Ol Mississippi Delta Blues. Psych Rock. Blues. Singer song writer stuff like Nick Cave and Tom Waits. More Blues. And Old Old Country.
Any final thoughts for the folks out there?
TMGT: For you musicians dont focus on makin money or bein famous, or even just tryin to be the cool guys. Just work on leaving your artistic impression on the world. Remember music is the ultimate trip. And always just do what u love.
You know the drill. Plug away on the site and anything else you want to pop in there.
TMGT:Check us out at http://www.myspace.com/themidnightghosttrainLook for our new self titled record out this summer. Check us out and come see us live we will get ur body movin.
Thanks a ton man. It was a blast. Can't wait to catch the train soon.
www.myspace.com/themidnightghosttrain
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