After
releasing a string of well received releases over the last couple of
years, Retro/Doom/Stoner Rockers have finally released their stunning
debut album - The Seed We Have Sown out now on Ripple Music (CD/DD).
It's an album that's starting to turn some heads amongst the Retro
Rock/Doom/Stoner Rock crowd. I've been asked to interview these guys
a while but things have kept getting in the way.
Not
this time, Richard at Sheltered Life PR finally convinced/told me to
do this and I'm more than happy to as Doctor Doom are a great bunch
of guys. If you're a follower of the various Stoner/Doom Blogs out
there then you know how highly rated DoctoR DooM is. Their blend of
Blues Rock driven Occult/Stoner Rock manic energy creates stunning
riffs for you to enjoy and rock out to.
So
let's see what the Doctor ordered. Possibly a healthy slice of
DOOM!!!
Hi
guys. How are things with you today. Thanks for doing this interview.
Things
are great thanks! It is a pleasure for us, thank YOU.
Can
you give a brief history of how the band got together and where it is
today.
It
started off with Jérémie and Jean-Laurent (guitars, guitars/vocals)
playing some cool 70s inspired riffs together, and they found a
drummer and bassist to join them. We started out covering a mixture
of 70s bands and newer artists such as Graveyard and Witchcraft
before working on some of our own songs. We made a demo recording,
DoomO, which had a lot more success than we had anticipated.
It
managed to catch the attention of Steve from STB records who released
it as a limited edition vinyl. Around this time we changed drummers,
Michel, our current drummer is such a great fit for the band, he
really completes our sound, as well as being a great guy. A lot of
our success is thanks to Steve, who believed in us from the start.
When he heard we were planning an album, he put us in touch with Todd
from Ripple, which brings us to where we are now.
You're
about to release your debut album - The Seed We Have Sown. Quite a
downbeat title for what the album is. Why did you choose that title
for the album.
Is
it so downbeat? Sowing a seed, watching it grow and flourish seems
like quite a positive thought to us. It is a lyric from our song
Stuck in the Past, but it reflects our creative process too. Starting
with a few riffs, and growing them into a full blown album.
What
can people expect from the album.
Different
people will find different things in it, but there is plenty of 70s
vibe, bluesy groove mixed with heavier riffs and even some
progressive elements. Most of all though, we just make music that we
enjoy, and hopefully this comes through in our recordings.
Was
it a hard or easy album to write and record for.
It
was pretty straightforward, as we say above, we just make the kind of
music that we would like to listen to, and when we had enough songs
we decided it was time to record them.
Has
the early responses to the album surprised you in anyway. We're you
expecting the kind of reactions you're receiving now.
Well,
we were hoping to get some positive responses, as we are very proud
of our work, but the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive beyond
our expectations.
You've
produced the album yourselves which is quite good as I know you're
very much part of the DIY ethic. What challenges did you face when
producing the album.
One
of the biggest challenges is getting recordings finished, when we are
doing everything on our own time, and we could spend as much time as
we like tracking, overdubbing, mixing etc. without the pressure of
having booked studio time. Sebastian, our bassist and recording
engineer, has a pretty good setup for a home studio, so the process
wasn't too challenging technically.
Would
you ever let someone else produce your music.
We
aren't sure yet what direction we will choose for our next album. We
would certainly consider getting someone else involved, but we also
enjoy being able to work in our own time, and spend the time needed
to obtain the result we want.
You
managed to get Tony Reed to master the album. How did you guys hook
up with Tony. Great guy and he's a legend within our little
community.
When
we were approaching the mastering stage we reached out to STB and
Ripple to see if they had any recommendations, and they put us in
touch with Tony. Indeed, he is a great guy, and it was a pleasure to
work with him, he did a great job and took into account our requests
very capably.
You're
worked with two of the best independent record labels for your last
couple of releases - RIpple Music and STB Records. How much of a help
have they been in promoting your music.
They
have been an enormous help. Without their hard work it simply would
not have been possible. We are music guys, not marketing guys, and it
is really great for us to be able to focus on the music, and let the
record labels do what they do. They have a load of great contacts and
reputation that allows us to reach a much greater audience than if we
were trying to do this by ourselves. A big thank you to both labels!
Did
you have any other label interest to release your debut album.
When
we were preparing our album, we got in touch with Steve first,
because of the great experience we had had working with him before,
and as he was so enthusiastic to work with us again, as well as sort
out a collaboration with Ripple, we didn't see the need to approach
other labels.
Is
- This Seed We Have Sown - going to be released on Vinyl. If so, who
will be releasing it. STB or Ripple.
Yes,
there will be an initial limited edition release in true STB style
(although less limited than his usual ultra-limited runs). It was
planned to come out before the CD, but unfortunately due to problems
with vinyl manufacturers the release has been delayed until
September.
The
French Stoner Rock/Metal scene has exploded over the last few years
or so with bands getting more exposure overseas. Has that success
resonated with people back in France. Or is still very much in the
underground.
It
is hard to tell for sure, but it would seem that the genre is more
popular abroad than in our home country. It certainly seems that way
judging by the number of gigs we play in other countries. In France
we do have the Hellfest though, that is one of the biggest European
Metal festivals, and we would love to be part of that one day!
·Are
you guys still touring/performing on a regular basis and is it hard
to perform gigs in today's climate.
We
don't have many dates lined up in the near future, but we are
starting to arrange some gigs for next year. It is hard for us to
comment on the current gigging climate, as it isn't something we do
for a living, although who knows, maybe we will one day?
Are
there plans for Doctor Doom to perform a major European Tour. Or
Festival Dates in other countries.
Not
much set in stone yet, but we hope that the album, with all its great
reviews, will help us land some quality dates in 2016 and beyond.
·Apart
from your album, 2015 has seen some fantastic albums released. Which
albums have stood out for you. Anything that taken you by surprise.
Here
are some great albums we've come across this year: Demon Head –
Ride the Wilderness, Valkyrie – Shadows, Black Capricorn – Cult
of the Black Friars, and Truls Mörck's solo album. We are also
really looking forward to the return of Lee Dorrian in With the Dead.
Last
question, Can you tell us your 5 favourite songs or albums.
Well,
we each have our differing tastes in music, but here are some of our
favourites:
Demian – Demian
Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath
Graveyard – Graveyard
Jerusalem – Jerusalem
as you can see, we
like a lot of debut albums, as well as Rory Gallagher's Irish Tour
'74
Well
guys thanks for your time. Much appreciated. All the best with the
new album as it's an absolute blast.
Thank
you! It's been a pleasure.
Words
by Steve Howe and DoctoR DooM
Thanks
to Richard at Sheltered Life PR for arranging this interview. The
Seed We Sown is available to buy on CD/DD now. Vinyl Release will be
coming later this year.
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