Today
I'm talking to Richard Johnson from Grindcore Collective -
Agoraphobic Nosebleed – who have just released their stunning new
EP – ARC. This is the first of four EP's that Agoraphobic Nosebleed
will be releasing over the upcoming months or so.
Ark
is the band's first proper release in seven years and it's already
starting to gain some acclaim with fans and critics alike. I was
given the chance to catch up with Richard to see what the future
holds for this legendary band.
Hi
Richard. How are things with you today, Thanks for doing this
interview.
No
complaints over here.
I
suppose we have to talk about your incredible new release – ARC.
Your first proper record in 7 years. You glad it's finally out there
and in your own words what can people expect.
I
suppose we do. This is the first of the four solo records we’re
going to put out. I’m just happy it’s out and that our fans on
the whole like it so much. They’ve been waiting a long time for
these solo records to start appearing.
I
think it's one of your best records to date. Really struck a chord
with fans and critics alike. Have you noticed that yourselves as a
band how much people are enjoying this.
Yeah,
we’ve been seeing the reviews and the comments from our fans.
There’s a few that don’t like it and wished we’d put out a
proper record instead of a doom EP.
Was
ARC an easy or hard record to make. Did you face any difficult
challenges making the record.
It
took a very long time. And Kat labored over the lyrics and her vocal
delivery.
Kat
is on fire this records. I don't think I've ever heard her that angry
and focused in years. Same goes for the rest of the band. What
influenced you all when making this record.
It
was just Kat and Scott. That’s how these solo records are going to
go. Kat wrote some very personal lyrics for the record, and also doom
metal is her jam.
It
seems that ARC has gone for a more doomier and sludgier kind of feel
compared to your past records. It still offers old-school fans their
moments of brutal grind. Did you want to try something different for
ARC.
Each
of the solo records is going to be different. It doesn’t represent
a change in sound for the band.
Agoraphobic
Nosebleed are perhaps now considered one of the legendary bands
within the Grindcore scene. Do you see yourselves of ambassadors of
that scene.
No.
There’s plenty of OG grindcore bands that were full-on that we’ve
taken influence from.
We
have to talk about the artwork that the band use for their releases.
As they're part of your identity as a band. Thought-provoking album
covers. And ARC is no different. How important is the album artwork
and imagery to you as a band.
It’s
important. I don’t think it’s as important as the lyrics or the
music, but the covers help to frame what’s going on with the record
for sure.
You
played your full proper live set at 2015 Maryland Deathfest. WOW. How
was that experience for the band. Did it make you all decide to
perform more gigs in the future or just to perform on very select
occasions.
All
the shows are very select. We wanted to wait and see how the show
went before we agreed to play any other shows. We loved it. MDF was a
total blast.
You've
got a few gigs coming up later this year. Will you be performing any
more gigs or is that it for the moment.
We’ve
got three announced now I think, and there will be more, yeah.
What
is your verdict on the current Grindcore scene. Are there any bands
that standout for you. Or do you focus on your own thing.
It’s
hard to keep track because there’s so many bands out there. I will
say that some grindcore bands aren’t doing anything interesting or
unique, but on the other hand some of them have real passion and
creativity.
Which
bands/artists influenced you to become a musician. Was it a
particular band or album that made you decide you wanted to become a
musician.
I
guess early on it was Kiss, when I was young. Later on the metal and
grind bands I listened to also made me want to play guitar.
Well
Richard, before you go. Do you have anything to say to your fans.
Yeah,
just to thank them for waiting for us to put out an EP for all this
time, and for us to start playing shows. It’s been a long road.
Words
by Steve Howe and Richard Johnson
Thanks
to Justin Ringle for arranging this interview and to Richard for
taking the time to talk to me.
ARC is available on CD/DD/Vinyl now.
Links