Scissorfight
made a name for themselves for their legendary shows and acclaimed
albums such as “American Cloven Hoof Blues”, “Mantrapping for
Sport and Profit” and Juggernaut. Then in 2006 the band suddenly
split up.
Over
the years the band have become almost legendary within the
underground Stoner/Sludge Metal scene. Fans have been waiting
patiently for the band to reform and Scissorfight's reputation has
only become stronger since they originally broke up a decade ago.
Fast
forward 10 years later and Scissorfight have returned though with two
new members – Rick Orcutt and Doug Aubin on Drums and Vocals
respectively. Doug had perhaps the biggest challenge in taking over
their former vocalist – Ironlung's role. Doug brings his style of
expert delivery on their comeback EP – Chaos County (Out now on
Salt Of The Earth Records).
Chaos
County matches the familiar intensity of Scissorfight's legendary
sound and gives it a more modern sounding groove. It's a kick-ass EP
that should hopefully see the band create more heavier sounds in the
years to come.
I
was given the chance to speak to Jay Fortin (Guitars) and this is
what we discussed.
Hi
Jay. Thanks for doing this interview. Really appreciate this. How are
things with you today.
Hey,
things are good!
Before
we start discussing your excellent new EP. Can you advise what
happened when you guys broke-up. You were riding a crest of the wave.
Great albums and a fearsome live reputation. What happened.
Yeah
things were going pretty good it seemed. The singer quit the band
without really letting us know. He just stopped responding to
requests about when we would play again and it took a while to figure
out that he indeed had no intention of being in the band anymore.
Did
the break-up happen suddenly or was it a build-up of different
events.
It
was sudden in a way for us but for him it probably was a build up of
things.
Are
you still in contact with Ironlung. What are his thoughts on the
reunion.
There
has been little contact with him over the last 10 years... I'm
guessing he doesn't really give a shit about it!
It
seems the legend of Scissorfight and calls for a reunion has grown
vastly stronger over the last five years or so. Did you notice this
yourselves.
Yes
we definitely noticed! It seemed that interest in the band never
really let up, maybe it got stronger. We noticed from activity on the
internet and in our lives... Running into fans all time, old and new,
people always asking for merch... Etc etc
When
did you decide to reform the band and how did it come about.
We've
thought about reforming the band a few times thru the years... With a
new singer.. But it didn't happen. Jarvis(bass player) and I have
been in other bands in the last 10 years and the last band we were in
did a show to support the release of a Scissorfight beer.
We
did a few Scissorfight songs
and it then that we started thinking about starting up
the Scissorfight machine
again... We thought "why the fuck not?!
It's
our band, we started it, the other guys quit 10 years ago and people
want SCISSORFIGHT! " so that's when started plotting and
planning...
You
have two new members in the line-up now. How did you meet new members
Doug and Rick.
We
first met Doug at shows that both of our other bands played
together... Jarvis was the first to make note of the fact that he
would be perfect for the front man of Scissorfight... So we had
our eyes on him for a bit! Rick is a local drummer we both knew from
shows.. He played in a lot of punk bands including The Queers and The
Connection and The Guts. He had contacted us a few times about just
jamming and shit... So when it came time to get serious he got the
call.
What
do Doug and Rick bring to the Scissorfight sound.
They
bring awesomeness! Doug brings a disquieting presence and a strong,
more aggressive tone to the vocal sound, which we're very excited
about... A harder edge... Rick brings solid, hard hitting big ass
drum noises that fit perfect for this shit! Simple, loud as fuck,
rock drumming as it should be. And both of these guys are cool as
hell, chill, ready to destroy eardrums at anytime!
How
have the live audience taken to the new line-up. Has it all been
positive vibes from your fans.
It's
been amazing! Audiences have been blown away I think... Every show
has people that were a little sceptical about it but were turned
around into believers after! Yeah it's been very well received. All
positive.
We
have to talk about your excellent new EP – Chaos County. Great EP
and one that matches your classic earlier sound with a more modern
feel. What can people expect from the EP.
Thanks!
I think you put it well, they can expect the same classic
Scissorfight sound just updated a bit... And we have so many new
songs waiting be recorded, heavier, groovier, faster... Expect more
heavy ass rock to flip out to!
Was
it an easy or hard EP to write and record for.
It
was easy as fuck! I've never stopped writing Scissorfight riffs
so all the music is coming out very easily. Doug probably had the
hardest job and he's proved up to the task.
With
this being your first release with the new line-up. Did you feel any
extra pressure recording the EP. Were you worried what long-time fans
would think of this EP.
There
was definitely some pressure and some wondering what fans would
think... It's hard to change members in such a established band but
it just felt like it could be done... It had to be the right people..
Maybe that's why it took so long... But it was worth the risk... The
recording part was easy because it just was sounding bad ass... It
was the first few shows that were worrisome.. But it ended up we had
nothing to worry about!
Did
you try out any of the new songs live in concert before you started
recording it. If yes, how was the reception to the new songs being
played live.
We
did and people were head banging and rockin out before even
knowing what the songs were! People started picking up lyrics from
live videos that were posted online and singing choruses before the
EP came out!!
The
EP is being released by Salt Of The Earth Records. How did you hook
up with them.
Salt
Of The Earth contacted us right away about putting the return
of Scissorfight out
and we were stoked! It was really that simple.
Did
you have any offers from other labels.
We
did not. Maybe we will, maybe not, we don't care that much cuz we're
gonna do what we do regardless.
Scissorfight
has such a vast and almost classic back catalogue. What has been your
favourite record you’ve released.
Well,
the new one of course! But as far as the old stuff probably
mantrapping for sport and profit is my favorite. It's hard to say...
I like everything except some of those later EP's.
Are
there plans for a full length record or perhaps even a European Tour.
Yes!
We have enough times for a full length already so just just gotta
record them... And we recently got added to Roadburn in April 2017 so
we'll be doing some European touring around that! And we are fuckin
stoked to get over there!
Did
you ever think when you started the band over twenty years ago that
you would still be doing it to this very day. Do you have any
personal highlights during that period.
I
never really thought too much about how long is be doing this! I also
always had hope that Scissorfight would happen again. It's all
highlights! We love this shit. We're excited to create more
highlights! For me personally, the highlights are when old fans come
up after a show and thank us profusely for coming back and how they
love the new line up... And when new fans who never saw the band live
the first time... Those are truly awesome moments. Means a lot.
Thanks
for doing the interview. All the best with your new EP.
Thank
you! And hope to see you at a show!
Words
by Steve Howe and Jay Fortin
Thanks to Scott at Salt
Of The Earth Records for arranging this interview. Thanks to Jay for
taking the time out in doing this interview.
Chaos County is
available to buy now via Salt Of The Earth Records.
Scissorfight
Links:
Salt
Of The Earth Records Links:
