Spellgrinder Interview 07/06/21

MM: Can you tell us about your Band and whos your biggest influences

 SG: Spellgrinder is a Horror Metal band that was formed during the pandemic of 2020 by Spooky Von Amduat in 29 Palms, CA. with a loose concept of blending the sounds and vibes of Danzig and Pantera.   Audiences can expect harmonized solos, huge chugging guitars, slamming drums, big rocky bass, boozy vocals, short songs, big hooks, and a unique blend of the best 80s, 90s, and modern production techniques.  

 

MM: Where do you draw your inspirations and ideas from 
SG: Spellgrinder's songs are inspired by Horror films, books, and comics.  They are meant for escapism, yet from time to time the songs lend themselves to satire or allegory.  Spellgrinder was raised on Misfits and Ramones and really values a short song with lots of hooks.  Don't bore us, get to the chorus.  

 

MM: What would you say is your Bands favourite song ?

 SG: Favorite song so far that we've recorded is our cover of "All Murder All Guts All Fun" by Samhain for the upcoming 'World Without End - An Underground Tribite To Samhain' compilation on Black Donut Records due for release 7/9/21.  Favorite song by another artist is "Twist of Cain" by Danzig.

 

MM: Plans tour and festival wise for  2021

 SG: Spellgrinder is open to tour in '21 but we haven't had any offers or booked anything so far.  California continues to be on lockdown and Spellgrinder is putting it's energy into creating more music and engaging online content.  We're also writing, recording, and practicing like crazy.  Once we do get on that bus, we're going to be shit tight.  

 

 

MM: What can we expect from you guys live

 SG: Live, Spellgrinder is lean and mean.  The sets are designed to be tight and roll like a Ramones or Misfits show.  

 

 

MM: What do you like best and worst about touring

 SG: Best thing about touring to us is reaching new listeners.  The worst thing is having to smell three other dude's socks in a van for days/weeks/months at a time. Depending on who you ask in the band, the other best/worst thing is eating at gas stations.   

 

 

MM: Which three Bands would be your ultimate touring buddies

 SG: I think if Spellgrinder were to tour with Twin Temple, Calabrese, and have Ghost headlining, that would be a great Satanic sampler plate.  Essentially you've got four wildly different sounds and looks under a common theme.  

 

 

MM: What's the most memorable concert you've been to (other than your own) and why 

 SG: I was at Van Halen's last show ever at the Hollywood Bowl.  That was the most memorable for me because they destroyed, and I walked out feeling that it may be the last time they ever played.  Sorry to say, I was right.  RIP EVH!

 

 

MM: What do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment so far with 

 SG: Our biggest accomplishment has been to turn the frustration and anger of living through a pandemic into Spellgrinder.  We've been lucky to have something to channel all this energy into.  Spellgrinder Saves!

 

 

MM: Which are your Two favourite Albums of all time

 SG: Our two favorites are the first Danzig album and 'Cowboys From Hell' by Pantera.

 

 

MM: Can you remember the first time you ever played live and how it felt to have people watching you?

 SG: Absolutely.  I had a Ramones/Misfits style Punk band with my sister called The Anti-Socials.  We played original songs and released an EP. This was probably in 1998.  We played our set in the courtyard of a coffee shop in Riverside, CA. to a small bewildered audience.  I had anticipated being nervous and that never happened.  A few members of that crowd were stoked and let us know.  It was a great feeling and I was addicted.

 

 

MM: Growing up which Bands posters did you have on your bedroom wall.

 The posters on my wall were: Misfits, Ramones, Sex Pistols, Clash ,Nirvana, Rancid, Social Distortion, U.S. Bombs, Guns n' Roses... I seem to remember having a picture of Clint Eastwood on the cover of Golf Magazine too for some reason.  haha

 

MM: Who do you think influenced the world of Metal / Rock more than any other person

 The King.  All the best metal bands either loved Elvis or The Beatles, and The Beatles loved Elvis, so I trace it to him.  Ozzy loves the Beatles.  You can hear it on his solo albums.  Danzig is Evil Elvis, and his crooning singing style works great on Punk or Metal.  You hear it pop up in other bands too like The Doors or The Cult.  Also, Metal at it's most evil will never seem as evil as Elvis did to all the squares in the 50s.  Pure sonic rebellion.  TCB

 

 

MM : What's the most important thing to the band right now?

 SG: Right now the most important thing is creating great songs and finding new ways to reach an audience without the ability to play out.  

 

 

MM: If you could do a cover of any song which one would it be and why?

 SG: "All Murder All Guts All Fun" by Samhain which is convenient because we just did cover it for the upcoming 'World Without End' Samhain compilation from Black Donut Records.  We chose that song because it describes our love for Horror Movies.  It also has a chorus that you can pump your fist and sing along to even if you've never heard the song.  

 

MM: Tell us why we should buy and listen to your Band

 SG: You should listen to our band if you like our attitude and the way we sound.  It probably ain't for everybody, but we are unique and great.  The people that like Spellgrinder, f*^%king love us because we are giving them something they can't get anywhere else.  

 

 

MM: Four words to describe your Band

 SG: Lock up your daughters.

 

 

MM: Final Words for your fans and our readers

 SG: Thanks for all the support so far!  See you in the pit!!