We recently caught up with Witchgrinder’s vocalist and guitarist, Travis, to find out a bit more about the band. This is what happened…
Can you introduce yourself and tell me a bit about the band?
Travis Everett here, vocalist and guitarist from Witchgrinder. Straight from Melbourne, Australia we are a fast, energetic Industrial Metal band with song themes based on horror tales from axe murders to Zombies. We cover it all.
How did you get started?
Around the end of 2009 myself and ex-drummer Nick Tune found ourselves getting very bored and tired of the lack of Industrial Metal bands in Australia. It seemed like bands were mixing a lot of styles we loved had faded out and people were just following what was in at the time. It came clear to us if no one else is going to do it we would and that’s just what we did.
Who are your influences and role models?
Influences for Witchgrinder range everywhere from Ministry to Metallica. The Industrial elements come from Rammstein, Manson, Zombie etc. but we like to keep the old thrash metal element in there. That’s where bands like Metallica and Pantera come in.
Later this year you’re going to be releasing your new album, can you describe your writing and recording process?
This was the most different writing and recording process I had ever experienced. Unlike the previous songs for Witchgrinder, which had all been written by me. This time around the whole band shared ideas and wrote. We all had a say. When it came time to record we decided to each go off and record our instruments separate with someone we were comfortable with. Once we had all done this we took it to a friend to be mixed. I’m not sure of many bands that do it this way but I really happy with the way it turned out.
You’re also going to be going out on tour in support of the album in August – what can fans expect from the shows?
Fans can expect the usual, a loud high energy Industrial Metal show. We have always been a band that pushes the limits of what we can and can’t do on stage. Pyro, smoke massive light show, you name it. People want a show and we are going to give it to them.
What has been your best experience in the industry so far?
Wow, this is a really hard question for me because I have had so many great experiences. My most recent was playing on the Ace Frehley tour, getting to meet one of my heroes and listening to all his crazy stories. I love touring the country on our own to our own fans but jumping on an international support is always great. You learn so much.
What’s the most difficult thing about the industry?
Dealing with bad promoters or tour managers. Don’t get me wrong there are heaps of great ones out there but when you come across a bad one now and then who don’t know what they are doing and give you a hard time it totally ruins the vibe of the tour or show.
And finally what’s Witchgrinder’s plans for the rest of 2015?
The plan is to release our next album, tour, tour and tour. We want to get it out to as many people as we can and if that means coming to your city knocking down your door and dragging you to one of our shows that’s what we will do.
