Few bands over the
last 6 years have kicked my arse as much my Boston brethren Gozu, a badass American rock band with
heavy riffs in tow and bang out tunes loud enough to piss off the neighbors.
But Gozu is more than this. Gozu is a songwriting machine, one that is
able to churn out loud, hard hitting compositions without sacrificing the
meaning behind the songs or the band. Gozu
is gruff and dirty when it needs to but also sweet and soulful when
the time is right. On April 13 2018, Gozu released their new album “Equilibrium” via metal heavyweight Metal Blade Records. With 2016′s ‘Revival‘ they took
their sound in a somewhat new and more aggressive direction, and in doing so,
dropped the most compulsive, exciting and downright badass release of their
career – and ‘Equilibrium‘ has only raised the stakes. “We
wanted these songs to hit a nerve, make people shake their ass and enjoy simply
being alive,” says vocalist/guitarist Marc “Gaff” Gaffney, who founded the
band with lead guitarist Doug Sherman. Much of the record’s strength stems from
the unit growing since ‘Revival‘, the first full-length featuring
drummer Mike Hubbard and bassist Joseph Grotto.
With the announcement that Gozu
will play selected shows with Goatwhore,
The Causalities, Black Tusk & Great
American Ghost, as part of the Metal Alliance Tour, kicking off in
Kansas City on Nov 18, I hooked up
with Marc “Gaff” Gaffney to
discuss some of his favourite records. Welcome to “Records of their Years”,
THE SLUDGELORD: Favourite album
from the year you were born?
“Harvest”, Neil
Young (1972).
In 1972 this beautiful
piece of art came out and like myself, I am sure it moulded many minds,
lyricist, guitar players and humans to what can be done with heartfelt music. “Out
on the weekend” is one of my favorite songs. It hits me deep and makes me
think about many different issues, especially the way the world is today. Neil
is a treasure and pretty much anything he does I am a fan of.
THE SLUDGELORD: First record you
bought with your own money?
“Back in
Black”, AC/DC. (1980)
The older hoodlums in
my neighbourhood were huge AC/DC
fans. When playing basketball, football, whatever, they would always be playing
music. I had my own money, my mom took me to the local record store in Watertown ,
NY
THE SLUDGELORD: Favourite non
metal / rock album?
“Voodoo”,
D’Angelo. (2000)
This album is
brilliant from start to finish. It combines Sly, Prince, James, George and
Stevie in a bombastic groove fantasy. Also, Pino Palladino on bass and
Questlove on drums, forget about it. Charlie Hunter destroying bass and guitar
duties on a tune. If you are a fan of soul music and do not have this album,
take 2 steps back and go fuck yourself. Then get it, listen to it, and thank me
later. “Devils Pie”, puts such a nice dip in your hip. If this album
doesn’t make you feel good and I mean good, then go directly to the hospital,
turn and cough.
THE SLUDGELORD: Album that most
disappointed you?
I have been
disappointed by albums, but being older, I hear different things that now make
sense. I am a bit of an impatient fuck so I either like or hate things quickly.
Take a few of the Queens of the Stone Age
albums, I was far from in love with them, however, after hearing a few tunes
live, I went back to listen to the albums and they moved me in a way that did
not initially happen. I also feel I need to be in the correct head-space when
listening to music that I am hitting for the maiden voyage. I am sure there are
a few albums that have dealt me an awful auditory experience but they are probs
kept right next to the Linda Ronstadt file in my mind.
THE SLUDGELORD: Favourite album of
all time or if you prefer album (s) you’d run back into a burning building to
rescue
Stevie Wonder,
“Innervisions” (1973)
Allman Brothers,
“Live at the Fillmore East”
Beach Boys,
“Pet Sounds”
These three works are
musical diamonds in my world. They for me, depict what is beautiful about music
and why it is a necessity in everyday life. From the opening synth line in, “Too
High” to the guitar hierarchy on “Don’t keep me wondering” and the
delicious harmonies on every song on “Pet
Sounds”, sparks an immense physical and emotional flame that has always
burned. I could wax poetically about these albums but I think the best thing
for people to do is to listen to them. If you dig it, wonderful, if not, go
back to the stuff you love and that brings you joy, heartache, and triumph all
in one sonic blast.
THE SLUDGELORD: Favourite album
(s) of 2018?
Sleep,
“The Sciences” (2018)
Holy fuck is this a
beast of an album. The guitar tones alone make me want to arm bar someone. This
triumvirate have put together a musical piece so tasty that it needs to be
blared on stadium PA’s and out of car stereos while doing 95 in a 15 mph zone. The bass tone
is so right on and deviant that it literally drove my car the other day. The
low end, held the steering wheel and ushered me home, as if I was in a golden
chariot, a la Ben Hur. Drums, oh mamma. The pocket laid out is so infectious and
thus, this is why I so dig this album. Thus, you are immediately drawn to the
one, your head bobs while others weave. Put the mix together and it is a
perfect meal of fulfilling musicality. It tastes so good, it sounds like more.
THE SLUDGELORD:..And finally The
last album you bought?
Arctic Monkeys,
“Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino”
(2018)
I enjoy every song on
this album as it is a very mature, concept based piece that embodies many
influences in a proper way. It is well layered instrumentally and vocally
possesses an infectious clarity and harmonious jaunt. It reminds me of an album
that was tracked with candles on, bottles of merlot strung about the room and 3
footers strategically placed for the immediate purification of the air and
dendrites. “Four out of Five” is my favorite track. The chorus is so…
