By:
Mark Ambrose
Dead Quiet, a Vancouver quartet
featuring members of 3 Inches of Blood, Barn Burner, and Anciients, has been
steadily amassing a solid collection of doomy stoner rock bangers since
2014. However, this year’s sophomore
effort, “Grand Rites”, is nearly a
debut of its own, as it’s the first to feature all members of the live lineup –
and the cohesion shows. As THE SLUDGELORD’S own Mark Tremblay said in his album
review, “Grand Rites” is “one of the best Canadian Metal Records of
the year”. Guitarist, vocalist and
founding member Kevin Keegan took a few moments to answer some questions via
e-mail, sharing some insights about the road to “Grand Rites”, the hopes for performing in the future, and some of
his personal favorite records this year.
In his review for our site, Mark Tremblay said the band
sounds more “fully formed” than on the self-titled debut. Can you talk about how you guys have
developed since 2015’s “Dead Quiet”,
and what steps you took to prepare to record “Grand Rites”?
Kevin:
The main factor was having the right members. We had a little bit of trial and
error with the line up when we first formed; the debut record only features
Dana and myself, the band that we have now came after the recording. With “Grand Rites” we had the line up we had
always dreamed of. When Brock came aboard we knew we had something special and
then it got even better with Mike and Justin. As far as preparing to record it
was just a lot of rehearsing. We spent a lot of time ironing out the
arrangements and then having some fun with additional instrumentation when we
got to the studio.
The artwork on your records has a particularly
striking, throwback appeal. Can you tell
us a little about the artist/concept/design process was like for this record?
Kevin:
Cody Fennell, the artist who did both our records, has always been a close
friend and my go to guy when it comes to band artwork. We worked together on
all the Barn Burner records as well as countless
t-shirt designs. The way we work has always been I’ll have a direction or a
full concept and he will put pen to paper and make it happen. I trust in him
completely so what he churns out never disappoints. Conceptually, I wanted to stick
with this theme of fantastical shapes amidst a landscape of ruin. The notion of
this beacon of something mysterious yet hopeful surrounded by bleak deprivation
was always in mind with both records. Thematically, this theme runs through the
music as well.
There are elements of prog, stoner metal, classic
soul-infused rock, and even some thrash running through the album. What are some of the influences you
distinctly drew from when writing the album?
Kevin:
It’s hard to pinpoint exact influences. I’ve kind of been listening to the same
stuff for a long time. I’d say it’s definitely a lot of classic rock and proto
metal as well as some newer doom and hardcore. Some of the other guys listen to
a ton of old pop music and funk too so that creeps its way in.
Canada seems to have a more eclectic or maybe more
visible heavy music output in recent years.
How has Vancouver or B.C. shaped your development? What is the scene there? How does it differ from, say, Toronto or
Montreal?
Kevin:
To me Canada has always had a prolific heavy music scene. Vancouver itself
introduced me to live bands that I still draw influence from to this day.
Growing up watching Vancouver and Seattle bands was how I gauged how I was
going to perform and write songs. The scene here now is an overwhelming
abundance of great bands. The individuals making music here are very talented
and for a fellow Vancouver musicians it keeps me on my toes. Montreal has a
great music scene as well but for whatever reason it’s never had the sheer volume
of bands and players that Vancouver does. As for Toronto, I’m not sure what’s
going on there, doesn’t seem like they’ve had a very cohesive scene in a long
time. Don’t get me wrong though, there are some killer bands from Toronto that
I absolutely love.
What are the current plans for touring in support of the
record? Any particular bands you’re
looking forward to playing with?
Kevin:
We can’t wait to hit the road with this new record, no tour plans as of yet
though, still waiting on the opportunities to present themselves. As for bands,
I think most of the bands we’d love to play with are slightly out of our league
but hey, a guy can dream!
Kevin:
We really want to get to Europe, that’s our priority right now. Playing
Roadburn or Hellfest would be absolutely amazing but really what we want is
just get on the road and play in general.
Finally, in Mark Tremblay’s review he singled Grand
Rites out as one of the best Canadian metal releases of the year. With that in mind, and the year drawing to a
close, what have been some of your personal favorites for 2017?
Kevin:
I’d say Mutoid Man’s latest record, “War Moans” is up there as #1. Other than
that it’s the latest Converge, Power Trip, and the yet to be released
debut record from Montreal’s The Sick Things.
The End
