Sensory Overload - Interview with Andrew Elstner of TORCHE and TILTS

Today's guest is part of Sludge/Doom-Popsters – Torche who recently completed a in-depth tour of Europe where I witnessed Torche play a stunning gig in Leeds, United Kingdom, to an appreciative sell-out audience.

Promoting their acclaimed new album – Restarter – which sees Torche perform some of their heaviest material to date. It's been a busy time for The Sensory Overlord aka Andrew E, who is also part of Hard Rock/Stoner Rock Party Riffsters – TILTS.

Andrew is one of the nicest guys I've met during my time on Sludgelord. Charming and funny as hell. If you get the chance to meet him. Say hello. Or any of the Torche guys as they are one of the friendliest dudes you can meet. I originally did a face-to-face interview with Andrew in Leeds before the gig but unfortunately I suffered from technical issues with my mobile phone which lost the interview.

With Andrew being the awesome dude that he is. He kindly agreed to do this email interview which I'm very grateful for. So lets gets started with The Sensory Overlord himself – Andrew Elstner.

1. Hi Andrew. Thanks for doing this interview. How are things with you today.

A: Awesome. Just returned from a fishing trip in Missouri. Enjoying some time off.

2. Seems you’ve had an action packed 12 months or so. New albums with Torche and Tilts being released. Plus an action packed tour with Torche. Has this been the busiest period in your musical career so far.

A: Y'know, I'm not sure if it's the busiest of my career, but it's definitely BUSY. I love it. We've all worked hard to have this much work to do! Haha.

3. You’ve just returned from your European Tour with Torche. How was that experience for you and the guys. As it was quite an in-depth tour from you guys.

A: It was great man. It was my fifth European tour and my third with Torche. I love it every time even if we are basically seeing Europe from the inside of a van. The shows were killer over all, we averaged about five hours of sleep a night, a big blur!

4. What was your highs and lows from the recent European Tour.

A: My favorite high was opening for Pentagram in Belgium. I mean, holy shit. Lowest point? All of the fucking dehydrated coffee. Monstrous!

5. We have to talk about Restarter. This is your 2nd album you’ve recorded with Torche. Was it easier recording this album compared to Harmonicraft. Did you do anything different this time.

A: Well, I've done a split 12", two 7" singles and two full lengths so far with Torche and I'd say... Though we didn't do anything different this time process wise, it did take an unfortunately long time to finish with the mixing/mastering process. But, all's well that ends well. Tracking happened fairly fast, as did the writing process. Lots of long hours for poor Jon!

6. It’s possibly Torche’s loudest and angriest so far. Did you expect that when recording the album that it was going to be that heavy.

A: I'd say yeah, by the time we began tracking, we knew it was going to be a darker, heavier record. But, when we were writing, it wasn't done on purpose. It's just where our heads were at the time.

7. Are Torche as a band pleased with the responses that Restarter has received from fans and critics alike.

A: I'd say so yeah. Not that album reviews mean a whole lot to us artistically, I mean, we're gonna do what we want regardless. That fans are digging it super hard is a huge bonus.

8. I noticed that some people were expecting – Harmonicraft Part 2 – and I glad you guys went down a different route. Have you noticed that yourselves.

A: Oh man, it's the same on every release. You basically have two camps, first, the people who go, "Man, they changed too much! This doesn't sound like their last one." And then you have, "Man, they didn't do anything new. This sounds like their last record." Haha. Can't please everyone, so again, we'll do as we always do and please ourselves first as anything other than that would be bullshit.

9. Torche released a brilliant video for Annihilation Affair created by Phil Mucci. Did you have much input to that video and what were your thoughts when you seen the video for the first time.
A: Yeah, we're all beyond pleased with how it turned out. Extremely proud of that one, and honored to have worked with Phil Mucci and co. Steve and Phil discussed some basic themes, all based more or less around the art work that Santos did for the record. Phil Mucci then took those ideas and ran with em, sent us a treatment of his vision - which we loved - and went to work. The final product completely smoked us all.

10. You’ve also been made into a playable character in a video game - Torche vs Robots. How cool is that. What did your family and friends think of that. And have you played that video game. Very difficult in places.

A: Haha! Yeah, it's harder than I thought it would be, but worth it. When we all saw the 8-bit versions of ourselves, we freaked the fuck out. I grew up on the original NES and old arcade games and continue to game, though more mildly than many, so to have this game done for us was a total high point. Hilarious and awesome. Friends and family were all equally thrilled I'd say. Relapse really knocked that one outta the park.

11. You’re about to embark on a joint US tour with crazed Japanese Noise Sonic Riffsters – Melt Banana. You looking forward to that tour. What can people expect from the tour.

A: Yes! Coming up soon and should be crazy fun. What can people expect? Us trying desperately to keep up with Melt Banana. Haha!

12. Later in the year you’re coming back to Europe for another extensive tour. Are you playing to places and countries that you missed first time round on the previous European Tour.

A: Yeah, that's the idea. We'll be doing a swath through Scandinavia then heading east. Lots of Eastern Europe and then stopping in Greece at the tail end.

13. OK, now TILTS. You guys released a great album with Cuatro Hombres – which leaves your debut album in the dust. Fantastic record. Was that an easy or hard album to write and record for.

A: Thanks a million! Y'know, it was trickier in a way, as the first record was a remixed/mastered collection of our first three ep's, Cassingle, Sidepipin' and Contractors To Her Majesty's Forces. Writing and tracking a four song ep can be done insanely fast. With Cuatro Hombres, we wrote and tracked it basically as a whole album, even if tracking was done over different sessions. So yeah, it felt like a bigger undertaking.

14. What are the future plans for TILTS. Any forthcoming EP’s or tours showing up. Though I know all members are busy with other projects as well.

A: Man, I wish we had all kinds of stuff planned, to be honest. But my Torche schedule aside, we're all super busy dudes, Ken needs to look after his health AND we live in different cities so... yeah, unfortunately nothing on the agenda at the moment. Maybe some writing in the Fall? Fingers crossed!

15. I’ve been asked to ask this question regarding Riddle Of Steel. Are there any plans for Riddle Of Steel to reform as quite a few bands are reforming. Would you ever consider reforming Riddle Of Steel for a one-off performance or festival if asked to do so.

A: It's always flattering when people ask but there are no plans to do so. Between Torche and Tilts, I'm pretty much left with zero free time. It's also a matter of what we get stoked on musically, y'know? I'm proud of all that we did, but the stuff I want to write, play and sing now seems farther and farther removed from those days. We weren't a big band in any sense, but people do have their favorite songs/records and it'd be a mess if we got back together to write or perform and things weren't the same.

16. Andrew, Thanks for doing this. Best of luck with both TILTS and Torche, Before you go, Do you have anything to say to your fans.

A: Man, thank you as always for the love. It means the world that anyone gives a shit about what we do. Now come hi-five me at a show.

My bro Dave, Jonathan from Torche, Steve (myself) and some Joker at the back.

You heard the man. If you ever do meet Andrew or the rest of the Torche gang. Go say hello as they are some of the nicest dudes you can meet.

Thanks to Andrew for doing this interview. Much appreciated

Words by Steve Howe and Andrew Elstner

For More Information

Torche: Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Twitter
Tilts: Facebook | BandCamp | Twitter
Riddle Of Steel: Facebook | BandCamp

Torche - 'Restarter' (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 24/2/2015

Label: Relapse Records

‘Restarter’ CD//CS//DD//LP track listing:

1. Annihilation Affair
2. Bishop in Arms
3. Minions
4. Loose Men
5. Undone
6. Blasted
7. No Servants
8. Believe It
9. Barrier Hammer
10. Restarter

Torche is:

Jon Nunez | Bass

Rick Smith | Drums

Steve Brooks | Guitars, vocals

Andrew Elstner | Guitars, vocals

Review:

Torche have an uncanny ability to plunge you into their overwhelmingly sludgey swamp of a sound, where, like Indiana Jones in The Temple Of Doom the walls come closing in all around you. But then, at the moment you opt to draw that final breath, a gilt-edged hook spikes out from the mix and grabs you by the balls. This is a special band and ‘Restarter’ is their much anticipated return to the foray.

The conception of this record can be traced as far back as November 2013, with Floor’s short-lived but damn potent revival breaking up proceedings last year. So, considering the loyal fan base this band has, appetites are whetted and poised to devour another Torche record at long last. The first thing that needs to be said here is that ‘Restarter’ is by no means trying to out-do its predecessors or wade out of the swamp they have so crushingly dug out from boggy, tree-flecked turf. All this is, put concisely, is another Torche record. It’s another record of their signature holler trickling out of your speakers like treacle oozing over a sticky toffee pudding – but who doesn’t like sticky toffee pudding for Christ’s sake?

‘Restarter,’ the band state, is an attempt to capture their palpable live energy and bottle into a product that sounds precisely as contemporary as present day Torche does. The energy that does indeed contort and shriek from inside the bottle of this album is feral. If it bit you, you’d most certainly get rabies.

From the hammer blow opener of ‘Annihilation Affair’ – seriously, can any other band quite unfurl a punch drunk, fuzz explosion as devastating as it is fun as this band? – To the short, sharp, fast and frenetic ‘Undone,’ it ticks every box that makes up the band’s sound. Everything that you craved this album to have lurks somewhere in its depths. The former is a slow but rambunctious offering, while the latter’s syncopated guitar and snare wallop sound like a crazed knock on your door in the dead of night – it comes booming from out of nowhere, jerks you from your slumber and accelerates your heartbeat.

‘Blasted’, meanwhile, does just that to the listener. This is arguable the most ‘poppy’ of the songs on this ten track album, it harmoniously marries their enormous, tidal sound with honey drizzled vocal melodies which, like a cold breeze on an autumnal morning, brushes through you and raises the hairs on your neck and arms. ‘Believe It’ erects another wall of sound, Steve Brook’s vocals adding a spoonful of sugar to the gritty grind of guitars and sluggish thump of the rhythm section before octave chord lead work brings it to a whole other level of grandiosity.

To scrape a nit comb over this record, there is little originality in the noises that rattle your eardrums here. There’s nothing we haven’t heard and felt from the Miami four piece before, but  I for one am just delighted to hear another Torche record and I have no doubt that the vast majority of the already converted will see ‘Restarter’ as faultless.

Another highlight is, without a doubt, ‘No Servants.’ Split into two parts, it goes from high pitched, shrilled feedback and cymbal heavy drum work alongside a soulful vocal performance before it drops, the guitars kick in and all hell breaks loose. It is here perhaps that you feel the band have best epitomised what they are all about, where their blunt force energy is at its peak. When the song finishes in a crossfire of drum fills and towering power chords, you’re left a little breathless. And that is what Torche do best, they arrive with a fanfare of ridiculous proportions, charm you with those almost out of place luscious vocals before wrecking your home and leaving through a broken window. You stare at the rubble and turmoil left in their wake; you turn to watch their shadows creep over the horizon until it finally disappears out of sight, just a speck in the distance. It’s all over now, who knows when they will next pay a destructive visit, but I’ll polish my best crockery for the occasion.

Words: Phil Weller  

You can get a copy here

For more information:

http://torche.bandcamp.com/ | http://www.facebook.com/torcheofficial

| http://www.instagram.com/torche_band | http://www.torchemusic.com/

http://twitter.com/torcheband

TILTS - Cuatro Hombres - Album Review

Album Type: Album

Date Released: June 24^th 2014

Label: Robotic Empire

Cuatro Hombres - track listing:

1.Brown Gum 04:31

2.Kobra Kommander 02:56

3.Axel's Rows 03:50

4.The Chunge 04:33

5.Thomas Jefferson II 02:57

6.Titanium Falcon 03:49

7.Touchdowns 03:23

8.Skeletears 03:31

9.Down Days 03:21

10.The Sleepover 07:22

Bio

The dudes of Tilts have known each other a very long time. Long enough to be like brothers n' such. Features ex-members of Shame Club, Riddle of Steel, and current members of Torche, The Blind Eyes, The Balloons, The Lovely Lads, Superjam, Avalon Chimney and Lamar Latrell among many others.

Band Members

Shawn Hart - Bass

Ken McCray - Drums

Andy White - Guitar/Backup Vox

Andrew Elstner - Guitar/Lead Vox

Review:

Tilts are ready to ROCK OUT with their new album – Cuatro Hombres. A thought provoking tale full of nightmarish visions that shows you the true horrors of the world. This album will change your outlook on life forever.

REALLY!!! – NAH – Am just fucking with you all. Tilts are a band raised on a steady diet of 70s/80s Classic Hard Rock with bands such as Black Sabbath, Van Halen and ZZ Top. This album like their S/T debut is built on good old-fashioned Rock and Roll with funny as hell lyrics matched with blazing riffs that will leave you with a huge smile on your face.

Cuatro Hombres is a fresher sounding album than their debut. It seems TILTS have actually started to put some serious effort into this record. While their debut was more about partying all the time. Cuatro Hombres is all about growing up and embracing the good times that your life may lead to. Well actually the album is about - "It's about a wizard getting fitted for Air Jordans at a Footlocker in Middle Earth." I am not fucking with you. From the guys themselves when I recently interviewed them.

The album opens with the stunning track – Brown Gum – that starts with a slow-paced riff before TILTS bring the music to the masses as a heavy psych riff gets the party started. Front man – Andrew E – is on fine form through out. His vocals have definitely improved since the first record. Maybe it’s time spent with his other band – Torche – but he is more confident on this record. His vocals sound crisper and a lot fresher.

Though TILTS is all about the musical brotherhood as these guys have known each other for a lifetime. You can tell from their music these guys have such a close bond. And that is a good thing as the riffs are freaking awesome from start to finish. 2nd track – Kobra Kommander – carries on the frantic pace that TILTS are known for as the band unleash some serious angry riffs they have not played before. It has a subtle punk energy, which makes it one of the albums standout tracks.

The third track has one of the funniest song titles on the album – Axel’s Rows. Showcasing the bands sense of humor. Though the song is a more straightforward rock song played at a slower pace compared to the opening two tracks. Don’t worry though as TILTS still have plenty of tricks up their sleeve.

OK lets gets straight to the point. I could go on forever describing every song on the album. So I am not going to do that. Cuatro Hombres is an album that takes all of the good vibes and memories from the last 4 decades of Hard Rock and gives it a 21st century Stoner Rock makeover. It may not sound very original but Tilts do not really care. All they want to do is party and entertain the heck out of everyone who listens to their music. In my opinion, they succeed on every level as Cuatro Hombres is a brilliant ride from start to finish.

Though the main surprise of the album it the epic last track – The Sleepover. An instrumental Stoner Metal track that I did not expect at all. It is quite progressive in parts, which TILTS have never really ventured into. It has a slight Torche vibe to it but still stands as one of TILTS finest ever tracks they have written. Play this track heavy and loud. The way it is meant to be played.

Cuatro Hombres is a must have record for all you Hard Rock/Stoner Rock fans. Buy this now. You won’t be sorry.

Brilliant stuff.

Cuatro Hombres is available to buy on DD via BandCamp and Vinyl from Robotic Empire Records.

Check The Band From Links Below

Facebook

BandCamp

Written by Steve Howe

Interview with TILTS

I originally featured today's guests back in 2012 when I reviewed their superb S/T début album which I give a very positive review. It's blend of infectious Hard Rock/Stoner Rock vibes has won them a loyal following within the Hard Rock/Stoner Rock scene. It also helps they know how to write catchy as hell tunes such as Mexiqo, Whatever Happened and Hot For Pizza.

I am honoured to be interviewing – TILTS – today who are about to release their highly anticipated new album - Cuatro Hombres – which was made possible by their hugely successful Kickstarter fund which reached their set goal in double quick time.

With a band that features ex-members of Shame Club, Riddle of Steel, current members of Torche, and Blind Eyes among others. You know there is some highly talented people behind this band.

So lets get down to business with the mighty TILTS.

Q1 – Hi guys. Thanks for doing this. How are things with you today. As you know I am a huge fan of your band.

Tilts: Things are rad. Super stoked on the new record and currently rehearsing for our upcoming Tilts Tiny Tour.

Q2 – Can you tell our readers a brief history of how Tilts came about and where it is today.

Tilts: Yes! Ken and Andy left Shame Club in '09. They wanted to continue raging in a new band. We all go way back, played in bands together before. Ken and Andy called Andrew E, asked him to jam, we later hooked up with Shawn Hart on bass and started getting serious.

We're all such good friends man, so it's been a crazy blast.

Andrew later joined Torche in January 2011, but we've been continuing on during down time and it's been awesome thus far. Currently on Robotic Empire and couldn't be happier!

Q3 – How would yourselves describe your music as you have a lot of crazy stuff going on.

Tilts: Andy White says, "An '84 Camaro with hi-tops on and Oakleys for a windshield. Like, if Brian Bosworth was a car that would be the car and that car would be our music." Hahahaha!!

Q4 – It seems Tilts music is all about having a great time. Would you ever consider writing a much more serious song now or in the future.

Tilts: Nope. Though we may do a straight up dance record. No joke. As stated before, we've known each other for about 18 years and have been tight friends the whole time so when we get together it's laughter until crying. No interest in furrowed brows, plenty of other bands for that.

Q5 – You're about to release your new album. - Cuatro Hombres. Can you tell us what the album is all about.

Tilts: Well, of course the title is an obvious tip o' the hat to ZZ Top. For us, it's our 4th release as the prior full length is actually a collection of 3 ep's. It's a continuation of our original plan, to have a good time all the time. It's about a wizard getting fitted for Air Jordans at a Footlocker in Middle Earth.

Q6 – Was it an easy or hard album to write and record for.

Tilts: Easy on so many levels. We love writing together and can crank em out by the truckload. Life gets in the way as always, heavy stuff tries to darken the vibes, divorce, people moving away, hell Ken was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in January, 2012. I mean, holy shit. Ken is a beast and has been steady fighting, refusing to let it change much if anything at all in his daily affairs. It gets tough but spirits are high as ever.

Q7 – Both of your albums were funded by Kickstarter Crowd-funding projects. And they have both been extremely successful. Was that an easy decision to make to ask your fans to fund the release of both of your albums.

Tilts: We were super happy with how both campaigns turned out, and lucky to have Robotic Empire largely running the show. "Fans funding the record" isn't quite right though since we ran both Kickstarters basically as a big pre-sell. So it wasn't any more "fan funded" than any other release that any band would do except that the records were pre-ordered. It was awesome all around. No one had to go into debt, people got to participate, and we've been able to release two records.

Q8 – Crowd-funding seems to be very controversial at the moment. A lot of bands and musicians are for it but a lot are against it as well. Can you tell our readers your experiences using Kickstarter. Good or bad.

Tilts: Well, see above. But yeah, it's an interface where our fans can pre-order and get behind the release. So really, to say we aren't down with it, would be like saying we aren't down with the fans putting into it, which we aren't gonna do. The idea that it's more honorable or whatever to go heavily into debt or be forced into some shitty contract is the least DIY thing we can imagine.

Q9 – The Vinyl Record is being released on Robotic Empire Records. How did you hook up with them. Great label doing excellent work.

Tilts: Andrew's old band Riddle of Steel had a release on Robotic. We kept Andy Low at Robotic in the loop as to what Tilts was up to and eventually all parties decided to work together. It's been an awesome fit and Andy Low has been super supportive and a big believer in what we're doing.

Q10 – What is the song-writing dynamic with Tilts. Is it a group collective or down to one individual. Plus what influences you when writing a Tilts track.

Tilts: The songs are 98% collaboration. Occasionally someone has an idea or two to bring to the band, but it's always a group thing. As to influences, the bands we like are obvious. I mean, we have a song called "Hot For Pizza." It's a fun and shameless time influenced mainly by laughter.

Q11 – You're all involved with different bands and projects. How hard is it for you all to get together to record new music and tour together.

Tilts: It can get tricky. But we're all down for the cause so it's no sacrifice. We want to be doing what we're doing and we're all deep bros willing to commit the time needed to do what we love to do.

Q12 – You're début album received a lot of praise within the Stoner Rock community. Did it surprise you the response you received for your début album.

Tilts: Hmm, surprise maybe isn't the word we'd use. But happy for sure. It's always nice to be appreciated, no matter who's doing the appreciating. The stoner rock scene, is largely well informed on good classic rock: Truth And Janey, Buffalo, Iron Claw, etc. so it makes sense that scene would latch on to what we're doing.

Q13 – How big of a help has BandCamp and the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal community been in promoting your music.

Tilts: Bandcamp has been awesome as far as ease of getting music to people. It's a great site. And any love we get, from anyone ever, from any scene ever, is always appreciated.

Q14 - What is your musical set-up when playing live or recording your music. Any hints and tips would you like to give to the budding musicians out there.

Tilts: Andy says, "We face our cabs to the ground to communicate with the eternal spirit." When we record, the approach is very plug-in-and-play without trying to be contrived or force some kind of vibe. It fits the music we write and is super satisfying as opposed to sucking all the life and excitement out of our tunes with 600 takes of guitar or whatever.

Q15 – Which bands and artists influenced you as musicians. Any particular band or album that stand out.

Tilts: As a group it's pretty obvious: Van Halen, ZZ Top, Devo, Sabbath, BOC, Zeppelin and the like. Individually, it would be a list 100 pages long. We work together where the common loves occur.

Q16 – If you could change anything within the Hard Rock scene. What would it be and why.

Tilts: Wow. Hard to say. Shawn wants to bring back funk metal (probably). Andy wants less guitar solos, more Bit-o-Honeys. Ken wants world peace and Andrew wants a nice cigar in the evening.

Otherwise, we'd be cool with less bullshit. But who wouldn't?

Q17 - We are massive Vinyl Heads here at Sludgelord. Are you vinyl fans yourselves. And if so what are your favorite records you currently own.

Tilts: Huge fans of vinyl but we may not own as much as we'd like. Current faves, Deep Purple - Machine Head, Richard Pryor - That Nigger's Crazy, Glass Candy, Herb Alpert, Paul Simon, old Leo Kotke, Zeppelin III, Sabbath IV, Brant Bjork, Nektar.... Could go on for ages.

Q18 – When Tilts do tour, do you guys perform a lot of gigs in your home town or do you have to travel further afield to perform regularly.

Tilts: We wish we could tour way, way more but life has a way of fudging up the plans. We play St. Louis more than anywhere else, but always hoping to hit the road and do whenever the stars align. Touring overseas for Tilts is still a dream. One day!

Q19 – If you could give any advice to someone wanting to start a band. What would it be.

Tilts: Do it for honest reasons. Set goals. Practice at home. Find like minded people you get along with and play as much as you possibly can. Stay rad, stay hopeful and expect nothing.

Q20 – The last thing before you go, Do you have anything else to say to your fans.

Tilts: Thank you, everyone, everywhere. Though we'd be playing together regardless, it means an awful lot that anyone gives a shit. Always humbling.

Well guys thanks for doing this. All the best with the new album. Can't wait to hear it.

Be Excellent To Each Other.

Thanks to Tilts for this great interview. Our review of their new album - Cuatro Hombres – will be published soon. You can buy the album from here.

Check The Band From Links Below

Facebook

BandCamp

Written by Steve Howe