EMQ’s with Threnody
Hi everyone. Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Pennsylvania USA Death Metal band, Threnody. Huge thanks to guitarist, Sean Trumbo, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
My name is Sean Trumbo and I am one of the guitarists in the band Threnody. Our band was founded in 1989 by Rich, Dave, Todd and I. We then recruited Bill to round out the “classic” line up. We then started writing Speed Metal / Thrash songs but soon decided to become a Death Metal band. Threnody was an active band from 1989-1992 and then was defunct until our other guitarist Bill decided to pull a Blues Brothers and get the band back together for a 30th anniversary album right before the pandemic hit.
How did you come up with your band name?
I was looking through a dictionary and thesaurus trying to find a name for the band in morning homeroom in High School. We were looking for something scary or creepy so I was looking up death / funeral-type words and I found “funeral dirge” or threnody and the name stuck.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
We are from the U.S.A. and the band originated in the Reading, Pennsylvania area. I couldn’t tell you what the current music scene is like now since I’ve been out of the loop for so long but back in our heyday there was a decent Metal / Hardcore scene in the area.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Our newest release is “Rid of Flesh” which is a full album consisting of a mix of songs from our first demo “Internal Infestation” and our unreleased second demo “Rid of Flesh/Maggot Feast.”
Who have been your greatest influences?
Speaking for myself (Sean), my greatest musical influences have been Metallica, Slayer, Death, Carcass, and Cannibal Corpse with Elton John being one of my earliest music idols. The band is heavily influenced by the same bands plus Napalm Death with a sprinkling of early Hardcore.
What first got you into music?
My Mom took me to see Elton John in 1976 when I was just 3 years old. I was so young but I still remember being overwhelmed by the sights and sounds. She also used to blast music on the stereo while cleaning the house and I would play the Atari 2600 and just listen to all the rock acts that were big at the time. You could say it was a mix of who and what got me into music.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
My bandmates. I hadn’t played in years before this project and the enjoyment I have gotten from playing with these guys again is incredible.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Either Hellfest or Wacken Open Air Festival. To play and see that many Metal bands would be awesome.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I’ve never received a gift from a fan but who knows what the future brings.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you for enjoying our music and making us feel young again.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
John Lennon
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I enjoy making music that I would listen to and seeing others liking it as well. I hate that I waited 30 years to understand the first question.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I think the fact that anyone can create music and put it there for everyone to hear without having to go through major labels is a great thing. I’m not immersed fully in the industry so it’s hard to say what I would change.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
A 4-way tie between “Master of Puppets” by Metallica, “Symphonies of Sickness” by Carcass, “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy” by Elton John and “Abbey Road” by The Beatles.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
I listen to almost everything digitally nowadays. I usually try to have the songs in my library be lossless so there is no loss from compression.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Honestly, it was a gig in our friend’s basement in winter 1990 playing with our friends in the band Torment. Good times.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
My day job, which Quality Control for a telecommunication company. Pretty exciting stuff.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Elton John, Steve Martin, John Lennon, James Hetfield, and Carl Sagan.
What’s next for the band?
Hopefully recording some more music and possibly playing some shows.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
http://m.facebook.com/Threnody1991/
https://www.instagram.com/threnody_us_grindgore
https://twitter.com/Threnody1991
https://threnody1991.bandcamp.com/album/rid-of-flesh
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
I’ve never had one but I would love to try one and they look delicious!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for your time and thank you to anyone who is listening to our album and supporting us.
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