EMQ’s With Semprus
EMQ’s With Semprus
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with UK based Death Metal/ Deathcore band, Semprus. Huge thanks to their Vocalist and Founder Member, Travis, 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?
I’m Travis, I am the vocalist, songwriter and founder of Semprus. The band was originally meant to be my solo project, because every band I’d tried to start before had failed to get off the ground. So, I thought let’s do it alone, but I somehow had the right musicians come to me that wanted to make this a live playing band! So we’ve been around since 2022ish now.
How did you come up with your band name?
I came up with the name while sitting in a Wetherspoons in Scarborough, thinking about what to call my next project. Recently I had been binge watching Harry Potter (very British I know), and the previous night I had finished The Half Blood Prince. In the film Snape creates a spell called ‘Sectumsempra’, which means ‘Sever Continuously’. I thought Sempra sounded cool, but I wanted a band name that starts and ends on the same letter, So I said aloud Sampras, Sempris, Semprus; Semprus was the one!.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
We are from Guildford, England, and let me tell you there is no metal scene here. Only a few bands have made it out to bigger things, like Bound In Fear and Sunfall. We are the only ones coming up from this area, and it’s hard. No one wants to know you because you’re not based in London.
What is your latest release?
“INSANITY” COMING OUT JULY 28TH (shameless plug)! But technically it is our first EP from early 2022, which I can only describe as Behemoth on steroids.
Who have been your greatest influences?
We are inspired by artists who represent creative freedom! Such as The Dillinger Escape Plan, NIN, Deviloof, Behemoth and Cradle Of Filth.
What first got you into music?
I think I’ve always been into it; all my family are big music listeners and I’ve been surrounded by so many genres my whole life. But I mainly attribute my taste from my older brother who was from the 90s grunge era and early noughties Nu-Metal period. I spent a lot of time growing up watching him play all sorts of things on the guitar, which must have subconsciously been building my taste and ear for music.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
IDLES, I think they are one of the most creative and forward thinking acts at the moment. I think they are leading a new generation of punk!
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
For the near future we’d love to play Tech Fest, as they have so many good metal acts that we would love to be a part of. As an end career goal, I would love to play Reading Festival, as it is just up the road from where a lot of us live and so many of those classic rock acts have played there.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Mate… We are such a small band, the weirdest thing I’ve received is a beer, lol.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Understand that life is worth everything and nothing at the same time, so live your life how you choose and continuously evolve as a human being.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
That’s a good one. What if they came back and made bad music though? I’m gonna say Lanye Stanley.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I enjoy being in a constant state of learning and experimentation. What I hate is that recording really takes it out of me emotionally. I feel so empty after letting it all out, I almost don’t know what to do with myself. So, I move onto the next thing, hence why our sound is always changing.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
The amount of secret meet ups, links, and boot licking you have to do to get absolutely anywhere. Promoters control everything and they will only help you out if you have huge Spotify numbers. Nevermind how many shows you’ve sold out or venues you played, it is solely based on Spotify numbers… Sucks, because so much music is being suppressed, which if given a chance, you would be hearing the real, authentic next biggest thing.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
The Fragile, By Nine Inch Nails. It’s about a million tracks long and I can listen to everyone, anytime.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Has to be vinyl, anytime I hear that record crackle, it gets me going… Also, let’s appreciate how much art goes into the packaging!
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Definitely The Brickmakers in Norwich, when we guest headlined Metal to the Masses Final. Crowd was great, we sold out and the stage was beautiful.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I’d definitely be a UFC fighter, I love Martial Arts and have trained for years.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Bjork, Trent Reznor, Mike Patton, Maynard Keenan, and Thom Yorke, I’d force them to collab on something together.
What’s next for the band?
To reinvent ourselves once again, into something darker and Grungedelic, and push a more experimental sound than ever heard before as we work on recording our next set of songs.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Semprus/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/semprus_band/?hl=en
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1H6NiMydN0FnelNK1IeyCk?si=2409d70fbb73454a
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
As a geezer who grew up on the working-class council estates of Farnborough Hampshire, we say BAP.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for having us and REMEMBER “INSANITY” IS OUT JULY 28TH ON ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS!
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.