EMQ’s With Gurt
EMQ’s With Gurt
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with UK Sludge/ Doom band, Gurt. Huge thanks to their founding member, Gareth, 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?
Gareth here, started the band in 2010 with 3 very close friends who loved Iron Monkey and wanted a chance to see me scream (The other boys Jamie, John and Simo were in a band together before, blues rock called ‘Rowse’) Then 2 years, In Jamie and john had to move away abroad with work. Jamie went to San Francisco and later started doom band ‘Brume’ (check out their new album ‘Marten’!) and John went to Singapore and was never seen again. Then came in our bestest friends Dave ‘Spicy’ and Rich who have played Bass and guitar ever since. Then in 2014 when we went on tour with Dopethrone for the first time Simo made the hard decision to step away from the band and Billy jumped in to help on drum duties and has refused to leave the band ever since. So the 4 of us have been in this version of GURT for 10 years now, and anyone with good maths skill swill work out its nearly been 15 years of GURT!
How did you come up with your band name?
It’s the first letter of the real names of each band member, Gareth, Ulrich, Rich and Tarquin…. Clever stuff!!
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
London, its full of loads of stuff. The scene we grew up in had evolved so much from back in the early days and we are probably really out of touch now… But, we have seen the likes of Desertfest grow as we have grown and that festival is MASSIVE now! (And we have played it 4 times now!)
What is your latest release?
‘Satan etc’ is out on June 7th and is our 4th album…. Lead single ‘Knife Fever’ is out now and another single to follow on May 21st!! Preorder now at www.gurt.bigcartel.com and =www.gurt.bandcamp.com
Who have been your greatest influences?
LOADS…. Iron Monkey to Raging Speedhorn, Primus to Faith no More, Korn to the Hives, Dio to Manowar… Gwar to Queen!! we love loads of stuff!!
What first got you into music?
Our parents!
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
GWAR!
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Hellfest is probably at the top of the list!!
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
We have a huge fan in Belgium named Sander and he very kindly sent me (Gareth) a LEGO Imperial Star Destroyer! I am a huge LEGO fan and it’s a set I had wanted for years, he passed it on and made me a very happy human! Big love to Sander.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Make merch, Not love!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Pete Steele or Wayne Static.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Being really famous and popular, we Love and Hate!
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
There is just too much to unpack here, but to keep it brief. I think the amount of support for grassroots level venues and touring, They are the life and soul of our scene and country and are having a very rough time of late!
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
That would have to be, the Best of the Beatles.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Vinyl… no contest!
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Both of the times we have appeared at Bloodstock festival, playing to thousands of people is the best thing and very little can top that….. Although, playing in support of Red Fang at the Black Heart in Camden was up there!
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
We would love to work in Music Licensing, or for the Water board, or maybe a nice little job as a designer or in packaging!
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Probably us 4 in the band and Billy’s mum.
What’s next for the band?
Get this incredible album out into the world and play some shows, we have lots planned so keep your eyes peeled, our next gig is some time away but it’s at Riffolution in Manchester in September.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
https://www.facebook.com/GURTsludge
https://www.youtube.com/@GURTSLUDGE
https://www.instagram.com/gurtsludge
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?
A Roll when in London, and Cob when in Leicestershire!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thanks for having us and please ensure you pick up a copy of this new album, it’s been 5 years since our last album and you guys are well and truly in for a treat with this one… love you… bye bye!!!
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.
