EMQ’s With Jorogumo
EMQ’s With Jorogumo
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with UK-based Sludge/ Death Metal band, Jorogumo. Huge thanks to their Guitarist, Adam, 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 Adam. I play guitar in Jorogumo and write most of the songs. The band started in 2017 with Grant (vocals) and Nick (guitar). They wanted to start a metal band that wasn’t particularly tied to any one subgenre of metal. Different members have come and gone. As Nick departed to start a family, I took over the majority of songwriting so we have quite a varied sound now between Rot (our EP) and Babylon (our album).
How did you come up with your band name?
Grant is really enamoured with Japanese culture and he loved the idea of the shape-shifting siren that is a Jorogumo. Basically, it’s a beautiful woman who entices men back to her lair – and then they realise she’s actually a giant spider who binds them in a web to devour them later on. Hopefully with some soy sauce. Jorogumo translates as ‘Binding bride’ or ‘Whore spider’. Very metal.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
Although our practice space is in Glasgow, none of us are actually from there. I’m Irish, Grant is from Aberdeenshire, Adam Castle (bass) is from Aberdeen and the Philippines, Marcello (lead guitar) is from Sicily and Gabi (drums) is from Valencia. So yeah, we consider ourselves quite the international band! We’ve also had past members from Latvia and Hungary. In Glasgow, the metal scene is pretty vibrant as there are a shit load of bands from lots of different subgenres. I would say, though, that Glasgow audiences are pretty spoiled as they can go out any night of the week and see x amount of bands, so it’s hard to impress them – you really have to be the messiah or a very naughty boy to win them over.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
“Babylon” is our first full-length album. I’d say it’s got something for everyone across the metal spectrum. Death, Sludge, Thrash, Doom – it’s got the lot. Please like and subscribe.
Who have been your greatest influences?
All of us have different influences. Some different bands we like would include Obituary, Soilent Green, Mastodon, Carcass, Death, Pantera, and Today is the Day.
What first got you into music?
For me, probably living in the middle of nowhere and having nothing to do. Honestly, County Down back home is fantastic if you love oceans of green grass and hedgerows, but a tribute to boredom if that doesn’t arouse you. As soon as I found my starter-pack metal bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica etc, it was all over. I dutifully slid my Oasis albums off my bedroom CD shelf into the bin bag to make way. All hail the new flesh!
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I would love to pick the brains of the guys in King Gizzard – just to see how they write so quickly between so many members. Also because they have so much variety in their music. Also the guys in Blood Incantation, just so I could go on mad shroom adventures with them. In Glasgow!
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Wacken festival. Just because they have everything I love there – Sunshine, Bratwurst, strong beer, good looking Women.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
A business card saying that this fan was a ‘finder’. So anything at all that you might have lost, like your car keys, an item of clothing, your wife… well this guy said that he could find them for you. Bizarre.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
That we appreciate any little bit of support we get, however great or small. I cannot say that enough! I’d say though to fans of heavy metal in general though to do what you can to keep it alive. Come to the shows, buy the music, buy merch etc. Without any fans, there is no point in bands working their asses off to create art (and nearly killing each other in the process).
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Maybe Phil Lynott as that guy had it all – He was very much the rock star poet and could craft songs in any genre he felt like. I’d also love to go drinking with him.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
The thing I enjoy the most is the creativity and then showcasing that live. Its like something close to magic where you can just create something out of nothing that really moves you and your audience. The thing I hate is the nature of creating something and organising things in a collective because you are always going to have conflict as we all have different views. Its the part and parcel of being in a band and you just have to learn to negotiate that.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Just to not have music as being so disposable and also for it to not come second after gimmicks and content creation.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Mastodon’s “Leviathan”. I remember listening to it on my portable CD player in school and it blew me away. It felt like the lost art of guys making a primal metal album, full of atmosphere and earth-splitting riffs. I adore that album.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?
Vinyl
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
I loved playing at Belterfest in Glasgow a while back, where we got called the sexiest band. I mean, have you seen us?- we look like male models for a campaign urging women not to leave their drinks unattended! So I’ll take that compliment any day!
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Playboy photographer.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Renton, Spud, Sick Boy and Begbie from Trainspotting and the Pope.
What’s next for the band?
We want to play all over the UK. Scotland is great, but in terms of places to play Metal, there are only so many places you can go – all roads lead South.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Spotify, Bandcamp, Youtube – You name it, we’re probably on it.
There’s a long-standing food-based debate here in the UK. And we’d like your help. So… A Jaffa cake – is it a cake or a biscuit? Discuss!
It’s a non-binary bis-cake!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Buy our album! We’ve never had a bad review from a good-looking person.
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