EMQ’s With Vulgarithm
EMQ’s With Vulgarithm
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with UK based Electro/Metal solo project, Vulgarithm. Huge thanks to main man Dirt McGirk 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 Dirt McGurk, I am the solo member of Vulgarithm playing and writing everything, and have been playing gigs now for roughly a year and a half. Founded in 2020, it started off as an internet project when boredom sparks creative juices for a unique image and live show. Caters for all musical types, from shows at Metal 2 the Masses to support slots with The Orb.
How did you come up with your band name?
A brainstorm in the car as I drove to work. Fun word play in my head creates a name which perfectly describes the sound. The Vulgarity, the Rhythmic play and the algorithms that put it all together.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
East Midlands in the UK. I live in a fairly rural area but around 60 or 90 mins away there are some strong scenes brewing in Nottingham at the moment.
What is your latest release?
Since February I have released 3 singles. “Fist!” was released on Youtube back in February but this month it is on Spotify, Apple, Bandcamp and many others. There is also a video for my 2nd single “Lad Riff!” and at the end of June I released a version of “The Influence Song” on all streaming platforms as well. Search “New Vulgarithm Songs” on Spotify and you will find a designated playlist.
Who have been your greatest influences?
For Vulgarithms sound, anything that can bring a bounce and an air of danger, but also some humour. A friend of mine said it’s like if Skindred teamed up with The Prodigy and I can say that is fairly accurate.
What first got you into music?
Hard to pinpoint one moment as I have been slowly taking in musical ideas and thoughts since a toddler, but the band that got me thinking “I’d like to write a song for the first time,” was actually Oasis, specifically the album “What’s the Story Morning Glory”. I know there is a large community of metalheads that can’t stand Oasis, but their way of writing, song structure and bravado struck a chord with me and I’ve been writing music ever since.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I always go for Trent Reznor or Maynard James Keenan on these questions. They have a thought process way above your average musician that we mere mortals can only dream of.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I mean Download, Reading and Leeds are obvious ones, as are Hellfest and others in Europe, but I may go for one where I would be incredibly out of place, like a Coachella but worse.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I won’t say weird because that’s a bit unfair, but a friend of mine bought a 3D printer and one of the first prototypes he printed was an updated mask for my live performance. It fits my face extremely well. I was surprised it fit so well. Speaking of masks I’ve had a barman at one venue recreate my mask while working, which was flattering.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Spread the word and buy more physical things. In this short attention span lifestyle we all live in now, no one can survive on sheer talent alone, the art of marketing is the most important thing and as I am appalling at marketing I need help from those who like me already.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Damn that’s tough! You know what, leftfield answer but I’ll go for Mozart, he was a Rock star of his era and it would be interesting to see his take on electronic instruments.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Cheesy answer but the music, if I didn’t enjoy listening and playing the music then there would be no point in being a musician. The bits I hate is how “throw away” some people view music, as something that’s there and not important, in particularly politicians, and this can filter down to the poorest in society, which can filter down further to their children who have asked me “what’s the point of music” (I teach guitar and ukulele in full classes at schools).
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Promoting the value of music in our society, that way musicians will get paid better, society as a whole appreciates it better and people may vary their music. I know most pop music can be complete drivel, but if the industry showed how much work and drive goes into making music and how it can help people’s mental health it wouldn’t be “just background noise”.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Tool – “ Lateralus”. I don’t listen to all my albums in its entirety like when I heard them at 14 or 15, but this one gets a spin at least 4 or 5 times a year, and when I mean spin, I mean I sit and listen, sleeve notes etc. Genius, absolute genius.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Purely for nostalgia sake, I’ll go for the CD, most of my favourite musical discoveries were made with a CD purchase back in my teenage years.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
The two years I’ve played Strawberry Fair at Cambridge. It was only a half hour slot but each time I’ve played there the crowd have been ace! Crowd participation, bounce, everything.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Unemployed! Joking aside I honestly don’t know as I’ve been music driven since the age of 10, the only other job I’ve had which wasn’t music related was bar work, so maybe bar work?
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of South Park, Piers Morgan, James O’Brien and Boris Johnson. I’ve done a question like this before, but this time I want to cause drama. Fun fun fun.
What’s next for the band?
Finishing off an album, all the parts are there, just some small vocal points to do but an album will be ready in the new year.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Website – www.vulgarithm.com
Bandcamp – https://vulgarithm.bandcamp.com/
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/5tDdWjYK9bws0iEfG2fPVW?si=gsHemXRnT5OO_7rLdybAZQ
Youtube – https://youtube.com/@vulgarithmofficial
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 midlander born in the South to Northern parents, I’ve used Bap, Bun and Roll.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Please be on the lookout for the music video for “The influence song”. In the meantime check the song out on every streaming service.
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.
