EMQ’s With MARBLE GHOSTS
EMQ’s With MARBLE GHOSTS
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Canadian Hard Rock/ Metal band, Marble Ghosts. Huge thanks to them 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?
We are Marble Ghosts, a four-piece band from Ottawa/Gatineau. This band is relatively new. Most of the music was written by Adam (guitarist) and Dylan (vocals) with input from everyone. We are releasing our 5-track EP on March 1st, 2024. These five songs represent our style perfectly as well as the direction we want to go in as a band.
How did you come up with your band name?
The name comes from the statues of the past. These ‘marble ghosts’ are revered by some as pioneers and trailblazers who forged their nations, but who also committed terrible crimes. Like the band’s song, ‘False Heroes’, the band asks simply, “Why do we hold them up so high? Why do we cover up the crimes?” These marble ghosts are being pulled down physically but also in the changing mentalities toward flawed historical persons. The marble ghosts are also the traditions of old including religious beliefs that have not changed with the times to accept differing views. Again, the band seeks to call out these anachronistic outmoded views that cause real harm.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
We are from Ottawa/Gatineau, Canada. Ottawa in particular is known as a boring government town- the place where fun goes to die. However, there is a thriving live music scene, and specifically, several venues that cater to heavier rock music. From our latest show at the Dominion Tavern, the scene is alive and well as the venue was completely packed.
What is your latest release?
‘Old School’ dropped on January 12, 2024. The song is a thrash punk medley with a biting, unforgettable chorus that acts as an anthem for the disaffected who are tired of being ruled by a vocal religious minority.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Marble Ghosts is a death metal drummer, an old-school metal bassist, a singer heavily influenced by 90s grunge, and a metalcore guitar player – the band blends genres and generations. For the 90s, our use of harmonies and slow sludgy riffs are influenced by Alice in Chains. The guitar riff writing is influenced by early 2000s bands like AFI. Our drummer beats the shit out of his drums, so Metallica is obviously an influence. The band is also influenced by Power Metal, like King Diamond, in our use of melodic bass, especially to push soaring choruses.
What first got you into music?
Our drummer Jer became obsessed with music at a very young age, listening to Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Kiss. Adam, our guitarist, has deep musical roots with his entire family playing music. Paul got into music at 8 years old, buying Motley Crue’s “Shout at the Devil”. He loved Nikki Sixx’s style where he plays in the pocket.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
We’d love to work with some local Ottawa bands like Cevilian and Cynical Sons. We’d also love to get on a bill with Canadian legends Billy Talent, their energy and musicianship is incredible.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Download festival. A lot of our favourite bands have played it. Locally, we would love to play Bluesfest, which sees huge international and Canadian acts play every year.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
At our last show, a fan gave our singer a glow-in-the dark necklace.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you for the support and keep supporting independent music. Also, the energy that you give off feeds our performance. The more pits the better.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Taylor Hawkins. Lemmy. Chris Cornell. Sorry, we couldn’t pick one!
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
We love being able to speak truth to power through our music, and the ability to reach people at their deepest levels. We hate carrying gear!
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Ensuring that musicians are paid fairly so they can make a living and keep creating great art.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Dirt” by Alice in Chains.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
8 tracks.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
The Dominion Tavern in Ottawa. The crowd was insane. At the end of our set, the crowd wanted more. The place was completely packed, there was a pit, which our singer jumped into, and the energy was off-the-charts.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
We haven’t quit our day jobs yet. But we’d love to play music full time.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Dave Grohl, Gordon Ramsey, King Diamond (a.k.a Kim Bendix Petersen), Ozzy Osbourne, Michael Jordan (i.e the best dinner party ever).
What’s next for the band?
We are opening for The Lazys at The 27 Club in Ottawa on February 29th, 2024. We’ll be joined as well by Taming Sari. It will also be our EP release show. The EP will be released at midnight on March 1th, 2024.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Marble Ghosts (@marbleghostsofficial) • Instagram photos and videos
https://youtube.com/@MarbleGhostsOfficial?si=i1_AK7fNkQE_KkAW
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?
Barm.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for reading and keep streaming our music and checking out our shows. We appreciate it all!
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.
