Interview with DEATHSPADE
!!!METALPUNK FROM THE USA!!!
We had a conversation with Pete. Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us when and why DEATHSPADE was formed.
Deathspade was formed in late 2023 when I started thinking of ideas for a punk metal band. I started off playing in punk bands, touring a lot as teenager and in my college years and wanted to get back to my roots. This is where it gets a bit nerdy…I was watching an old b-horror movie and thought “why not do an 80s Horror themed project? Write songs about a maniac on the loose with an axe and work in your love of horror movie soundtracks and there it was, the Deathspade was born!”
You have recently released your EP ''All Hail the Deathspade''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
So far, the feedback has been really positive. To be honest, I didn’t send it out to a lot of sites and blogs yet since I just wanted to release it quickly after it was completed. You’re the first site to reach out to me about it! The folks at New Wave of Old School Thrash Metal shared it to their youtube page and it’s been going well with a few thousand views already!
Are you in searching for a record label and what do you prefer, label or DIY and why?
I would love to work with a label on this first release, but since it’s out already I don’t think anyone will press it now, but perhaps a cassette release will be available soon…
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings that you would like to share with us?
Well…since I’m a one-man band, recording at my home studio was a must. I completely forgot that my neighbors were home and decided to try and do the sound design for kill scene in the intro track. Let’s just say my neighbors heard me chop up a lot of stuff and laughing about it hysterically for a while and two of them came down and knocked on my door to make sure I was alright.
How difficult (or easy) is it for a musician to compose all the tracks by himself and what difficulties did you face during the recording of your first EP.
I would honestly say that this was probably the easiest time I’ve ever had working on music. I started my other band (Bloodletter) the same way back in late 2012 I wrote a handful of songs myself, I still write a lot of the music on my own (but have since learned to be better about sharing songwriting!) and do the same thing with Dungeon Synth project (Mortlach). This time with Deathspade though it was “what do I want to write today?” and then just record it. I just wanted to write and record some fast and heavy music that would be fun as hell to play, and I think I was able to capitalize on not overthinking any of it.
What bands have you been influenced by?
So many bands have been influential for me, but Deathspade is mostly influenced by Toxic Holocaust, Bloodbath, Power Trip, Dismember, Motorhead, Black Breath and Bathory.
Tell us 10 Metal releases that have "entered" your blood.
Albums that have made that big an impact…I’d have to say: Slayer - Reign In Blood, Toxic Holocaust - An Overdose of Death, Iron Maiden – Powerslave, - Immortal – At The Heart of Winter, The Black Dahlia Murder – Ritual, Nails – Unsilent Death, Motorhead – Ace of Spades, Vampire – Vampire, At The Gates – Slaughter of the Soul, Speedwolf – Ride with Death
What do you think is the best way to promote a new MetalPunk band and what do you think is the mistake that today's bands are making?
I know social media is a big part of reaching people with your music, but there’s still no substitute for getting out and touring/playing shows. People need to see your band live or be exposed to it in person for things to really take hold I think.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
While I don’t know a ton about the Hellenic metal scene (which is a shame since I’m a third Greek!) I do know that I love bands like: Nercomantia with their two-eight string basses, Zemial (I always thought they were like Bathory, which I love), Kawir, and the almighty Varathon!
The last 4 years, worldwide in the world, we have faced many dark, strange & new situations in our everyday life (covid, lock-down etc.) Did all of this affect you positively or negatively?
The pandemic changed a lot of what we do and how people lived their lives. I wish more people took it seriously at the beginning because loads of people would have been spared. Everybody needs to be aware of their surroundings, help one another and be kinder to each other. That includes trying to avoid getting sick so we can all go to shows and play music live!
Is there new material? What will we see and hear from DEATHSPADE in the near future?
You will absolutely see and hear more from Deathspade. Another album is nearly done and like any good horror movie franchise there has to be a sequel! Look for live shows to happen in 2025 and maybe even a label partnership too…
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thanks so much for having me on your site and talking with me about the project! If Greece wants Deathspade to come play some shows, I’ll make it happen!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
DEATHSPADE CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/deathspademetal
https://www.instagram.com/deathspademetal/
https://deathspade.bandcamp.com/
https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/276885061
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2lfbjS3LO1HLMHRt9jnhWh