OKComputer1016
10/29/08, 04:09 PM
You may never have heard of prog-rock trio Dr. Slaggleberry before, but with a name like that, we’re hoping you won’t be forgetting about them any time soon. Their bizarre moniker and song titles like “Extra Strength Grandma” and “Tails of the Blind Donkey” ought to give you a hint at what the music sounds like: strange, illogical, awesome. Although they hail from Great Britain, theirs is a sound that translates well over the pond, so I the curious music adventurer tracked down guitarist Chris Pethers and asked him a few questions.
Your sound is almost impossible to describe in human words. How would you summarize your style to a group of music lovers such as the Absolute Punk community? Keeping in mind that brainmelting is not actually a word.
I would say that it’s a fusion of a number or styles. We don’t sit [around] thinking about how we can pigeon hole it. It is what it is, but lots of people say that it’s math metal or jazz metal. I think those tags are just used when people can’t quite work out what it is. My favorite comment is that we sounded like the deranged inner workings of a mass murderer.
When did you guys officially get started? These don’t sound like songs anybody threw together overnight.
The band itself has been around since 2005, [and] we have changed styles a lot because the band for us has been a massive learning process. As we got better at our instruments we took it in a more progressive direction and moved away from our funk-rock routes. But the EP was written within a couple months over late spring 2008.
And speaking of getting started, how’d you choose the name Dr. Slaggleberry? What could that possibly mean?
Our old singer actually came up with it stoned at a BBQ back in 2005, [and] we all thought it was a funny name and it stuck. This was back when we were more funk rock. We have thought about changing the name but, meh, a name’s just a name. I saw a band in a music magazine called The Poodles and they're doing alright for themselves.
At the current time, you’ve only got 4 shows listed on your MySpace page. Have you guys got some kind of bigger tour up your sleeves? Ideally, what bands would you guys love to tour with?
Well we plan to go on tour next year, and to be honest we will go on tour with anybody who will have us! (Laughs) It would be great to come over and do a tour of America.
What if we included bands that don’t actually exist anymore, for fun?
Umm…..Led zeppelin. (Laughs)
What are your thoughts on the American election? I had to ask… You can say “Fuck off” if that’s the most generic interview question somebody would slip in at this point in time.
Watch “Zeitgeist” on Google Video for more information!
Well, as an instrumental band, some fans might form the opinion that you’ve got nothing to say. What do you think about overtly political bands or lyrical expression in general? Overrated?
I’m just not into lyrics. I don’t give a shit about what bands have to say – I listen to it for the music, the riffs and the melodies. When I was younger I really liked Rage Against the Machine but I didn’t give a fuck about the message. I think most things have already been written about anyways so we would only be repeating what some other band has already sung about.
As a smaller British band on a smaller independent record label, what do you think about the fact that you’ve caught the attention of a pretty popular music site over here in the States? Meaning, gee, isn’t the internet wonderful?
That it is. Glad people are taking some notice.
So you’re in the studio working on a full length, right? When can we expect it? What will it be called? And are you guys moving in the same general direction as your self-titled EP?
We are going for a more aggressive, heavier fucking [sound], but it will still be progressive and technically challenging. And with names we are tossing up between Slag Expansion and the Super Filth or Cunts.
Okay, last question. When you guys aren’t creating mind-bending tunes, how do you spend your days?
Well, I’m a college bum so that says it all. Lewis works on a farm, herding sheep about and stuff and Rich is at [school as well]. We all do a bit of private tuition as well to keep us [from going poor] so if anybody’s interested, get in touch.
DR SLAGGLEBERRY’S UPCOMING SHOWS
10/30: George 2nd Pub – Luton, England
11/14: The Vibe – Didcot, England
11/19: Castle Tavern – Luton, England
11/20: Grosvenor Pub – London, England
www.myspace.com/drslaggleberry (http://www.absolutepunk.net/www.myspace.com/drslaggleberry)
Your sound is almost impossible to describe in human words. How would you summarize your style to a group of music lovers such as the Absolute Punk community? Keeping in mind that brainmelting is not actually a word.
I would say that it’s a fusion of a number or styles. We don’t sit [around] thinking about how we can pigeon hole it. It is what it is, but lots of people say that it’s math metal or jazz metal. I think those tags are just used when people can’t quite work out what it is. My favorite comment is that we sounded like the deranged inner workings of a mass murderer.
When did you guys officially get started? These don’t sound like songs anybody threw together overnight.
The band itself has been around since 2005, [and] we have changed styles a lot because the band for us has been a massive learning process. As we got better at our instruments we took it in a more progressive direction and moved away from our funk-rock routes. But the EP was written within a couple months over late spring 2008.
And speaking of getting started, how’d you choose the name Dr. Slaggleberry? What could that possibly mean?
Our old singer actually came up with it stoned at a BBQ back in 2005, [and] we all thought it was a funny name and it stuck. This was back when we were more funk rock. We have thought about changing the name but, meh, a name’s just a name. I saw a band in a music magazine called The Poodles and they're doing alright for themselves.
At the current time, you’ve only got 4 shows listed on your MySpace page. Have you guys got some kind of bigger tour up your sleeves? Ideally, what bands would you guys love to tour with?
Well we plan to go on tour next year, and to be honest we will go on tour with anybody who will have us! (Laughs) It would be great to come over and do a tour of America.
What if we included bands that don’t actually exist anymore, for fun?
Umm…..Led zeppelin. (Laughs)
What are your thoughts on the American election? I had to ask… You can say “Fuck off” if that’s the most generic interview question somebody would slip in at this point in time.
Watch “Zeitgeist” on Google Video for more information!
Well, as an instrumental band, some fans might form the opinion that you’ve got nothing to say. What do you think about overtly political bands or lyrical expression in general? Overrated?
I’m just not into lyrics. I don’t give a shit about what bands have to say – I listen to it for the music, the riffs and the melodies. When I was younger I really liked Rage Against the Machine but I didn’t give a fuck about the message. I think most things have already been written about anyways so we would only be repeating what some other band has already sung about.
As a smaller British band on a smaller independent record label, what do you think about the fact that you’ve caught the attention of a pretty popular music site over here in the States? Meaning, gee, isn’t the internet wonderful?
That it is. Glad people are taking some notice.
So you’re in the studio working on a full length, right? When can we expect it? What will it be called? And are you guys moving in the same general direction as your self-titled EP?
We are going for a more aggressive, heavier fucking [sound], but it will still be progressive and technically challenging. And with names we are tossing up between Slag Expansion and the Super Filth or Cunts.
Okay, last question. When you guys aren’t creating mind-bending tunes, how do you spend your days?
Well, I’m a college bum so that says it all. Lewis works on a farm, herding sheep about and stuff and Rich is at [school as well]. We all do a bit of private tuition as well to keep us [from going poor] so if anybody’s interested, get in touch.
DR SLAGGLEBERRY’S UPCOMING SHOWS
10/30: George 2nd Pub – Luton, England
11/14: The Vibe – Didcot, England
11/19: Castle Tavern – Luton, England
11/20: Grosvenor Pub – London, England
www.myspace.com/drslaggleberry (http://www.absolutepunk.net/www.myspace.com/drslaggleberry)