Never judge a band by its name.
A Very Loud Death, a three-piece band from Atlanta, Georgia, reached out to us, and we, being ever the optimists, almost took a pass on their e-mail.
We’re glad we didn’t. With their EP The Castration of the Idiot (yup, that’s the name) we heard a polished band crafting songs that blended the best of Metallica with Jimmy Eat World. Think “Enter Sandman” meets “The Middle” — and throw in some Dick Dale surf shifts and post-punk stylings while you’re at it.
Post-punk stylings, really, you ask? We know, but while listening to the trio’s swirl and shimmer, we swear we heard some Brit indie in A Very Loud Death. We kind of were reminded of U2 and The Chameleons, circa 1980. Crazy, right?
Whatever music they make, we wish the group A Very Cool Journey, and hope to hear from them again soon.
Until then… here are Six Crucial Questions… for A Very Loud Death.
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NAME: Cole O’Neil Robertson
AGE (if you want to give it up): 19
BAND: A Very Loud Death
POSITION: Drums
HOMETOWN: Torrance, California
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THE SIX CRUCIAL QUESTIONS…
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1. What is your earliest musical memory?
Listening to No Joke by the Meat Puppets with my dad. That’s right I grew up listening to the meat puppets album that was so bad most people pretend that it doesn’t exist.
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2. What has been your most embarrassing musical moment?
Probably when I played in the theater band for Godspell and afterwards getting a few too many complaints about how loud the drums were. At least I learned about dynamics that night.
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3. What do you like and dislike about touring?
I like the idea of touring and dislike the fact that I’m not doing it.
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4. What is your favorite record store, anywhere in the world?
Criminal Records in Atlanta because of my limited knowledge of record stores.
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5. Other than your own music, what is your favorite song or album of all-time? Why?
Since I can’t pick an all-time favorite I’ll pick a current favorite: Amusement Parks On Fire’s S/T.
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6. You wake up in a seedy Berlin hotel room with no recollection of the past 96 hours. Who is your first call?
THERE’S NO PHONE THAT’S HOW SEEDY THIS PLACE IS.
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BONUS ROUND:
Listen to U2’s Boy. What is your two sentence or two word review of the album?
Funny Joke.
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NAME: Chris Edge
AGE (if you want to give it up): Old
BAND: A Very Loud Death
POSITION: Singer/Guitarist
HOMETOWN: Detroit, Michigan
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Have you been playing together for a long time?
I’ve been playing with Bryan (bassist) for probably almost five years now in various projects. Cole, I’ve only been playing with a few months, but I’ve watched him about town in various projects for a while and always dug his energy.
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What’s the band’s background?
Bryan and I were always pretty much playing in other people’s bands, or writing for other people. I can’t speak for him, but for me, I just saw a mutual talent in him (and love of the same types of music) and just figured we could definitely start our own thing and work together and make something meaningful.
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Who produced/recorded/mastered your EP?
We worked very closely with a really talented guy by the name of Luke Campolieta of The Ministry Music. He actually contacted us maybe 10 months ago about doing a single (Do Away), we worked with him, and we just had to work together again for a complete work. Voila, “The Castration of the Idiot”. Atlanta bands definitely give him a shout!
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How would you describe your music?
In terms of genre, probably rock. We love rock, we love heavy sounds, but we also love ambiance and noise and pop and jazz and whatever. Our tastes are pretty wild as a band. But personally, we just try to make earnest music. But when asked we just say “rock” or “three piece band”. I know, not the sexiest genre. We should come up with something like neo-saloon grunge doo-wop beep boop metal or something…
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THE SIX CRUCIAL QUESTIONS…
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1. What is your earliest musical memory?
New Kids on the Block because I was a moron kid. Earliest musical memory that actually changed the course of my life was coming in from school and hearing “Black Dog” by Led Zeppelin. I never heard anything sound like that guitar as a 9 year old. I was hooked and had to listen to the entire album and had to learn to play that instrument.
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2. What has been your most embarrassing musical moment?
I fell on stage not too long ago. It happens, but it was the first time in years of being on stage. The floor was uneven and some of the boards were split and I was wearing boots and just really diggin’ the song….or I’m just uncoordinated. Either way, next thing I know I’m on my back. I got up like I owned the place, then later cried in the bathroom. Some of what I said is true, some isn’t.
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3. What do you like and dislike about touring?
Food and sleep and people and food and sleep.
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4. What is your favorite record store, anywhere in the world?
Gotta keep it local for Atlanta: Wax N Facts, Criminal Records, Decatur CD & Vinyl. A very nice guy owns His Rock Music/Record Store, too.
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5. Other than your own music, what is your favorite song or album of all-time? Why?
Money Jungle by Roach, Mingus, and Ellington. I mean come on, those three in a room, on a recording- I still can’t believe it. So much tension of beauty, intelligence, attitude and class on each and every performance. But there is so much music out there, amazing and a favorite for so many reasons.
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6. You wake up in a seedy Berlin hotel room with no recollection of the past 96 hours. Who is your first call?
If I’m doing everything right, I wouldn’t wake up….Man, that sounds dark; but I’ll go with it.
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BONUS ROUND:
Listen to U2’s Boy. What is your two sentence or two word review of the album?
Money Seed. Or “You’re a poor ‘Boy’, but you’ll be a rich man.” I dunno, which one is wittier? Neither? Cool.
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NAME: Bryan Peel
AGE (if you want to give it up): Older
BAND: A Very Loud Death
POSITION: Bassist
HOMETOWN: Augusta, GA
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Have you been playing together for a long time?
Chris and I have been in multiple projects over the past few years or so and have a lot of mutual musical interests. I’m sure I’ll echo a lot of what he says, but we’ve been playing music together for 4 or 5 years now. As for Cole, he’s a young guy with a lot of energy and heart. I’ve only been playing with him in this project for a few months now but his work ethic is impressive and the energy he brings makes us excited for what is to come.
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What’s the band’s background?
My background encompassed many styles with a deep love for rock and roll before Chris and I crossed paths. After some band breakups, Chris and I decided to start a band incorporating the style of music we both enjoyed and were inspired by, taking that inspiration and making it our own. From there we started this project, meeting Cole along the way, and it has now become what you have today.
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Who produced/recorded/mastered your EP?
I think Chris covered this and I would just say: what he said.
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How would you describe your music?
From the base of things, I always say rock and roll. But probably whatever Chris said. I don’t like all these sub-genres, I feel boxed in.
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THE SIX CRUCIAL QUESTIONS…
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1. What is your earliest musical memory?
Probably my first was early on, probably when I was around 8-10 years old. I was about to go see Bon Jovi and Skid Row and I pulled a muscle due to some sport activity, probably basketball or soccer at that time, and couldn’t move and had to stay home while my Dad and my brother went to go see them.
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2. What has been your most embarrassing musical moment?
Do I have to answer this? I’ll give one moment – when I first started playing out I was very nervous and totally bombed my bass lines on a couple songs I wasn’t ready for. It probably wouldn’t have mattered as much but this was in a cover band playing very recognizable songs. You learn quickly that you have to practice a lot. Everyone makes mistakes but that night was rough. Lesson learned.
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3. What do you like and dislike about touring?
I like meeting new people and visiting new places I’ve never been on tour but I dislike the limited availability of good food.
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4. What is your favorite record store, anywhere in the world?
Tough call. I do like Criminal Records in Atlanta but I think my favorite that I’ve been to so far has to be Amoeba in San Francisco.
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5. Other than your own music, what is your favorite song or album of all-time? Why?
This is always a tough question because it changes a lot. Right now I have to say it probably is The Mars Volta’s Frances the Mute. That album is crazy and that build on the end is so beautifully done. There are more and it’s hard to pick just one, especially some classic albums from the past that inspired so many to play music in the first place, but that’s how I feel at the moment.
6. You wake up in a seedy Berlin hotel room with no recollection of the past 96 hours. Who is your first call?
So, my cell phone is probably dead by then and assuming there is a phone available I’m guessing a hospital.
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BONUS ROUND:
Listen to U2’s Boy. What is your two sentence or two word review of the album?
Finding sound.
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All images courtesy of A Very Loud Death
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Other Six Crucial Questions:
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