Interviews: Slomatics

In this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Doom Metal band Slomatics from Ireland. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

We got together with the intention of just writing a few songs for ourselves, but as all three of us had previously played in a band together that gigged a lot, we were asked fairly quickly to play shows. So we needed a name, and all the good ones we thought of were taken already. We needed something quick, so look at our pedalboards for inspiration! We use Chromatic tuners - that name was taken - so seeing as we played quite slowly we just changed the ‘Chro’ to ‘Slo’ and that was it!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

It wasn’t a plan or whatever, we just played what we liked. I don’t think bands think too much about genres, or at least they shouldn’t. Limitations can never be a good thing in music.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Yes, do people actually form bands with complete strangers?? All three of the original line-up were in a band called The Naut together, and Marty ( our ‘new’ drummer of seven years now) was also in that band. It’s certainly a small world here in Belfast! All three of us were good friends long before we played music together. 

4. Each band member favorite band?

We’re far too old to have favorite bands!! There’s lots of stuff we all like, but quite a lot of different stuff too. I’ll give you the last three records I bought - Rainbow Graves, Serge Gainsbourg, Zig Zags.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I tend to sit at home playing guitar but not thinking too much, if an idea happens that I like Ill record it, see what else works and then bring a rough skeleton to the practice room, where Marty interprets what I’ve got, and we all shape it to see if it sounds interesting to us. We never really listen to another band and try to sound like them or whatever.

6. Where was your last gig?

Manchester, playing with MWWB, Opium Lord, Old Man Lizard and Drought. Great gig!

7. Where would you like to act?

Anywhere we haven’t yet! Certainly we’d love to play eastern Europe, and we’ve never played Italy which would be cool.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

To be honest we’ve played with so many great bands that it doesn’t really matter who is on the bill. We enjoy playing with bands who we are good friends with, so Domkraft, Conan, MWWB, Headless Kross, stuff like that.

9. Whom not?

Ha!! That’s a difficult question. Any band who just sound like a blatant rip off of someone else. Any EHG/Down rip-offs!!!

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Never. Just be comfortable playing your music. If you think you’re ready to gig, you probably are. It doesn’t matter what other people think of you, it’s how you feel that matters.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

The Kabinboy from Belfast, they split around 2000. They were a super-heavy three piece and were maybe the first band in the DIY hardcore scene Id seen who used ‘proper’ gear, but more importantly they were truly DIY, they put out records and toured on their own terms, and never cared about how they were perceived.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Thankfully folk who like our band are very normal, so getting photos, having a beer together or signing records is about as far as it gets.

13. What do you think of your fans?

I’m never really comfortable with the term ‘fans’, I’d say we’re just have some folk who like our music. I’ve never met someone who has bought a record off us who didn’t seem like a nice person. People who make the effort to see a band live or buy some merch are generally fairly well balanced and enthusiastic people! 14. What do you think of our site? All sites and blogs are really important to underground music, and enormously important for small labels and bands. Keep it up! 15. Something add? Just to say thanks for your time and support, it’s much appreciated! Cheers.