Interviews: Greber

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Grindcore/Doom Metal band, Greber from Canada. 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?

The band name has a relatively funny and inappropriate backstory which I won't share. The one I will share is that it was pretty much a meaningless placeholder for what Steve and I were doing and didn't rub us the wrong way phonetically. Band names, in my eyes, don't need to really have all that much metaphysical punch behind them. When I hear a band they could be called “The Fart Corkscrew Rotunda” and if their music resonated with me I could probably care less about the silly name. Actually, I might think that one was a bit over the top. Nevermind.  

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

I'm not sure exactly what genre we try to squeeze our aging hips into but Steve and I have always loved playing heavy music and being neanderthals on stage so that propelled our desire to do so together. We've both branched out into different musical streams but have always found that together we work best at deafening volumes and ludicrous speeds.

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

We did! In fact, we played together in a now-defunct band called Tugnut. That band ended and we decided to keep going on together under the new moniker of Greber. We knew each other even before that as I was late to the tugnut party as my old band had played with Steve's band and we hit it off.

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

Marc: My favorite band would probably have to be Propagandhi. I've loved everything they've done since I heard them when I was 12 years old and never looked back.  

Steve:  It's a toss-up between Portishead or Burnt the Sun. Maybe one day they'll do a split 7" and my life will be complete.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

Marc: Our main inspiration is to just play gnarly shit. It usually starts as us hearing an idea and wanting ever so badly to mimic it in our own flaccid style. Our friends are a huge inspiration to us and seeing amazing people that we love make rad music allows us the contagion to keep doing it. 

6. Where was your last gig? 

Marc: The last gig that we played was in Kitchener with a band from Georgia called Malevich. Our good friend Nate from no funeral put it on. He had Malevich out a few years prior and they absolutely floored me so it was a no-brainer. These days I feel like Nate is my intravenous connection to all that is rad musically. Hi Nate!

7. Where would you like to act? 

Marc: Like, in what movie? I would love to be murdered in a Duke Nukem film if they ever made one. Come to think of it it would also be sweet to play Commander Keen.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

That's a good question. It would be insanely fun to collaborate with Nick Cave. That guy is a creative juggernaut. Him or Freddie Gibbs.

9. Whom not?

Ah, I see. An invitation to throw some shade around eh? I got you, I got you. Anvil. Arguably the worst band in the universe for how big they are. No love for Anvil here.

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

Marc: We both suffer pretty badly from it but have acclimatized ourselves to it through years of performing. I have absolutely no confidence in most of what I do but defying that notion and doing it anyway is a great success story on a personal level even if the after-effects last only a few hours. Steve: I absolutely have and always just remind myself that I can actually play the drums. I try to remind myself that it is just a gig and even if I do make a mistake it isn't the end of the world. Then I just dive in headfirst and try to enjoy what is happening in front of me. Listening to the music that is encompassing me helps me to enjoy the experience. If I can remove myself from my own head and just ride along with the sound and volume I can hit that zen flow state and then it's like buttering hot toast. 

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Marc: As of late, I would say Wake. Those guys have been grinding hard for years and it's amazing to see that with every album they are getting better and better. I love how they have never been afraid to do whatever the hell they wanted to do. Hi Wake!!

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

Marc: No one has really asked us for anything all that strange. We did put out a call to bring us rainbow chips ahoy and frosted Mini Wheats only to be delightfully surprised that this guy Thomas, from Quebec City, brought both. Thanks Thomas!   

13. What do you think of your fans? 

Marc: We can't thank the people who listen to our music enough for supporting us over the years. We are kind of a weird and artsy fartsy band sometimes so having that resonate with anybody warms the cockles of our hearts.

14. What do you think of our site?

Marc: Looks like you guys put in the time and do a comprehensive job of reporting the underground metal scene. Thank you for all your hard work!

15. Something to add?

Marc: Check out our new album FRIGHT WITHOUT out on September 9th!! Pre-order it here:  linktr.ee/greber