Interviews: Threnody

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Old School Death Metal band, Threnody from the USA. 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?

Todd, Sean, and myself (Dave) were hanging out in our high school homeroom class, looking through either a thesaurus or a dictionary. We came across the word Threnody and liked the definition and sound of the word. We felt it fit our music. The funny thing is there are maybe 9, if not more, bands named Threnody these days. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We were heavy into thrash and speed metal at the time. Then ‘Slowly We Rot’ came out and it blew us away. We never heard anything that heavy and nasty. We were fans of the emerging death metal scene so naturally, that became our main influence. At the time it was a lot of bands from the Morrisound horde or from the Earache crew from the UK. Scott Burns had the coveted double kick sound and Earache records just sounded vile. The early Carcass records had a certain dank to them. It all fit too well.

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

Yes. We either went to school together or met each other through mutual friends. 

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Dave - I can’t say I have a favorite band. I like all different kinds of music and there are great bands in all genres. I still like a lot of the bands that I liked 30 years ago but there’s so much good music out there it’s difficult to pick a favorite. With Bill starting this project, recording some of our old songs, it has inspired me to be excited about death metal again. It made me notice that the scene is on fire currently and I have been digging for new or newer bands. There’s a lot of good stuff. On the nastier side I like Effluence, and Heinous Killings, on the groovier side I like Cerebral Rot. And, there are bands from way back that I missed, Dead Infection for instance. Looking for my next favorite record might be my favorite thing about music.

Sean - My all-around favorite band is The Beatles and the band that inspired me to play heavy music was Metallica.

Bill - I listen to a lot of genres of music and it would be hard to list just one, but for Heavy Music it's Metallica, and for the Death Metal Genre it would be Death and Carcass.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Bill - What inspires me is listening to many types of music and jamming with my bandmates, That is when the true magic happens.

6. Where was your last gig?

We recently played a few shows in a row. Nitro Bar in Reading PA, our home turf. JB Lovedrafts in Harrisburg PA and the last gig was at Bar XIII in Delaware. All the venues were cool. It was good to see so many people eager to get out and see some metal bands. Had lots of fun and we’re all looking forward to doing more of it.

7. Where would you like to act?

It’s a blast to play anywhere. In front of a good crowd, at a basement party, at a BBQ. Anywhere is good. If we play well then I’m happy and having fun. But, it is always nice to play in front of fans of metal music.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Dave - Autopsy. They are maybe the only band from back in the day that has remained good and true. They still write great songs, have great sound, and haven’t changed much. They’re awesome.

Sean - I would second Dave’s answer to Autopsy. They still sound as good as ever and Chris Reifert has a great sense of humor.

Bill - Carcass, or Obituary, they were the OG’s for us when we started.

9. Whom not?

Dave - Morrisey

Sean - Staind

Bill - Nickleback

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

The only advice I have for stage fright is learn the songs. If you know what to play and you’re good at it, there’s no need to be nervous.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Dave - over the years...Kiss, Slayer, Carcass, Faith No More, Morphine, Kyuss, The Locust...this list could go for pages.

Sean - Elton John, The Beatles, Metallica, Slayer, Carcass, Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, Cannibal Corpse, etc.

Bill - Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, Alice In Chains, Faith no More, Carcass, Death, Napalm Death, the list goes on...

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

I can’t honestly answer that. Generally speaking, people don’t come up to me and just start talking.

13. What do you think of your fans?

I’m glad that we are playing music that is fan worthy. This all started as a way just to hear some songs that were either recorded like shit or never recorded. It’s beyond our initial expectations that we’re even answering these questions.

14. What do you think of our site?

I love the site. There are tons of good bands to research that may have otherwise gone undetected in my diggings.