Interviews: The Order Of The Precious Blood

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Hardcore Punk band The Order Of The Precious Blood from Canada. Check out this band and follow them on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

The name of the band comes from an old song that I had written called "Precious Blood". Originally, the phrase Precious Blood came from the name of a church that was next to an apartment a friend of mine was living in. We are taking the phrase and re-purposing it to move beyond its original connotations, to apply our own meaning to it. As a group, we have strong interests in the more esoteric mysteries of the world and the perhaps strange hidden parts of history outside of religion, and the name serves to take the language of religion and apply it to these ideas.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We all grew up loving heavier types of music and as these tastes developed we all sought out more extreme kinds of this music and inevitably began experimenting with creating it as well. We want our music to be the audio equivalent of a horror movie, and creating a dissonant, chaotic atmosphere while also remaining musical is how we try to do this. We also want our music to have lots of energy that can be released through performance, and ultimately it's a reflection of emotions that we want to express through music.

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

We did, some longer than others. Barry and Adam have known each other practically their whole lives and grew up together. I (Paul) met them when I first moved to St. John's and we were both playing in separate bands often on shows together. Cameron and Ben had met a number of years ago when Ben moved to Newfoundland from Toronto, and they had started a band together. At some point, I was part of a musical project, and a blog called Heavy NFLD wanted to do an interview with me, so they sent Ben to do this interview. It wasn't long after that when Ben and Cameron asked me to jam and those jams turned into writing sessions soon we had a handful of songs, and that's when we sought out the other two members and we knew that given their previous musical experience, Adam and Barry would be a perfect fit.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Paul: Blood Incantation

Cameron: Full of Hell

Ben: Baroness

Adam: Refused

Barry: Crowbar

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Sometimes it's really a quick burst of energy. I've often written songs in such a way where I will record myself playing absolute chaos on guitar or maybe the drums, and will go back through it with a fine tooth comb and try to make sense of what I've played. It can allow you to retain more of the raw feeling that brought you to play that certain kind of way. Other times it comes from a certain phrase or a certain riff or sound that will pull you forward to create the rest of a song. Sometimes it's also just other music we're listening to, or maybe a movie or another kind of media that will inspire a feeling or a mood that you can re-create through music.

6. Where was your last gig?

*As of April 18th, 2024* We've been pretty low-key the last little while we haven't played since November at the Fog Fest kickoff show at The Rockhouse in our hometown St. John’s NL. It was a great time and also really cool to be a part of it! 

7. Where would you like to act?

We would love to play anywhere really! We would absolutely love to come to Europe one day, and also of course the US. Anywhere in the world!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

There are so many artists we would love to collaborate with or even play a show with! Some off the top of my head would be Kurt Ballou/Converge, Justin Pearson/Deaf Club, Knocked Loose, and Full of Hell. The list is endless, we love all kinds of music and experimenting with different sounds and genres.

9. Whom not?

Can't think of anyone who we would be dead set against working with honestly, we have open hearts and minds as far as music goes and we would love to share the love of music with anyone.

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

I haven't personally, there was something about performing music that just clicked for me from the first time I did it. What I would say to someone who's dealing with stage fright is to try to have as much fun as you can and try not to focus too much on the audience. If an audience can see that you're having a good time and feel good vibes coming from you, they will be more likely to reciprocate those feelings. Don't worry too much about making mistakes, everyone makes them when performing live, and probably way more than you might think. The trick is to just play it cool and not let it show, and to let the second pass you by.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

I would say The Mars Volta, Spectral Wound, Full of Hell, Blood Incantation, Converge, Cannibal Corpse, The Blood Brothers, The Locust, and The Fall of Troy, just to name a few. Personally, I (Paul) love stuff like Bob Dylan and Steely Dan as well. I take inspiration from all over the place.

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

I don't think there's been anything too crazy, to be honest. Our fan interactions are pretty tame.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Our fans are super cool! They seem to have similar interests and tastes to us as people in terms of art, and besides that, they've all been really kind and awesome to us!

14. What do you think of our site?

It's great! Lots of info, cool interviews, up to date news! Really appreciate inviting us on! 

15. Something to add?

Thanks to everyone who ever showed us support in any way! Bought some merch, streamed a song, told their friends, whatever! We appreciate all of you! We have our newest single Black Hole available on all streaming platforms. We are touring Eastern Canada this Spring, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @preciousblood709 to stay up to date and to see when we may be coming to a town near you!