The Real Sludge - Interview with gor gor

Sludge are a up and coming Doom act from Twin Cities, Minnesota and play a killer blend of Traditional Doom,70's Hard Rock and modern day Metal.They are in the process on getting new material together and playing some live shows.Gor Gor is one of the most easy going people to deal with in the Doom scene and doing this interview was a pleasure.Watch out for this band,they have a big future in front of them in the Doom Metal Underground.As i mentioned before this interview was done with Gor Gor,guitarist and vocalist for the band.


1.First up,tell all the readers about how "Sludge" got together ?

Well, me (GOR GOR) and drummer FRO had been playing in various bands for the last 3 - 4 years, so when the idea for this popped into my head, I naturally chose him for the job. We found Josh our bassist while playing a Band Jam in February with only both of us. He was in a different band at the time but we thought he was really good at playing and asked him to play.

2.Now there is another band called "Sludge".Is this something that is a problem for you and would you consider changing the name

I don't think so. Many bands have the same names as other bands. I suppose the only issue that could arise would be legal issues, but Im not to concerned.

3.Tell us about your early experiences with music.Was Metal the first genre of music you got into ?

When I was younger, I loved to listen to Punk Rock, Which my brother was very much into. Bands I listened to were bands like bad religion and sum 41, but I also was a creedence clearwater revival freak. I got into metal when I heard Enter Sandman by Metallica for the first time and i've been hooked since.

4.You recently played a battle of the bands show.How did that go ?

Pretty well. Though we didn't win, we got some nice pictures from it, as well as various people asking for contact numbers so they can book us for future shows. I really loved playing our cover of "20 Buck Spin" to the crowd and getting some obscure songs in our setlist.

5.You are influenced by a lot of classic Doom,is that the direction the band will always take or do you think the band will head in a different direction over time ?

I think our music style will change overtime because we are constantly influenced by many acts. The drummer for example incorporates the drumming style of Bill Ward but at the same time adds drumming techniques from bands such as Avenged Sevenfold and Mastodon. I have also been paying much attention to the guitarists from Mastodon and Lamb of God. I think this can improve our sound.

6.What is it like for Doom Metal in your local area.Is there many other bands playing Doom/Sludge/Stoner Rock music ?

As far as Im concerned, we are really the only doom band in the area. I'm sure there are others though.

7.Have you been looking at playing more shows and if so when and where ?
Yes, we want many shows, but I don't have a exact wish for a area. I guess just simple gigs which will help us spread our name and get us places.

8.What about recordings,what are your ambitions for that ?

To write some pretty kick ass music, bring it to the studio, and share our love for music to the world.

9.There is a lot of people that treat Metal as a bit of a fad and remove themselves from the scene after a while.What is it about Metal that keeps you interested ?

The fact that it keeps changing, and the constant history behind it. Its fun to listen to albums from the 70's and then compare them to albums from the 80's and see where the 80's bands incorporated there own sound as well as took influence from the 70's acts.

10.What bands have you been listening to lately ?

Black Sabbath, Mastodon, Lamb of God, Children of Bodom, Pentagram, Witchfinder General, Iron Maiden, Heaven and Hell, and Pantera.

11.Guitar players - who inspires the band the most ?

Well as a guitarist my number one influence would have to be Tony Iommi by far, but I also enjoy the works of Victor Griffin, Vincent McAlllister, Bill Kelliher and Brent Hinds, Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, Dimebag Darrell, and Phil Cope and like 1000 other people. But those are the main ones.

12.Since the band has been playing together,what has been the hardest thing to get right ?

Just scheduling and managing our time.

13.There is one song on your profile and its a "Pentagram" cover.How long have you been playing that and is there other covers that you play ?

We have been playing 20 buck spin since February, and so far our who set list is covers, ranging from Wicked World by Sabbath to Communication Breakdown by Zeppelin but we are in the writing process right now.

14.How does the band gets songs together ? Do you jam a lot a lot or do you sit down and have a serious writing session ?

Just jam sessions. Normally I will write the lyrics before hand, create a riff, and well have a good old jam session.

15.Last one,tell everyone how to check out the band and any last messages for the readers out there ?

Well, you can look at our myspace URL www.myspace.com/metalsabbath1, or our youtube account www.youtube.com/doommetalsludge. My final message to all readers would be to STAY METAL!