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Interviews : “It made us want to get back overseas and tour more” – An Interview With Travis Everett (Witchgrinder)

By on December 18, 2014

Witchgrinder 2014

Travis Everett – Witchgrinder

Like Troldhaugen, Rise of Avernus, Myridian, and others, Witchgrinder were one of many amazing local bands I discovered for the first time at Feast of Metal II earlier in the year. I listed them as a highlight of the night for me back then, and the fact that show of theirs remains as fresh in my mind now ten months down the track is testament to the power of this industrial-thrash act from Melbourne and their live presence. As such it was my recent pleasure to interview frontman and guitarist, Travis Everett.

Witchgrinder have been hard at work throughout 2014, reeling in a number of tours including their most recent bout with their Southwest Halloween Tour (of which saw an interesting ceiling cave-in incident during their first show of the tour at Your Break, Warrnambool), SFest 2014 (which led into a co-headliner with fellow Australian band Darkc3ll for the ‘Industrial Revilution’ tour), Brewtality Festival, and, of course, Feast. Yet it was their tour of Japan that saw Witchgrinder tour internationally for the first time supporting Entombed A.D. Witchgrinder were joined onstage by French act Unrest Fatalist, as well as Japanese locals, Tyrant of Mary and Zuul FX. When asked about how this experience was for them, Travis had this to say: “The Japanese tour was a big eye-opener for us. It was our first tour overseas and it was great to see how things run in a different country. It made us want to get back overseas and tour more.”

Their last tour for 2014 will see Witchgrinder hit up The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne in two days (December 20) for the Eureka Rebellion Trading & Sultan Music Xmas Extravaganza (phew!). They’ll be joined by Dead City Ruins, Desecrator, and Electrik Dynamite; all of whom are building strong names for themselves in the local scene. I asked after whether Travis felt this to be the perfect send-off for what has been a fantastic year for Witchgrinder? “Yes, because we’re getting to play with a bunch of friends at this last show. All the bands on the line-up have been working as hard as us throughout the year. It’ll be a chilled, fun show and that’s the way we like to take the end of the year.”

Alongside touring like absolute machines, Witchgrinder have also been hard at work on their as yet untitled sophomore album (expected for release early 2015). This will be the follow up to 2013’s successful debut, ‘The Demon Calling’. “It’s been going well,” Travis began. “We all got together to write this album, which was a bit different to [‘The Demon Calling’]. We’re all putting in as much effort as the next person. Because it’s a new line-up with a new drummer [Shane Turville], a lot of creative ideas have been flowing.” When asked about what some of the themes Witchgrinder will be exploring on the new album, Travis’ response had me all giddy inside! “Some of the themes will touch on the supernatural this time around, whereas the last album was based on horror. There’s still the horror element in there, but it’s more about ghost stories.” Being someone who finds the supernatural and ghost stories fascinating as it is, I can’t wait to see what Witchgrinder do with this!

The Demon Calling cover art

‘The Demon Calling’ out now via RTD Records

In terms of how the new album will build upon the traditional Witchgrinder sound is one that hints at a band maturing with age. “The usual Witchgrinder feel is there but we’ve definitely advanced musically.” Travis notes. “You’ll be able to hear that on this new album. What we’ve written so far is a bit faster than ‘The Demon Calling’ but we haven’t diverted too much from the sound that we’ve always been going for. You’ll still be able to recognise it as a Witchgrinder album.”

Lastly, I asked whether Travis had any final words he’d like to offer his fans anticipating Witchgrinder’s final appearance for 2014 at The Evelyn Hotel on December 20th. “We might play a song from the new album,” Travis teases. “The order of the bands will be decided on the night so make sure you get down there early – at 8pm – so you don’t miss us, or the rest of the bands.”

See Witchgrinder dominate the stage at The Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy (Melbourne) this Saturday (December 20) for the first ever annual Eureka Rebellion Trading/Sultan Music Xmas Extravaganza alongside Desecrator, Electrike Dynamite, and Dead City Ruins*. Doors at 8pm.

Tickets are on sale now via Oztix. Click here to attend the official Facebook event page.

Eureka Rebellion Trading / Sultan Music Xmas Extravaganza, ‘Silent Night / Deafly Night #1’ (1st Annual Event)

Witchgrinder, Desecrator, Electrik Dynamite & Dead City Ruins

Doors: 8pm

*Band slots will be drawn and determined on the night.

Eureka Rebellion Trading-Sultan Music - Xmas Extravaganza 1

1st Annual Xmas Extravaganza, ‘Silent Night / Deafly Night #1’ (Eureka Rebellion Trading & Sultan Music)

About

Jonathon is an aspiring fantasy/sci-fi novelist and music journalist. Thanks to the influence of the music he grew up with, he has always possessed a keen interest in metal and rock. He is also a huge fan of mythology, legend, and folklore from all across the world. You should follow him on Twitter.