Interviews : Urgrund (R. Scavenger) – 23/07/2009

Courtesy of White Noise Productions, MetalObsession.net are proud to present an exclusive interview with guitarist and frontman R. Scavenger from Heathen Blackened Death Metal veterans, Urgrund ahead of their GODLESS INQUISITION show at the Noise Bar, Saturday the 19th of September.

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White Noise Productions: What is the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name? Has the band undergone any name changes throughout it’s span?
R. Scavenger: Urgrund, German Term for Beginning, The old earth/ancient soil. The name has stayed the same

WNP: Please list the name and respective instrument of each band member.
RS: M.Possessed – Lead Guitar
AD Barathrum – Bass/Backing vocals
M.Skitz – Drums
R.Scavenger – Guitar/Lead Vocals

WNP: What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
RS: Black Death I would say. But people can label us as to what ever. I have heard we are Black Thrash, Australian War blah blah blah.
I would say the older ….school.. of ..German Death…. metal and first Wave of Black Metal. NWOBHM sits there too

WNP: How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?
RS: I am the only original member left due to moving around a bit. Kept it afloat. The others were in already well known bands. Common interests and goals musically.
Guitarists and Bassists have come and gone over the years. As for the new line-up, I have only known the blokes for a couple of years.

WNP: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
RS: 1998 I believe, I was doing a number of projects and thought of the transition of just being musical, to performing.
Deathstalker/Urgrund was what this was about. I think too we were the only band ( apart from Spear Of Longinus) using European, Heathen and Occultic themes in our music rather than splatter horror flicks, in the little scene that was happening in Sunny old Brisbane

WNP: Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any music organisations?
RS: We have recently finished working with Baphomet/Red Stream due to the Contract expiring. For now we are working with labels on open Negotiations. It works well.

WNP: What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever’s available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand preference?
RS: Well the guitars are a Vintage Ibanez set up, Iceman and Destroyer. For some reason I like the heavy tone. Got lotsa guts. Amplification doesn’t really matter, as we configure the dash as we seem fit.
There is no real preference to equipment live as its usually swap mix and match with other bands. But recording we tend to use Mesa Boogie and Marshall Tube Heads.

WNP: Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
RS: Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne. We don’t tour extensively or far out here. There is no real scene or commitment to gain popularity in this country
Our fan base is more international. So USA and Europe is probably are better option for us now.

The least favourite venue would have to be The Arthouse, Smallest stage. Ideal for Crusty Punk bands but not a band like us.

Upcoming show in Melbournewill be at The Noise Bar in Brunswick with Lustration, Ignivomous and others Sept 19. A Sydney show will be done also in October

WNP: Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?
RS: We have Covered Sodom, Old Sepultura, Bathory. But not for some years. I would say Drenched in Blood, Saga Of Redemption and Oskoreien haven’t been scrapped from the set list as yet.
We like to change and alternate our set list every year.

WNP: Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
RS: That would be me. They certainly have been heading from one age in history to another. Or mindset. I like to keep it diverse. Not like a concept band
I think there’s always gonna be growth in lyrical content for this band. Unlike the Eternal fight of Satan vs. God lyrics and Comic strip based illustrations to justify it.

WNP: Could you briefly describe the music-making process?
RS: Nope. just happens. ….

WNP: What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
RS: We would rehearse 2 weekend in a row then a weekend off. Generally this is the plan. Keeps things fresh.

WNP: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
RS: In direction and guitar work, definitely heaps.
Absolutely, progressing ever so from year to year. Even changing our style somewhat from album 2 onwards.

WNP: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
RS: Putting up with the other blokes. Yes, challenges are overcome. But some people including band members can’t be helped you know, haha. Staying sober before a show can be difficult also.

WNP: What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Is there an end goal for Urgrund?
RS: Sure is. Kill it off at some point so it stays cult. But still enough brew in the hot pot for now.

WNP: What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
RS: Don’t! we have enough bands. Most new bands are shit. And nothing beats the originators

WNP: What is Urgrund’s poison of choice?
RS: Beer and Whiskey

WNP: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
RS: There is a MySpace site with info and tracks – www.myspace.com/urgrundheathens – Most international Underground Distros. Modern Invasion Music, JB Hifi etc stock our works also.

WNP: Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or promotional support?
RS: Not really. Only for international touring promoters. We don’t need help financially on our own shores.

WNP: Are there any other local acts on the Melbourne front in particular you would refer to others?
RS: Great Bands that have passed aside. I would say Nocturnal Graves, Cemetery Urn, Funerary Pit, Order of Orias and Ignivomous.

WNP: Any last words?
RS: Hails and Ales for the interview.

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Band: Urgrund
Date: 23/07/2009
Origin: Melbourne, Australia
www.myspace.com/urgrundheathens

Questions: Gary from White Noise Entertainment
Answers: R. Scavenger (Urgrund)