Gravebound

8.08 V1.2

RBN: Gravebound is a metal band. Is that a statement you agree with? More specifically how would you describe the style to an outsider? What are your influences?

Tony: I listen to and love a lot of stuff that would be considered metal and that's definitely a strong influence, but I am also influenced by a lot of other things as well. I come from more of a punk background, coming up in that scene, and I think that's mostly what comes through, be it in lyrical content or simply the way I prefer to do things.

Jerry: I don't agree with that. I love lots of metal, but I feel that Gravebound comes from more of a hardcore/punk background. Usually when people who don't really follow music ask me what I play, I just say "really fast metal" (even though that does contradict my last answer). My influences for playing in this band is basically just older grind, crust, and hardcore that is not about bringing the bro mosh.

RBN: This band was formed with members of some other prominent local bands. Let's talk about your personal histories and how Gravebound came about. Also, is this a side project or a full-time thing for you guys?

Tony: I played in a few random punk bands that never really did much besides playing a few local shows and possibly recording a demo. Then I sang in a band called Bris, which was really the first step in the direction of what I'm doing now. That band ended up touring the southeast a couple of times and putting out a 7" a few years later I was asked to play bass in the intergalactic metal band Shadowbuilder, which was more fun than anyone should ever have and which definitely secured my spot upon the throne of hell. Now I'm in this band and as of now it is my only "real" project. I do some random noise shit when I'm not to completely fucking lifeless too, you know, plug shit into other shit and twist knobs.

Jerry: Well, I met Tony from years ago when my first band (Slash and Burn Technique) played with his old band (Bris). We became better friends via geeking out online about various shit that not many people would care to hear about. I also met Chris from playing shows with my other band Hoth and his old band Burnin' Doobage (RIP). I actually met Brent at Chatt. State through wearing a Burning Witch shirt.

"Tony brought up the initial idea of Gravebound, and we just kind of chose people we knew to come together to do it. Kind of like a white trash Voltron. "

I would consider this a full time endeavor, seeing as how I love it and make time to do it.

RBN: How has Chattanooga changed since you first started playing and how would you evaluate the local scene as a whole?

Tony: I remember going to punk shows at I.B.P. and there were tons of people there every single time. It seems like over time, things have separated a bit. I still see a lot of those people around, but usually not at the same place. Partially I think it's because, at the time, there really weren't many options around here. Everyone just kind of ended up at the same shows because that was the only thing there was to do. Now there are more venues and more bands, so while things are certainly more thriving now, divisions are an unfortunate by-product of that.

"Chattanooga is fun, though, and the people and bands who bitch about it are just pissed because they tried their damndest to make it big without putting in any real effort and this town swallowed them whole. Fuck them. "

Jerry: Chattanooga used to be a place where I felt like a nerd that didn't really feel "cool" enough to participate. Now it feels like that but with less people at the shows. The "scene" seems like it has a ton of things going against it (local laws, lack of venues, apathy, itself, etc.) but I feel that a few key people make it an awesome place.

RBN: I'm assuming your first release is self-titled (correct me if I'm wrong). What can you tell us about it and where can one obtain a copy?

Tony: Our first release was mostly just a 5 song demo we recorded with our dear and precious friend Britton Ware. We just burned a whole bunch of CD-R's and made some covers. Most of them just got handed out. As of this interview, we're in the process of recording a shit ton of new songs, so you can get those from us soon!

Jerry: It was recorded by Britton Ware in my home town of Ringgold (706 REPRESENT!!!) If you want a copy, hit us up via myspace, or better yet, come to a show!!!

RBN: The lyrics of your songs are very dark and apocalyptic in nature. Is this a pervasive theme? Is there a message your trying to get across in the songs?

Jerry: Tony can answer that one.

Tony: It's funny because we really aren't that serious as dudes, but yeah...

"I do tend to write some bleak shit. I guess I just dislike most people and like to blame everything on everyone else. Mostly I just need a hug."

RBN: I noticed you'll be playing NOLA in Sept. Is that somewhere you're looking forward to playing? Have you been there since the Katrina disaster?

Tony: I have never been to New Orleans, so I'm definitely interested in going down there. The lineup for that fest is fucking awesome and even though it's going to be a pain in the ass getting down there, it will probably be fun and ridiculous as hell. Who's Katrina?

Jerry: I am very stoked about this show because we are playing with some awesome bands (ATU, THOU, KAKISTOCRACY, RELIGIOUS AS FUCK). It will also be my first trip to NOLA. I hope I see Mike Williams beat the shit out of someone!

RBN: Where can our readers go to learn more about the band? To get merch and the like?

Tony: We have a myspace page at myspace.com/graveboundtn. That's really about it unless you know the right people, which most people probably don't. Because we are the right people.