I'm sure that WAR INJUN is a name that speaks yet to many of the die-hard fans of the Maryland doom sound, their fantastic debut album "tribal eulogy" (presented here a few motnhs ago) being already a classic of the genre, but now this recognition needs and really deserves a major development. Composed of experimented guys with fair attitudes, this band breathes the purest and rawest rockin' doom you would ever expect. So, before it becomes an expensive collector, I strongly advise you to purchase this album ! Here comes an interview with drummer JB Watson :
* "tribal eulogy"
has the particularity to have been
recorded in 2005 but just released 5 long years later (by the end of
2010), for some various personnal reasons (I know that some of you were
making families), didn't you feel personally a bit frustrated to wait
such a long time for puting out such a fantastic effort ? How did it
come that you finally reactivate the process , was it your decision at a
special moment or did it come after contacts with the label ?
Actually
Steph, there was
talk of releasing Tribal Eulogy via 12th Records or Hellride Music in
2005. Neither of these deals panned out for one reason or another, and
starting in 2005 War Injun took a long hiatus. One evening I saw a
forum on the Hellride website titled "What Ever Happened to War Injun?".
I replied that we had an unreleased full length and that's when I got
in touch with F.J. from Blood & Iron Records. He did not
hesitate
on releasing this CD. I knew F.J. from a 7" split vinyl that we did with
his Portugese doom band Dawnrider a few years back. The rest is
history.
The cover
art is an actual
totem that Kenny got from a Native American 'Pow-Wow'. A real
rattlesnake head, horns, and a raccoon tail. We thought it would make a
good album cover.
* The album has been produced by Bruce Falkinburg (Hidden Hand), do you think you would have made the same choice if "tribal eulogy" had been recorded in 2010 ?
* The album has been produced by Bruce Falkinburg (Hidden Hand), do you think you would have made the same choice if "tribal eulogy" had been recorded in 2010 ?
We are very pleased with
the overall sound. Bruce is very good at what he does. Naturally we wish
Chris K. had a bigger part in the recording process, but we are
counting on his expertese for our next release.
We have every intention
of recording in Chris Kozlowski's "Polar Bear Lair" studio...
It's a real pleasure to hear the particular and talented voice of JD Williams who used to sing for the regreted Internal Void, Kyle V.S. plays guitar in Earthride too... I know you guys are all experimented but do you think their experience in the doom scene can make some things easier for the band or like young starters you have to (more or less hardly) make your place by your own in a rather overcrowded scene ?
It's a real pleasure to hear the particular and talented voice of JD Williams who used to sing for the regreted Internal Void, Kyle V.S. plays guitar in Earthride too... I know you guys are all experimented but do you think their experience in the doom scene can make some things easier for the band or like young starters you have to (more or less hardly) make your place by your own in a rather overcrowded scene ?
All of the
bands in the
Maryland area influence one another, but I think our sound is unique. We
are counting on just that to help us 'branch' out of the doom
genre. War Injun has been described as everything from Biker Metal to
Power Doom, both tags fit us. I believe the experience we all have in
previous bands mixes together to have a sound like none other than War
Injun.
You all have Native american blood
flowing through your veins (Navajo,
Sioux, Cherokee, Arapaho, Mandan), is there a very different heritage
from one tribe/community to another ? I suppose this particularity gives
you a very special uniqueness and strength ?
Not necessarily. Just as most people, we
are proud of our heritages.
*
I've read that INJUN is slang for indians, what does it
exactly means ? Do some of you speak indian dialects ? Have any wise
Native people (old or not) had reactions towards you claiming your
heritage, culture through a (doom) band ?
Injun is slang
for Indian.
We are just trying to make a negative into a positive, no disrespect
intended.
We actually
get support
from a few fellow Native Americans on our websites.
* You recently played at the Stoner Hands
of Doom and it
seems W.I. gave a killer show, getting a very warm response... How did
you enjoy it ? Did you personally enjoy some bands playing there and had
time to meet bands/friends ? I'm sure it won't take too long before you
guys come and play in Europe, which countries are you most impatient to
visit ?
SHoD
was a good time all
around. Lots of good music and cool people who truly support the doom
scene. As far as playing in
Europe, Anywhere
would be a pleasure. A large part of our fan
base is over the pond...
We
are currently working on
new material at every band rehearsal as well as practicing songs
that are completed, but still unreleased. We should have enough material
for the next album soon. We haven't discussed this release with any
labels to date, but we are looking.
* The doom metal
scene has never been as healthy as today,
but like in every scene, lots of bands (especially in the 90's, but also
today) have been or are completely under-rated... don't you
sometimes fear to live the same fate with W.I. ? How do you see the
evolution of the scene and your band in particular within the next
future years ?
The recognition of
doom
music is long overdue. Thanks to the internet and word of mouth, the
multitude of talent that has been low on the radar is finally being
heard. DOOM ~ The real Heavy Metal.
*
Thanx a lot JB, add something if you want (T-shirt infos,
etc...)
Thank you for the
opportunity to talk with you Steph and for keeping the doom alive!
Visit War Injun at
MYSPACE: www.myspace.com/warinjundoom
FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/warinjun
Buy " Tribal Eulogy" online at: www.bloodandironrecords.webs.com
Buy " Tribal Eulogy" online at: www.bloodandironrecords.webs.com
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