WOODHULL - Interview
Who is Woodhull? These sonic trailblazers have been making a name for themselves in the music world for quite some
time. But they're still hard to categorize. If you ask them, their sound is "carnival punk", which brings to mind images of Gathering Of The Juggalos. Fuck yeah.
Their new self titled album is just as unique as the others. Right from the start you are hit with the demented surf
of "Robert J. Ames, DDS", and it's on from there. There's not a lot of easy reference points, but the alienated glee of The Slits and Couch Flambeau's shambolic energy come to mind. But mostly
it's Woodhull. You're trapped in their demon realm, with no choice but to go along with the ride. We spoke to the band to find out how they make the magic happen.
INDICATE: Woodhull occupies a pretty unique part of the music world. The best description we could come up with is "horror-indie". What are some of
your influences?
Greg: For Woodhull, I tend to try to keep my drumming disjointed but not enough to sound like shit, staying balanced between tight and
sloppy. Influences for this may be bands that have very energetic drumming, so DH Peligro (Dead Kennedys), George Hurley (Minutemen) & Bill Ward
(Sabbath). Beyond that, lots of free jazz. Also "carnival punk" is a good descriptor.
Seth: "Horror indie"! Ha, I love it! I am also fond of Jonny Katz's (who runs the Street Wannabes radio show) characterization. He said
whenever someone asks him what kind of music someone plays, he just says "adult contemporary." Influences is so hard! I think when I first started playing with Matt at the very beginning, I
was most enthralled by the Birthday Party. When I met Greg I knew it was on right away because we bonded so much about jazz. As for guitar influences, I
don't really like guitar that much as an instrument - I think it's sort of a necessary evil, and I've never really enjoyed flashy spotlight-guzzling guitarists. All the tones I care about
most are bass (like David Wm Sim's (Jesus Lizard) sound, its the best), or guitarists who are smart and minimal.
INDICATE: Seth, you have a pretty unhinged stage persona. What goes through yall minds before a performance?
Greg: Before a performance I am ready to fucking rumble and full of adrenaline. Seth is always consistently ready to go as well which is
helpful for me.
When we begin a show there is a balance of energies amongst us that we all tune into and put into the overall sound.
Seth: Usually i have to go to the bathroom like 3 times. I dont know, I think some of the best shows we've played were in venues we
hated, to no one. It's easier to tear shit up and play for the pure fun of it when you really don't care much about the outcome.
Most of our songs are character sketches, so I suppose I try to bring the people in those lyrics to life a bit...writing this, I realize they're
generally damaged narcissists...
INDICATE: So what's next for Woodhull? How are yallz bringing the music to the fans?
Greg: The plan is to continue to write new music & record it.
Seth: Since it took so damn long to finish recording our second release, we already have enough material for another one. I want to get
that stuff recorded and get it out as soon as possible - its a whole different type of tunes, too, since everything on the 2 previous albums we wrote with Matt, and everything we have now was
written by just Greg and I. We've been having an incredible time playing with Adam, now, too; he has some pretty invigorating ideas and energy, so I'm excited to see what new things we can
do together.
Check out Woodhull's new album "Woodhull", and check them out next time they come to a drive-in or other approved live music intake
station!!!
https://www.woodhulltheband.com
https://woodhull.bandcamp.comhttps://www.instagram.com/woodhullband
