|
 |
|
Interview with Ryan Pankratz
of The Devil And The Sea
February 2008 by Metal Mark |
| |
The
Devil And The Sea are from Louisiana and they recently released an
album called Heart vs. Spine on Acerbic Noise Development records. I
recently interviewed bassist/vocalist Ryan Pankratz to find out more
about this band and their album.
Tell us about how and when this band formed?
Dave and Shane started this mess of noise about 3 years ago when
their former band "Machinist" was booked to play a show and some of
the other guys couldn't make it so they just decided to do it
anyway. Shane and Dave were both guitarists in Machinist, but since
their drummer couldn't make it, Shane decided to give it a go. After
that they decided they
wanted to make songs that way and their friend, Chud, a fellow
tattoo artist joined up on second guitar. About a month later I
joined up on bass and this bastard was officially birthed. About 2
or 3 months after that Chud stopped playing with do to some personal
complications. We went through about 6 zillion name changes because
everything is already a great band somewhere...
Some of you guys were in Icepick Revival (At A
Loss Records) and Collapsar (Escape Artist Records). How is playing
in this band different from those previous bands?
Well... We don't have to lubricate our thinkin' parts as much...
With this band we wanted to drive the point home instead of
confusing the hell out of people. And we want to do that very
loudly.
What has been the response to your album so
far?
Pretty damn good... We have some reviews posted up on our myspace
page. We have a couple interviews coming out soon... One in
Unrestrained! And one in Decibel... So I guess somebody somewhere is
listening. Turn it up!!!
Who are your musical influences?
Man... It's all over the place really... Anything from Hank Williams
Sr. to Agoraphobic Nosebleed. Otis Redding to Nightstick. Bjork to
Napalm Death to Black Flag to Marvin Gaye to Yob to Willie Nelson to
Taj Mahal to Buried At Sea... Etc. etc. etc.... Oh, and I have to
say this, "Dave likes Crotchduster."
You have three tracks on your album that are
ten minutes or more in length. Did you set out write a longer song
or do you have an idea and it just develops into that length?
I don't know... I've always liked epic, long sagas... Even when I
was playing in Icepick Revival, we had songs that were 8-10 minutes
long. Sometimes a musical idea just needs a good long span to
unravel... Like clippin' a dook...
Where do you get the inspirations for your
song topics?
Some of 'em are somewhat serious things, like real life issues and
some of 'em are complete mockeries of those things, just to make
sure we're not taking ourselves to seriously... And sometimes it's
just complete nonsense. Like "Tea Pinky," that shit makes no
sense... But it's one of my favorites. Everybody now, "get bent you
fucks!!!!"
You have a number of tour dates coming up in
Louisiana, Texas and out west. Any chance you will come to the east
coast this year?
Yeah, we have a good little 16 days worth of shows coming up...
Going up to Seattle and back for SXSW in Texas and then back home to
good ol' shitfuck Louisiana...
Our next outing will be to the east... I can't wait. I hope it's
sooner than later.
On your Myspace page under the sounds like
section it says "soundtrack to walrus porn". Where did that come
from and how would you describe your sound?
Hmmmm... I don't know, I just threw that up there because it seems
like a good walrus porn would need some big, loud and sludgy jams
keepin those fat bastards pumpin, ya know?
How would you describe your live show? Do you
play any covers live?
Oh. Mah. Gawd. It is awesome... Just kidding, In all seriousness, we
focus on keeping things moving along. Not a lot of talking or any of
that shit. Less talk, more rock. Hit 'em and quit 'em... We have
done one cover... We did "Blockbuster" by The Jesus Lizard. 'Shits
fun...
What current bands do you like?
I've been listening to a lot of Electric Wizard lately... Some Dove
here and there... Maybe a shot of Middian. I'm waiting on a copy of
the new "Let The Night Roar" from Atlanta... Those guys are sick...
What's your favorite Dolph Lundgren movie?
Universal Soldier!!! |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
On
your bio (on your labels site) there was a mention that you had to
replace a few thousand dollars worth of equipment that couldn't hold
up. Were you guys that harsh on the equipment or what is that story
about?
I think I am just an electronically cursed person... Don't loan me
your gear, you'll never see it alive again... 5 ampegs SVT's in a
row, within 3-5 months. No shit, 5 of 'em up in smoke...
So what is the music scene like in Lafayette,
Louisiana?
It's like a box of chocolates.... Mostly the crappy, coconut or pink
filled ones, but every now and then you get caramel!!!!
Pick the band from the following pair that you
prefer and tell why.
Isis or Pelican
I choose old Isis. Mosquito Control and Celestial!!! Yeah... Real
long pretty stuff where you can tell your listening to impeccable
musicians starts to bore me pretty damn quick...
Cathedral or Electric Wizard
Durrrr... Electric Wizard "we live!" I don't really know why but I
could never really hold Cathedral down. It gives me the icky
stomach... Electric Wizard is the elixir of the gods...
Fu Manchu or Roadsaw
Whatever... Don't know nothing 'bout this... This is "stoner rock"
right? I'd rather talk about Kyuss if we're gonna burn one...
Black Sabbath or Deep Purple
YES!!!! I'll take both.... Fuck yeah, fuck yeah, fuck yeah!!!!
Is there anything else you want to say about
your band or your music?
Uhhmmm... Come check out the songs on our myspace page,
www.myspace.com/devilandthesea leave us some comments with
pictures of titties and beer soaked wastedness... if what you hear
tickles your special places, then order up a copy of our debut
album, "Heart Vs. Spine" on Acerbic Noise Development.
www.acerbicnoise.com stay fucking awesome out there world.... |
|
