God Damn are made of Thom Edward and Ash Weaver, they have been going since 2010 and are from the heart of midlands. ‘Vultures’ was their first record, which came out in 2015, and what a sound it was!!Amazingly the band released a record, with James Brown joining to play synths and do backing vocals, a year later! It came with stand out track such as ‘Sing This’, and the whole LP was an incredible return after a short space of time.
The band from Wolverhampton have now released their third album this year, ‘God Damn’ which was continuing their rocking, loud sound that is inspired by atheism and spirituality. It seems like this band keep on improving with every release and it was so great to hear more about it all, with Thom, answering questions about everything to do with the band!
instagram: @goddamntheband
It’s been a journey since your inception since you started in 2010, how does it feel looking back on your debut from 2015, Vultures?
Definitely been a hell of a ride and occupied most of my adult life now for sure. We’re very different people in alot of ways since first starting this band however definitely since releasing our first record my ideals have become more cemented that I touched upon in that record, some of them make more sense now than ever. I kinda think thematically we would have been better releasing that in more recent years, what with everything that’s going on. Production wise I think that album was a bit of a masterpiece in alot of ways as it was very kitchen sink and pushed some boundaries that being said, I think our song writing and musicianship has vastly improved since then.
The single ‘When The Wind Blows’ is a great blend of so many rock styles, how did that track come about?
It was aimed at an old friend who used to take the piss out of people’s appearance and it used to bug me, then one day that person had the misfortune of having their appearance altered and maybe their perspective on life.
There’s so much that goes on in your music, after three albums it still sounds so exciting! Who are your biggest influences individually and collectively?
I’m more into noise rock, punk, doom and hardcore with a smattering of power pop.
Ash is definitely more into his out and out rock and indie pop. James is into the more avant garde and deep left field. Those are all sweeping statements and we definitely dip toes or sometimes have a full on bath in each other’s tastes.
Your second LP, ‘Everything Ever’, come soon after. It’s an amazing record with highlights such as ‘Sing This’ and ‘Ill Bury You’, how was it following up from your debut a year later?
It was super instantaneous and that’s reflected in the songs, we wrote them dead quick, streight after festival season and did them with a more indie pop producer, there was no fat on anything it was bangers or go home, I think we maybe got caught up in what a more mainstream version of our band would sound like on that record but there’s some decent tunes on there for sure.
You’ve toured alongside some huge names over the years! What are your highlights from the those tours?
Oh gawwwd, theres so many, the fun stuff that comes to mind is all just the mad shit that happens in a random city far from home and you’re with your buddies. You can go from being bored out of your brains on tour to going wtf, this is so much fun. Meeting your idols and them not being douche bags, them fully loving your band is pretty mind blowing.
The third album came out this year, what made you decide to self title the record?
I think because we did it live and it was maybe a return to why we started the band in the first place made us approach it like it was “the most God Damn record yet”. We were unashamedly playing up to our own clichés. Also, there was a an exploration of by atheism and spirituality that was being discussed, bolstering that cliché further.
‘Whip Goes The Track’ is an amazing track, the riff is extremely catchy and filled with anticipation! How was this song written?
The idea of using a glam rock beat with a drone had been hanging around since we were writing the second album, so it really started with a beat and a sound tbf.
You also have a new single out! ‘Watershed’ has a garage rock sound to it, it’s amazing you managed to get something out already. What are your plans in terms of LP4?
This was a cover that we had hanging around, a DIY lockup recording and it made sense, seeing as anything goes right now to just put it out, my production style is very garage rock for sure, lo-fi minimalist, so I’m glad you picked up on that. You’re not going to get a clinical studio sound from a little scratty lockup, so I wasn’t going to try and polish it up to be something it’s not, might as well play to its strengths. LP 4, I dunno yet, we’re definitely writing but only at the initial idea and demo stage, plenty is coming out but it’s hard to say until we can legally get in a room together.
What music have you been jamming and listening to while we’ve been in lockdown? Hope you are all safe and well!
You know what, personally I’ve been on a journey of rediscovery with led zep, I gave them a sizable break but I’m getting obsessed with that early rock production and soul more than anything. That and the new Thou covers record, some Eleven, Entombed, NIN, primus brown album.
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