Toxic Holocaust - Joel Grind
Posted on April 25, 2008 at 2:08 am by admin
Not knowing much about Toxic Holocaust, I simply had to find out more. I asked band mainman (who could be the only permanent member right now, only time will tell) about what’s going on, especially with the bright future of the band in sight with a Relapse release on the way, and an upcoming tour with At The Gates.
Way Too Loud: A lot of people like to talk about their influences, so what got you up and playing?
Joel Grind: A lot of punk bands. Ausrotten and Nausea. Those were my first bands that I got 7 inches from. Early bands were Megadeth and D.R.I., hanging out at half-pipe, but when I actually started really getting into music, it was punk bands that released 7 inches and not much else.
WTL: I’d like to talk about some of the things a few people say they hear in Toxic Holocaust, like Venom.
Joel: Of course man! Big, big influence on me. Venom and Bathory are 2 of the biggest influences on Toxic Holocausts sound, for sure.
WTL: Suicidal Tendencies?
Joel: I love that band, but I wouldn’t say so much. I mean, I can hear a little. But for the most part, no.
WTL: Possessed? Celtic Frost?
Joel: Yes, and yes! Morbid Tales man! The Emperors Return!
WTL: Slayer?
Joel: Of course!
WTL: I’ve had a hard time finding some interviews with you. Do you prefer to keep a low profile, or does it just end up that way?
Joel: Just underground stuff. Mostly I do ‘zine type stuff, like no major magazines or anything like that. Until this point, Toxic Holocaust has been DIY to the extreme. Whatever e-mails I get for e-mails, I answer em’, but they’re not usually for bigger magazines.
WTL: How do you feel about getting on that At The Gates reunion tour?
Joel: I can’t wait! I’m excited! I’m going out with Municipal Waste agin and I’m a big fan of At The Gates too. I think it’s just going to be awesome! The people are going to be killer. It’s going to be the right crowd targeting the right audience. It’ll be a good time.
WTL: How is it that you’re getting hooked up with these good tours? Do you have a good booking agent?
Joel: Actually, I don’t even have a booking agent right now. I just got a manager and he has a lot of contacts, so that’s been helping, and the Relapse thing has also been helping. I think when the record comes out, there’s going to be even better tours and getting out on the road more. I’m looking forward to that!
WTL: Is the rest of the band right now just backup for you?
Joel: Basically. All the songs so far have been me and all the recordings have just been me up to this point. The record that’s going to be coming out from Relapse will have Donnie from Zeke, who’s playing with me on this tour on drums, and it’ll be me handling guitar and bass and all that stuff.
I’d still pretty much say that it’s a one-man-band, but we’ll see how it goes, like how the recording goes and all that stuff. So far so good though I’m really liking the way it’s going so far.
WTL: So you think you might be hooking up with some permanent members at some point?
Joel: Yeah, because it’s hard switching up members on every tour. You get iffy shows sometimes and there’s not a whole lot of practice going on before the tours. I think in order to keep it tight, we’ve got to keep it to the same guys every time.
WTL: Are you a 3 peice?
Joel: Yeah. I think I’ll stick with that. Like Venom style! Or Raven!
WTL: When are you expecting a release for your new album? I knew I had heard that you were finished recording, then you signed to Relapse.
Joel: That recording was actually just demo, and that demo got me signed to Relapse. That was never intended to actually be release, but Relapse just came up with the idea, so they’ll be coming out with a picture disc of that demo soon. It’ll be that full session as a picture disc. The new recording though, I haven’t even stepped in the studio. I think may 11th is the first day in the studio, and after it’s recorded, it looks like it’ll come out in September.
WTL: Any art planned yet? I know for Hell On Earth you got Ed Repka.
Joel: Actually, I have a guy painting it up right now. I don’t really want to reveal the name yet, but I’m not doing Ed Repka his time. It’ll be somebody equally as cool. I can’t tell any secrets yet!
WTL: Who would you like to tour with who’s feasible, but not obvious?
Joel: That’s a good question. I don’t know! Cobra Starship maybe? (Laughs) I’m kind of half-joking! I like a lot of different styles of music, but most of the bands I like aren’t around anymore, you know what I mean? I like Joy Division, but obviously they’re not around anymore. I don’t know! Maybe we’ll come back to that! You’ve got me stumped on that one!
WTL: How do you get your hair to defy gravity?
Joel: Lots of hairspray!
WTL: Any hydrogen peroxide?
Joel: Just bleach!
Toxic Holocaust at MySpace
Relapse Records at MySpace
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