Crimson Moon: How did the band get started?
Troy: Started in 2010 by Adam, Wes and, the original drummer Doug. Reuniting after several years apart from their former 3 piece band, “Slop Shot.” We decided to head down a bit darker themed path than previously and recruited the original bassist Lee. Wes moved from bass to lead guitar. Eventually Doug was replaced by Chris on drums, who was replaced by Troy in 2017. Lee was replaced by Josh on bass, who was replaced by Brent in 2020. Thus our current lineup.
Crimson Moon: What kind of music do you play?
Troy: Dark themed hard rock. Hints of punk and stoner metal.
Crimson Moon: How has the band response been?
Troy: Most love us! Oddly other musicians really dig us, Seattle fans are fickle sometimes. People really seem to love the new album. The production is top-notch so it sounds more like a major label release than a local band demo.
Crimson Moon: Where did the band name come from?
Troy: It’s derived from the 1893 Chicago world’s fair where they painted the city white and it was dubbed White City, also during that time H.H. Holmes, America’s first serial killer, was going strong in his hotel. The hotel was dubbed, “The Murder Castle.” So White City Graves.
Crimson Moon: Introduce the band members.
Adam Ketola: Vocals and guitar
Wes Scott: Guitar and vocals
Troy Lund: Drums and vocals
Brent Powell: Bass
Crimson Moon: How many albums/CD’s have you released?
Troy: 2 full length albums, (Wilmington and One of Us), 1 self titled EP, Compilation with Terror Inc. (White City Terror).
Crimson Moon: Tell me about some of the songs on the latest CD?
Troy: Bump in the night, a straight up horror rock/punk homage to those that came before us, like the Misfits and such. Lights Out is a pretty obvious political punk song. Hunted Down is actually a cover of Soundgarden’s first single, still in the SubPop years. Brooks is inspired by the Shawshank Redemption, and the reason our logo features a raven named Jake. That was Brooks’ pet in the movie. The remaining tracks are mostly stripped from the news and are up to the listener to find what they’re about.
Crimson Moon: Who writes the music? Lyrics?
Troy: Generally Wes cones up with the initial music skeleton, Adam writes the lyrics and then we all build on it from there. We go through phases: rehearsal room recordings, demo versions, studio versions.
Crimson Moon: And where do the lyric ideas come from?
Troy: Adam’s weird head. Stripped from headlines, personal experiences and whatever strikes while taking a shower, which is oddly common.
Crimson Moon: Has the Covid Pandemic impacted the band at all?
Troy: A ton! Trying to figure out how to release a new album without the ability promote it. Along with manufacturing delays in the vinyl production. Even recording in the early days of COVID was a little sketchy. We were tracking and mixing the album in March of 2020.
Crimson Moon: Do you have any side projects?
Troy: Adam plays guitar in an old school punk side project called Vyvyan Basterd. Troy plays in a few other bands (Fonzarelli, Haircuts That Hurt). Brent plays in a thrash band called Goat Sanctuary.
Crimson Moon: What is the music scene like where you guys are from?
Troy: Seattle is intriguing. Perpetually changing. Still stuck between clinging to the grunge years and embracing embracing Indy rock. So the heavier scene is there, but crowded. With many clubs closing because of the plague, it’s even harder. But the outlying areas (50 miles in any direction of Seattle) are fucking amazing!
Crimson Moon: Who are some of your musical influences?
Troy: White Zombie/Rob Zombie, Motorhead, Clutch, The Misfits/Danzig, Fugazi… So damn many!
Crimson Moon: What is the band like when you play live?
Troy: Raw sweaty energy. It’s not a horror show spectacle. It’s solid energetic, aggressive and unrelenting. We don’t talk much, not a lot of banter. Just straight forward, GO!
Crimson Moon: Have you guys ever played in another country?
Troy: Not yet. Hope to though. Troy and Brent played in another band a few years back (The Second Academy) that toured Japan.
Crimson Moon: How has the fan response been to the band?
Troy: Mostly positive! People love the record and seem to be excited about the vinyl. We get lots of compliments after shows about how tight everything is.
Crimson Moon: What made you want to be in this band?
Adam: Well, when Wes and I started writing in a different way, it was completely natural and played into the weird thought process I have in my head. I became a fan of my own music.
Troy: I liked the old school heavy rock sound, when they asked if I wanted to take over as drummer, I was immediately in! I also appreciated that WCG operated on a slightly elevated level compared to a lot of other local bands, acting as the main local support act for national touring bills (DRI, Doyle, The Casualties, MDC, The Real Mackenzies, etc).
Crimson Moon: If you weren’t in this band would you still be involved in the music industry?
Adam: I have been since I was 16. I don’t think I have a damn choice anymore.
Wes: If I weren’t in this band, I’d probably be in a different band. With Adam.
Troy: Absolutely. I’m constantly working multiple side projects.
Crimson Moon: As a musician what advice can you give to fellow musicians just starting out?
Troy: Practice… Have fun… Hauling gear sucks, think about that. Set up and tear down fast. Don’t be a dick. And never… Ever! Eat Italian food before performing! If you want to make money, start a cover band lol.
Crimson Moon: What does the future hold for the band?
Troy: Hard to say. Either a Grammy or complete obscurity.
Contact them at:
https://www.facebook.com/WhiteCityGraves/
https://twitter.com/WhiteCityGraves
https://www.instagram.com/whitecitygraves/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpqAMQhWLNTzAML7GX06ysg
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/white-city-graves/414717758
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7uRD5dHCS5B9bJWC68ZP5C?si=WzxM54ymSF2TAgU0PKYg3w&nd=1
