Mix mashers BLACK BOLT go by a variety of style choices in term's of their music style and sound. Ranging from indie rock, rock n' roll, sludge, punk, to all in-between. In any case though, the band has been around for some time, going on to release a handful of content since, including their newest album titled "The North End" out spring time of 2020! The band goes on further to say a lot more about their music abilities, creativeness and more!
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
We formed around 2010 or maybe early in 2011 in Boise, Idaho. Kyle, our bassist, had graduated from Boise State University and I (Dustin- guitar/vocals) was almost done with my degree. I missed playing in bands, and Kyle played bass in metalcore bands in his earlier years. So I we started a band, which was just us and a drum machine. We stealthily infiltrated the Communication Building on campus and recorded a single in one of the audio production booths. Then, Justin (drummer) moved back to Boise from Salt Lake City. We asked him to play Real Drums with us and, fortunately, he said yes.
A good friend of ours allowed us to practice in his basement, which he insulated with acoustic foam tiles (the total for the soundproofing project was $666, so we knew we were in the right place). Soon after, our friend Steve unexpectedly asked to join the band on second guitar. Thank God he did. Since then, we’ve recorded some music, played a ton of shows, drank too much, and since starting practicing in an automotive repair shop since our friend sold his house-- $666 worth of acoustic soundproofing foam and all.
2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?
Kyle and I are both huge nerds, so it’s just the name of the Marvel Comics character. Black Bolt is king of the Inhumans, who live on the Blue Area of the Moon. He doesn’t often speak because his voice can level mountains, etc, etc. It’s funny because Steve and Justin are not huge nerds, and they have to explain the band name to people more than Kyle and I do.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
We live in Boise, ID. The music scene here has ebbs and flows, but overall it’s pretty strong right now. The punk scene isn’t as vibrant as it once was, though. There are some younger people in punk bands doing amazing things, and then a few people around our age doing really cool stuff, too. A few of the people from Boise’s 80's and 90's punk scene are still playing in bands, too, which is incredible. But there’s not all that much of a "punk scene," at least compared to what it used to be.
But, on the flip side, music as a whole is thriving in Boise. There are so many brilliant local bands playing right now in so many different genres, and you can step out most any night of the week and see a great local band at a cool venue. As long as your taste in music isn’t just confined to one style or genre, there’s plenty to love here. Indie rock, psych rock, metal, folk, synth pop, hip hop, experimental-- it’s all thriving. And I love it so much.
Bands to check out: French Tips, Get Wet +, Dirt Russell, Lounge on Fire, James Plane Wreck, NO!, Nude Oil, The Hand, Buttstuff, Sea’s Apprentice, and Kitten Fight.
4. How would you describe your style?
I’d say we’re a 3-5 chord punk band, but Justin (our drummer) disagrees with me. He tells people we’re a garage rock band or a rock n roll band. We play at about Ramones speed, and maybe have some similarities to bands like Leatherface and Jawbreaker, but we play a lot sludgier than any of those bands. We also try to throw at least one weird or interesting thing in every song-- so we end up having a lot of an "indie rock" type sound, too. And, on occasion, we do play fast and hard… there’s definitely some hardcore lurking around the edges. So I’d say we’re a punk band but, depending on how much of a purist you are, you might call us a garage rock band, an indie rock band, or a garage punk band. Who even knows?
5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?
We’ve released "Falls" (2012), "MBD&B/Like the Bear" (2013), "Comfort of the Grave" (2016), "2017 EP" (2017), and the single "Claws Out" just recently. We’re currently working on a new record, tentatively titled "The North End," due out in Spring of 2020.
Mostly, we’ve just done EP's and singles. You can find them all on our Bandcamp, Soundcloud, etc. You can expect melancholy, politics, effervescence, dirt, grime, and a party with each of our releases. Oh, and lots of power chords I guess.
6. Do you have any new music in the works?
We’re currently working on our first full length album, which should be out in the Spring of next year. It will probably be called "The North End." We’ve completed about 8 songs for it so far, with 3-4 more in the works. We’re recording with Andy Agenbroad at the Chop Shop, who also produced and engineered our 2016 EP, "Comfort of the Grave." We just released our first ever music video, which is a song off that album. Here it is - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxCHLd3pQDs.
7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
We play local shows fairly often, but not as often as we used to. Next spring, we’re doing a small little jaunt with our friends Get Wet +, mostly here in the intermountain west. We’ll probably make it out to Portland, Olympia, and/or Spokane, too, but there’s nothing concrete. As far as bands go, we are old and lazy. If anyone wants to take us on tour, though, we’re down.
8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
We’d like to finish this dang record! We’ll have another single out relatively soon, and we’re doing our damnedest do shoot a music video for that one, as well. So be on the lookout for that.
9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
We’re on Bandcamp and Soundcloud, and Spotify. Basically, everything is free or "name your own price." We’re 30-somethings from Boise, ID-we’re obviously not in this for the money.
10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
Even though we’re not musical virtuoso's, we might be an acquired taste. It might be like trying a really strong and strange beer from Eastern Europe for the first time-or even like trying a rural family’s homemade liqueur. It’s gruff, warm, catchy, and a little rough around the edges.
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