New week, new Band of the Day! Kicking off this bank holiday (if you’re in Scotland, anyway) with some words from Dead Ground…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Exeter in Devon!
How did you meet?
We studied together in Exeter Music College.
How long have you been playing as a band?
Must be coming up to 3 and a half, possibly 4 years!
Before you get sick of being asked. where does the band name come from?
Someone suggested the name ‘Grind’ because of Ollie’s mad coffee obsession. That somehow developed into Dead Ground. It seemed to match the style and music we wanted to create.
What are your influences?
For writing, Jeff Buckley, Incubus and Theo Katzman. If I want to get my heavy riff inspiration, Black Peaks, older Muse material and Cleft are solid.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
It’s hard to give our angle on rock a name. It would be too complex, like intense/dream alternative riff rock. It’s somewhere in the rock region. I think we’re happy being open and honest about who we are. We’re not edgy rock stars, we’re about how we actually feel. We won’t pretend.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
A lot of the lyrics are inspired by a recent situation or observation, but frequently come back to a sense of inner-turmoil, and learning to process what my conscience tells me. Always wanting to make myself a more balanced and empathetic human being.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Lots of tension. We love exploring the songs dynamically and creating intense moments at each gig. I couldn’t possibly count up all the shows we’ve done, we’ve just been happy to play them!
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
I accidentally threw my guitar on the floor at The Fleece in Bristol at the end of a set. That was scary.
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
Ollie: I use a Fender Tele style Partsocaster and a Gibson SG Special through a Victory Sheriff 22 rig. The spaceship at my feet is the Helix Floor effects unit with a J Rockett Dude (hands down best overdrive I’ve seen) and Wampler Tumnus.
Jake: I play the same Mapex Rock Series shells I’ve had since I was at least 12. I’m a very big fan of Zildjian K Series cymbals – Still slowly building up the collection!
Ed: I play a P Bass. I replaced the neck recently so it’s not 100% Fender. It’s self-built, unbranded, Tesco’s own.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
Our new single “We All Feel The Same” will be released on the 12th October, as well as a show that evening with our friends in Hypophora at Torquay’s Apple and Parrot.
What are your plans for 2018?
We’d love some shows further across the UK. Later in the year we’ll be playing festivals and releasing some more singles.
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
I’d love to support IDLES again. Such lovely guys and crazy music. We’d ask so many local bands to play with us that we’d be told that we can’t play anymore.
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