Nick: What`s the background on Garfight? Who`s in the band and when did you guys get together?
Ian: Well, let’s see, right now the band consists of me on guitar, the Reverend Dirty Jerry Brown on bass, Dustin on drums, and JD on vocals. Garfight have been together for a couple of years, but Dustin and I joined last year, and we kind of retooled things. We have been through a slew of bass players in the last nine months or so and have just recently gotten a really good bass player that we think will stick.
Nick: What would you say are the key influences on Garfight?
Ian: Musically we are into all different types of shit. We all like metal in general but have different obscure tastes (jazz, blues, `60`s and `70`s doom stuff). Lyrically, I think JD tries to keep things vague without being stupid.
Nick: The songs I`ve heard from the Helen Keller demo sound incredible. What was the recording process like? How can I get ahold of the demo?
Ian: Actually, that demo was done on one of those little Roland portable units (VS880), and then I dumped it into my recording PC and did all the edits and cleaned stuff up on it. We usually record stuff in my studio, so the process is pretty laid back, because we don’t have to worry about how much time we are racking up in someone else’s studio. We still have a couple of copies of it lying around, and we have a full length that will be available at the Emissions from the Monolith fest. Anyone that wants either one can just go to the website (www.garfight.net), and send me an email from there, and I will get it out to them.
Nick: Any new releases coming out? I heard there might be a split with Fistula on Shifty.
Ian: Well, we sent some songs to Shifty a while back for a split with Fistula, but since those guys are doing the Rue thing I dunno if it will come out or not.
Nick: Garfight are from Jackson, Tennessee. What`s the local scene like there?
Ian: The scene here pretty much sucks ass for doom metal. There are a lot of emo kids and nu-metal types, but they don’t usually intermingle.
Nick: Do you think there`s a "southern" sound? Garfight give me the same vibe as bands like Rwake, Soilent Green, and Eyehategod. Is it something in the water?
Ian: Oh, I definitely think there is a southern thing. It’s grossly apparent when you play with bands from other places. Not to say that other bands are bad, but there just seems to be a stronger sludge connection with bands from the South. I think it has to do with the humidity here - when you grow up in it, it slows your soul down.
Nick: Have Garfight done any touring? Plans for future tours? Any bands you`d like to play with? I`d love to see a Rwake/Garfight double bill.
Ian: We haven’t toured. Most of us have jobs and families. Not to say that it won’t happen - but if it does it will be a series of short tours. The Rwake guys are just great guys. We`ve known most of them for years and have played at the same shows with them forever.
Nick: What has been the best Garfight gig so far? The worst?
Ian: The best would be in Little Rock, Arkansas in September of last year. It was Rwake, Garfight, and Negative Theory. The turnout in Little Rock is always awesome. It’s like a big family there - everyone hugs you when they see you. The worst would have to be here the last time we played with Throttlerod - everything broke down, including the van, my amps, and Dusty’s drums. It was baaad.
Nick: You guys are the first band on at this year`s Emissions from the Monolith festival. I was wondering what that`s like and which bands are you looking forward to seeing?
Ian: Man, we are all really excited about it. It should be a blast. I’m really looking forward to seeing Zebulon Pike and Beaten Back to Pure. I don’t think there is anyone on the bill that I wouldn’t like to see.
Nick: You`re also played Rebel Heart this year. Is that your first time playing that fest? What`s Rebel Heart like?
Ian: Yeah, this will be our first time playing it. I didn’t get to go last year but from what I heard it was awesome. Anytime you mix doom metal with booze and the sun you are guaranteed a good time.
Nick: What are your five desert island albums?
Ian:
1. Anything by Neurosis
2. Black Sabbath - Masters of Reality
3. Anything by John Coltrane
4. Anything by Thelonious Monk
5. Anything by Fugazi
Nick: Whiskey or weed?
Ian: I myself am a Guinness man, but for everyone else, a little of both.
Nick: What`s the worst record you ever paid money for?
Ian: Ugh, there are so many - I bought the last Queens of the Stone Age record that came out and was pretty disappointed. It wasn’t necessarily bad, but I guess I just had higher expectations. Something about the continuity of the thing just didn’t sit well.
Nick: Where did you get the name Garfight?
Ian: JD has a thing for fishing.
