Shitstorm quickly switched from being “that band on the other side of that Magrudergrind-split” to one of the most highly anticipated grindcore bands around. They’ve been blowing ears out for a while with live shows and a couple of split releases so the time has come for us to ask what the future will bring for the Miami blastfest. Jon was happy enough to answer a few of our questions.
Hey Jon, what’s up in Miami these days?! The weather any good
It’s been typical Miami summertime weather. Hot and sunny days, pretty humid, and afternoon rain showers.
Not everyone might be familiar with Shitstorm, could you give us a small introduction?
Shitstorm originally started out as a 3 piece grindcore band from Miami, FL in 2004 with members Rick Smith, David Smith (PDub), and myself. It was just drums, guitar, and vocals. We released several splits as this incarnation of the band, and did a bunch of shows as well as some tours. We are currently a 4 piece with the addition of Eric Hernandez on bass and back up vocals, who also plays in Kylesa and Capsule. We’ve done some shows in Germany, a bunch of US shows, as well as a couple US tours one of which included Maryland Death Fest and Chaos in TeJas last year. The first release we had a a 4 piece was on our split with Conga Fury from Japan, and on our new LP which we’re finishing up.
You and Rick also play in Torche, do you consider Shitstorm as a project you have on the side or is it a full band for both of you?
It’s definitely a full band to us, but Torche is a much busier band and tours full time.
How are you able to combine both bands? Don’t things overlap too much?
We try to do as much as possible when Torche isn’t busy or on the road. We have done shows in the past while on Torche tours, while we were a three piece, and as a 4 piece when Kylesa and Torche have been on the road together.
You’ve toured the US a couple of times and I think Shitstorm played some shows in Germany when you were there with Torche, are there plans for more extensive touring in Europe?
Yeah, we’d like to go back and do a proper tour. We’ll be releasing our next LP on RSR, so once that is out we’ll be heading over.
The band labels Torche as Thunder-pop, would you categorize Shitstorm as Tornado-grind?
Haha, I don’t see that as a bad thing. When people ask what type of music we play I just tell em no bullshit straight to the point grindcore. It’s not “grindy” and definitely not tacky cartoony-circus grind with recession blast. We just like making short, powerful, noisy, no filler extreme music.
What kind of band(s) would you still like to play in?I couldn’t be happier playing in these two bands. I love playing the music we create. I do have interests in jamming with other friends, but Torche and Shitstorm are my priority bands.
And what will the future bring?
A new LP, more releases, more shows, more tours, and no bullshit.
Alright, hope to see and hear you soon!
Main image by Will Butler/TLAL
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