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By: Sander van den Driesche
Beastmaker is one of Rise Above Records’ new bands adding to the label’s extensive roster of impressive and influential bands and releases. Beastmaker’s debut album Lusus Naturae is a hugely addictive slab of heavy occult doom rock, which will please fans of Uncle Acid and similar sounding bands. Sander van den Driesche caught up with Trevor William Church, singer, guitarist and mastermind behind the band, to find out more about Beastmaker, the new album, Rise Above Records and their appearance on this year’s Roadburn Festival.
(((o))): Can you introduce the band to our readers and give us a brief history of the band please?
Trevor: I am Trevor Church I play guitar and vocals. The rest of the band is Andy “Juan Bonham” Saldate on drums and John Tucker on bass. We started doing this band in March 2014 after many failures of bands now forgotten. We are from Fresno, California.
(((o))): Lusus Naturae is your debut full-length release, and straight away released on the legendary Rise Above Records. How did that happen?
Trevor: Our friend Tony really liked our demo, so he sent it to Scott Carlson who got in touch with me saying he was digging what we are doing and to get in touch. I responded immediately and he let me know that he was going to show this to Lee Dorian. After some sleepless nights on my end Lee got in touch and he wanted to put out a 7-inch. I think like the next day I got another message from him and he said he wanted to give us a proper record deal and that was that.
(((o))): The press release says that with this album you wanted to “…bring a natural essence back into music the best way we could in a digital world.” Can you elaborate on this a bit further?
Trevor: So pretty much everything here, in the States anyway, I feel is over-produced and I hate it. My Dad Bill “Electric” Church from Van Morrison, Montrose, and The Sammy Hagar band told me that Van back in the day would only let them do 3 takes of the song. If you fucked up it goes on the record. It’s meant to go on the record. Most of the shit that is put out these days has over 100 tracks layers and layers of instruments and vocals. It just sucks to me anyway. We really kept everything to the minimal. We recorded the album in our own studio. We did everything our way and Lee gave us the artistic freedom to just do what we do. We tried going into someone else’s studio and it didn’t work out at all. That is when we realized that not many people know how to achieve what we want here. Fresno isn’t exactly a mecca for doom/heavy metal or hard rock whatever you want to categorize us in. So, what you get is 3 dudes just doing music. Nothing more.
(((o))): Your sound is very vintage, 70s occult doom rock like, but very hefty and meaty at the same time, a lot more so then releases by similar genre bands, who miss a bit of this oomph factor. What was the approach of getting Lusus Naturae to sound like this?
Trevor: I think it’s just kind of the way we write songs. We want it to be heavy as it can be while still having melody and catchiness. It definitely didn’t happen overnight. As we moved along it just became a natural part of what we do.
(((o))): Related to this, what gear do you guys use?
Trevor: Currently I’m using a Hovercraft Falcon 100 head. A “White” 4×12 cab, Mammoth 4×12 cab and a Mauler 2×12 cab. I use a Gibson Sg custom, and a Gibson Les Paul Special Jr. with humbuckers that look like p90’s. Pedal wise I use a Mr. Black Eterna, Rmc Wizard Wah, EHX small stone and small clone. John uses a Hovercraft Elder Giant head and an Atlas 2×15 cab. On the album he used my Dad’s 57′ P-Bass. Andy uses a 26″ Ludwig kit with big ass heavy cymbals and baseball bats for drum sticks.
(((o))): I hear a lot of Sabbath and also the more recent Uncle Acid on Lusus Naturae, so let’s talk influences. What bands have been important in getting that Beastmaker sound?
Trevor: Our biggest influence is Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All. It’s our go to record to pump us up. But obviously the influences range from Black Sabbath, Pentagram and Witchfinder General. We are huge Diamond Head fans as well, Lightning to the Nations get us pumped out before a gig. Slayer, Sepultura, Sleep, Black Flag, Danzig, Misfits, Candlemass, Saint Vitus, Cathedral, Electric Wizard, Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Zombies. The list can go on and on.
(((o))): Cult horror movies are an influence in your lyrics, but also your artwork. For some reason occult doom rock and cult horror seems to go hand in hand very well. Why do you think this is?
Trevor: It’s probably different from artist to artist, but for me it’s a way of seeing visually what I am expressing musically. When something just comes naturally it’s hard to really go into detail about why. When I write lyrics to the songs I’m trying to picture myself writing a movie script. I want people to have some imagination when listening to our songs. The occult films really help influence those of us that are interested in that sort of thing. The older films are so visually stimulating and have good stories. I really dig that sort of thing.
(((o))): Rise Above Records has been undeniable influential in the world of doom and occult rock for decades now. Can you name five Rise Above records that everyone should listen to and why?
Trevor: Witchcraft – Firewood. For me this album is a classic, it’s always on my iPod everywhere I go. Uncle Acid – Blood Lust. ‘13 Candles’ is my favorite song by these dudes. This always goes with me everywhere I go as well. Electric Wizard – Black Masses. Something about this record speaks to me, it’s definitely a classic for me. Ghost – Opus Eponymous for obvious reasons. This band really has figured out a way to cross a bridge that’s not easily crossed. Witchcraft – S/T. Again this band just had the spirit. I never leave home without it. I’ve listened to it for years and years now and it never gets old. This was a tricky question as I like all the artists on Rise Above and for the readers out there you should definitely check each band out because all of them are worth listening to.
(((o))): You’re playing Roadburn on Saturday April 16th. How exciting are you guys to part of Lee Dorian’s curated stage that day?
Trevor: Well for one Lee Dorian is a personal hero of mine. I would have listed Cathedral’s Carnival Bizarre album up on the Rise Above Records albums to own, but it wasn’t released by Rise Above. I’m a huge fan of the Tombs of the Blind Dead films. It’s really an honor to be able to be a part of this. We are traveling all the way across the world. It’s fucking amazing! I couldn’t thank Lee and all of the folks at Rise Above enough for the support. So, excited is an understatement.
(((o))): What bands besides Beastmaker should we go and see at Roadburn this year?
Trevor: The whole festival is worth watching so I’m gonna break it down to the two that I’m crushed that I will not be around to see. With the Dead and Pentagram. I just got a little emotional there. I love Pentagram man. So bummed that I’m gonna miss it.
(((o))): If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?
Trevor: Depends on my mood. I’m vegetarian so I have a lot of respect for animals. But since I have to pick just one I’d say a lion. They are a symbol of strength and courage. I think those are two qualities that most people strive to achieve.
(((o))): Lastly, do you have anything to add?
Trevor: Be prepared to have your skulls kicked in when we roll into town. That’s all! Thank you.
