Sadhus (The Smoking Community) Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
The band formed during the summer of 2008, composed of five people who were already friends, having similar music influences and a great need of jaming and music communication. We had already marked our studio place and since then we began to jam, making music, participate and perform in several lives in Greece, opening for some great foreign bands of our music genre. We' ve released a song (Foondamentalist) participating in the compilation of Spinalonga records called “Miss Fortune Was A Henhouse Manager” and nowtimes we are releasing our s/t debut album and we are arranging some lives to promote and express in a live way our sound.

2.So far you have released a single and a full length, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on both of the recordings?
We  believe that we are playing some kind of  heavy sludge and doom music but someone who will try to listen to our releases may find some other music influences.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Being members in community and observing the human progress we' d like to express our thoughts about the negative and even rotten feelings that are produced by human soul during the daily fight for survival. We also have in some way lyrics that express our meditation ways and views of life. The lyrical topics are coming straight from our soul, our feelings, beliefs and daily live situations.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name  Sadhus “The Smoking Community”?
There are those people called sadhus who have a community, living in natural places and having some meditation ways to consider life during the days. Our own community seems to have similarities with this one especially in the way we choose to communicate  in music, either arranging meetings such as jams or other sessions. The community parted not only from the band members but also from several persons who have same ideas about the way of considering life and music and it seems day by day to become bigger and stronger in bonds.
   
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Every show has a special meaning for us. There are a gig here called Praise The Fuzz taking place in a sandy beach somewhere in Athens in which we have already played twice which was very nice shows for us. We also had great time and nice live feeling opening for great bands such us Suma, Sardonis, Black Tusk,Toner Low or playing with very special friendly bands as 1000mods, Lucky Funeral, Korsikov and many others. It seems that every live is great opportunity for us to release some energy and party with people. We offer loud music with heavy and doom sense and we hope that our lives succeed it.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
We are working now on our release party for our debut album which will take place in An club in Athens at 19th  of September and we also try to arrange some giggs in cities around Greece. We haven' t already fixed any shows in Europe but there are many ideas and the will to make it true in the next year.

7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
There is interest about our music offer and we are so glad to receive great feedback from labels and people who are involved in underground music. We chose not to have a label for our first release and maybe we are going to do the same with the upcoming ones, but we are also in interest for any cooperative offer.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of sludge and doom metal?
We are now noticing the reactions about our debut release and we have to say that the feedback is great. Seems that there are many people worldwide that like our music suggestion and this kind of response give us the strength and energy to go on with our music.

9.Are any of the band members involved with any other musical projects these days?
Greg(drums) is participating in a great greek band called Last Rizla. The rest ones have played during the past in bands such as Violet Vortex, Noiselust and Soul Fracture and nowadays we plan some  ideas for several music projects.
 
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
It is difficult to say for sure but we think that in someway whatever we decide to play it will sound heavy and loud. We also hope that during the years we' ll succeed to create our personal sound and “touch” in the music we like.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Bands such as Iron Monkey, Eyeheategod, Bongzilla, Sleep, Electric Wizard, Om, Ufomammut, Black Sabbath are some of our main influences. There so many new good bands in doom and sludge scene, even in Greece or worldwide. Dopethrone, Belzebong, Dopelord, Windhand, Conan are bands that lately tickle our ears.

.What are some of your non musical interests?
We all like to gather or go out together with friends and drink. Some of us produce other kinds of arts as silkscreen, some have interest with motorbikes, other with science and maths, or with water pumps(what the fuck?) and there always new things that daily catch our interest.  Of course we have our jobs and some their own families that decrease our free time for other interests. The music is always taking the most of our time but we like this and we hope that it will not change in the future.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
We hope that you enjoy our release and that we can make it true to play in front of everyone that like our music in the future. Peace, health and good music for the ears and the soul.