Hellrad Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Robert-We are a four piece group from Philadelphia that got together in August of this past year. We play loud, ugly sludge metal, emphasis on loud.

Dirty Dave-We are what happens if early Sabbath, early Motorhead, Helmet, Unsane and Cripple Bastards fucked and mothered this bastard son of a thousand fathers....if that makes sense.


2.In April you had released your first album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?

Robert-On the album we really tried to mimic the sound and intensity of what was happening while we were in our practice room, walls shaking, things falling off the walls. The engineer at the studio basically had us set up and play as if it were a live setting. We used minimal overdubs.

Dirty Dave-Slow and heavy with a nice dose of speed.Nothing new but something very new.We changed the recipe and it tastes great!

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

Robert-The lyrics reflect our surroundings in the city. We recorded in a rather dreary industrial area, addicts and street people all over. Some of the lyrics are personal experiences, but on the whole a product of our environment, a crooked police state.

Dirty Dave-Addictions, neglect, acceptance, indulgence and being a sarcastic asshole.Our part of the country breeds assholes I'm told.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Hellrad'?

Robert-The band is named after the LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device). It's basically a crowd control machine that emits levels of loudness that can break your eardrums or cause people to vomit. It throws ones equilibrium off to the point of incapacitation. They are used by the police.

Dirty Dave-We're too lazy to come up with a name lol It comes from that awesome sonic weapon the police love to use, the lrad.destroying eardrums is our goal.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Robert- Our shows are loud and chaotic. The best show we've done so far in our short existence was probably with Weedeater and King Parrot from Australia. 

Dirty Dave-We opened for WEEDEATER and Parrot King in Philly. That was a very fun show. I like the friends and family shows the best, but who doesn't like being surrounded by friends and fam. I'm looking forward to seeing that circle grow.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

Robert-We are headed out on a two week tour of the U.S. in October.

Dirty Dave-.Touring? Looks like October we'll be hitting up the east coast of the states .

7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

Robert-There's been a little interest thus far, but we are still in the very beginning stages of our existence. Taking our live show out to the people and touring is our primary focus now.

Dirty Dave-A label would be nice. Right now nobody's biting but we are still a very young band with a lot of patience.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of stoner, sludge and doom metal?

Robert-Very positive.

Dirty Dave-So far very positive.

9.Are any of the band members also involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?

Robert-Right now we are all focused on Hellrad.

Dirty Dave-We're all open to jamming with/in other bands. Hook has ETT and Bad luck 13. I have my noise project Warsaw and a noise/hip hop project Dirty Ali. That's about it for steady side projects I can think of. There's probably more. I think Kelly Clarkson should do a song with HELLRAD. She probably smokes good weed.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Robert-Our songwriting has become a bit more refined in terms of developing our sound and structure of songs, but we are basically the same group of people that we were when we came together.

Dirty Dave-Forward

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?

Robert-There are too many to say here, but a few are Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Swans and Laughing Hyenas.

Dirty Dave-That's the million answer question! Vocally I'd say 70s Alice Cooper, SkinnyPuppy, AnalCunt, Ol'DirtyBastard...Billy Holiday and on and on. As a band I'd say we have alotta 70s-90s metal/punk/rock influences. As a whole there's not much we don't listen to.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

Robert-We all mostly just work our day jobs. Otherwise, we write music and play music.

Dirty Dave-People and how we are all brothers and sisters that need a hug once and a while after all the drugs n booze are gone.


13.before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Robert-We would love to come over to Europe and share our music with the people there, and continue to do the things that make us who we are, four guys that want to crush every show and make people feel at once nauseous and ecstatic.

Dirty Dave-Yes we're potty trained and make for good house guest if you would like to let us crash at your house when we come to your town \m/