Ladies and gents!This edition of Fistful of Questions goes out to Tulsa, Oklahoma's very own Medicine Horse. What is your full name? Nico Williams - Vocals
Kyle Williams hut'don'ga (Big voice)- Guitar
Garrett Heck - Drums
Travis Rowe - Guitar
Chris West - Bass
Do you have any aliases?Nope..
If you had an alias what might it be?Kyle - Kwillz Jenkins
Chris - West Machine
What bands are you actively involved with?Nico - Medicine Horse
Kyle - Medicine Horse
Garrett - Medicine Horse, Brujo Roots, + Many others
Travis - Medicine Horse, + some blues and americana here and there
Chris - Medicine Horse
What was the first instrument that you played?Kyle - Guitar
Travis - Guitar
Chris - Fender Telecaster
Tell me about one of your first musical memories?Nico - my dad always played guitar and sang to me at bedtime when I was little
Kyle - listening to my brothers n sisters vinyls/tapes mid 80s I was like 6 or something like that.
Travis - Jamming my dads Appetite for Destruction tape through his headphones because I don't think my mom wanted me listening to that
What was the name of the first band you were in?Nico - She, the Serpent
Kyle - a blues band called Red Sun. I have recordings some place, I was 16 playing bass.
Travis - Sixes
Chris - Face
Tell me about the genesis of Medicine Horse.The short of it is... during the pandemic Nico, Kyle, and Garrett were jamming around and wrote "Turning Tide" and it had a great vibe. They decided to keep at it and wanted to fill the band out. Travis came in and we started to gel and kick out some tunes. Then we got Chris in the mix to bring the thunder and we were off to the races.
What inspired the name Medicine Horse?Medicine Horse is the name of guitarist Kyle 3x great grandfather Shoⁿge Moⁿkoⁿ (Ponca) or Ma'kaⁿ Suⁿje (Otoe). He was a warrior who fought for the survival of the Otoe-Missouria people, and Medicine Horse is an inspiration to us to continue to fight for our people, our family, friends and community.
How long did it take you to write and record your s/t full-length?Tough to say really, it was kind of piecemeal because we just wanted to get some tunes recorded at first. But once we started playing shows, we started meeting some really cool people and started to have some opportunities to do some stuff, so we pulled it all together to try and make an LP. Overall it was probably just like a day or so spent on each major part of it.
If you could insert yourself into any one band what band would it be and why?Nico - Devotchka, I love the drama of their music and how unique their sound is
Kyle - the roots-culture
Travis - Booker T. & The MG's ...for the education and the groove
Have you ever heard a song and immediately wished you had written it?If so... What was the song and artist?Kyle - roots bloody roots!! Fuck I love that song you just lose your mind every time!
Travis - Keep it between the lines - Sturgill Simpson
Do you have any non-metal musical inspirations?Nico - Almost all of mine are nonmetal haha
Kyle - yes, currently listening to Francisco Tarrega
Travis - A lot of blues, soul, and country, and anything with a powerful groove
Chris - Rebirth Brass band or any brass bands out of Nola.
What's a non-metal song that you'd like to do a cover of?We're all about the idea, but still looking for the song.
What band have you played with that has really impressed you with their live show?Nico - Slumbering Sun (Austin)
Kyle - Flesh Hoarder tx
Travis - There are tons of great bands, but the one that comes to mind most recently is Blind Oath, who are also from Tulsa. Last time I saw them they just about brought the building down.
Chris - Dustlord for me... those guys are the kings of riff.
Do you have a favorite venue to play at?Kyle - Cain's ballroom, I'd love to get booked at the Tulsa Theatre (Brady Theatre) all downtown Tulsa venues but man yeah anyone of em that'll have us.
Travis - I have great appreciation for playing in historic venues, but I find I have the most fun in the small joints. Whittier Bar in Tulsa is one of those types of venues and they bring great acts almost every night of the week.
Chris - Whittier bar is home for me but I'd love the opportunity to play to a packedCain's Ballroom
Do you have a pre-show ritual?Nico - Ibuprofen
Kyle - A Smoke Offering.
Chris - I snort Cajun seasoning.
What is your favorite thing about touring?Kyle - Hanging with your friends bbqing at a truck stop in BFE
What is your least favorite thing about touring?Nico: Missing my dogs
Is there a city that you love to hit while on tour?ATX
Nola 💯
What's the weirdest experience you've had on the road?Nico - Not that weird, but funny: I was traveling and got mistaken for Amy Lee from Evanescence, while waiting on a switch at the Greyhound station in Albuquerque. This was in 2003 when that first record was HUGE and she would obviously not be alone at a nasty Greyhound station in the desert, plus I had really short hair at the time. Bewildering. I signed the kids Greyhound ticket with her name so kid if by some chance you're reading this, I'm sorry that piece of memorabilia is not authentic.
The year is 2008.Where are you at and what are you listening to?Nico - line cooking to Rage Against the Machine
Kyle - Arborist trimming trees listening to Despised Icon Day of Mourning album (another band I was in WSTGTO opened up for em during this record we actually got there last US tour date here in Tulsa,ok before their hiatus)
Travis - Stillwater, OK working in a BBQ joint, Gojira's "The Way of All Flesh" album
Chris - Trombone Shorty
What advice would you give young musicians that are just starting out in the music business?Honestly we probably need advice from them! HA, social media seems to rule the roost for connecting with fans any more.
What is an absolute band killer?Nico - I think Travis read "killer band" which is way more positive so let's go with his answers, all killer bands
Kyle - ZULU, Blackbraid
Travis - Messa, Black Breath, Mystick Krewe of Clearlight
If you were to start your own music festival what would be the name of that festival and who would be the three headlining bands?Kyle - CowboySnNDNZfest nothing but Mike Patton bands SJR Jimi hendrix
Travis - Another Uncomfortable Festival.... Judas Priest, Gojira, YOB
Chris - Swamp Fest... Acid Bath, Crowbar & Down.
What's the longest time you've gone without bathing?We're probably all in the same boat, but who needs the specifics?
What's one thing that most people don't know about you?Kyle - I have African American heritage in my bloodline and I'm damn proud of it.
Chris - I'm a Birder (bird watcher). I have my feeders registered and participate in annual bird counts. 🐦
Is the Fistful of DOOM show in the top 10 of your favorite music podcasts?Absolutely!! I saw the name and knew this is something I gotta check out.
Do unicorns sleep standing up?Horses do, so I imagine their mystical cousins do too.
Nico - Slumbering Sun - The Ever-Living Fire
Kyle - Black Sabbath- Dehumanizer
-The Organization - S/T (ex Death Angel)
-Samothrace- Life's Trade
Travis - Sisyphean - Colours of Faith
Chris -Alter by Lustmord
You're driving cross-country and you can only listen to one album the whole time.What album will it be?Travis - Probably just drive in silence because I'd be paralyzed by the decision.
Kyle - Pink Floyd Atom Heart Mother
You are writing a book about your life thus far.What is the title of that book?"What the fuck happened!? - A Memoir"
AyeChina! Frog Legs!! Copyright2023
What is your favorite song by Taylor Swift?Travis - I don't know if I have actually heard a Taylor Swift song.
Chris - Slut is an absolute banger.
Kyle - Trailer Swift
Motorhead or Black Sabbath (if you had to choose)?Travis - Absolutely love both, but Sabbath had a much bigger impact on me
Kyle - sabbath was first then I listened to motorhead
Waffles or Pancakes (if you had to pick one)?Nico - Pancakes
Kyle - Pancakes
Travis - Waffle
Chris - I hate sweet breakfast
Nico - Star Wars
Kyle - Star wars
Travis - Star Wars
Chris - Star Wars
Favorite band t-shirt you own?Travis - That's like picking a favorite child...
Nico - my Brujeria shirt
Kyle - Gravehuffer t shirt
Favorite meal?Nico - my dad's chicken stew
Kyle - corn soup frybread
Travis - Nacho's
Chris - Gumbo
Favorite book?Kyle - I can't read
Travis - Books... Lord of the Rings
Chris - Hell House
Favorite movie?Kyle - Young Guns 1&2... Blood in Blood Out....Do The Right Thang
Travis - Westerns
Chris - The Exorcist
Kyle - right now Jimi Hendrix blues album...Mastodon hushed n grim
Chris - In Utero
Favorite video game?Kyle - Pinball or Twisted Metal
Travis - not a gamer
Chris - Age of Empires
Favorite Professional Wrestler?Kyle - the ultimate warrior the rock the undertaker
Travis - Macho Man
Chris - Hogan (He's a bass player)
Massive thank you to Nico, Kyle, Travis, Garrett and Chris for taking the time to answer my questions.I appreciate you all.The rest of you should click on the link so generously provided below and wrap your ears around Medicine Horse's self-titled debut.What you are sure to discover is that this is one of the best releases in a year full of stellar releases.You can thank me later.Or, just buy the album and that will be thanks enough!~El Pedo Caliente
https://hortonrecords.bandcamp.com/album/medicine-horse
