Ladies and gentlemen it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Anthony, Brian, Andrew and Beth of Inherus.They are makers of exquisite heavy sounds and they have some pretty keen comedy chops to boot.I hope you will enjoy this interview as much as I have.
What is your full name?Anthony DiBlasi
Brian Harrigan
Andrew Vogt
Beth Gladding
Do you have any aliases?AV: Sonnungr
BG: Bezaelith
What bands are you actively involved with?AD: Currently just Inherus.
BH: Inherus, GRID
AV: Inherus, Lotus Thief
BG: Inherus, Lotus Thief, Forlesen
What was the first instrument that you played?AD: The Baritone in 4th grade
BH: Guitar
AV: Trombone
BG: Piano
Tell me about one of your first musical memories?AD: Listening to the oldies station in my mother's car.
BH: Playing in my basement while my dad pumped Pink Floyd and the Traveling Wilburys throughout the house.
AV: My father finger tapping on his steering wheel listening to Led Zeppelin
BG: laying my head on the base of an upright piano as a toddler, to listen to how long a single note resonates
What was the name of the first band you were in?AD: boilermaker boys (high-school oi punk band).
BH: The Horror Story
AV: Mahopac Elementary School Band
BG: a grungy middle school garage band called SPAM
Tell me about the genesis of Inherus.AD: Inherus came about after I left my last band. It started first as an idea between Brian and myself but the name didn't happen until we united as a full lineup and our sound solidified on our very first tune we wrote which happens to be our first single on the album, "Forgotten Kingdom".
BH: Yeah, Anthony put a post up on Facebook looking to start a new project.We had some mutual acquaintances, and some common influences, so I reached out.We jammed a few times and decided we meshed well so we started looking for other members to round out the lineup.I had played with Andrew in a previous band and always liked his style.As it turned out, Anthony had played with him a few times as well.So, he was our first call. The three of us jammed for a while and wrote the beginnings of what became Forgotten Kingdom.Then, if I can recall correctly, Anthony...being the master networker that he is, met Beth at a show and told her about this project he was working on. He sent her a recording of a practice session, and she recorded some vocals and guitars over it.Once he shared it with Andrew and I, we were blown away.Everything sounded right.So, Beth started coming to practice, and the lineup was complete.
What inspired the name Inherus?AD: We all wanted a one word easy to say band name that not only captured our aesthetic and sound but a philosophy of sorts. We also wanted to keep it open to each listener's personal interpretation. I see it as a mixture of incorporation of the Latin roots of "inhere", meaning "to belong".Some have also interpreted the literal meaning of "In her us" if the spirit of the Earth is a feminine goddess all comes from within her. I am sure that each of my band mates have their own view of the name and I like that it's open-ended.
BH: I was pretty keen on the one word aspect.We threw around a bunch of ideas, and Inherus stuck.
AV: I was pushing for Moontard...
How long did it take you to write and record Beholden?AD: Beholden started day one for us when we solidified the band lineup. The track "Forgotten Kingdom" was the first song we wrote as a band. It's fitting that it's our first single. It took us a long time to finish the album since the Pandemic made it difficult to get together and record. We finally put the finishing touches on the album last year.
If you could insert yourself into any one band what band would it be and why?AD: Who wouldn't want to be in Black Sabbath? But I am not worthy to even utter such words.
BH: This could change on any given day, but for now I'm gonna say Tool.I've always loved Adam Jones' guitar playing, and I think it would be amazing to write music with him.
AV: John Coltrane with McCoy Tyner on piano and Jimmy Garrison on double bass.
BG: King Crimson but only on the days when they are doing the stuff like Red.
Have you ever heard a song and immediately wished you had written it?If so... What was the song and artist?AD: The Lasting Dose by Crowbar.
BH: Oh...so many songs.Alice in Chains - Junkhead, Nine Inch Nails -The Becoming, Opeth - Deliverance..just to name a few.
AV: Forlesen - Strega
BG: Awww shucks, AV. For me it would be Echoes, Floyd.
Do you have any non-metal musical inspirations?AD: Blues, Punk and vintage Rock and Roll were just as pivotal to my musical development as metal.
BH: I grew up on classic rock and grunge. Old school hip hop is great too.
AV: I will play anything from Afro-Cuban to Zydeco. I love good music performed well.
BG: I'm with AV on that. Music is about the player and the sound, and any genre can reach someone's heart (or other parts).
What's a non-metal song that you'd like to do a cover of?AD: I always wanted to find a way to do a decent metal cover of The Dead Kennedys "Too Drunk to F&ck" but never had the guts to give it a try.
BH: Tweeter and the Monkey Man by The Traveling Wilburys.That'd be so sick.
AV: Footprints by Wayne Shorter
BG: Astronomy, Blue Oyster Cult
What band have you played with that has really impressed you with their live show?AD: I once opened up for Spirit Adrift in my last band and I was blown away by their live sound.
BH: I played a show once with the band Tombs.They sounded massive.
BG: Opening for Agalloch was cool, big live sound. Also Author & Punisher was cool to watch.
Do you have a favorite venue to play at?AD: I always had a blast playing Lucky 13 Saloon in Brooklyn NY, haven't gotten Inherus there yet but I hope we do sometime soon!
BH: Haven't played in too many different spots yet.Just hit The Kingsland in Brooklyn, that was a pretty dope spot.
AV: Got to play at CBGB's that felt pretty good.
BG: My first show was at CBGB's. I was 16, in my third band already. They gave me a beer. The Cave at Balve for ProphecyFest was pretty rad.
Do you have a pre-show ritual?AD: I like to meditate and then run through my gear checklist, it hasn't failed me yet.
BH: I usually listen to a bunch of tunes that get me pumped.
AV: The day will dictate the ritual but keeping myself loose and relaxed is the endgame. It's usually a combination of stretching and nervous tapping with some breathing exercises mixed in.
BG: I run around and panic.
What is your favorite thing about touring?AD: I love to travel. New cities equal new food places to check out and new friends to meet and geek out with over music.
BH: I haven't toured : (
AV: The people you meet, the places you see and the memories you take from it.
BG: Sitting in a van with a bunch of people who have been living on nothing but Taco Bell for a week.
(Interviewer's note... Oh the absolute horror!)
What is your least favorite thing about touring?AD: The stress over planning the perfect route and making sure we'll make it to the next location on time.
AV: Being stuck in the back of the van when someone has abhorrent gas.
BG: Lol Andrew.
Is there a city that you love to hit while on tour?AD: Philadelphia has always been one of my favorite cities to play. Never had a bad experience there.
AV: I'm looking to check out the West Coast as I haven't made my way out there yet.
BG: I want to do Berlin or Rome, or any place in Italy or Germany.
What's the weirdest experience you've had on the road?AD: For me it was when some former band mates in a past band left me at Maryland DoomFest without warning. I had to hitch a ride and find a place to sleep that night. It all worked out in the end and makes for a good story.
AV: Played a show in Vermont and we managed to meet some fans who let us crash at their place for the night. We arrived in the middle of the night, the lights never went on and we all ended up sleeping on the floor.Next morning I woke up and found the bathroom..... This place was filthy, there was probably a pound of facial hair shavings on the bathroom sink.... a cheap plastic shower curtain covered in mildew protecting me from the horror of what lurked behind. I could go on but you probably get the point.This place was like a crack house or something.
BG: That one show Lotus Thief played in Santa Cruz where several band members and crew got their asses grabbed in one performance night.
The year is 2010.Where are you at and what are you listening to?AD: Working at a local bar in NY and listening to the Deftones album "Diamond Eyes" and Circa Survive's "Blue Sky Noise" album.
BH: Still living at home, on the verge of moving out.I was listening to Ihsahn a lot.His album After had just come out, which is a masterpiece. Devin Townsend and Opeth were heavy in the rotation as well.Definitely Deftones as well.
AV: Playing in Swallow the Ocean with Brian Harrigan on guitar. For music I was on a heavy diet of Isis and Cult of Luna.
BG: living in the Outer Sunset in SF, listening to Echo and the Bunnymen, Primal Scream and Death
What advice would you give young musicians that are just starting out in the music business?AD: Don't expect anyone to do the work for you. Don't be afraid to break genre molds and be an active part of your local scene.
BH: DIY, DIY, DIY.
AV: Find what you love about the music you listen to and find others that will share in that. Inspiration is a cup that must always be filled.
BG: learn to record yourself, be true to your instincts and avoid anyone who makes art solely for purposes of personal fame.
What is an absolute band killer?AD: Lack of communication and egomania.
BH: Band nazi's.
AV: When one party no longer wants to work through issues because shit will always come up.
BG: Guys who hug you super tight and for an unnecessarily long time.
(interviewer's note....I don't know what in the fuck is wrong with some of you so called "men."Jesus!Do better.)
Have you ever recorded a song that you really didn't like, but somebody else in the band really did?AD: Yes, but never in Inherus.
BH: I've worked on songs that I wasn't crazy about in the beginning, but ended up loving when they were done.
AV: I am smart enough to know I don't know everything. My first reactions often differ from where I end up and thank god for that as I would have missed out on some really good music.
BG: For sure. Two bands. One appears on my resume, one doesn't.
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?AD: Hudson Valley Doom Festival. YOB, Windhand, The Sword.
BH: I like Anthony's festival name.As for bands, I'd say Psychonaut, SAVER and DVNE.
AV: I could think of a few names but they will all be some sort of sexual innuendo. Any band who wants to get down at my sex fest is more than welcome. More the merrier.
BG: Hudson Valley does need a Doom Fest. I'm all for Anthony's plan, maybe also helping out some rescue animals in the process.
What's the longest time you've gone without bathing?AD: Once on a tour longer than I'd like to admit.
BH: Two days maybe?
AV: Eh, one shouldn't worry about these things. I shower every Saturday whether I need to or not.
BG: I used to go up to the woods with my dad, uncles and cousins on 50 acres in the middle of the Catskills with zero phone service and endless forest silence. We had no showers, and our mothers did not accompany us to nag us into adulting. We never bathed except if you count swimming in a river. Needless to say we were forced to shower when we got home.
(interviewer's note....#ripe)
What's one thing that most people don't know about you?AD: I once tried out for the game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire but didn't make it on. I wish I could have phoned a friend.
BH: Good question...
AV: I'm a relative of George Washington, our first president. Elizabeth Washington, who was George's sister, married Colonel Fielding Lewis. Lewis is my mothers maiden name as he is our great great great....grandfather. My middle name is Fielding as the name has been passed down through history.
BG: My great-grandmother turned down a ticket on the Titanic. Lucky me.
Is the Fistful of DOOM show in the top 10 of your favorite music podcasts?
ALL: hell yes.
Do unicorns sleep standing up?AD: Yes, I always assumed they dream while also awake.
BH: Naturally.
AV: They want you to believe they do. Unicorns are very sneaky.
BG: I hear unicorns are very erect.
Give me three albums that I should listen to immediately, if not sooner.AD: Russian Circles - "Station" Baroness - "Purple" & Elder - "Reflections of a Floating World"
BH: SAVER - They Came With Sunlight
Psychonaut - Violate Consensus Reality
My Diligence - The Matter, Form and Power
AV: Inherus - Beholden (Shameless self plug)
Forlesen - Black Terrain
Lotus Thief - Oresteia
BG: The Flight of Sleipnir - V
Farflung - A Wound in Eternity
Goblin - Il Fantastico Viaggio Del Bagarozzo Mark
You're driving cross-country and you can only listen to one album the whole time.What album will it be?AD: Sleep - "Dopesmoker"
BH: Either Aenima by Tool, or Ghost Reveries by Opeth.
AV:Gunship - "Gunship"
BG: Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
You are writing a book about your life thus far.What is the title of that book?AD: you'll get there eventually, enjoy the ride.
BH: How the hell did I get here?
AV: Surprise mother fucker!!!
BG: Great Sexpectations
What is your favorite song by Taylor Swift?AD: Holy Ground
BH: Who?
AV: Blank Space
BG: The really quiet one.
Emperor or Darkthrone (if you had to choose)?AD: Emperor
BH: Emperor
AV: Darkthrone
BG: Darkthrone
Doobies or Boobies (if you had to pick one)?AD: Doobies
BH: Great combination
AV: Yes please
BG: Apparently I have both
Waffles or Pancakes (if you had to pick one)?AD: Waffles
AV: Belgian Waffles
BH: Pancakes
BG: Blueberry Pancakes
Star Wars or Star Trek (if you had to choose)?AD: StarTrek
BH: Star Wars
AV: Star Wars
BG: Spaceballs
Favorite band t-shirt you own?AD: Lotus Thief
BH: Through The Eyes Of The Dead
AV: I have a tool t-shirt that I purchased when I saw them at the Mid Hudson Valley Civic Center in 1996.
BG: A Frank Zappa tour shirt from Titties & Beer
Favorite meal?AD: Dinner
BH: Lunch
AV: Dinner
BG: Late afternoon snack
Favorite book?AD: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
BH: Stephen King's IT
AV: Syncopation for the Modern Drummer by Ted Reed
BG: Stephen King's "The Dark Tower" series, book 1, The Gunslinger
Favorite movie?AD: SpaceBalls
BH: Too many to list.Terminator 2, Aliens, Predator, Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors...and the 1986 animated Transformers Movie, just to name a few.
AV: The Neverending Story
BG: Let the Right One In (Lars Von Trier version)
Favorite album?AD: Frank Black's Teenager of the Year
BH: Too many to list.I can't even give just a few.
AV: Tool - AEnima. This album came out when i was 16, i remember my hs girlfriend asking me to take it off repeat as i would just listen to it over and over.
BG: Rumours
Favorite video game?AD: Dead by Daylight
BH: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
AV: Golden Eye 007 for N64. Multiplayer, grenade launchers in the temple ..... Lets go!!
BG: Fortnite due to my current battle squad. If not that, then Nintendo's Metroid
Favorite Professional Wrestler?AD: Randy Macho Man Savage
BH:The Ultimate Warrior
AV: As a child, Jake the Snake Roberts.As an adult, Macho Man Randy Savage
BG: Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth All the Way Baby
Massive thank you to every single member of Inherus for this wildly entertaining interview.I am grateful to you all.Beholden is the sophomore release from Inherus and it will be available for your listening pleasure May 26th courtesy of Hypnotic Dirge Records.You are going to want this album in your collection the minute it drops, so start pinching those pennies now.Pre-orders are up and they have a pretty sweet little bundle up for grabs.Get on it now!~El Pedo Caliente (aka Uncle Jameson from the Fistful of DOOM show)
https://hypnoticdirgerecords.bandcamp.com/album/beholden