A Ripple Conversation With Don Carr

A while back I reviewed all five albums that local Nashville heavy hitters Noisecult have released so far. They are a band I have been fortunate to see quite a few times since moving to Tennessee from Maryland. Apart from being a great metal band, they are one of only a few local acts that rocks my world. Not long after the review was published I had the honour of meeting up with the band's founder and main man, Don Carr, for a chat about his band and music in general.

Don, tell me how Noisecult started?

"The band started out as a college project back in the mid 90's under the name One From None. In 2003 Bo Heyward [long time Noisecult singer] and I decided to kick start the band again for fun, using a couple of songs from One From None and build from there."

When you and Bo got the band going again, did you have a master plan. And if so has that changed throughout the years?

You are the only original member left, and have seen a few members come and go, Don. How has this affected the band and have you ever thought of shutting down Noisecult?

"It's usually a downer when someone leaves the group, there is no question about that. I've been doing this under the Nosiecult name for almost 12 years, and there seem to be a stability of 2 to 3 years tops before someone has to move on. It is hard to do this with the age of the guys in our band. People have jobs, families etc and two guys had to move out of state. There are only a couple of ex-members we still stay in touch with whom to me remain a part of our cult. Sean [Kay, bass guitar] has been with me since 2008 and to me he is an original member, considering how long he has been part of what the band does, and for the amount of input and creativity he brings. I have other projects I play in that are a bit different from Noisecult, as does Sean. But whether we write songs together for Noisecult, or someone else's project, it still sounds like Noisecult. That is what comes out of me naturally, be it music or lyrics. It's hard to shut that down if I wanted to. So the quick answer after all that is...No I've never thought of shutting the band down hahahaha."

How do you keep yourself motivated?

"Sometimes it is harder than other days. I do really enjoy coming up with songs, be it the riffs, lyrics or a story idea, whatever...that is the most fun on a single level, more so than say practicing scales. Then, there is nothing like jamming with the whole band. Hearing and grooving to something you all put together is really the best part. Another motivational part is hooking up with the guy who helps out a lot with artwork for the CDs, videos and the webpage. I really dig doing that kind of work."

What bands and what styles are inspirational for Noisecult?

What previous bands have you been in and recorded with?

"For me, not that many really. I was in a thrash band called Paramoure in the late 1980's, based out of southern Florida. We recorded one EP called 'For The Love Of Death'. It was fun and a learning experience. I then moved to Tennessee for school and eventually put together this band. I also played bass guitar in a fun band called The Creeping Cruds for about a year or so."

What are the current plans for Noisecult?

"To continue what Sean and I have been doing. What I mean is continue to write songs and get out there and play live. We are halfway through our next album, which I hope we can get completed with the right people and release it in late 2015."

What's your view on the music scene today compared to when you started?

Noisecult clearly has it's own distinct sound, yet on each album you bring something slightly different. Even among individual tracks on any given album it occurs. Is that intentional or does it just happen?