| Interview with Joel Grind By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: Hails, Mr. Joel Grind. How has life been treating you?
Joel: Things have been going great, been on the road a lot and I just finished up recording.
Blissfulviolet: Congratulations on your recent signing to
Relapse Records. You seem to have always had a DIY attitude;
from your releases to booking your own tours. Has your DIY
spirit changed with this recent signing?
Relapse Records. You seem to have always had a DIY attitude;
from your releases to booking your own tours. Has your DIY
spirit changed with this recent signing?
Joel: I really had to have a DIY attitude, no one was gonna do
anything FOR me, I had to do everything for myself, because I
wanted to do things like tour, put out records etc. Many people
don’t have that drive.
anything FOR me, I had to do everything for myself, because I
wanted to do things like tour, put out records etc. Many people
don’t have that drive.
Blissfulviolet: Since your sign to Relapse, I have also noticed
a positive emergence for Toxic Holocaust. You have defiantly
been getting out on the road and touring with some major
bands...I take it Relapse and your manager have been doing a
great job so far with getting the word out on Toxic Holocaust?
a positive emergence for Toxic Holocaust. You have defiantly
been getting out on the road and touring with some major
bands...I take it Relapse and your manager have been doing a
great job so far with getting the word out on Toxic Holocaust?
Joel: Totally. People have to understand, I have been doing
this for a long time, but I have always done things on my own
terms. I have never bowed to anyone, never changed. Things
will continue this way.
this for a long time, but I have always done things on my own
terms. I have never bowed to anyone, never changed. Things
will continue this way.
Blissfulviolet: Speaking of touring, you just finished playing
some shows with Hate Eternal and 3 inches of Blood. How did
that tour go?
some shows with Hate Eternal and 3 inches of Blood. How did
that tour go?
Joel: Both went amazing, I made some good friends on those tours as well. It’s great to be playing with
a lot of diverse bands because it’s been opening a lot of people’s eyes to what I do.
a lot of diverse bands because it’s been opening a lot of people’s eyes to what I do.
Blissfulviolet: So the audience was pretty receptive, considering that Hate Eternal and the other
touring acts were death metal?
touring acts were death metal?
Joel: Sure, I mean just because it wasn’t the main reason why they came there, it’s hard to fuck with
our live show…albeit sloppy at times, always aggressive and evil.
our live show…albeit sloppy at times, always aggressive and evil.
Blissfulviolet: You are going to head back on the road soon with At the Gates, Darkest Hour and
Municipal Waste. In addition, Toxic Holocaust is confirmed to perform at the 'Hole in the Sky' festival in
Norway with bands like Possessed and Carcass, to name a few. What are your thoughts on this
upcoming massive touring and exposure for Toxic Holocaust?
Municipal Waste. In addition, Toxic Holocaust is confirmed to perform at the 'Hole in the Sky' festival in
Norway with bands like Possessed and Carcass, to name a few. What are your thoughts on this
upcoming massive touring and exposure for Toxic Holocaust?
Joel: I love it man, This is what I do. I’m not happy staying at home. I need to be out playing all the time,
and playing with killer bands is just a bonus!
and playing with killer bands is just a bonus!
Blissfulviolet: How do you manage your time when on the road, do you ever get homesick?
Joel: Most of the time is spent driving to the next town, then drinking beers at the club waiting to go on.
I honestly can say I don’t get homesick much. This is the life that I’ve chosen.
I honestly can say I don’t get homesick much. This is the life that I’ve chosen.
Blissfulviolet: I honestly see 2008 as the 'Year for Toxic Holocaust.' Not only with your recent signing
to Relapse and touring but you also just finished recording a new album, the follow up to 'Hell on Earth.'
What can you tell us about the new album?
to Relapse and touring but you also just finished recording a new album, the follow up to 'Hell on Earth.'
What can you tell us about the new album?
Joel: I just finished up the recording. I must say it sounds killer, still raw, tons of feedback all over the
place etc. It’s titled “An Overdose of Death…” and that’s exactly what you can expect. This is definitely
not a wimp out that I’m sure people may be thinking now that I signed a record deal.
place etc. It’s titled “An Overdose of Death…” and that’s exactly what you can expect. This is definitely
not a wimp out that I’m sure people may be thinking now that I signed a record deal.
Blissfulviolet: Will the new album continue where Hell on Earth left off, sound and concept wise?
Joel: I think I’ve actually stepped it up a notch. The lyrics are even more evil than Hell on Earth, with a
lot of similar concepts as past records such as the end of the world, satan worship etc.
lot of similar concepts as past records such as the end of the world, satan worship etc.
Blissfulviolet: Halseycaust has been creating some
awesome work for you. Does she come up with the visual
ideas or do you relay your concepts to her prior to creation?
awesome work for you. Does she come up with the visual
ideas or do you relay your concepts to her prior to creation?
Joel: It’s usually a team effort. I usually have a concept and
she runs with it. She has a true talent that is rare in a day in
age when photoshopped B.S. rules the land.
she runs with it. She has a true talent that is rare in a day in
age when photoshopped B.S. rules the land.
Blissfulviolet: Will she be working on the cover for your
upcoming album?
upcoming album?
Joel: Yes, she’s just completed it, and it’s one of the best
things I’ve seen her do yet.
things I’ve seen her do yet.
Blissfulviolet: Do you find it difficult to keep Toxic
Holocaust's sound in vein with old school thrash metal, yet
staying original? How does the song writing and recording
process work for you?
Holocaust's sound in vein with old school thrash metal, yet
staying original? How does the song writing and recording
process work for you?
Joel: To be honest, I’m not 100% concerned with being
original. I mean, I don’t wanna rip stuff off, but I definitely want
to write shit that I wanna hear. To write a song I usually start
original. I mean, I don’t wanna rip stuff off, but I definitely want
to write shit that I wanna hear. To write a song I usually start
Blissfulviolet: Years ago, Toxic Holocaust actually had full time members. Since then, you have
resorted to hire musicians; has this decision worked in your favor or has it been troublesome throughout
the years?
resorted to hire musicians; has this decision worked in your favor or has it been troublesome throughout
the years?
Joel: Well, that was back in 1999, and it definitely didn’t last long. Since then I’ve been recording
everything myself and hiring people for live shows. It’s been difficult at times and extremely efficient to
others. Soon enough I’m gonna have some constant members…it’s in the works as we speak.
everything myself and hiring people for live shows. It’s been difficult at times and extremely efficient to
others. Soon enough I’m gonna have some constant members…it’s in the works as we speak.
Blissfulviolet: How much has the thrash metal scene changed for you since you first started Toxic
Holocaust back in 99'?
Holocaust back in 99'?
Joel: Well, it exploded that’s for sure! I mean, no one was playing this shit back then, now there are
tons of bands and fans. It’s great; I just hope it doesn’t just become a lame trend like everything else
does.
tons of bands and fans. It’s great; I just hope it doesn’t just become a lame trend like everything else
does.
Blissfulviolet: When you first started Toxic Holocaust were people freaked out by your age, style and
musical sound, considering that this type of music was prominent back in the 80's?
musical sound, considering that this type of music was prominent back in the 80's?
Joel: Sure, but I’m still here. Where are they?!
Blissfulviolet: It's known that you are a huge fan of Bathory and Venom. What was it about early
black metal bands that left a huge impression on you to become a fan?
black metal bands that left a huge impression on you to become a fan?
Joel: I like the atmosphere and the lyrics. To me it just seems so much cooler singing about stuff like
this. This is not happy music.
this. This is not happy music.
Blissfulviolet: Today, do you enjoy listening to Black Metal? If so can you name a few of the bands
that you are currently listening to?
that you are currently listening to?
Joel: I’m still a fan of current Darkthrone…Plus stuff like Abigail etc.
Blissfulviolet: You are also involved with the band Tiger Junkies. How did you meet and decide to
collaborate with Yasuyuki, (Cut Throat, Barbatos, Agigail) who is based out of Japan? What is the
current status and future plans for this project? Any plans to play live gigs?
collaborate with Yasuyuki, (Cut Throat, Barbatos, Agigail) who is based out of Japan? What is the
current status and future plans for this project? Any plans to play live gigs?
Joel: Yes, I met Yasuyuki after he invited me to play guitar for
some Abigial shows. We’ve been friends ever since. Tiger Junkies
started after the first time I went to Japan. We recorded the vocals
in Yasuyuki’s bedroom. We actually just recorded a new LP called
“D-Beat Street Rock n Rollers” which we recorded the vocals
again in his bedroom the second time I went to Japan.
some Abigial shows. We’ve been friends ever since. Tiger Junkies
started after the first time I went to Japan. We recorded the vocals
in Yasuyuki’s bedroom. We actually just recorded a new LP called
“D-Beat Street Rock n Rollers” which we recorded the vocals
again in his bedroom the second time I went to Japan.
Blissfulviolet: I enjoyed the track 'Stupid posers deserve to
die,’ I found it amusing; what can you tell be about this particular
track?
die,’ I found it amusing; what can you tell be about this particular
track?
Joel: The title says it all really. We don’t stand for trendy losers!
Blissfulviolet: Is there anything that Toxic Holocaust fans
should be on the lookout for in the near future?
should be on the lookout for in the near future?
Joel: The new CD/LP out on Relapse Records in Sept. Pure
Speed Metal from the Grave!
Speed Metal from the Grave!
Blissfulviolet: If you were to be remembered by a quote, what
would it be?
would it be?
Joel: Thrash till deaf!!!
with a riff or a concept and then start from there. I generally have an idea where the song will go when I
start.
start.
| This could very well be the year of Holocaust, Toxic Holocaust that is. The DIY master, Joel Grind entered the scene back in 99' with the intent to create and spread the most evil speed metal on the planet. Years of hard work and dedication have finally paid off and Grind’s vision is finally getting the recognition that it deserves. “I really had to have a DIY attitude, no one was gonna do anything FOR me, I had to do everything for myself, because I wanted to do things like tour, put out records etc. Many people don’t have that drive,” explained Grind. From his recent signing to Relapse Records, massive touring and upcoming album, ‘An overdose of Death,’ we got the details and by the looks of it, it’s going to be a great year for Toxic Holocaust. In the words of Gind, “Thrash till Death!!” |