Expurgate Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

Jaymes- Expurgate began with bassist Devin and I fucking around and writing drum machine death metal tunes when we’d hang out and drink. Eventually we found other people who were interested (although it took some time, brutal death isn’t too popular here in Denver). We recorded our first demo in 2010 with Joe on drums and Ian on guitar, started playing a bunch of local diy shows that rarely had an audience. Then we met up with Ben Romsdahl (Clinging To The Trees Of A Forest Fire) and he produced our single version of Viscous Human Putrilage. After that promo we started to get a lot more interest from the internet, which led us to play NJDF 2011 and LVDF 2012. We recorded our full length at the end of 2011, but it wouldn’t see the light of day for quite some time due to financial issues and an uncooperative label. Then at LVDF 2012 we met Steve Green (Comatose Music/Atrocious Abnormality) and gave him a rough version of our full length. He really dug it and now here we are close to a year later finally getting this album to see the light of day!

2. How would you describe your musical sound?

Jaymes- We tried to mix in aspects of all of our favorite brutal death bands to create a unique blend. Devin’s favorite death metal bands are Disgorge and Autopsy, so you hear some fast brutal Disgorge-ish parts and some old school groove. My two favorite slam bands are Digested Flesh and Dysentery so I tried to emulate their slamming style. I also feel that it gets so monotonous when a BDM vocalist does the same style the entire time. So I tried to mix up all the gurgles, gutturals, grunts and even some Anal Cunt type screams.
Devin- It's fast, technical, and heavy. In my opinion, that's what makes good death metal!

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

Jaymes- This albums theme is the brutality of addiction. Although some of the lyrics a meant to be ridiculous, some of them are really from the heart.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

Jaymes- The meaning of Expurgate is “to cleanse of moral offenses”. Which Devin and I thought was perfect because we would go to a lot of grind shows and we’d be the only dudes there who liked retardedly offensive goregrind. Our shirt artwork and song titles pissed off a lot of local people, we even got black listed at one of the main DIY venues for being “misogynistic”. Which couldn’t be farther from the truth, but hey at least people were saying our name…haha!

5. Out of all the shows the band has played so far which one did you enjoy the most?

Jaymes- The coolest shows in my opinion were opening for Dysentery, opening for Rottenness, NJDF and the last show at the Rockaway Tavern that Tony from Disease Called Human put on.

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

Devin- As of now no, but our original drummer was looking to jam with us again so only time will tell!

7. You have a new album coming out, what do you hope to accomplish when this release comes out?

Devin- Hopefully the album will reach the ears of the brutal death community, I worked hard to write good material for everyone to enjoy!

8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of brutal death metal?

Jaymes- I feel like we’re becoming a known BDM band. We stick out from every other straight slam band and keep things interesting in my opinion. I imagine the album will give us a much better reputation.
Devin- I'd say that feedback has been great! I can't wait till after the album drops to see what people have to say about it!

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

Devin- If we have any future releases it will be faster, more technical, and the most heavy thing that anyone has ever heard.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Jaymes- The bands that have inspired me from the start are Anal Blast, Digested Flesh, Cephalotripsy, Dysentery, Disconformity, Glossectomy, Dyscrasia, Screaming Afterbirth, Foetopsy, Guttural Engorgement, Waking the Cadaver and Disgorge.
Devin- Mostly Disgorge, Inherit Disease, and Septycal Gorge.

11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Jaymes- I went to broadcasting school so commercial production and voice acting are a hobby of mine. Besides that all I watch is gangster movies.
Devin- I have a job and go to school, on my days off I mountain bike and ski.

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Jaymes- Thanks for the interview, and thanks to all of our fans who’ve been patient with the release of the CD and have come out to our shows!
Devin- Thanks again! I can't wait till the album is released!