Things are about to get loud at the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Sept. 16 as Red Deer metal band Hooker Spit visit in support of their debut album “Krotch Splitter.”
The band includes Vlad Glyegore (Lead Guitar), Devin Link (Rhythm Guitar), José Garza (Bass), Daniel White (Vocals) and Scott Gooding (Drums),
They have had a busy summer touring in support of their new CD, which was officially released on July 28.
Guitarist Vlad Glyegore produced the band’s debut album himself, and despite having to take five swings at it, is pleased with the result.
“We looked at the costs of recording an album and having nice production and it can go up to about $20,000 so I decided to take it upon myself. I bought all the tools and took some seminars and it was fun. Frustrating but fun. Fifth time was a charm. It took us about five times to record it until we were happy enough to send it out to Jaroslav (Holub) with Develop Device studios in Pilzen, Czech Republic. He did the final touches on it. He got the mix and master and reamped everything,” he said adding the album’s sound didn’t change much over the five attempts.
“Not much to be honest with you. It was all learning experiences. the first few times some of the levels weren’t right. Another time the album got deleted because I got an e-mail with a worm in it and that wiped out my computer. That was the fourth time. And the fifth time was a charm,” he chuckled, adding the band is pleased with the result.
“Yeah it did. We’re seriously happy with it , man,” he said, adding they have been touring a lot in support of it, though not without a few tribulations
They had to cancel some shows in B.C because of wildfires.
“It’s been fun, we’ve quite action packed so far . Got to play a bunch of shows, unfortunately had to cancel some because of fires, but that hasn’t brought our spirit down,” said guitarist Vlad Glyegore.
“We’ve never played B.C. before. That was a real highlight of the summer for us. We really wanted to get out there and get to meet new people, new fans and make new friends. But unfortunately we couldn't make that happen, he said, adding they haven’t played Lethbridge before.
“No we haven’t played Lethbridge. That’s another one we’re really looking forward to,” he said.
They have played with Crimson Caliber and Medicine Hat’s Raising the Ruins, who will be joining them at the Owl Acoustic lounge .
“We’ve played with Raising the Ruins lots this year. We had our first show with them in April and set up a tour with them. Crimson Caliber, we haven’t played with them but I’ve been friends with those fellas since last year. Met them all at Loud as Hell ( in Drumheller) and got to watch them play and they’re amazing. One of the best thrash bands in Alberta in my opinion,” he enthused.
He enjoyed Hooker Spit’s debut performance at Loud as Hell this year.
“It was our first time playing it. It was surreal man, 200 some people showing up at noon to watch us play, None of us were ready for that. We just expected like maybe 20 hungover people eating pancakes ,” he laughed.
He noted response to their debut new album has been mixed.
“It’s been mixed. Some people really love it and some people are confused by it, ” he said.
The band name and their lyrics are tongue is cheek.
“Once again, tongue in cheek. The way the band name came to be. The vocalist and I were talking about how anime and heavy metal covers have so much in common. So we decided to bring those two worlds together. We came up with our demo art work and gave it to our artist to give it the polishing touch. It’s a girl ripping her guts out from the early days. And our reaction to that was hooker spit. We thought that was the best thing we could call it,” he chuckled.
He noted the songwriting process begins with his guitar riffs and the band builds on them.
“Usually the songwriting process. I come up with the riffs and bring them to the boys and refine them a bit we come up with a structure and present it to Daniel (White) our vocalist. Form there he add the words,” he said.
“The subject matter, We don’t like to take ourselves too seriously so it’s kind of tongue in cheek. Call of the Void, that song is about going insane. White Lighter I believe he wrote that one about burning churches . Huntsman is about living your best life. So , you know, pretty generic stuff,” he laughed, adding their live show is intense.
“It’s going to be about 35 minute of adrenaline. We’re hoping there’s going to be some breakdowns, there’s going to be some fast riffs, there’s going to be some heavy guitar solos and some beautiful guttural,” he described.
Glyegore said the Alberta metal scene is thriving, though he said Hooker Spit doesn’t necessarily fit into the death metal box.
“ We’re not exactly sure if we fit into the death metal box. But we do love it. The scene’s strong, man, especially in Alberta. There is a lot of bands doing a lot of things. In Edmonton you’ve got the boys from Decrepitation, the fellas from Fall of Earth, Calgary, you’ve got Detherus, Whorrify. Red Deer there is Art of Attrition. The scene is very strong . We definitely have a lot of peers to play with,” he enthused, adding it feels great to be part of it.
“After we finish Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, we‘re going to be rescheduling our B.C tour. Hoping to do that for early May, after the melt . Hopefully nothing will be on fire that early. And after that we’re heading into the studio again to write album two, record it and do it all over again,” he said.
“ I hope all y’all are enjoying the album and we hope to see you in the pit. We‘re looking forward to meeting you all.”
Hooker Spit split the stage at the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Sept. 16 with Crimson Caliber and Medicine Hat’s Raising the Ruins.
Doors open at 8 p.m., the bands begin at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance through Showpass or, $20 at the door.
— By Richard Amery, L.A. beat Editor
