Interviews: Choke Me

This is a new interview with the Grindcore/Fastcore band Choke Me from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or came out just like that?

Wesley: We’re all involved in a few different bands which can be tough but also have day jobs where people regularly shit on us so the title kind of touches on that, what we’re willing to do in the name of survival or in the pursuit of our passions.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Nate: We wanted to explore our shared love for grindcore while incorporating elements from our varied influences, most notably hardcore punk, crust, and melodic death.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

Wesley: Yeah I and Staxx are married and Nate is an old friend I’ve been making music with for years.

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

Wesley: For me, that’s really hard. Maybe Origin, or Wormrot, but I could just as easily say George Winston or Annie Clark. Nate says Black Dahlia Murder, and Staxx is going with Erykah Badu.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Wesley: Just normal, everyday experiences.

6. Where was your last gig?

Nate: We played a backyard show right before everything shut down but haven’t had a chance to play out since the world opened back up.

7. Where would you like to act?

Wesley: We don’t care. We’re just fine playing in a 20 person venue if the crowd is there to party.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Staxx: Either George Clinton or Ween.

9. Who not?

Wesley: We are not picky. If Snow wanted to set something up we’d be down.

10. Have Any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Staxx: I did at first, I guess still do. I just did my best to stay busy and focused on the show and was able to gradually just get over it. Not sure if that’s helpful or not though.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Nate: We’re all completely all over the place with our musical tastes so that would be. a really hard question to answer without listing a few hundred bands and musicians. 

Staxx: I’ll take a shot at it; Darkest Hour, Magrudergrind, DJ Screw, Propagandhi, Beneath the Massacre, Sick of it All, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Apartment 213, Good Riddance, Youth of Today, Wu-Tang, Scowl, Insect Warfare, Torso, Charles Bronson, Amygdala, Charles Bradley, Ghoul, Andre Nickatina, Punch, Earth Crisis, Doom, Geto Boys, Helmet, Ann Peebles, Decrepit Birth, Courtney Love, Capitalist Casualties, Lil Wayne, Phobia, Pig Destroyer, Gorilla Biscuits, Three 6 Mafia, Despise You, Dillinger Escape Plan, Judge, The Red Chord, Cloud Rat, Bill Withers, the Faceless, Strung Out, Dying For It, Al Green, Lagwagon, Bolt Thrower, Thrice, Lil Flip, At the Gates, Discharge, Outkast, Benediction, Bobby Womack, Project Pat, Phobia, and probably like 200 more bands I’m forgetting right now.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

Staxx: To be honest I don’t think that’s a problem any of us have run across.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Nate: We fucking love them and are eternally grateful for their support.

14. What do you think of our site?

Nate: We love it. There’s tons of killer underground music to check out and we love all the international spotlights.

15. Something add?

San Dimas High School football rules!