In the Meet The Band spotlight this week is the duo Coma Hole. They just released their debut self-titled EP. Vocalist/bassist Eryka Fir introduces us to her band.
Chad Bowar: Give us a brief history of Coma Hole.
Eryka Fir: I’ve known Steve (Anderson, drums) a very long time and we had a huge friends group that used to say we should play music together. It kind of became a long running joke because 10 years would go by and it hadn’t happened because Steve was always busy with other bands and I wasn’t super confident in writing with other people at the time. Around three years ago I finally got serious about starting a band and I reached out to him again and after a few months of back and forth, we finally started playing music together.
Describe the songwriting process for your self-titled EP.
Once I made the transition from guitar to bass it really helped me figure out my musical direction. Most of these songs I pretty much picked up my bass and let my fingers take the lead. After I would compose a full skeleton of each song I’d send them over to Steve and let him mull on his part for a bit until we would get together for practice and hash it out.
What will be your strongest memory of the recording of the album?
The strongest memory having to do with music itself would be finally recording something serious for the first time. I’ve only ever self recorded my own solo work and have never been in a studio, so I would say getting comfortable and being in a new environment and the perspective it’s given me on the process will forever leave an impression. However, not related to the music, watching Predator and then swimming in a blow up pool in a parking spot on a Philly side street at 1am listening to Billy Idol was pretty cool.
How would you characterize its style/sound?
I would say it’s a mixture of grungy blues mixed with experimental noise. I honestly am
never really sure how to describe our music but at times it’s very heavy and hypnotic and other
times it’s loud and aggressive. I enjoy keeping the effects simple but the riffs nuanced and
effective.
What lyrical topics do you cover?
I mainly focus on my struggles with identity and depression. All the songs touch on the feeling of a separated self, where there are two halves always at war with each other; one being the more positive, energetic and determined side and the other being the soul sucking, self doubt and deprecation one. It wasn’t intentional, but I feel the progression of the album is like this journey of always battling it and wishing you could destroy it, to accepting this is a part of the human condition and learning to cope with it instead of rail against it because it will only further tear you down.
What led you to go the independent route for the EP release?
This is our first release and after talking to a handful of friends in bands, we just decided not to start off worrying about label shopping.
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
I would love for it to open up opportunities for us to tour and play bigger stages. But honestly, if any of the songs can resonate with people, whether it inspires them to create or it helps them through something the way music has helped me many times throughout my life, I would be happy with that.
What has been your most memorable Coma Hole live show?
Playing this venue called 33 Golden street in New London, Connecticut back in May of 2021. It was a two band bill and the first show the bar had since shutting down due to Covid, and the place was absolutely packed. The energy was insane and it’s my favorite show we’ve played so far.
What are your upcoming show/tour plans?
Currently we are scheduled to play Maryland Doom Fest, New England Stoner Doom Fest, and RPM Fest of this year. We have a bunch of shows peppered in between, but next year we definitely want to start getting out on the road.
How did you get started in music?
I think it started with singing. I was told I was always a very artistic child and my first memory of getting into music was just liking making noises with my mouth. Singing is still the part of music I’m the most knowledgeable and passionate about and it is a very cathartic exercise for me.
Who were your early influences and inspirations?
Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Hole, Danzig, Nirvana, PJ Harvey.
What was your first band, and what type of music did you play?
I was part of a Metallica cover band when I was 14. We played a bunch of ’80s metal too like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest but it only lasted a summer because I had to go back to school in the fall. (laughs)
What was the first rock/metal concert you attended?
I think it was Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie on their Gruesome Twosome tour back in 2010.
What are some of your non-musical interests and hobbies?
I love designing images for merch and clothing, block printing and sculpture, hiking, camping, and cooking.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
Eryka: We currently have two singles out on our Bandcamp and on all streaming platforms, and we released our debut album April 22, 2022!
(interview published April 23, 2022)
Listen To Coma Hole – “Old Climb”
