In the Meet The Band spotlight this week is the South Carolina grindcore group Slugcrust. Their full-length debut album is Ecocide. Vocalist Jesse Cole introduces us to his band.
Chad Bowar: Give us a brief history of Slugcrust.
Jesse Cole: A bunch of old friends who’ve played together for years who got together late 2021 to write a grind album. That turned into two EPs and an album, now here we are!
Describe the songwriting process for Ecocide.
To be honest, 90 percent of our stuff is written drums first, then guitar/bass then vocals. We get a general idea in our heads then just roll with it.
What will be your strongest memory of the recording of the album?
Releasing so much pent up energy and anger after dealing during such uncertain times.
How would you characterize its style/sound?
It’s fast, it’s pissed off, it’s emotional.
What lyrical topics do you cover?
For our discography the short answer is depravity and its physical, spiritual, and emotional personification. Ecocide is thematically about the intentional desolation of habitable earth as a war crime.
How was the video shoot for “Drag Me To Agony”?
It was so fun! All we had to do was play a gig! (laughs)
How did you come to sign with Prosthetic Records?
We had a previous relationship with them from our other band WVRM and pitched this new project to them before even releasing anything.
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
We’re just putting ourselves out there so others may latch onto it as well. We work hard, but always expect nothing. If we make friends because we connected through this, then we met our goal.
What has been your most memorable Slugcrust live show?
Probably playing a packed show in Atlanta at the 529 and realizing B.O.B the rapper was there moshing and filming our set! Amazing!
What are your upcoming show/tour plans?
We are currently on a run heading to Full Terror Assault in preparation to promote Ecocide! Then hopefully we will do a bigger run later this year.
How did you get started in music?
We’ve all been in bands since our teens, I think we all just had the same idea that beating on instruments looked fun as shit.
Who were your early influences and inspirations?
I was heavily influenced by punk and metal like the Casualties, Death Side and Cannibal Corpse then later by bands like From a Second Story Window, Rotten Sound and Converge.
What was the first metal concert you attended?
Derick, our guitarist, went to see Jackyl when he was like 4 in the 90s! Does that count?
How is the metal scene in upstate SC?
It’s incredible at the moment, there’s some serious support and tons of sold out shows happening.
What are some of your non-musical interests and hobbies?
We skate, we go camping, we like a lot of old video games, and everyone enjoys cooking.
What’s currently in your heavy musical rotation?
SCALP, Funeral Chic, Triac, Torch Runner, Vermin Womb, Escuela Grind, Knoll, Big Laugh, Cell Rot.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
We just wanna say the mountains are blue, and we can’t wait for y’all to give the album a big fat rip!
(interview published September 10, 2022)
Watch Slugcrust – “Demise Promise” Video
