Senseless Ramblings of a Local Band

Happy April everyone,

Hopefully this month will start to bring some warmer temps. I’m fucking over this cold. I know, I know, I live in New England, get over it. Whatever, I’m all set ….

But coldness aside …

March was a crazy month for Scourge to say the least. The month saw us playing more shows in a single month than we ever have … 5 to be exact (which I know may not sound like a lot to some and certainly isn’t much compared to a “real” touring band, but for us, it was a significant amount). In one weekend in particular, we played two new states, RI and NH, both of which were great shows despite unfavorable planning by myself. Hey, I’m still learning the do’s and don’ts of booking shows! But just to give you an idea of the madness that ensued, this was Jon’s schedule:

Thursday night: Practice until 8:30/ Be at work for 9PM

Friday: Off work at 7am/ sleep/ Drive 2 hours to Newport, RI/ play show/ drive 2 hours back home

Saturday: ETA 3am/ Be at work at 4am/ Work full shift then drive 2 hours to Keene, NH/ Play show/ Drive 2 hours back home/ Sleep for whatever small amount he could THEN …

Sunday:Back at work at 4am for another shift.

Now for those of you counting along at home, that is NOT an adequate amount of sleep for any human being. He essentially went and did 2 shows and 2 shifts at work with virtually NO sleep. If that doesn’t earn him the fucking champion award, I don’t know what will. Going forward there will be some much better planning on my part for those trips haha.

March was a HUGE learning experience for us as a band. The biggest thing that we focused on as a unit was our stage presence. As a three piece band, we realize that the lack of a frontman, while original, can’t be detrimental to our overall presence on stage. We understand what a live show needs to be from an audience’s perspective so we really worked on that. We still have a lot of work to do BUT we are definitely on the right track to finding the balance between going crazy on stage and keeping the music tight, which at the end of the day is the most important thing.

We learned a lot about how to run the band, too. Setting up merch at EVERY show even if we don’t have a lot has been a pretty rewarding thing for us. I will take a second to direct ANYONE who is in a band to check out www.howtorunaband.com because that site has awesome ideas for any local band trying to standout in a crowded music scene. So the smaller details of a band, other than just the musical aspect, are really starting to get the focus from the three of us.

As I have said million times before, I am still relatively new to running a band and I am learning new things everyday. It’s pretty fucking exciting!

Finally, CLARITY is almost done! The release date and CD release show will be announced VERY soon.

If you’re still with me and my early morning band ramblings, CONGRATULATIONS!

-Nate

Happy new year fuckers!

Well, another year is in the books. 2011 was sort of a building period for Scourge and 2012 was an extension on that. This year we got to go to Ohio to record our “Get Fucked” single. That was the first time I ever got to experience what it was like to record with my brothers. We had worked our asses off for that and it paid off. The end result was something that I am very proud of. The response to that tune was pretty good. Thank you to everyone who bought it, liked it, or helped us scream “FUCK” at our shows. I still listen to it and wish that I wasn’t the guy playing it so I can start a circle pit!

After we got done with that single, we played around 15 shows during the rest of the year. Some were good, some were bad, ALL were an experience. We made some great friends. I definitely need to shout out to our buddies in 18 Wheels of Justice, End-Time Illusion (definitely my favorite band that we played with this year. They are just NASTY!), Dead Death (Some young dudes that can rip, I know they will continue to learn and grow as players), Forevers Fallen Grace (You guys just rule!). If I didn’t mention you, sorry. We love ya! 2012 was a huge learning year for me. Until I was in Scourge, I never had the drive to make things happen for my band. I look forward to learning more in 2013.

So what is next for us?

Well anyone who follows us on the internets knows that we are getting ready to do our first full-length album. I am beyond excited to get in the studio and record these new songs. They are ass-kickers and they are incredibly difficult to play. I definitely raised the bar with my own playing. At the beginning of the writing process, I distinctly remember writing drum parts that I couldn’t even play at the time. I can’t wait to make my first album and hopefully making my skidmark on the underpants of the local Boston scene.

In the end, 2012 kicked ass for Scourge and I can’t wait to get out on the road and spread the message of Clarity to whoever is interested.

Peace and love in 2013.

-Nate

What’s up metallers!?

Nate checking in with a cup of coffee and the TV off. I need a break from the heavy shit that’s is all over the news. I don’t want to say too much about it. I honestly don’t know what to say other than it’s a disgusting and appalling fucking thing that happened in CT.

But I digress.

Things in Scourge land are getting busier and busier. We are putting the finishing touches on all of the songs that will be on our new album, “Clarity”, which is coming along really well. I can’t wait til it’s done! January, 11 can’t come fast enough. I went and made the click tracks for a few of the songs this week and I will (hopefully) get back to the studio to finish the others. I am filling up our schedule with shows. I’m excited to head to Connecticut and New Hampshire for the first time and spread the Scourge across New England. I’m also working on some new merch ideas. So lots of of things are being done, lots of coffee is being drank, and lots of metal is being made.

Having a blast and cannot wait for the album!

-N