Interview with guitarist Terry Savastano
California's Grief are one of the most depressive bands you will ever hear.
Over the course of the past decade they have released six albums of raw, dirty,
and extreme doom metal. Their latest is Turbulent Times, is a compilation of
rare and unreleased tracks out now from doom merchants Southern Lord Records.
Although this is the end of Grief's legacy, apparently guitarist Terry Savastano
will continue in a new unnamed band.
Do you feel Turbulent Times is an appropriate release? Do you feel this is
a good final release for your career?
I think Turbulent Times came out perfect. I think it's just what was
needed at the right time. There's something on there for everybody who
digs Grief, and of course a lot of that stuff is out of print and hard to
find. the perfect document, in my opinion.
Would you consider reforming Grief and if so, what would the circumstances
have to be?
I have no plans to reform the band at all. I did for a little while but
definitely not anymore. We did what we did and that's that. I've recently
joined an already well established band and my attention is focused on that.
Sorry I can't tell you anymore details just yet.
What emotions are poured into this slow, doomy, aggressive music we hear
from Grief?
Depression, anxiety, woe, fear, etc. They all played a big part in what we
were all about. Then later on the hatred and pissed-off-ness creeped in.
Anything that pisses you off or bums you out really.
You are obviously a fan of metal, have you ever lost your passion for music
at any time, and if so, what were the circumstances?
It happened right when we broke up. The joy and creativeness were gone. No
enthusiasm whatsoever. Yeah I lost my faith in music for a while, but I got
away from it for a few months and I realized what a huge part of my life it
is, this huge void that needed to be filled. Staying home at night, no band
rehearsal, no gigs on the weekends, etc. It took getting away from it to
realize how important it really is. Music never turned its back on me; it
was always there when I needed it, so I'm definitely not going to turn my
back on music again. Hope not anyway.
Do you truly hate the human race, or are you simply expressing one facet of
your feelings when it comes to your lyrics?
I hate what the human race does. I hate what humans are compelled to do to
the world and to each other. People piss me off every day, but I'm sure my
actions piss other people off too. Yeah we just channeled all that out
through the lyrics, but as far as actually hurting people or whatever, fuck
we hurt ourselves first.
There are many things about our society that pisses us off, what makes you
the most angry?
Ignorance. Rich assholes who are blind to just about anything but their
own trip. Nobody fucking cares anymore. Nobody has cared for quite a
while. It's only going to get worse. The people who try to make a
difference won't stand a chance. Liberal eggheaded fucks on their cell
phones caring only about themselves and their money.
Do you think drugs and/ or alcohol are viable solutions for depression?
I think smoking weed is a great way to rid depression, but I think getting
drunk only adds fuel to the fire. I try to avoid booze when I'm not
feeling too happy.
Do you enjoy being alone?
I like being alone from time to time. It lets you catch up, but loneliness
is a fucking killer man. That's not a good thing. I got a wife now, I mean
we fight just like anybody else, but we are far from lonely. When I was
single, the loneliness was real bad- suicide bad, but somehow you get
through it. There are certain people who should not be left alone.
Why is it so difficult to keep a full line-up in tact and keep Grief going
strong?
Drummer problems. That was the big killer right there man. You lose a
drummer and then it's like you have to find someone else and teach them three
or four albums worth of songs, and we never made a lot of money, hardly any
actually. You can't expect somebody to move over here to play in a band
that doesn't make any dough. It's tough. That pretty much did it for us.
When Rick re-joined on drums is was common knowledge that when he bailed
that was it. We were just sick of it.
Looking back on your career, what album do you feel is the definitive
Grief album?
I'd say Come to Grief or Miserably Ever After. We were at our peak then.
We sounded great live, pretty much had our act together recording both of
those. Come to Grief was a lot of ideas finally realised, it was very
focused. Everything was right on during that period, y'know, good budget,
promo, interviews, etc. Jeff started playing guitar and singing and we
were just tighter and had a better rhythm guitar sound that ever before.
Do you feel unhappy about any particular album or time period?
Torso was a great record but the whole atmosphere when recording it was a
bummer, because randy was on his way out. He never said he was leaving at
such-and-such a date but it was in the air, you knew something was gonna
happen. So that was a bummer. Then the next album And Man Will Become the
Hunted, the recording was great, even with a studio-virgin for a drummer,
but the vibe wasn't there really. We knew it was a great record but we
also knew the label we were on wasn't going to do anything for it
unfortunately then there was a mastering problem and we had to mix it all
over again. I personally was very burnt-out at this period, but I think we
all were. That's how it goes.
What are your plans for 2003?
I am 100% committed to my current band; sorry I can't let any info out on
who it is but i'll say it's fucking heavy. Really awesome musicians and
people. Hopefully you'll be hearing more about us real soon.
Final comments?
Thanks for the interview Brett. I've been doing a ton of press for Grief
lately lot more than when we were together. I'm glad people like what we
did. I look back on it with a lot of pride. I think we made a good stain
on the music world. I'm very pleased and fortunate to still be involved in
music in general and the doom metal scene in particular. I hope if people
dig Turbulent Times that they will seek out other Grief stuff as well.
Discography:
2002... Turbulent Times (Southern Lord)
2000... And Man Will Become The Hunted (Pessimiser)
1998... Torso (Pessimiser)
1996... Miserably Ever After (Pessimiser)
1994... Come To Grief (Century Media)
1992... Dismal (Grievance)
Current line-up:
Jeff Hayward... vocals and guitars
Terry Savastano... guitars
Eric Harrison... bass
Chuck Conlon... drums
| TTM reviews of albums by Grief: | |
 | 2002 - 'Turbulent Times' |
