After over a decade of blasting the scattered population of Canada with their catchy, chaotic art-punk party, Grimelda are touring the UK. Blair Colwell and Skyler Cafferata, formerly known as The Faps, perform unhinged rock songs that take “music” to weird levels of uncharted awesomeness.
Joining them are Telgate – Cardiff’s legendary aggro-glam punks – who’s live show is equally refined and explosive. The two groups have already collaborated from across the Atlantic Ocean on Grimelda’s galloping noise rock anthem “Freedom” and are ready to deliver a potent, alluring performances at Porters, Cardiff on May 17.
Grimelda recently took time out to reveal their music inspirations to Andy Howells.
What was the first song that made an impact on you?
Blair: Honestly, I don’t know. I think it would’ve been something like What’s my age again by blink182 … I remember liking a lot of music before that single came out, and drum kits were always around me but that was probably when I picked up sticks and started trying to play for real.
Skyler: Great Milenko by ICP
What was the first single /download you bought?
B: I cannot for the life of me think of a time I’ve bought a single. I dug my heels in and clinged to buying CDs and records way too long, skipped the whole buying downloads phase and admitted defeat with Spotify.
S: Ya this is impossible to remember. I was stealing stuff on Napster when I was 12.
What was the first album you owned?
B: I’m tempted to say something cool, but it was Oasis. I was like 11. Stop picking on me.
S: I had the Batman Forever ST and Offspring’s Smash on cassette. I don’t remember buying them but somehow, I owned them. Also, a bunch of Beatles tapes I snagged from my parents.
What’s your constant go to track?
B: Half-sister by Protomartyr. It’s that brooding baritone and driving drums with beautiful social commentary. I love that song, although our own style isn’t like that at all.
S: I get sporadically obsessed with random songs, so I don’t have a constant. Lately I’m really into Got to Give it Up by Thin Lizzy.
What’s your constant go to album?
B: Know by Heart by American Analog Set. Again, this one is NOTHING like Grimelda but it’s the perfect thing to have on and relax.
S: Sanguine by the band Fungus from Halifax, NS (Canada).
Who’s your latest music discovery?
B: I’ve gotten into a band called Melted Bodies recently. It’s frenetic prog rock / indie / elements of metal. I love it.
S: I’ve been in love with CLT DRP for the last year and just got to see them twice in Brighton. Insane electro-punk with lots of groove and swagger. Guitar player has the gnarliest unique tones.
What’s your own track that best defines you as an artist?
B: I like Bonez off our New Daft Punk ep. It’s a blended slop of all the different things we pull from. And it captures our sense of humour and love of silliness well.
S: Maybe Dirty Lil Dirtbike off our latest EP. It has a nice mix of verse-chorus and sonata form where you present an idea, transform it, then revisit the initial melody. I love finding fun ways to mesh different song structures as well as genres and I feel like we did both with this one.
What’s the track that best defines you as a person?
B: Honestly, I don’t believe any song, album, band, genre, or fandom should define anyone. I know I sound like a pretentious jerk, and you mean to ask if any one song resonates… obviously a ton of music does feel personal. But I do value being able to adapt, because I feel my own sense of self changes constantly. Which is probably why Grimelda and all the other bands I like don’t always have easy points of reference.
S: Same, but I’ll name an actual song. We have a track called Hashpipe by Weezer by the Faps (tx)” that we never play anymore but the recording is one of our best IMO. It starts dark and was about a long period where I only had apocalyptic dreams. The end shifts into a very hopeful rock out singing “don’t give up, you can do it! Just believe in yourself!” It’s cheesy, but it’s important to note the difference between that and “everything will be okay.” We all experience sadness, suffering, and darkness while doing our best to carry ourselves through that with kindness, acceptance, compassion, and even humour. And it’s okay if things aren’t okay. I hope this song resonates and conveys that clearly.