PRP: Who's in the band?
Gruvis Malt: There are currently 6 members: Brendan on vocals and percussion, Saunder on bass, Scott on the drums, Gavin on keyboards and vocals, Ethan on guitar and trombone, and Erik on sax, flute, and clarinet.
PRP: How did Gruvis Malt's members get together to form a band?
Gruvis Malt: Four members (Ethan, Brendan, Gavin, and Scott) met in highschool and started messing around in Jazz Band, but only three played in the first year of Gruvis Malt. Later, the fourth joined (replacing a drummer) and with a different bassist, built the band's foundation. The current group has Saunder on bass (the 3rd and final GM bassist) who the band knows through a summer semester with Brendan years ago at RISD, and Erik on woodwinds (the most stable of a long line of horn players) who the band knows through an Oregon-based saxophonist (Reed Wallsmith) who played with Gavin for a little while.
PRP: Why you decided to play the instrument you do, or, to sing? Anyone inspired you?
Gruvis Malt: We play because we love music and it's effects on this species. We are influenced by everything we've ever heard or seen (or, in Erik and Scott's case, smelt).
PRP: How long have you guys been together as a band?
Gruvis Malt: About 4 years. As the group we are now, 14 months.
PRP: Any material released?
Gruvis Malt: There are two CD's out (after a slew of Demo tapes now unavailable), Cromagnetic (1996-98) and Sound Soldiers (1999).
PRP: How did you get your name?
Gruvis Malt: Our mothers gave them to us, respectively. Except for Erik, his was received through deep meditation and circular breathing methods.
PRP: How would you describe your band's sound to someone who has never heard you guys?
Gruvis Malt: That probably depends on who you're trying to describe it to. To a serious music listener, you would tell them it's an eclectic mix of hip-hop, funk, heavy metal, jazz, and latin we like to call "futurock." To an ignorant radio-listener, you would tell them it's a mix between 3rd Eye Blind and Tina Turner.
PRP: What's the song writing process like?
Gruvis Malt: It's very democratic. Many things come down to voting. We constantly rework things that don't work out live, and most songs are based on a certain groove progression or singular theory (displacement, odd time signiture loops, moods, or a mix of something that has been proven to sound cool). In general, the songs are edited and produced by the whole band.
PRP: How's the music scene there in Providence?
Gruvis Malt: The further out we get, the less we dislike it. As far as bands go, there are not too many breaking new ground, but the ones that do are tearing it up: Freakshow, Shed, Nothing Stays Gold, V Majestic, Royal Crowns, etc. As far as radio goes, forget it. These stations take credit for local music, but don't do a thing for it. The radio plays pure audio feces. As far as clubs go, we've lost two great clubs, but the ones remaining definately help the local scene as much as they can.
PRP: How you guys do to spread yourself out from the others?
Gruvis Malt: With a butter knife. Musically, we just try to make every bar a piece of art, attractive or ugly.
PRP: Influences of the band?
Gruvis Malt: Mr. Bungle, Weapon of Choice, Incubus, The Roots, Bjork, Squarepusher, Company Flow, Steve Coleman, Dr. Octagon, Plaid, Dave Mathews, Critter's Buggin, MMW, DJ Shadow, Radiohead, P-Funk, Groove Collective, Bad Brains, Metallica (old), Faith No More, Keith Jarrett, Charlie Hunter, Greyboy Allstars, Eric Dolphy, Van Morrison, Steve Gadd, Bob James, Tortoise, Erika Badu, Mingus, John Zorn, Frank Zappa, John Stamos, billions, billions...
PRP: All Time Favorite Band?
Gruvis Malt: For many of us, Mr. Bungle, for one of us: Twisted Sister.
PRP: What's in the CD Player right now?
Gruvis Malt: Not the new Gruvis Malt CD.
PRP: What would be the tour of your dreams? Your band plus.... ?
Gruvis Malt: Gruvis Malt, Frank Zappa, Mr. Bungle (whimper), Company Flow, and Nightranger.
PRP: Any big plans in the horizon?
Gruvis Malt: Tour, Tour, Tour.
PRP: Last show you went to?
Gruvis Malt: The Roots/Everlast at Lupo's in Providence.
PRP: Anything you wanna add? Last comments?
Gruvis Malt: We love playing music, and we are trying to do something new. Give Gruvis Malt a shot if you're sick of routine sound junk.
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