I stumbled upon Black Wing Halo right around the beginning of the year about the same time the latest Tomahawk album Oddfellows was released. There was something about Black Wing Halo that almost sounded more fierce and unhinged than Tomahawk. Now don’t get me wrong I am huge Tomahawk guy and I’m also not trying to say that Black Wing Halo sound like Tomahawk either, but there was something refreshing and energetic about Black Wing Halo that just pulled me in. Upon hearing the single “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie / Shaved Dice” I knew that this was a band I could get down with. Finally after what felt like an eternal wait, Black Wing Halo released their stellar EP BWH late last month (June 25th). Which simply put is five tracks of dark driving noised out ass kicking. After probably about 20 or more listens through BWH, I needed to know the inspiration behind why a band would create such brutal and captivating music, so I caught up with Josh Weinstein (guitar / vocals) and Doug McGregor (bass) to get the details on all things Black Wing Halo.
Give a brief history of how the band came about and how you came to the name Black Wing Halo?
Doug: Josh can take this one (but you can come back to me for the “real” story later).
Josh: Black Wing Halo was a long time coming. It started as a solo acoustic project called, “decibel.” about six years ago, with just guitar and a lot of vocal pedals. Eventually, it became a duo; just guitar and drums. Then Doug came about and started playing bass. He recorded all the old songs, so it was an easy transition. Justin joined in on drums about a year and a half ago, and the music then started to really take form. Stephanie was the missing ingredient. Her and I used to play together at open mics. I saw my friend Harold Allen’s country show that she was singing back up in. During the sound check, she started rapping along to “Nuthin’ But a G Thang”. We had just written a rap song, so I talked to her about jumping in on that. Then she started contributing on more songs, until she just became full time.
We just needed to change the name “decibel.”, which I had grown to hate. We went through a bunch of names, and then I was just reading through some Tom Waits lyrics cause we’re all big fans. I was reading through “Potter’s Field” and saw the three words “black wing halo” strung together, and just thought it was perfect.
BWH seems a lot darker and more aggressive than your previous work? What were the inspirations for the more intense sound?
Doug: I think the metamorphosis of Black Wing Halo is a result of two things; the addition of new members to the group, and the evolving tastes’ of the members as it relates to the influence on the other members (wait, was that three things?!?).
J: We’ve always been a pretty aggressive band, but the songs on our last album were a bit scattered with all our different influences. It took finding Justin and Stephanie. And it took Doug to convince me that we needed to be more focused.
Describe the writing and recording process for BWH.
Doug: Typically, Josh comes to us with an idea for a tune (usually the guitar part, a skeleton of vox, and a chest-slapped rhythm) and we start hitting like a punching bag until we’re all at peace. After that, we start tracking the individual pieces.
As for the recording itself, I’m extremely proud to admit that we recorded BWH entirely within the confines of our 9×9 rehearsal studio, one instrument at a time. My main objective (and passion) was to bottle the feeling of hitting that punching bag in our 9×9 rehearsal studio. When we start laying down the pre-production tracks, I always like to push the tempos on all the tunes so that they’re just a bit outside everyone’s comfort zone. I want that feeling of the train teetering ’round the bend as it speeds up, ready to run itself right off the track (because at that point, we’re no longer in control of our own creation). I also enjoy making my cohorts open up as if they’re operating on themselves. Listen to Steph wail on the bridge of “Bite My Lip” – hear the squeak after the crescendo? How about Josh’s voice on the chorus of “Wish?” In each of those scenarios, both singers had given everything they had and then some. What you’re hearing is complete exasperation and complete emotion. It’s not just capturing the feeling of hitting the punching bag. It’s being the punching bag.
If you could pick one movie or type of movie for BWH to be the soundtrack for, what would it be?
Doug: Three-way tie between Beneath the Vally of the Ultra-Vixens, Weasels Rip My Flesh, and Step Up 2: the Streets.
I noticed that you offer all your music as free or “pay what you want.” What’s your philosophy on selling/distributing your music?
J: We recorded this on our own. It was done very DIY. We figured we should go with that ideal. We’re not at a place where we’re making money off our music. We just want the music heard. We want it accessible. Everyone should be able to access it.
Describe what a Black Wing Halo live performance is like?
Doug: The energy in our 9×9 room, gasoline, and a lit match. We want everyone to get that same adrenaline rush and get burned by the same fire that we experience every time we play.
J: Sweaty and loud.
Any plans to tour regionally or nationally?
Doug: I’d like to do a “Walmart Parking Lot Tour.” Any takers?
What would be your dream tour / show to either play or see?
Doug: Besides “WPLT”? If someone could put together Waits, Maiden, Pogues, & Bungle I’d die immediately. And Happy.
J: I would love to open for Tomahawk. That would be bliss.
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Your Facebook page lists a very wide and diverse list of musical influences; do you find that there is a certain band or sound that sneaks into your music more often?
Doug: I’d like to day no. I’d hope that eventually we’re, “the band that does what the fuck they want”, but I know Patton and Fishbone have already sorta called dibs on that.
J: Me too . . . but, yes. Melvins, Patton, Waits, Metz . . . those are the most obvious to us. But I think we steal so much from other places that I guess goes undetected. I stole random nugets from Muse and Deftones on “Sleeping Dogs/Shaved Dice”. A new song we’re working on has shit from Les Mis. All our influences find some way into our songs. Now I’m really getting into the sounds of Ennio Morricone.
Favorite band or album in the past five years?
Doug: Wow… Every Damn Time by Black Diamond Heavies?
J: I’m loving the new Tomahawk album, Oddfellows. Also Metz’s self titled album. Kanye’s new album is pretty rad. Five years is a long time . .
Favorite band or album of all time?
Doug: What’s your favorite color? Who’s your favorite parent?
J: What week is it?
Who do you feel would be better at chess, Freddy Krueger or Jason Vorhees?
Doug: Again…wow…. no Critters? no Ghoulies? I’d go with Jason. As far as I know, pederasts are more concerned with candy knowledge. But Jason, he’s had some time to study up while at camp.
J: Freddy. Dude can get into your mind.
What does the future have in store for Black Wing Halo? Have you started writing any new music?
Doug: A new EP every three months? Midwest tour? Soundtrack for the Russ Meyer biopic?
J: As soon as we finished recording, we started writing new songs. We almost have enough for a new EP. After a couple of EPs, we’d like to release them all on vinyl. Also to play with like bands. We’re big on community, and just want to continue that thread.