This new feature is called No Place Like Home. The point of it is to interview bands about their hometowns and why they love where they’re from. When traveling it is always best to have a local to direct you to the spots worth spending your time and hard earned money.
When one of our readers travels to a place that is foreign to them they will have some solid recommendations from an awesome source, one of their favorite bands!
I know I look forward to checking out some of these places and am sure that there are many others who would be interested. Eventually the intention is to have a full blown travel guide here at B.G.M.!
The wildfires burned from all sides in the Pacific Northwest at multiple times in the summer of 2017. Your eyes itched and it was hard to breathe. Even if a fire wasn’t directly next to where you lived there was no escaping it. If you looked at your phone’s weather forecast it was likely to read the temperature and “smoke”. The landscape depicted a classic doom and gloom post-apocalyptic scene that complimented the daily news cycle perfectly. Old Iron’s new record, Lupus Metallorum, was on pretty heavy rotation during these times.
The Seattle trio makes doom rock but rather than depress they instill you with power. They make you feel that you will be triumphant.
Clearly the band wasn’t anticipating forest fires engulfing the region when writing these songs. In fact, challenges or quests throughout the record seem to be mystical or fantastical by nature. That being said, Lupus Metallorum did provide a shot to the arm. When cranked at max volume a sense of confidence came over my otherwise anxious and worried mind.
The opening song “Friday Glendale” has an introduction that would rally even the most apathetic of beings. After the drums get you in the right mindset Jesse Roberts’ graveling howl sets it ablaze. That is a constant throughout Lupus Metallorum. The vocals are huge, in your face and unforgiving. He has no chill when it comes to guitar-work either. Being more familiar with him as the bass man in Sandrider I was floored by his ability to elevate on the axe.
The rhythm section of Jerad Shealey and Trent McIntyre are that essential piece of being a band on the Good To Die roster. If you don’t have a killer rhythm section you are going to have to find a new label for a home.
The trio uses pace to their advantage. A delicate balance of blistering in your face speed and power enhanced by slowed down introspective moments. Old Iron’s music is big. Stadium rock big. In a better world they would be playing those sorts of shows. Old Iron’s music is heavy. Definitely the heaviest that Good To Die has put out to date. Despite being heavy and, at times, overwhelming they have some aspects of beauty. In an ugly sounding genre they maintain a slight sparkle. That may be why the neon red sun shining behind the dark, thick smoke clouds this last August drew me to Lupus Metallorum time and time again. It was a brilliant color. Even pretty. Yet it was suffocating and I just needed something to help me survive until the clear skies and breathable air returned.
Rating: 5/5
Old Iron is heading out on tour this Thursday (9/28) and will be scorching the west coast with their buddies in Archons. Check the tour dates HERE and do not miss them if you live near one of these shows! Not much of the limited translucent swamp green with bone splatter vinyl is left so don’t sleep! You also can get it on classic black wax. Both versions can be purchased HERE.
I would like to thank all three of the Old Iron dudes: Jesse, Jerad, and Trent for being so kind and answering the questions for this edition of No Place Like Home.
Where does Old Iron call home and how long have you been there?
Jesse- I moved to Seattle around 2000.
Jerad- Seattle, WA. (I personally have been here since 2001) Old Iron started in early 2011
Trent- Seattle. I’ve lived here since 2005.
Are there any attractions you would consider touristy that you would also consider a can’t-miss for visitors?
Jesse- I’ve always found the Asian Art Museum thoroughly enjoyable.
Jerad- Theres the typical stuff: Seattle Market, Space Needle, and stuff like that, but I tend to try and go where there are less people. Snoqualmi Falls, Discovery Park, Gas Works Park. You can’t find places like these anywhere else that I’ve visited.
Trent- I guess just the obvious places like Pike Place Market, Seattle Center, Lake Union, and maybe Discovery Park, Golden Gardens, Kubota Garden, and Alki Beach.
If you are hosting friends or family for a weekend, where would you bring people for grub?
Jesse- Our kitchen, at home! The places I can eat at are far and few in between, so there’s lots of cooking going on in my world.
Jerad- Ray’s Boathouse for the view, Pettirosso for the best coffee and vegan mac’n’cheese I’ve ever had, Corvus & Co. for drinks and good food, BitterRoot for BBQ…. Seattle is a food town. There is no shortage of amazing food here.
Trent-There’s too many places to list and too many variables depending on which friends or family it is, but one of my favorite spots is a taco truck in White Center called La Fondita.
A key to any hometown is a local watering hole. Any spots that you like to go for drinks? Breweries, dive bars, distilleries…whatever floats your boat.
Jerad- The Highline is a great bar with live music (usually metal), Pettirosso has amazing food, music, and booze, Kings Harware (on weekdays/weekends are nuts) for drinks and regular bar food, Baitshop for booze…. There are tons of great spots.
Trent- My favorite place for beer is Prost! in West Seattle. My usual bar I go to is Star Brass Works in Georgetown.
Jesse- Barhouse in Fremont is fun.
Music is life. What music venues should people be checking the calendars for shows to catch?
Jerad- Highline, Lofi, Blacklodge, Victory, Sunset Tavern, ShowBox at the Market, El Corazon, SubStation, and Funhouse.
Trent- Black Lodge, Victory Lounge, LoFi, Highline, Sunset, Neumos/Barboza, Chop Suey, or The Kraken.
After working up a sweat at a good show are there any late night spots to grab a bite or a night cap?
Jerad- North Star Diner!!!
Trent- I like Square Knot Diner in Georgetown for late night food.
The morning after can be rough. Where is your go-to for breakfast and/or coffee?
Jerad- Wayward Vegan cafe, The Dish, Portage Bay, 5 Spot, Highlife, back to Pettirosso again… I love that place.
Trent- The places I used to go are closed now, but I like Circa and Fresh Bistro in West Seattle for Breakfast/Brunch food.
To get out of town life, what are the nature based options surrounding your city? Any good hikes, camping, and other fun outdoors stuff to do?
Jesse- Mt. Rainier is surrounded by magical forest. Pick a road and head towards the mountain. You can’t go wrong.
Jerad- We’d need a whole other article for me to cover this… We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Drive for two hours in any direction and you can be in the mountains, desert, beach, rainforest, whatever you can think of. But some quick hikes near Seattle are Rattlesnake Ridge, Snoqualmi Falls, or even Discovery Park.
Trent- For a decent hike, I’d say Rattle Snake Lake. My wife and I really like to camp and do outdoor stuff in and around Leavenworth too.