Vocalist Kieran Scott and bassist Lee Cummings from death metal destroyers Death Collector speak to Paul Castles shortly after their incendiary performance on Bloodstock’s Sophie Lancaster Stage, a show that also saw them wave a fond farewell to their legendary drummer Andy Whale.
Hi guys, thanks for chatting to Midlands Rocks. A great set over on the Sophie Stage earlier, but nevertheless a slightly sad day for the band with Andy (below) stepping down – Did you see this coming?
Kieran: He had been complaining about his shoulder and hip for a while, feeling a bit tired, you know, old man stuff! When we got the Bloodstock gig he said that would be his last show. We didn’t argue with him, it’s fair, he’s earned that time after a great career with Bolt Thrower, Memoriam and now Death Collector. He’s earned his retirement and what a great gig to go out on with everyone chanting his name.
As far as you know, has he any plans to keep making music?
Lee: He has an ambient/industrial project called Crossed Paths with Jason Walton from Agalloch, which is something he can take at his own pace and at his own time and do what he wants to do.
So is the search now underway for a new Death Collector drummer?
Kieran: Well, we’ve got some feelers out. I’ve asked a few people we know in the scene but some of them are in several bands already. We’re pretty open-minded at the moment. We have one gig scheduled in October but have secured a drummer for that.
How do you think today’s set went?
Kieran: It was insane! We started out as a little jam project and now we’re here! I was a little nervous and nerves can get in your throat, and the air is dry up there, but it all went really well. We had no expectations, but our hopes were blown out of the water; we had crowd surfers and pits in the tent at midday! It just sucks that we’ve now lost our friend Andy, he’s an inspiration to us and Lee is one of the biggest Bolt Thrower fans in the world but how cool is it that he’s been in this band with Andy, what more can we say.
Your first album Death’s Toll (Prosthetic Records) has done very well, is it too soon to think about another?
Kieran: It’s been about a year and we’ve been very pleased with the reaction to it, it’s been crazy. I’m camped in Midgard and could actually hear people playing it this morning! People are still discovering the album and after today’s show it will gain more momentum. Sometimes bands get too focused on the next album but we’ve still more promotion to do around this one. There’s no such thing as a dead album. Some of my favourite albums are 30 years old, we’ll keep playing it.
Will any new songwriting follow the same process as the previous one?
Lee: We’ve some material that we were writing before we knew Andy was taking a step back but with any change to a band the dynamics will change a bit.
Kieran: It may be a bit more punky, more grindy, more groovy, who knows.
What is the recording process for the band?
Kieran: We don’t live close to each other so need to work remotely. Mick (Carey, guitar) is in Ireland, Lee in Cumbria and I’m in Shrewsbury. We’ll use drum machines if necessary if we haven’t found a replacement, but Andy may record something for us on his e/kit just to help out if we need it.
The band have always had a good social media profile, is that important?
Kieran: I’m the youngest and most whizzy with the tech so do most of it. I do it with my other stuff always very active online and I enjoy it.
What other shows stand out for the band so far?
Kieran: We played the Siege of Limerick in March and that was great. There’s a lot of history there and it was a really cool event. The day is free entry as they make money on the bar. It’s a multistage venue and we played to about 600 people and not everyone could even get in.
Lee: It was like a home town gig for Mick basically. It was rammed.
Where can we catch you next?
Kieran: Our only confirmed show for now is a death metal all-dayer at the Flying Duck in Glasgow with about six bands on Saturday 5 October. Severe Lacerations, Lee’s other band, are playing and they’ve just released their debut album, Burning The Mortal Coil. Other bands include Blasphemer and Repulsive Vision, it should be a great night!
Lee: That’s our last show of the year.
Would you like to play a few shows in Europe if you had the opportunity?
Kieran: Maybe next year, we’ll see how EP does and then see where we go from there. We’ll talk to the right people! We’ve had a lot of help from Dan at DC Sound Attack, he’s a good lad and has done so much for us. He’s got a great work ethic.
Finally guys, what plans for Death Collector later in the year?
Kieran: We’ll be knuckling down, getting the new drummer in and straight back to writing an EP. We’re a pretty relaxed band, there’s no pressure on ourselves to be touring constantly. It has to be fun for us, we have to enjoy it, if not we don’t do it.
