• Hi! Can you give a brief history of Gurnslinger, including the music style and the members?
Bonjour. We're a merry bunch of weirdos from a tiny piece of rock off the north of France called Jersey. Old Jersey! We have Spars on bass and vocals, Marty and Davidian play guitar and I drum and sing (well, try to). We love guitar music. All rock genres; stoner, thrash, punk, prog, psyche... You'll hear all sorts on our record. We started making a noise a few years ago when I got back from living in the UK for many years. Me, Spars and Dave were in a band called Sneak Read-Out before then so this just came as a natural progression. We write music so easy together. Then Marty came along and spoilt it!
• Could you provide more detailed information about Who Killed the World? and its sales performance?
'Who Killed The World?' is a collection of the first five songs we wrote as a band. It's a concept record based on the world of Mad Max - or what's left of the world. It’s a soundtrack to the apocalypse. No idea how well it’s sold although I heard a rumour it’s certified gold in the parish of Saint Peter.
• Gurnslinger has signed with Octopus Rising. Could you tell us more about that?
They're a great label that support up and coming heavy bands. We’ve had people from all over the world reach out to us and that wouldn’t have happened without them. It’s tough being a band on a small island so we’re very grateful for their support.
• What is the difference between your latest record and the band's very first rehearsals?
I can’t even remember our first rehearsal? We were probably intoxicated and jammed some Motorhead.
• What inspires Gurnslinger's music and lyric writing? What do Gurnslinger's lyrics talk about?
We were all obsessed with the movie Fury Road when the band started so the first group of songs is based on that. I struggle with writing lyrics and find it easier basing it on something I love. Spars on the other hand writes great lyrics really easily. I sing what I write and he sings what he writes. You’ll have to wait a little longer to find out the concept of our next record though but it’s a good one.
• Do you play live often? Do you enjoy performing abroad?
You have to find the right balance of shows living on a small island. We only have 100,000 people here so you can imagine how small the heavy scene is. You can’t play too often. We’ve all played abroad but in other bands. I love it. Hopefully Gurnslinger can get to mainland Europe one day. It’s getting harder and harder to be a DIY band though sadly.
• How often does the band practice and work on new material?
We try and have two or three practises a month. We write a lot and pretty fast. Getting it recorded is a bit more of a hassle in Jersey as we try to do it all ourselves with friends. Finding time and space slows things down.
• How did the band come up with the name Gurnslinger? What does it mean to you?
Our guitarist Dave is the king of puns. He spends most practise sessions shouting them out randomly. This was one that stuck for whatever reason. I’m sure it means something different to us all. To me it’s a drug reference. You’re likely to find a load of gurnslingers at a music festival if anywhere.
• What are the band's plans for the near future?
We're in the middle of recording two separate releases right now so pretty busy behind closed doors. One is for a tribute album and the other is a twenty minute song. Or we might even release a different group of songs first. I don’t know. This band is quite chaotic. We try not to plan too much. Life is stressful enough. In my experience, the best opportunities come when you’re least expecting them.
• Do you have a message for Iron Backstage readers?
Stay silly and eat more plants.
https://www.instagram.com/gurnslinger
