.: FuryRocks :: interview :: Swassbuckle__Yo_ho_ho_and_a_bottle_of_rum

Published: 12 June 2009

Swassbuckle - Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum

At the beginning of 2005 a new threat has emerged on the big waters. Two pirates sealed a pact to threaten the seas for unsuspecting travelers. Commodore RedRum and Admiral Nobeard are the two geniuses behind this pirate horde. I got the chance to speak with Admiral Nobeard and that without having to walk the plank afterwards, in spite of the first brutal question.
Where did the idea come from to start a pirate metal band?

Nobeard : “We've been pirates since birth, sailing under our fathers flags and then our own. The Commodore and I had an equal admiration for all things metal, so we decided to tell tales of our voyages and utter shenannigans whilst putting them to blistering metal moshing mayhem. So Pirates + Thrash Metal - Rockin' Rolf = Swashbuckle.”

From 2004 there is another pirate metalband known, namely Alestorm, then under the name Battleheart. Still these pirates are no competition for one another. A reason could be that both bands play a different kind of pirate metal. Alestorm is more power metal and Swashbuckle is thrash metal. Thereby metal is no sport, but brotherhood, just like piracy, thus Admiral Nobeard. Thereby Admiral Nobeard thinks that Swashbuckle is the only pirate metalband from New Jersey.
Are you fascinated with certain pirate stories, if so, which ones?

“Commodore RedRum is more interested in the historical side of piracy, where as I tend to be more interested in finding new adventure and peril of our own. But every pirate has a soft spot for the story of Blackbeard, it's like watching "Rudy," but only if Rudy was a pirate and not a giant pussy.”

When the names of these men are read, you could probably wonder if these are their real names. Off course I have the idea, that these men have chosen special names to put extra force behind the pirate theme. Apparently I am wrong.

“Nobeard was me father's name, and his father's before that, and probably his father's father before that as well. RedRum didn't really have a legit last name, so he put together two things he loves, the color red and rum! Crashride, well he just crashed our ride. Yuk yuk yuk.”

The band exists out of three men and often bands can be seen with three persons and a guest artist who is brought with them to keep the sound optimal. This seems to be a good idea and it gives other musicians the chance to play along with their, maybe, favorite band.
Do you do the same?

“Nay, we keep it a three piece whilst playing live. We try to fill the sound as best as possible and replicate what we produced on record between the three of us. I usually end up throwing a bit of distortion on my sound to fill more sound, or do to leads so it doesn't take away from the music. We used to have a second guitarist, but he was a shitty pirate and a shitty dude, so we made him walk the plank. I think we'll just keep it as a three piece, it just feels more natural that way.”

Swashbuckle is a band that is inspired by bands as Anthrax, S.O.D., Testament, Megadeth, Tankard and D.R.I. Admiral Nobeard loves it fast, heavy and with fun. So, it is no wonder that the band plays thrash metal. But on the cd there are also classical guitar parts. This gives a whole other contrast.
Where did the idea come from to use classical guitar instrumentals?

“From the getgo, we wanted to do some acoustic shanty songs as well as the blistering metal. We see the acoustics as a calm before the storm of thrash, that and they're fun little ditties to come up with as well. That and we've always mucked around with acoustics and enjoy classical music. Aye, we're pirate nerds.”

The acoustic songs give a nice balance to the cd. It breaks the thrash metal a little and gives it another dimension. Do you think that these instrumentals are essential to the music of Swashbuckle?

“Aye, I feel that they're pretty essential to our sound. Granted everyone loves the thrash, but ye also need something a little smoother for the lasses, hence the ditties. The acoustics also help with the flow of the record while it also creates a bit of atmosphere.”

On the album Back To The Noose there are narrations hearable. These narrations were not on the previous album Crewed By The Damned. Why did you decide to add a narration to the album, are you trying to tell a story?

“Aye, we wanted more of a conceptual story than just random songs about piracy. We tried to put the record almost story like, hence the Haggered Mariner. The record builds up to a wicked battle of epic proportions. The Mariner is there to witness and report.”

Back To The Noose is the first album under contract with Nuclear Blast. The first album was released by the independent label Bald Freak Music. How, did the record deal with Nuclear Blast come to exist?

“We were entered in a contest on the interwebs that Nuclear Blast was holding for new talent. Apparently we struck their fancy and they grabbed us up. T'was pretty awesome, since we've been listening to records that they've put out for years so it's quite the honor that we're now flying their flag high.”

What things went better with the deal with Nuclear Blast?

“We've gotten tons of support from the guys at the label, as well as new fans. Our music was available to more metalheads and music fans, and our tour schedule seemed to bulk up. Things are on the up and up for us, and we're stoked.”

And off course, which things went worse after signing the deal?

“There's more haters, but we expected that. There's always going to be people who can't look past the gimmick and just have fun. We're not worried, it's their choice to drink the haterade. But if they decide to come off their high horse, drink a few brews and have some fucking fun, then we'll gladly enjoy life with them.”

You are now touring in the United States with bands as Korpiklaani and Alestorm. This Pagan Fest tour is also coming to Europe, so it seems appropriate to ask about the touring.
Is this your first big tour?

“Aye, Paganfest America was our first national tour. We've toured before that, but to a much lesser degree, mostly east coast and middle America. It was also our first time being in Europe as well, and it was killer. Thousands of screaming metal maniacs having a blast and drinking like there was no tomorrow. For being an unknown band in Europe the response we recieved was totally unexpected. They we're circlepitting, moshing, fist banging, head banging, chanting, it was surreal. We can't wait to go back on Paganfest Europe.”

How is it like to play with bands as Alestorm and Korpiklaani?

“It's awesome actually. Both Alestorm and Korpiklaani are cool fucking dudes who enjoy partying and metal. It was a treat playing and hanging out with down to earth dudes who are basically there for the same reasons as we were: to have fun and play metal.”

That is then clear. Swashbuckle is a band to party with, to drink and just have a lot of fun with them. Before I run off to avoid to walk the plank, I ask Admiral Nobeard if he has some last words to the fans.

“We'd like to thank everyone who enjoys our high-seas hi-jinx, and we hope to thrash with ye in the near future. Have fun fuckers, we're coming for ye!!!”