Drones For Queens---welcome to the riff-hive

This is a Philly-based band that's building a strong reputation the tried and true (but also very hard) way, playing shows all over the east coast and leaving only debris behind them. Drones For Queens play a grinding and dissonant form of metal with a variety of influences, only some of which are detailed below. The band includes Shane Madden (currently second guitar in Sovereign, formerly in Woe, etc.) and brother Evan (also ex-Woe, among many others) on drums. Here's what guitarist/vocalist Shane had to say:

Are there particular bands or styles that influenced the songs on the new EP?

Most of it was written over a year ago so I'm honestly a little hazy on what I was listening to heavily at the time. Probably some Complete Failure, His Hero is Gone, Mouth Sewn Shut but I can't say those are direct influences on the EP in a conscious way. From the beginning of this band we've been inspired by The Crown, Impaled Nazarene, and Burnt By the Sun to name a few. We try to let the songs develop over time, staying in the realm of whatever we consider to be a Drones for Queens song, but also not chasing just one specific sound or influence.

What have been the best and worst parts of touring the U.S. of A. in 2015?

Touring really rips, man. We've been working towards doing more of it. For the first three years the band existed we were living in 2 different states a few hours apart. Now we're all in the Philly area so things have become easier logistically with playing live locally and traveling when we can. We just did a quick 2-show weekend and we're headed out for 3 shows in August including our first shows in Canada. Touring can present challenges but the highs hopefully always outweigh any lows.

What have been the best and worst parts of touring the U.S. of A. in 2015?

I think the only band we've played with more than once this year is Die Choking. They're absolutely sick as well as being good dudes and total professionals. Night Raids are always awesome to see. We were just introduced to Pathogenesis from North Carolina. They played up here in Philly and we happened to play with them in Atlanta shortly afterwards and are hoping to see more of them in the future.

Are you working on material for a release in the near future?

Yeah the next step is a full length. We have been writing for a few months and just started to test some of it out live. That will continue through the fall and we'll have something out in 2016.

Thanks for doing an interview with us. Feel free to give a shout-out if you're feeling one...

Thank you man! 

Occult 45---puking in an alley near you

When a band's 7-inch artwork immediately pulls you in, the music usually turns

out to be great. Jan Ghostlord Tyrant's art for this record is like if Grief's 

Eric Harrison did art direction for Superjail. And the music is a skin-flaying

torture device meant to bludgeon pathetic scum like you. Each song on the band's

longest release to date is a loathsome war-machine that refuses to slow down.

Unless mongo-violence jams and razor-wire punk riffs count. This band's idea

of progress is to dig in their heels, entrench, and imbibe. I sent the members

some questions about getting into my local "Hellfire Club" and if they had

any tips on removing goat's blood from taupe drapes.

Was there a particular theme you were

drawing from for inspiration on this

release?

John: The title Human Abhorrence kind of speaks for itself, but generally speaking just a negative feeling towards most people that we have to live with on this planet.

Biggest influences on the direction of the band, musical or otherwise?

Dean: The Melvins, Napalm Death, Anxiety Hangovers.

John: James Brown, Santuccis, Napalm Death, Allen Iverson, Kiss.

Favorite band to play a show with?

John: We've had the pleasure of playing with so many rad bands on the east coast, but nothing beats playing with Ramlord every night on our tour that we did together. Those guys are air tight and never let up. A perfect blend of angst and emotion that is hard to re-create.

Chances we'll see an Occult 45 full-length?

Dean: You will, just a matter of when. I'd bet sooner than later. However we have a tape split with Hivelords, that should be out before the end of July, and a 7-inch split in the works with Ground from New Jersey. 

Favorite record you've heard this year (individually or otherwise)?

Dean: Fight Amp - Constantly Off, Ghast - Dread Doom Ruin, MTHR - Howl  

John: Primitive Man - Home Is Where The Hatred Is, Goatsnake - Black Age Blues, Outer Heaven - Diabolus Vobiscum

Thanks for your time. Feel free to leave a

message for the official fan club members who paid extra for one.

Dean: All y'all rockers out talking that grind shit, but can't write a riff. Stop fakin' the funk. Get your L's up. Get em up.