Gutterblood: About

Gutterblood definition: 'A low person of inferior breeding. One who's blood has run in no cleaner canal than the gutter. One of the rabble'

Formed in 2019, Gutterblood fuse elements of indie, doom, punk, politics and prog. The band recorded their debut album (as a 3-piece) at 16OHM studios in Glasgow and it was mastered by John McBain of Monster Magnet and QOTSA fame.

Gutterblood seize the cultural climate of the day, using samples and heavy, groove driven dynamics. An ever shifting and hugely dynamic trio; they’re a rich pedigree of musicians who have plied their trade into such diverse acts as The Process, Gin Goblins, In Decades Decline, Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers and Sufferinfuck. Two of the band are current members of Oi Polloi.

Their debut album features spoken, vocal and musical contributions from an array of special guests and was released on C.D in March 2022. Gutterblood often prefer to work with guest vocalists in the studio and live arena.

In between 2019 and 2024 the band featured one of its founding members Brian Roche (guitar 2019-2022) and then Lukasz Kaminski (guitar 2021-2022).

In May 2023 Gutterblood released Gardyloo, their first 7" as a split with Scottish anarcho punk legends Oi Polloi. This was followed by a larger 2nd pressing in October 2023.

Dave Goblin joined Gutterblood on guitar in 2023 until the present day.

In January 2024 Gutterblood released their first 10" E.P entitled 'Hard Gandhi', complimenting this with an entirely self produced video filmed by the band themselves.

Gutterblood are currently recording their new 6 track mini album at Post Electric Studios in Edinburgh with a release due for springtime in 2025.

live line up AND INFLUENCES:

Photo's (below) c/o owl shed studios

Tom - vocals

Tom has a special way with words. His lyrics, hard work and input has been a huge thing for Gutterblood since he originally joined up with us on 'Hard Gandhi'. Since then he has gone from strength to strength on new songs like 'The Great Escape' and 'Good Dogs Will Never Die'.

"Ice T was the first rapper I got into at first year in school when everyone else loved Eminem. But Billy Gibbons from ZZ top is a guitar hero to me, his style, his sound and not a lot of folk can play like Gibbons. And honourable mentions to 'Solid Air' by John Martyn, that album changed my life. And Lou Reed! One day people will call me the Scottish Lou Reed and I will be ecstatic.

Martyn Bennet's self titled first album also stole my heart in so many ways when I was young. I'd never heard anything like it and to this day I've not heard anything like it. And finally Rage Against the Machine 'Live at the grand Olympic Auditorium' is class. I listened to that cd and played along with it until it died.

I love having an opportunity in this Gutterblood coalition to take on culture and society and spit it out in a unique visceral way. It is really fucking healthy and wholesome to have sound folk in your life and I count myself lucky to spend time wae these dudes"

Bob - Vocals

We originally sampled Bob on 'Paper Kites' but Gutterblood desperately needed some real time bona fide anger for our anti-monarchy track 'Gardyloo'. We could think of only one man. Bob's talent and energy has been exceptional ever since:

"I’ve loved and produced music all my life but I’ve never been an avid collector or one of those cats who knows every detail of an artist or band’s catalogue. Growing up I had the good fortune of having older siblings who had very different musical tastes, my big sister was into The Wedding Present and The The, my brother was a purveyor of pop music - pet shop boys type vibes and guitar rock stuff likeTom Petty, I just loved music in all forms.

As a product of the Walkman generation, It was always cassette tapes for me, significant influences would be a Marc Bolan & T -Rex compilation I acquired when I was about 12, and then a couple of years later Nirvana, a girl I fancied gave me an unmarked tape and I played this one track constantly but didn’t know who it was, I saw her a a month or so later and said “what is this yeh yeh yeh yeh yeh song?”, and she was like, “that is Lithium by Nirvana”.

I’ve always enjoyed extending my musical mycelium via my music loving friends and artists but I am probably most appreciative towards my long time collaborator: Scott Hendry who is better known as the artist and singjay ‘Daddy Scotty’, he’s the somewhat unique combination of a Scottish Merchant Sailor and Jamaican National and the reason I have such a huge affection for reggae and dancehall. I would never have found my way to the likes of Tenor Saw, Capleton, Garnett Silk or sound system culture if I hadn’t known Scott, Oh, and Gutterblood of course, I wouldn’t want to work with these guys if I didn’t think they absolutely rock!"

Dave - Guitar

Dave joined Gutterblood in 2023 and has brought his own unique talent, style and vibe to the band. Once of Edinburgh legends The Gin Goblins he has enjoyed the challenge of honing a beautifully thoughtful sound that perfectly matches our recent evolution and slightly different approach to music.

"The Damned 'Black Album' is everything a punk band should be and this album covers it all. Moments of poppiness, psychedelia, full on punk and total experimentation- all expertly played and produced. At age 11 it was a valuable lesson to me - released just as punk was moving into a more one-dimensional phase it showed that doing whatever the fuck you felt like is the most punk thing of all.

It is a toss up between Hawkwinds 'Hall of the Mountain Grill' and 'Space Ritual'. Kind of impossible to choose. Space Rock of the finest quality, propelling you through the cosmos whilst railing against politicians, inducing Ladbroke Grove drug hell, and even featuring a dragon or two. Strangely uplifting as it pummels you.

Roky Erikson's 'I Think 'Of Demons' is also untouchable. 'Gremlins Have Pictures' covers more of Roky's styles- from the Horror Rock of 'Cold Night For Alligators', to the beautifully haunting Anthem, a crazed cover of Heroin and taking us from the gargoyles to Stonehenge in I Have Always Been Here Before. The square root of zero is indeed something smaller than zero. Roky's previous band the 13th Floor Elevators used to take acid just to practice, never mind gig...and this is where doing that takes you.

I love playing with Gutterblood as we can do absolutely anything. No rules, no limits"

Adj - Drums

Adj is co-founder of Gutterblood and a wonderfully true energy behind the kit - thoughtful and energetic in equal measure. Unafraid to let lose when it counts he still manages to deliver with intricacy and nuance.

"Man Dave's drums on Nirvana's 'Scentless Apprentice'! Gnarly guitars, booming bass and Kurt screeching. Lovely stuff and a first introduction to Punk!

I get hypnotised by Shellac's 'Didn't we deserve a look at you the way you really are'. A 15 min tune that doesn't really do much. There's a wee rhythmical illusion in it that's really cool. With most Shellac tunes, I think their use of dynamics and minimalism are what makes the tune, and this tune has loads of that.

A very wise Japanese man once told me to 'Play your drum with the heart and enthusiasm of a child.' In a past life, I was very fortunate to be a guest of Kodo's on Sado Island, Japan. A past life I feel very fortunate to have had. Kodo's performance at The Acropolis in Athens is the holy grail of Taiko Drumming. If that's your bag, there's a YT vid and CD available. It's amazing.

Ministry's 'Warp City' changed everything for me but Painkiller's 'Guts of a Virgin' with John Zorn on sax is just the most mental 30 seconds you're likely to hear. I find it a bit of a palate cleanser tbh.

Dolorian - Voidwards is a Finnish 2 piece who play blackened death doom. Really spooky and moody. I quite like feeling empty and vacant from time to time. Embrace the dark and that eh?

Massive Attack's 'Paradise Circus / HarpsichordBeautiful' reminds me of some not so beautiful times, which is oddly quite comforting. One day we'll connect with Massive Attack, somehow. I'm sure of it.

I can't not mention drummer Travis Dean. Stick tricks, plays sideways, kicks his hi hat. The man's an animal and truly embodies playing with 'the heart and enthusiasm of a child.

Gutterblood gives me a voice and strength in a world that disgusts and saddens me."

Andy - Bass

Another co-founder of Gutterblood is Andy. He has a tireless work ethic, drive and vision for the band. A solid bloke and a huge cog in the intricate components of Gutterblood he also writes some of the punchiest and juicies bass riffs around.

"Jeezo it's tough to pick favourites but music often marks a place in time. So I'm gonna choose a few from the past that have endured to the present day.

Heatmiser was a band I loved back in the 90s. Featuring (a yet to be famous) Elliot Smith on vocals. The last album 'Mic City Sons' is a thing of beauty. It's a melancholic masterpiece that represented a shift from their heavier works. Sadly it was their last L.P - a grower that you have to stick with. The best ones always are.

Albums written like albums are rarer by the day so how can I ignore 'Scenes from the Second Story' by The God Machine? The ebb and flow of this record is timeless. They sounded like nothing before them. Maybe you'd call it Doom or Stoner these days but actually this record transcends all of that and its another emotional ride. Wonderful.

There are so many albums that could be my favourite on another day but I'm going to be lazy and go back to the 1980s with The Didjits 'Hey Judester'. It is a fucked up kind of genius. Punk rock at its best with a perfect production!

I am always looking for my next musical fix and there is a ton of new stuff that I have got into over the last few years which is why music still excites me so much.

We imagined Gutterblood as a band you could stumble across in the woods at some kind of weird music festival. Something that knocks your socks off and takes you on a dark musical journey. Ha ha, I'm not sure we are anywhere close to that idea but we do try."

Gutterblood guests and collaborators:

Matty Ross

Tom McFadyen

Bonnie Prince Bob

Norman Silver

Guvnor B

Gerry Gapinski

Josef Baum

Robbie Tatler

Jim Slaven

DISCOGRAPHY:

2021 - Gutterblood (self titled) - Album C.D