Since their inception in October 2003, Absence of Grace have focused solely on kicking out vicious jams and putting crowds into a frenzy. Showing an obvious disdain for the various sects and fashions associated with most of today’s music, AOG are more interested in making music that any punk or metal enthusiast will appreciate than being a part of any scene. mf recently caught up with two of the band’s members, Dan Cedarland and Dave Orton, in order to discuss their upcoming release, their underlying mission, and some other assorted craziness.
First of all, can you give me the lineup of the band and everyone's role?
Dan Cedarland – Guitar/Vox/Looks
Dave Orton – Guitar/Vox
Jesse Rage – Bass
Tracey Barbee – Drums/Beer Bong/Temper
You have a new release coming up called The Distilled Entrails EP – a great title if I’ve ever heard one. Can you give us a quick synopsis of what to expect?
Dan: Yes, the name is great. Our drummer is on business in North Dakota at the moment so the release has been postponed for now. You can expect a broad spectrum of song styles ranging from more traditional power metal to more progressive hardcore. We pretty much just play what we feel and don't take too much interest in genres.
Dave: Since we've been doing all the recording ourselves its hard to decide on what to keep and what to file under ‘suck’. With all the new ideas, songs, and us evolving as actual musicians it's taken us longer than planned to get it out. You can hear a couple of hard tracks on our Myspace account (www.myspace.com/absenceofgrace) but I doubt those actual versions will be on the EP. Also, doing Distilled on our own has weaved out an ultra-stylish producer telling us what he thinks sounds good. I think it keeps our jams honest and clean.
So rumor has it that your live show is not for the faint of heart - what can someone expect if they go check you guys out?
Dan: Black eyes and fights! Its not that we try to offend people, it just happens. I think people think that metal and hardcore musicians are supposed to be angry and oppressed but we really aren't and that makes them mad. The music is good, its really high energy and tons of fun!
Dave: I agree with Dan. Yeah sure, we’re serious about the music and what we create, but the soul of the live performance has been run down by fashion. It actually looks like we’re having a good time on stage instead of holding back, drowning in our sorrows. Drinking on stage, being drunk and letting your views and ideals dribble off your lower lip are all parts of rock that have been desecrated by hardcore karate chops. Sometimes people agree with it, and sometimes they want to throw a fit and gang beat you after a set, or before.
Your website lists a bunch of influences such as Iron Maiden, Danzig, Slayer and The Misfits. What was it about metal and punk that that drew you in and made you want to do this?
Dan: I just really like the energy of power metal and the realism of punk. I really just wanted to create something pure and honest, if it gets boring for me I’ll play something else.
Dave: For the most part we all grew up on punk. The attitude is so thin on all of the new wave punk bands - everyone's trying to fit a pre-made mold that has nothing to do with the heart. When we were growing up, driving around in Tracey's ford blinded by alcohol, breaking out windows and pissing on doorsteps was hardly enough for us to make a statement. Then we started a band, and we may have not known it at the time but it was fuel for the fire we are now. Nowadays all you have to do is throw on your best set of fingerless gloves, coif your bangs over one eye, and fuck men in the ass. Now that's entertainment!
How about giving me something crazy that's happened to you guys while on the road or during a performance?
Dan: 10 or so guys before a performance in Olympia, WA assaulted me. It was a surreal thing, people hate you and you never fucking met them in your life. They used brass knuckles and the whole bit. My teeth got chipped and I had a broken nose from it, but we played a week later.
Dave: Our first show at Hell's Kitchen was probably the most eventful after Dan's radical gang beating. I told all of the female fans that wanted to do us to form a single file line and we'd get to them after the show. I guess some kids didn't take too kindly to that and a fight broke out shortly thereafter. Some chick got her lip ring pulled out, one of our friends got clocked, and another friend had a knife pulled on him after the show. I guess that's what you get when you're not reppin' an awesome crew (laughs). After the show we received a bunch of hate mail stating that we needed to do our homework on the "scene." I guess it dates back to high school; I never really got around to turning that assignment in. Whoops.
Other than the EP, what do you guys have planned for the future?
Dan: We plan on stepping up to whatever challenge befalls us. This will never end as long as we love music regardless of fame or fortune. Its just second nature, we just want to keep on!
Dave: Just to keep on going. Our new material is going to turn some heads, and it might be a good idea for you jerks at MF to keep an eye on us. Other than that, watch for us on tour later this year.
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