What inspired the name of the band? What are your influences?
The name GHASTLY MURDER comes from a newspaper headline from the Victorian era which was an early outcry as to what was to become the ‘Jack the ripper’ murders . When I read and researched that headline I always thought that it would make a fantastic band name so when I went onto do my solo project it seemed a perfect fit in terms of what the music sounded like, As well as being a catchy name, it implies something ferocious and something of the night which I think encapsulates the sound of Ghastly Murder.
I have always been drawn to the macabre be it in music, film, art or literature and I think this has always been an underling influence in what I create artistically. The human extremes always have root in the best of stories and as a songwriter or storyteller I will often push my narratives toward the darker side of the tracks. The music is not gloomy in any sense but the tales the songs tell are sometimes a bit sinister and twisted…the horror, the horror
How do you approach songwriting? Are there any themes that you are keen to explore when you start off?
As previously stated I find it almost impossible to write a happy tune or a love song there always needs to be a sting in the tale or a twist. When I write I like to take the listener on a narrative journey along with the characters I am writing about . When I am not writing for Ghastly Murder (which is my solo project) I write songs and sing in the band The Filthy Spectacula who’s songs are mainly about the themes of death , drink and debauchery . Within this solo project I explore still dark themes but within a different setting . The world of Ghastly Murder is set within a post apocalyptic world where society has broken down into tribes and ancient gods and demons are summoned (that is what the song Twitch is about on the new E.p.- the rise and demise of gory emminence’. I originally planned to make a loosely themed (& quite unfashionable ) concept album that drew from the themes and events of this time, but currently I could not afford the luxury of an albums worth of studio time so the E.P. is a nice introduction to that.
Lyrically what inspires me is either a turn of phrase, or a tale to tell but occasionally I will become a bit abstract depending on the song, for example the phrase ‘est spiritus. Et glorious’ that is chanted in the song TWITCH comes from a message or phrase that was spelt out by using an Ouija board session andquite out of The either but a good phrase non the less.
Musically, I write mainly on guitar. Looking for interesting chord structures or I will attempt to write something on an instrument I am not used to so as to find the unexpected. I wish I could write riffs and I do on occasion but I think if a song sounds good stripped down then it will work once arranged and added to….I love noise but at the heart of it there needs to be melody or a hook, this is what I try to capture
How do you approach songwriting? Are there any themes that you are keen to explore when you start off?
As previously stated I find it almost impossible to write a happy tune or a love song there always needs to be a sting in the tale or a twist. When I write I like to take the listener on a narrative journey along with the characters I am writing about . When I am not writing for Ghastly Murder (which is my solo project) I write songs and sing in the band The Filthy Spectacula who’s songs are mainly about the themes of death , drink and debauchery . Within this solo project I explore still dark themes but within a different setting . The world of Ghastly Murder is set within a post apocalyptic world where society has broken down into tribes and ancient gods and demons are summoned (that is what the song Twitch is about on the new E.p.- the rise and demise of gory emminence’. I originally planned to make a loosely themed (& quite unfashionable ) concept album that drew from the themes and events of this time, but currently I could not afford the luxury of an albums worth of studio time so the E.P. is a nice introduction to that.
Lyrically what inspires me is either a turn of phrase, or a tale to tell but occasionally I will become a bit abstract depending on the song, for example the phrase ‘est spiritus. Et glorious’ that is chanted in the song TWITCH comes from a message or phrase that was spelt out by using an Ouija board session andquite out of The either but a good phrase non the less.
Musically, I write mainly on guitar. Looking for interesting chord structures or I will attempt to write something on an instrument I am not used to so as to find the unexpected. I wish I could write riffs and I do on occasion but I think if a song sounds good stripped down then it will work once arranged and added to….I love noise but at the heart of it there needs to be melody or a hook, this is what I try to capture
Why do you write the sort of music that you do?
Well I’m not sure, it’s within me and that’s the way it comes out. I don’t like cliche or take well trodden paths and I try to be like one one else. I do not think I will ever write a ‘blues’ song for example as to me these type of songs are so obvious and predictable and been done to death. I will always add a quirk to what I write. Also in a way it is dependent on for whom I am writing! I have flexibility but I have personal preference.
How do you decide what songs to perform live and how do you transpose them into that live setting?
As yet GHASTLY MURDER is yet to perform but that’s not to say that will never happen , in fact I would love to. I do have plenty of experience fronting a live act though as I do with The Filthy Spectacula, but Ghastly Murder is a different animal.
I am a very visual person and always see bands as a full package of look and sound so if and when Ghastly Murder perform you can bet that the show will be designed for all the senses. In my minds eye I know how it is going to look,feel and smell like. I have the design already worked out and I hope my future fellow band mates are ok with ‘dressing the part’ there will be no demin,jeans or t shirts in this band. I want the experience to be 100% immersive for both band and audience alike. The world of Ghastly Murder is a 4D experience bringing the post apocalyptic rancid environment to life and hopefully a night to remember , as the lyrics in TWitch say ’ from the rotting carcass of the human race’….
How do you decide what songs to perform live and how do you transpose them into that live setting?
As yet GHASTLY MURDER is yet to perform but that’s not to say that will never happen , in fact I would love to. I do have plenty of experience fronting a live act though as I do with The Filthy Spectacula, but Ghastly Murder is a different animal.
I am a very visual person and always see bands as a full package of look and sound so if and when Ghastly Murder perform you can bet that the show will be designed for all the senses. In my minds eye I know how it is going to look,feel and smell like. I have the design already worked out and I hope my future fellow band mates are ok with ‘dressing the part’ there will be no demin,jeans or t shirts in this band. I want the experience to be 100% immersive for both band and audience alike. The world of Ghastly Murder is a 4D experience bringing the post apocalyptic rancid environment to life and hopefully a night to remember , as the lyrics in TWitch say ’ from the rotting carcass of the human race’….
What plans do you have for the future?
Well obviously world domination….. I would like to expand the idea and the sound of Ghastly Murder and I would like to expand on the E.p. to develop it into a full album either by working the way I have been as a solo project or developing it into a band in the future, either way I would like to do that. Then videos then live shows, festivals etc. In fact I or we have already been approached about performing live. But I need to think that through a work on it both visually and sonically. I would like to lead the double life of working an£ performing with The Filthy Spectacula as well as taking Ghastly Murder into deeper ,darker and heavier waters. I hope the world is ready!