Recommended Aussie Tunes:Psycroptic | The new single "A Fragile Existence" | Listen

Interviews : “I’m really excited to see the country” – An interview with Spencer Prewett (Archspire)

By on August 1, 2018

Archspire- Spencer Prewett

In the world of extreme metal, there is nothing remarkable about tendon snapping, light speed drumming and percussion. It’s almost the universal yardstick by which every band is measured on the scale of brutality. What is remarkable, is when a drummer takes the template established by the mighty Pete ‘The Feet’ Sandoval (Morbid Angel), adds even more percussive nuisances and rhythmic gymnastics, then keeps it musical; enter Spencer Prewett, the stick-smith in Canadian tech-death maestros Archspire.

“I became sort of obsessed with speed drumming when I was like maybe 17 when I first started really practising. I had a drum kit when I was like eight, but I didn’t give a shit. It wasn’t until I discovered extreme metal I decided to start playing every day. But I remember, I lived in a small town called Victoria on Vancouver Island (Canada), and we were pretty secluded. We never had any metal shows come through.”

It was through fellow Canucks and tech-death godfathers Cryptopsy, that Prewett eventually found his calling.

“I remember going to my first real metal show, and Cryptopsy was in town. I had a fake ID. I was like 18 at the time or 17. I went and watched them play. I had been getting into blast beats a little bit, but I remember standing sort of side stage and watching Flo (Mounier- drummer) play, and it just … I mean, I couldn’t wrap my head around it. It was so mind boggling how fast it was and crazy it was. I never even thought that you could do something like that with music, so I become absolutely obsessed.”

Bringing the bands face melting technicality to Australia for a series of shows with Tasmania’s best ever musical export, Psycroptic, Prewett is certainly thrilled with the messages of support the band’s members have received since the tour was announced.

“We have toured in Europe and we’ve toured a lot of North America, Mexico, US, and Canada, and we just recently did Japan. Well, excluding Japan, those are markets that we’ve put time into and had … In North America, we had to build a fan base. We’ve never been to Australia before, and the reaction we’ve been getting since the tour announcement has been very surprising for us. Obviously, we’re super stoked. We haven’t put the legwork in into Australia, and yet the fan messages are pouring in. You’re my ninth interview today, and everybody has pretty much said the same thing, which is that they know lots of people who are anticipating it. It’s a nice surprise and I’m looking forward to it.”

With what will be a shred-fest for the ages with chops aplenty on show, the added incentive to visit our distant shore and indulge in modern Australiana is as much a motivator for Prewett as the performances.

“I know Psycroptic are obviously a good draw for you guys down there, so I’m thinking the shows are going to be sick. I’m excited for the shows. I’m really excited to see the country. I’ve never been to that part of the world, and I’m interested to try the food and drink the beer and look at the landscapes. I love to travel.”

Listen to the full conversation here.

Catch Archspire on their upcoming national tour of Australia this August.

For complete tour and ticket information, visit Soundworks Direct Touring.

Thursday August 16 BRISBANE – Crowbar

Friday August 17 SYDNEY – The Bald Faced Stag

Saturday August 18 MELBOURNE – Max Watts

Sunday August 19 CANBERRA – The Basement

Friday August 24 HOBART – The Brisbane Hotel

Saturday August 25 ADELAIDE – Fowlers

Sunday August 26- PERTH – Amplifier

About

Andrew is a musician who has spent many years performing on the stages of the pubs and clubs of Queensland. A devotee of the broad church that is rock, punk, funk, jazz and of course all genres of metal... he now shares his enthusiasm via a burgeoning pursuit of music journalism. Follow him on twitter @andymckaysmith