SOURCE – Dystopia is the band’s latest album – how do you believe the song-writing and recording sessions went for this effort? Where would you assess this record compared to the output of Teethgrinder over the history of the band?
Wieger Jan Scheper (Drums) – As always Mart has a lot of riffs and material recorded in his home studio. Most often we listen to the stuff and cherry pick the best riffs. In the rehearsal room we combine riffs, and try out different song structures and make up cool licks and hooks. We keep on polishing songs until it feels right. This actually does not differ much from how we wrote the other albums. It only took us a little longer because of the restrictions throughout the pandemic. Lockdowns, no traveling, less rehearsal sessions, no shows, no inspiration etc.
To be honest, the whole recording process was a challenge. Yeah it is getting old, because of the pandemic and some personal struggles it took us almost 2 years to record the whole album. We started recording drums in February of 2020 and the last mixing and mastering was done around may 2022.
If you compare Dystopia to our previous albums it is, in our opinion, the most diverse, fastest, intense and aggressive album we’ve made so far. But it still fits in the line of previous work, so fans of our older work won’t be disappointed.
SOURCE – The new video for the Worthless came out recently – is it an easy process to decide what track(s) to promote the record, especially one such as this?
Jonathan Edwards (Vocals) – As this is a group effort we all have different tastes and ideas about what we think sounds good or as to what other people might like to hear. Because of the diversity between songs, doing things we’ve already done before and trying new approaches sometimes feels difficult. Personally I believe the best promotional material would have general tie-ins to the main theme of the album and showcase things people can expect musically and lyrically. I think our 2nd single Our Failing Species does this well!
SOURCE – Crossing genres such as death and grind core, are you conscious at this point to know when to delve deeper into either direction to make the ideal Teethgrinder composition – or do you take things on a case by case, composition by composition process?
Wieger Jan Scheper (Drums) – We take it case by case. When we are writing we’re not thinking about which genre we’re playing and if we’ll have to delve in deeper. It comes down to: ‘do we like this riff or idea’ and we’ll give it a go. Sometimes we give tracks a working title with a reference based to a band, but it is never a specific genre. Our perfect composition is whenever the energy and intensity are high, the necessary ingredients for our music.
SOURCE – How does the band handle satisfying your own creative tastes and desires while also appeasing what many of the Teethgrinder followers want to hear from you album to album? Do you believe looking outside metal music influences are necessary in order to develop fresh thoughts and innovative elements to your style?
Jonathan Edwards (Vocals) – I think that Teethgrinder has always been a melting pot of our own personal musical tastes which when brought together gives us this sound. Ofcourse you want people to hear your music and like it but to me personally it’s always been about making something that feels real and intense to us and that some people have come to enjoy that is surreal.
I certainly believe you need to look outside of your comfort zone to evolve or get inspired. We have a lot of tried and trusted aspects on Dystopia but I feel like we’ve also tried to paint a bigger picture than previous material.
SOURCE – How would you describe the music scene for your style of metal in The Netherlands? Do you believe the people accept and appreciate what you bring to the table, or do you receive stronger support from outside your country than within?
Jonathan Edwards (Vocals) – Great! There are and have been a lot of great music festivals where a lot of underground and mainstream extreme music gets to play and I constantly see shows popping up with great local bands opening for bigger bands instead of tourpackages. Great festivals like Pitfest NDF, Roadburn, Bloodshed, Stonehenge.
Crowds differ from area to area but overall I feel metal and extreme music are well represented throughout the country with alot of younger people getting into the scene and the veterans still visiting the shows!
We’ve met a lot of amazing people over here and abroad. Our last few shows/tours outside of the Netherlands have been mind blowing and due to the pandemic we haven’t been able to play alot over here. So its difficult to say!
SOURCE – What keeps you motivated in a music industry that can be very turbulent and ever-changing?
Jonathan Edwards (Vocals) – Being able to play shows in beautiful cities and meeting new and old friends again. Most of the bands we play with and people at shows/organizers/promoters/bookers we meet feel like a family reunion and to me personally that’s what I love most about Teethgrinder and which motivates me to keep going on!
SOURCE – What are your thoughts on social media and the connection you have with the fans – is it a blessing as well as a curse sometimes when it comes to keeping the brand of the band top of mind?
Jonathan Edwards (Vocals) – I think its a great way to connect with people and get your music out there! To a majority of society social media and technology is an integrated part of our lives. Even though we have a critique on the use of it, it’s an easy way for music/artists/labels to get their work out there!
SOURCE – What’s going on with Teethgrinder from this point forward?
Wieger Jan Scheper (Drums) – We already released two singles and on the 22th of july ‘Dystopia’ will see daylight. (digital and on cd). Because of vinyl plants being crazy busy at the moment our ltd. Gatefold Vinyl LP will be out on September 2nd.
We’re very pleased that we have combined forces with Redback Promotion, whom will take care of our bookings and make us able to promote the shit out of Dystopia. So far this is booked: A European tour with Benighted in November. On top of that, if everything goes well, we’re finally gonna do the full european (re)run with Distaste, Inhumate in February. This tour has been postponed several times because of the pandemic. Last year February we already did a small run in Tsjech Republic with this line-up and it was fucking great!
And plans in making to go back to Japan again and a tour in may with our buddies in Teething. So like I said before: Finally do shows again and promote the shit out of Dystopia!
“Dystopia” up now for pre-order/pre-save – https://orcd.co/teethgrinder_dystopia
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