Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Archons was formed late 2003 in San Diego California. Scott Driscoll (drums) and Chad Hartgrave (bass/vocals) relocated from Seattle Washington where together they had formed the rhythm section of the long running band Sludgeplow, formed in Iowa City in 1990. Joining in 1998, Scott was Sludgeplow's eighth drummer, yet remained the longest running drummer out of the previous seven until the band called quits in 2002.
Scott and Jeff Haynes (guitar/vocals) met in Lawrence Kansas in 1992 and played in a few local bands in the Lawrence Kansas and Kansas City scene until 1997, later to be reunited when Jeff was recruited to move to San Diego to round out the lineup for Archons.
How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
Archons is a mix of styles, but we are commonly labeled as Sci-Fi Metal, or a hybrid of Stoner Rock and Sludge Metal. Influences include but are not limited to : Black Sabbath, Sleep, Voivod, Melvins, Sonic Youth, High on Fire, Mastodon.
Why should a metalhead buy your demos/albums?
Metalheads should buy our albums if they want a familiar sound with a fresh take on the often over-done genre, and if they have interests leaning to the occult or science fiction. We'd like to think the educated stoner metalhead would have a great time listening with headphones and joining us on our heavy psychedelic journey by following along with the lyric sheets.
What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media?
Our 2 primary releases, other than our early EP's, are where we really found our niche and started playing to our strengths. "Punish the Stars" was put out in 2011 on Cave Metal records and our most recent self released album "Lords of Light and Thunder" are our best works. They seem to be well received among the local and regional crowds that have seen us play, as well as in the media and also among international fans alike.
Do you play live as well? How's your live activity so far?
Yes, we play live. Originally we played quite often locally, which we found to be a bit counterproductive if we played too often. We began to branch out and have had our best shows touring up and down the West Coast, including a few short tours with High on Fire that have been some of our best shows by far. Our main goal now is to take the band to tour in Europe.
What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
We are a different spin on a common theme - and we are here to stay. Beginning in 2003 and refusing to die, Archons is a stubborn multi-headed Metal Beast that can not be killed and will forge onward and upward.
What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
Writing has begun for our next album, and as previously said - it's time to get this band over to Europe.
Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
The easiest place to listen to and purchase our music is currently our BandCamp page - www.archons1.bandcamp.com, and eventually directly from our new website - www.archonsmusic.com
November 2018