Doomed Confessionary: Justin Goleman (Letcher)
Photo by Randy J Byrd
Letcher is a stoner/doom metal trio based in Richmond, Virginia.
So far, the band has two releases under the blelt: »Rehearsal Demos« dropped in December 2023 and »Demo ’24« was released in February 2024.
Letcher are Justin Goleman (bass, vocals), Benjamin Butler (guitar, vocals) and Parker Simmons (drums).
Can you say a few words about your band?
Ben and I met off a Craigslist got together and started writing and piecing things together, not long after we met Parker our drummer. We all pretty much like the same stuff and we are helping each other find new things to listen to. We get inspired by the bands around us and mix everything together and just jam out, we are pretty much coming up with something new almost every practice just off of improve jams. At the end of the day we all love music and just want to have fun with it.
What was the biggest challenge for the band last year?
Biggest challenges for us in the last year would have to meeting the right people. Richmond can be very cliquey.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Sticking to our goals, example our demos were totally diy, rehearsal demos was recorded on my iPhone and demos 24 was a trial and error diy recording on GarageBand. We set a goal to put something out on a time frame to have something out there so people could hear and see what is to come.
What was your biggest regret?
Biggest regret in the last year? There’s things here and there that we could have done differently or better but I’d say the biggest would have to be the overall quality of the demo, it was totally diy with no previous experience recording our own stuff to that level so not being educated on proper production, I would like to re record everything in the future to do the songs justice but that’s why it’s a demo right?
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
So we’ve only played 2 shows together so far, our biggest was our first, it was a free metal Friday at a place called Another Round, people love free shows.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Biggest surprises I’ve seen mainly in the metal and hc scene in Richmond is dedicated fans, I’ve been to many shows and seen many familiar faces.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Ben and Parker are always finding new stoner/doom bands as well as sticking to the classics, and oddly enough I’m listening to classic country more than anything else.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Richmond, Virginia?
Music scene here in Richmond has changed over the years, a lot less house shows for sure. Venues have come and gone, rest in piece strange matter. Other venues are picking up the slack and becoming the new hot spots. Metal used to be a heavy rotation here but times and tastes change I guess.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We have 2 shows in April, Cobra Cabana on the 26th and Banditos on the 28th.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We plan on writing as much as we can so we can put a proper album out and see where we go from there.
How can people best support your band?
Bandcamp.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thank you.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well