Doomed Confessionary: Ben Gonzales & Derek Martha (Blunt)
Photo by Rhea Fogle
Blunt is a four-piece stoner/sludge/doom metal band from DeKalb, Illinois.
Founded in 2014, they released four full-length albums »Blunt« (2016), »State Of Desolation« (2016), »Broken Down« (2018) and »Closure« (2021), a live album, several singles and a split with Fistula, Dour and No Funeral.
Blunt consists of Ben Gonzales (vocals, guitar), Nate Shoemaker (guitar), Jason Kedsch (bass) and Derek Martha (drums).
Can you please say a few words about your band?
Ben: We are Blunt from Dekalb, Illinois. We play doom metal. Our style may vary from song to song but overall we are LOUD! And whether it’s a dirty or bluesy riff it’s always going to be considered doom for us.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Ben: Our biggest challenge right now is figuring out when to practice haha. When we first started it was very sporadic because we were younger and had more free time. But as you get older you take on more responsibilities; family, work, ect, so getting the right moment and time for four people can be a hassle at times.
Derek: Hitting the road more or staying more active.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Ben: I think our longevity as a band is something to be absolutely proud of.
Derek: How long we have been together without changing much sound wise. Always writing songs for the band.
What was your biggest regret?
Ben: I don’t have much regrets with the band. Maybe when we first started we could have focused more on the music instead of partying but there are also good memories from that too so it doesn’t bother me much. Our first tour we did was chaotic but hey you live and you learn.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Ben: My favorite show we have played so far was opening for Acid King in Chicago last year. Absolutely amazing.
Derek: Opening for Acid King, Bongzilla, 1000mods, Rezn, Bongripper, 71 Grind fest in Colorado. Those are all the shows that stand out in my mind.
Photos by Alexandra Forni
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Ben: I think the biggest surprise for me is you’ll see people or bands disappear or drop out that you would think would be around forever. Life happens so no shade but bands can have so much momentum then just…stop.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Ben: For me right now I would say Godflesh, The Stooges, Napalm Death, The Melvins, Black Sabbath.
Derek: On a weird Grind kick recently, but 70’s metal mix’s and sabbath since Ozzy just passed.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Ben: It’s not necessarily something that was given to me but something I have definitely learned and that’s don’t expect the same outcome every time. Like you can play a kick ass show in a certain city or venue and expect the same crowd or results the next time only to be disappointed it didn’t happen. Not to say that it will always because that is not true but in some cases it will. Also don’t expect to have things fall in place or happen, go out and make it happen.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Ben: Nu metal 😀
Derek: Pro wrestling…. (I’m a Referee). Music wise I don’t know I listen to everything, I love and listen to a lot of fusion jazz and Budos band, Adrian Quesada, the Echocentrics.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Dekalb?
Ben: Doom and heavy music in general in the Chicago land area is bumping!
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Ben: We will playing Reggie’s later this month with Conan in Chicago!
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Ben: To just keep going.
How can people best support your band?
Ben: Go check out our Bandcamp: blunt420.bandcamp.com!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Ben: Tune in and drop out!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well