Doomed Confessionary: Ben, Joe, Dez & Tom (Jeremiah A.D.)
Photos by Peter Hodgson
Jeremiah A.D. is a four-piece sludge/doom/alternative metal band from Birmingham, UK.
Jeremiah A.D. formed in 2012 after the doom band Moghul split, with Joe Barber and Tom Woods from Moghul/Dark Is The Water on guitar and drums respectively. Dez Palfreyman (Crashdown) joined on bass after absolutely loving the ideas they were throwing around. Not too long after they courted Ben Curtis (previously from nu-metal band Start The Hourglass and acoustic folk band Civil Disobedience) to be vocalist.
They are not intentionally political but write about the world we exist in today. The band’s latest EP »Unfit To Lead« is essentially about what has happened to the band and the world around them since 2020, topics ranging from pure rage at the unnecessary deaths we all saw in the pandemic, to how jarring it can be to start a family, and the battle to keep an eye on your own mental health.
Can you say a few words about your band?
We started out as mates in other bands who gelled well and wanted to do something productive, fun, and loud. We are friends first and foremost, and usually write with little agenda and a stupid, meta-track title.
What was the biggest challenge for the band last year?
In no particular order, we have young kids who demand attention, university courses to complete, work lives that demand a lot, and house moves 250 miles away from our practice studio (which has very recently flooded, relocated us internally and the closed down, leaving us without a den to jam in for the first time in 15 years). The sum of these parts has been real tough.
What can you be most proud of last year?
The release of our EP »Unfit To Lead«, all recorded by us and our good friend Nic Jones, self-released to minor but rewarding acclaim.
What was your biggest regret?
No regrets, but plenty of lessons learned to be more productive remotely and focus on our next output.
What was the best concert/tour last year and why?
For us personally, playing with Froglord and Green Sabre in Manchester. We had a blast and met some exciting people. Plus the reception to our set was incredible. Outside of the band, it’s a tough one to answer as we’ve all been to different gigs last year, but universally we’re excited to see Botch in the UK in 2024!
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
One, that there are still some promoters out there who give a shit about smaller bands and love to get them up on stage. Two, that people have been so open minded to our particular brand of nu-sludge doom which doesn’t neatly fit into a category.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Unknow as of yet. We have some pokers in the fire, but are hoping to find a new rehearsal space as soon a possible so we can carry on writing record number 4!
What are your plans for this year as a band? What do you personally want the most?
Getting back into writing some new material, hopefully with the chance to play it on a decent festival line up in 2024. We haven’t yet played a festival and would love to do it this year.
How can people best support your band?
Engage with us, come watch us play, send us a message, follow us on socials, stream us via Spotify etc, or oay what you want for our music from bandcamp. We’ll hopefully have some new t-shirts on the way to further give us some love. Tell your friends.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thank you. We dont take anyone’s time, support and encouragement for granted. People have shit to do and if they choose to spend even a fraction of that time listening to us, then we’re humbled by that and so so appreciative. 2023 has been the best Jeremiah A.D. year so far; new merch & music is on the way! If you haven’t given us a listen, imagine Deftones and Kowloon Walled City bumping uglies. We in the middle. jeremiahad.bandcamp.com, Cheers!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well