Doomed Confessionary: Chad, Jordan & Jake (Glasghote)
Photo by J. Donovan Malley
Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Glasghote is a metal band whose unique sonic identity traverses the muddy borders between sludge and doom. Emerging in 2017 from the basement of two former roommates, Glasghote made their official debut soon after the two bonded with their future bassist over a love of Black Sabbath and Graveyard at a beer-fuelled party – and the rest was history.
A multifaceted trio, Glasghote’s signature bone-shattering tones and wall of sound are the product of the simultaneously unholy and uncanny alliance between vocalist, guitarist, and food truck operator Jake Shaffer, veteran drummer Jordan Huston of Unhallowed (formerly known as Sól), and lifelong bassist Chad Johnson.
Taking influences from Conan and Bongripper to High On Fire and Primitive Man, Glasghote have carved out a distinct niche for themselves in a few short years with a growing fanbase to prove it.
Can you please say a few by words about your band?
We started in 2017 after I (Chad – bass) and Jordan (drums) worked together at a restaurant in Portland, Oregon. Jordan was living with Jake (guitar/vocals). Jake and Jordan had a project going on and asked me to come write some bass with them. We released our first record »Rite Of The Siren« in 2018 on Doom Stew Records (RIP) and since have released our second full-length »Fallow« in 2024. By the time this comes out we’ll have announced our self-titled record which we recorded at Helvete Studios in Portland, Oregon with our good friend Seànan. Our single comes out April 10th. This one is all self disturbed with the help of Seánan McCullough at Helvete Studios and Glass Pyre Records, which is run by our bassist (Chad).
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Our biggest challenge thus far has been finding time between our regular lives, other bands, and work. We’ve found that dedicating one day a week to meet up, regardless of what is happening in our personal lives, to get together and write has been great. Another challenge is refining our sound. Our first record is vastly different from our new material, but we’re extremely happy with the stress and progress we’ve put into it.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Our biggest accomplishment so far has been a festival that we curated and hosted in Portland. It’s called Pyre Fest. We’re Lu it enough to be close friends with some incredible PNW bands that agreed to play. Both nights sold out and we did not expect that to happen. Thank you, Portland! The lineup was insane. Asphalt, Glasghote, Great Falls, and Mizmor rounded out night 1 while Dispossessed, Oxide, Reburied, and Usnea controlled night 2.
What was your biggest regret?
Lol, mine (Chad) is getting mad at Jake (vocals) for having to cancel a show because of sickness day of. I thought I was texting my wife, “all he has to do is show up and scream,” but I accidentally texted the bands’ group thread. We’re totally good now. Honestly, all jokes aside, we’re very happy with what we’ve done and accomplished and what we are heading towards.
Photo by Will Corwin
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
By far the best tour was being asked by our good friends in Hell to be direct support for their US tour. That was bar none the most fun we’ve had as a band.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Honestly, we’re surprised by the amount of the local community that shows up to shows, the amount of local releases we see from incredible bands. Everyone here is doing cool fucking shit all the time. We are so lucky.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Chad: Deafheaven, Billie Eilish, Teen Mortgage, Explosions in the Sky, Viral Tyrant. The new Unhallowed Earth single fucking rips so hard.
Jordan: Thou. Always Thou. Also, Stress Positions’ new album Harsh Reality is great, SZA. Always SZA too, And Asphalt from PDX hits hard.
Jake: California Curse by Drain, Alluvion by Hell/Mizmor, Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal, and every Hall & Oates song ever (bangers) and Type-O (duh). Always The Clash.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
“Just don’t” – Brent Hinds
What are your guilty pleasures?
Chad: The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. I can’t stop watching. It’s too good and makes me feel better about myself because they’re all trash people.
Jordan: Friends because I had to cancel Netflix so I can’t watch Seinfeld anymore.
Jake: Real Housewives of Salt Lake City – they’re hot trash humans.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Portland?
It’s thriving, supportive, all inclusive, creative, and hands down one of the best in the country. We have so many friends doing amazing things and they all support each other. It’s really fun to see.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We’ll be in Eugene, Oregon July 25th at John Henry’s and in Portland, OR at The Trough on August 23rd for the Volume Bomb Records Fest. We will also by playing the second ever Pyre Fest in Portland, Oregon in November. Details on the TBD. You can catch Jordan on tour with Unhallowed Earth in France in May and on tour with Mizmor in the US in June. If you’re in Oregon/Washington you can catch Jake slangin’ burgers at his new brick and mortar restaurant Goon Burger in Vancouver, WA.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Record, tour, write, repeat.
How can people best support your band?
Coming out to shows. Buying merch from our Bandcamp page. Saying hi after a show. We feel so supported and we love everyone for it.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
We love you all so much and we hope you all feel the same love in return.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well