Doomed Confessionary: Darrell J & Frank (Gâinsayër)
Gâinsayër is a three-piece doomcore/sludge metal band hailing from Dayton, Ohio. The band’s core line-up consists of Frank Harmon (vocals, guitar) and Darrell J Gilbert Jr (vocals, bass).
Pure visceral outward self expression. Explosive sonic filth. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Gâinsayër’s debut ful-length album »Belligerence« was released on May 10th, 2024.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Darrell J: It’s honest, mean, visceral, and designed with the utmost intention of being as sonically explosive as we can, without losing the balance of the music with the intention of just being a 3 piece band.
Frank: In addition to what Darrell stated; It’s the culmination of decades of doing this type of music for me.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Darrell J: None. Nothing was challenging. We knew what we were setting out to do. We have all the necessary means of executing our sound the way we want, and how we want.
Frank: Yeah, it all flows pretty easily now. I’ve been doing this project for a while and it was a bit of a struggle at first (member wise) but that all changed when DJ came aboard.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Darrell J: I am proud of Frank. The things we touch on this whole album are just pure, genuine, and authentic. I contributed some. But the amount of bravery that it takes to reveal yourself in such a way, makes you champion that to the core style of art. We both are very much a creative force, and work well together. Let it rip.
Frank: Same. DJ is a warrior in all aspects of the word.
What was your biggest regret?
Darrell J: Not a regret, but I wish we (Frank & myself) started working together sooner.
Frank: Agreed. There were some people I fucked with in the beginning that wasted my time but ultimately, that was my fault.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Darrell J: Like for our band or one we have attended?
Frank: Gâinsayër has only played a handful of live shows over the past few years. Our last show with Fistula in Covington, KY, USA was pretty good.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Darrell J: I make music with 0 intention on what is going on in the scene. But there are some impressive bands out there.
Frank: Pretty much the same. I’m too old to be influenced at this point. A lot of older shit is deep in my soul, but that’s probably about it. I dig a lot of new bands quite a bit but I just stick to what I know.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Darrell J: Today Is The Day, Dead Velvet, Mare, Cult Leader, Humanity’s Last Breath, Primitive Man, Iron Monkey, Dystopia, Bloodlet, Rotten Sound, Pig Destroyer, and this list goes on.
Frank: Too many to list but genre lwise its’ sludge, Doom, crust, thrash, hardcore, black metal, so on and so forth.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Darrell J: “Fuck the labels, fuck the trends, do what you love, or don’t do it all.”
Frank: “The only thing that truly matters is if YOU like it.”
Photo courtesy: Gary Pelini
What are your guilty pleasures?
Darrell J: I paint and collect Warhammer 40k miniature models, & play D&D.
Frank: I don’t really feel guilty about anything I like to do. I am a bit of a gamer though. Mostly RPGs.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Dayton / Ohio?
Darrell J: I honestly have nothing to say. All the bands I have loved from this city are dead, and gone. I do like Old Speak, though. Has some Mouth Of The Architect folks in it. Super choice stuff if post metal is your thing. But honestly what Dayton, OH achieved in the past was truly remarkable. Its discography is pretty monumental in my musical journey. Especially the well engineered earlier stuff.
Frank: I’ve been into most things underground since I was 13 years old. That was a long fucking time ago (1984). So, things are just… different. I don’t know if they’re better or worse. Things just are not what it used to they used to be. That’s to be expected. Things change.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Darrell J: We are searching for a drummer because I refuse to perform with a drum machine in a live band type setting. I get why folks do it. But I need a real drummer behind me ripping it up with us.
Frank: We’ve found a potential drummer and we’re going forward from here.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Darrell J: Write more music. There is still plenty more to write, and say. Sorry Frank. You’re fucked.
Frank: I’ve been fucked for a while now.
How can people best support your band?
Darrell J: Honestly, our Bandcamp. We will have merch up here shortly as well.
Frank: Be yourselves.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Darrell J: Stay tuned. Wait until you get a load of this next one, and thank you for your support. It means a lot.
Frank: Thanks for everything. A big shout out to our locals and from our people abroad. Italy, Australia, Malaysia, Europe and elsewhere.
Stay salty.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well