Doomed Confessionary: Jeff Ayers Jr & Davis Templeton (Stonekind)
Stonekind is a heavy rock duo out of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Their music blends elements of heavy psych/blues, stoner rock, 90s grunge, post-rock, prog, doom, and desert rock to create a unique musical palette of their influences. With a foundation of infectious rhythms and fuzz-drenched riffs, the band layers textured vocals and ethereal guitar sounds to take the listener on an epic emotional journey… with both flowing and unexpected transitions along the ride.
Currently, Stonekind are gearing up to release their sophomore full-length album »Hollow Ground« on June 14th, 2024. Singles »Dune« and »Storyteller« were already lauched and are available now on all major streaming services.
Stonekind are Jeff Ayers Jr (drums, vocals) and Davis Templeton (guitars, bass).
Can you say a few words about your band?
To be honest we aren’t much of a band! Stonekind consists of Davis Templeton (guitars/bass) and Jeff Ayers Jr (drums/vocals).
We started jamming together about 8 or 9 years ago just to get a little creative exercise, and I think we both realized early on we had great chemistry in the rehearsal room. Piecing riffs/transitions together and writing songs was very organic, natural, and fun since the first time we jammed. However, we never imagined we would actually have records out that people liked haha – we are just pretty normal dudes from NC.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Jeff: The biggest challenge is always on the post production side of things. We tend to write really quickly and then take a long time to get a finished piece of music out. Luckily Davis is a work horse and handles 99% of the production/mixing side of things. I get to benefit from all the blood, sweat and tears he puts into it. He really is the driving force of Stonekind. Personally, I still find singing to be a challenge. I always just wanted to be the drummer. After searching high and low for a singer for the first EP we came up short and I reluctantly went for it. I’m still getting comfortable with it.
Davis: Another challenge for us, as with most passions in life, is the limits of free time. We both have families and full-time jobs, so when Jeff and I have the opportunity to get together, we strive to make the most of it. The day before we rehearse, I’m usually perusing through voice memos of riffs to narrow down a potential Stonekind idea… But really Jeff is such a versatile and creative drummer, he can make any riff I come up with sound cool.
What can you be most proud of so far?
The fact that people actually dig the music. I think when we released our first EP we just expected to put it out there and that would be it… the reception really took us by surprise. We are extremely thankful for everyone who has shared our music and continues to say kind things. That’s all we really hope for – maybe it will inspire someone somewhere.
What was your biggest regret?
That we didn’t take Metallica’s offer to tour with them, damnit! In all seriousness, I don’t think we really have any regrets. We just move along on our own timeline and write what we like.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We hate to admit it but we’ve never played live. We searched for other members for a while but it just didn’t work out. It’s easier to keep it a two piece for now – we’ve got a good thing going. If the right opportunity came we would definitely piece a band together and put on live shows.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Just the community out there for the type of music we write and listen to. Everyone has been so amazing and supportive. We never realized such a community existed before we formed Stonekind.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Jeff: Man I’m all over the place. Bob Seger’s »Beautiful Loser« is currently in rotation. I’ve got the new High On Fire single »Burning Down« on repeat, it’s so fucking heavy. After that I might rock out to some George Jones, Grand Funk Railroad (Don Brewer is one of my favorites), or Robin Trower… hell I may put on some Enya. Watch out!
Davis: I’ve really been digging the new singles from REZN… SO heavy. We saw them open for Russian Circles a few years back and their sound was on point. Looking forward to their new record which coincidentally comes out the same day as ours. I’m also enjoying recent releases by The Lunar Effect and Ritual King… and of course High On Fire (best drum sound I’ve heard lately). I love going through my dad’s old vinyl and Terry Reid has been a late night spin recently.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Jeff: My dad always told me it doesn’t matter how good you are, don’t be an asshole. He was right because I’ve played with some. Davis is only an asshole when my ADD kicks in and I can’t pay attention (sorry bud) – he and I are friends first and foremost and I think thats why we work. Even when we don’t always agree on specific things I think we realize when the other person is super passionate about one particular thing, just let them have it. It’s the push and pull of a good musical relationship. I would say the other best advice is you always want to play with people better than you.
Davis: My guitar teacher when I was 12 wouldn’t allow me to use guitar tab… not really advice but it forced me to use my ears / musical brain more and determine where on the neck things sounded and felt the best. Other advice I’ve been given is to feel the note rather than play it. I think a lot of aspiring and even pro guitarists get bogged down by playing really technical / fast leads while sacrificing the feel and emotion of the notes… it works for some music but not really what appeals to us. Plus, my fingers just don’t move that fast haha.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Jeff: Seal’s »Human Beings« album – the production and musicianship on that album is so so good. Also, fuck guilty pleasures. Like what you like!
Davis: I’ve been known to blast some Olivia Rodrigo in the car leaving work on the occasional Friday afternoon (with the windows up of course). Don’t tell anyone. I also enjoy learning how to tie different knots… a weird but potentially useful skill when the apocalypse comes.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Winston-Salem / North Carolina?
A lot of great bands in NC and on the East Coast. Seems like more and more stoner/doom bands are sprouting up in NC recently. Winston-Salem was home to the famous Ziggy’s and is still putting on great shows at The Ramkat… All Them Witches just played there. Red Fang / Baroness have a show there in May.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Nowhere! We will be writing and recording. We have one song that wouldn’t fit on Hollow Ground, so we will be finishing that one up as well as some new ideas.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
The great thing about this project is there is no pressure, we get together, drink beer, write tunes, hit the studio, bitch and cry a lot in post production, forget how to play our instruments, rejoice at a finished product, rinse and repeat. Our next record will probably be a 3-4 song EP within the next year or so to keep things fresh.
How can people best support your band?
Bandcamp has been such a great resource; we’ve been overwhelmed with the generosity of this community. Of course, buying an album or t-shirt helps finance studio time for the next album. The main thing is just keep listening and sharing if you dig!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
From two dudes in NC – we can’t thank you enough. We owe a lot of people a beer or two including the good folks at the Doom Charts. We really never expected anyone to listen, so to have people spreading our music around is pretty fucking cool. It’s always great motivation to keep going when we hit that “oh shit, what have we gotten ourselves into” wall in the recording phase.
Thank you everyone. Much love!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well