Doomed Confessionary: Marco “Chubbs” Gonzalez (Possessive)
Possessive is a blackened death/doom metal band from Boise, Idaho. The line-up consists of Rutger Vanderlaan (drums, vocals), Cory Hentrup (bass, noise) and Marco “Chubbs” Gonzalez (guitar, noise).
They formed in 2017 from the collaboration between members of bands such as Hummingbird Of Death, Tempestarii and Lunar Temple. They have released their debut album in 2018 via Sol Y Nieve, and in recent years have made a name for themselves sharing the stage with great bands like Archgoat, Bell Witch, Body Void, Primitive Man, Uada and Mortuary Drape just to name a few.
Possessive just released their sophomore full-length album »Res Ipsa Loquitur« on November 7th, 2024 via Brucia Records. Fans of Body Void, Primitive Man, Spectral Voice, Full Of Hell and the like, pay heed.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Hey, it’s Chubbs of Possessive! I’ll say this, Possessive is a three piece band that hails from Idaho. Best buds who all cut their teeth playing in the surrounding area brought together by the love of sound waves, very much the story of most musical endeavors. It just happens to be loud and abrasive, even unpleasant. Technically it is a band, but I think of it as an impulse, an outlet, a form of expression that results in fascinating or terrifying moments suspended in the immediate atmosphere.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Just being a human. I’ve realized the older one gets the more responsibilities can stand in the way of having a project, and I’ve seen so many projects succumb to the pull of priorities. But that is an excellent segue into number three
What can you be most proud of so far?
I’m the most proud of the fact that this still matters so much to us three. With all of the changes that life can throw at you if you link up with the right people, the machine moves itself. Find the musicians that get you. They are out there.
What was your biggest regret?
Not something we talk about a lot as a group, we all just keep looking forward. But personally, I wish I would’ve went harder and made an effort to have more material already, I wasted a lot of time in my 2nd decade on this rock. But no time like the present, eh?
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Playing shows with some our inspiring bands like Body Void, Numenorean and Vermin Womb to name a few. For one reason or another we haven’t yet done a tour as Possessive across the entire US but instead like to pull long weekend gigs to nearby bigger cities like Salt Lake City, or Portland. Or Festivals in town like Treefort Music Fest here in good ol’ Boise, ID.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
People like to talk shit on the music scene here, but I’ve always found it vibrant, and colorful. There are so many good musicians here that live to create their artistic vision, with no guarantees of success. To put so much effort into that regardless of who is watching or how many numbers it adds to an account somewhere, it demonstrates to me a music scene with so much character.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
The other guys in the band are so much better about that, they are always showing me awesome stuff. I always feel like a bad “metalhead” but I just like anything that makes me feel something. Currently bands like Chat Pile, Agriculture, Mico, Solbrud, Bog Body, Triac and Scalp to name a couple. But credit goes to my boys always keeping me inspired with “new to me music”. They have good taste.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Warming up and stretching is dumb and stupid but do it anyway. Learn to jam with other people (that includes getting along), toxicity kills opportunities. Lastly, as much as you can, practice developing your ear as quickly as possible. Everything else is extra credit.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Well, on Fridays I always listen to The Smiths and I won’t apologize for that, I just consider that a pleasure. We love all kinds of music. Not all if it has to demonstrate how BRUTAL or TOUGH we are, I’m a sensitive guitar player and I’m the first to admit it, I love my Chihuahuas and big beats. But I can only speak for myself, I’m not about to throw my hermanos under the bus like that. 😉
Can you say something more about current music scene in Boise / Idaho?
I touched on it a little bit. The greater Boise, Idaho scene is so eclectic and will always thrive. regardless of your opinion. Maybe because there’s not a lot of stuff to do here, but I think people try that much harder here because there isn’t a big infrastructure or opportunities, as much as there are in other markets. That hasn’t stopped us or any of the bands here that stand the test of time.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We just played our second album release show 2 weeks ago as of typing this. »Res Ipsa Loquitur« out now on Brucia Records and as of now we don’t have anything booked but we are using this momentum to keep hashing out ideas for “P3” as we call it and another project of ours called “Fleshdirt” but we are open for inquiries at possessive.death@gmail.com.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Possessive 3 and Fleshdirt. One is in the writing stages and one has been tracked fully, and is in the production stages. We have started manifesting ideas to expand the live performances to incorporate more sonic elements, so no two Possessive shows will ever be the same. We know we will play some shows but its too soon to say now exactly when. We just love our creative time.
Do you have any special plans for New Year’s Eve?
Simply enjoy the company of our loved ones, I personally feel like I am nothing without the people I surround myself with. Hopefully by that time we can let everyone in on some more definitive details as to what 2025 holds.
How can people best support your band?
Check out »Res Ipsa Loquitur« at bruciarecords.bandcamp.com. Check out “P1” at possessive.bandcamp.com and follow @possessive.band and @bruciarecords on Instagram to be the first to know about upcoming shows. Buy a CD listen to said CD until it no longer plays 🙂
Do you have any message for your listeners?
From the bottom of my heart, thanks so much to everyone that has taken the time to listen, that has ever bought a piece of merch, or has let us slept on their couches or basements. We have been working on this for awhile, and I could put it into words what it means to me, but somehow it would never accurately describe the feeling. Keep on loving/playing music, I guess. Life is fleeting.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well