Doomed Confessionary: Patrick Brink (Volume)
Photos by Davy Pelletier
Volume is a heavy fuzzed out psychedelic rock band from the desert of Twentynine Palms, California.
Patrick Brink began Volume back in 1993 with the desire to have a project with which he could take the lead and steer the musical reins down psychedelic rocking routes. Having performed with a number of acts including doing vocals for Fu Manchu in their early days, Volume offered Patrick a new creative outlet. Over their career the band has shared stages with Queens Of The Stone Age, Fu Manchu, Mastadon and Goatsnake, and performed at festivals including Emmisions Of The Monolith and Stoner Hands of Doom (SHoD). Volume draw musical influences from bands such as The Stooges, MC5 and Black Flag to name a few, while also crafting their own distinctive heavy psychedelic identity.
Volume are back following a hiatus to finish what they started and celebrate a career milestone with the 20th anniversary edition vinyl pressing of »Requesting Permission To Land«, released on October 27th, 2023.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Volume is a heavy psych fuzz and roll band birthed out of depths of The Stooges, MC5, and early Monster Magnet rock n roll continuum… For fans that like their music raw and acid bent.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Finding killer players that don’t have commitments to other things.
What can you be most proud of so far?
The new record coming out in November. Had some heavy hitters come in and play on the album- Will let the cat out of the bag on who they are soon.
What was your biggest regret?
No regrets! things happen for a reason – good or bad that grow us and help us make better decisions in the future. Its always a learning process.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Well I just started up the band again after 20 year hiatus, so we haven’t toured since 2003. We are excited about this November as we will be touring the Western States and hopefully the rest of the US next year.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Is that some of the bands in the stoner seen are getting bigger recognition (Elder, Green Lung, etc). Hopefully rock music scene keeps growing.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Monster Magnet, MC5, The Stooges, Thee Hypnotics. I’ve been listening to the same bands over 30 some years.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Go for it! Plain and simple… have a plan and just move toward hitting those goals otherwise you’ll be sitting in your room spinning your wheels wanting things to happen. They just don’t happen. You have to make it happen.
What are your guilty pleasures?
I guess early Taylor Swift.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Twentynine Palms, California?
The music scene that is closest which is the desert (Joshua Tree) is pretty eclectic. We have a lot of bands that are so very different that end up playing together which can be good as it puts you in front of people that otherwise might not give your band/music a listen.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We are playing all over So Cal and even AZ. We currently have shows:
July 5 – Yucca Tap Room (Tempe, AZ)
July 20 The Transplant Brewery (Palmdale, CA)
August 17 – Til Two Club (San Diego, CA)
August 23 – The Escondite (Los Angeles, CA)
August 31 – The Blooze Bar (Phoenix, AZ)
Sept 27 – The Slipper Clutch (Los Angeles, CA)
What are your plans for the future as a band?
To keep playing shows/tour, promote our new record »Joy Of Navigation (A Trip Through The Eternal Unknown)« out November 1st. Hopefully get to Europe next Spring/Summer. And at some point in 2025 record another album.
How can people best support your band?
The normal stuff: Go to shows and buy our merchandise. Share our stuff on social media that goes a long way in getting the word out.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thanks for all your support and so glad you are digging the music! Keep it Heavy!!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well