Feral Meryl – Interview – Thanks for Asking
Written by Staff on March 10, 2024
Feral Meryl – Interview – Thanks for Asking – by Liam Sweeny.
RRX: Every comic book hero has an origin story. What is your origin story? (points if you tell it like a comic book origin.)
FM: What started as a simple heist quickly spiraled into an adventure of a lifetime for the future members of Feral Meryl. After stealing the sacred treasure of a mysterious gnome, the band was cursed with instruments and the skills to play them. Now they must travel the world and play their music to atone for their misdeeds.
RRX: Every artist’s first song is a milestone. But so is the latest song. Describe the first song/album you recorded, and also the latest song/album you recorded; what are the differences?
FM: First song we ever recorded was Natty Lite, which was also the first song we wrote as a band less than a month into our “career”. Looking back now it is easy to say we’ve matured as a band and musicians. We’ve been in the studio working on our new album which we’re hoping will be out in late spring so keep an eye out on all streaming platforms for that.
RRX: Like songs, every artist has a unique feeling about their first show. What was your first show like? Was it your best show? If not, what was your best show like?
FM: Our first show was December 2017 at an infamous (literal) basement DIY / punk venue near UAlbany. During that show an overzealous mosher knocked over the PA, hopped on the drum kit and refused to get off the stage. This led to a fight and ultimately resulted in them being kicked out of the venue. A crazy night and a funny first experience on stage.
Our best show was definitely the first Feral Merylween, one of the first big shows we put together. The energy was electric, the crowd was pumped, the costumes were crazy and musically we were in top form. It was one of those magical nights where everything fell into place perfectly.
RRX: Music genres are difficult for some artists. Some strictly adhere; others not so much. What is your perspective on the genre you play, or the genres you hover around?
FM: We currently label ourselves as Garage / Punk / Celtic Punk but we used to label ourselves as a “Jam Punk” band back in the day. In general we usually don’t worry about sticking to one genre or another, we play what we like and try to make it our own.
RRX: It’s a lot of fun living in the present, but we all collect memories and give birth to dreams. We’re talking dreams here. Where do you see yourself next year? In the next five years?
FM: Next year, we’re committed to building our local fanbase through relentless gigging and releasing new tracks that capture our raw energy. We’ll be hitting up local festivals, playing more shows with and for our friends, connecting with fans face-to-face, and spreading the word about our music. In five years, we see ourselves expanding beyond our hometown, maybe touring regionally, and continuing to grow our presence in the underground music scene.
RRX: We all get a little support from those around us. And we also can be impressed by our fellow performers. Who do you admire in your community, and why?
FM: One band we really admire in our community is our friends from “The Hauntings.” They’re always out there, tearing up stages and leaving audiences wanting more. Their relentless gigging and unwavering dedication to their craft set them apart, and they inspire us to push our own boundaries every time we see them play.
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