24th August 2009: Monday Mosh #15

24th August 2009: Monday Mosh #15
Welcome everyone to the latest Monday Mosh. Vaughan here as usual, and I’ll get straight into it.

There’s been a lot going on behind the scenes in the Grave Forsaken camp in recent months. A few weeks ago I spoke to our drummer Dave Kilgallon at length on the phone, and we came to the mutual decision that he would no longer continue in the band. This will come as a surprise to many of you, and it really came as a bit of surprise to both Dave and I. In the context of addressing a few difficulties we were having getting the whole band together to rehearse, we both realized that the current lineup wasn’t quite working the way we’d hoped. It was a difficult conversation, but Dave and I are extremely close friends, so we knew we could trust each other to be honest about our feelings. I can truthfully say his departure was a mutual decision with no hint of animosity on either side. In fact, the way it was all handled is proof of how strong the trust is in our band.

So where does this leave the band? We have a big gig at Blackstump coming up in 6 or so weeks. Fortunately, a work friend of Matt’s by the name of Richard Sallows happens to be a drummer and a Christian. On a whim, Matt gave him a call to see if he wanted to jam with us. We had a rehearsal with him and it went well, so we have offered him a trial period in the band up until Blackstump. That gives as a few weeks to rehearse with him and see how the band dynamic goes with him, plus see how he performs in the live arena. After we have played stump with him, we will make an official decision on whether he will join the band permanently. Richard is great guy, and is doing his absolute best to get the job full time. He is into metal and rock, so he fits the bill perfectly. His drumming doesn’t have the thrashing intensity of Dave’s, but so far he has been very solid and easy to work with.

However, it isn’t quite the end of the line for the lineup featuring Dave. As I’ve been discussing in bits and pieces, we have been working with Daniel Holmes on some new material for our next album. Dave has been fully involved in this process and is keen to finish what we have started. So after stump in October, we will hit Fattdog Studio in earnest with the old lineup and record our next album, with a goal to getting the album ready for a mid 2010 release (hopefully). This release will be Dave’s farewell performance with the band, and we are very excited about what will be delivered. The fact that we can even do this is testament to the strength of our friendship with Dave. While the album is being recorded, our live shows will feature the new drummer, be that Richard or someone else.

So as you can see, we are very much in transition at the moment. We are essentially working with 2 drummers for the time being, but both are excellent people who are fully accepting and understanding of the other. So while it has been difficult, we have such a close bond in the band that I’m very confident and excited about the road ahead.

Richard’s first performance with the band will be at The Castle on September 12th. He probably feels like he’s been thrown into the lion’s den, but it will be great to have a show or two under his bullet belt before Black Stump. We are playing at a youth group the following day, and then we have some tentative stuff lined up post stump. Of course, I will keep you all informed.

It would be remiss of me to finish this edition without giving my heartfelt thanks to Dave for his contribution to the band over the last 2 years. We love you like a brother, and already we miss your presence in the band room. The way you have pushed our sound into another zone has been proof in the pudding of your awesome God given talent behind the drums. You are a valued friend, and we have shared experiences and times that I and the rest of Grave Forsaken will cherish forever. I’m so thrilled we can crank out one last album with you, and we are determined to make this the best GF album yet. We all look forward to the good times the future holds.

Until next time – God Bless and Mosh On.

Next Monday Mosh – September 14th.