Bushwhacker Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?


We play our own songs and prefer to write them together as a collective, but sometimes apart also. Our songs typically have lots of parts and at sometime end…usually. Geoff gets an itchy mouth when he eats apples and 3/4 of the band are not circumcised


2.So far you have released 2 full length's and an ep, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recordings and also how do they differ from each other?


There is some sort of cohesiveness between all of the albums, something that makes them all very “Bushwhacker”. The first album is very thrash rooted with an added psychedelic twist. Fish guy is something of a bridge between the gap of the 1st and 2nd full lengths. Still maintaining a psychedelic edge, Fish Guy ventures into a more extreme and technical sound. The latest record, The False Dilemma is a lot more aggressive and dark, showcasing the impact the move from Yukon to Vancouver had on the band, now being immersed in a thriving metal scene.


3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?


Lyrically this album explores the relationships between individual inner struggles/conflicts and how they are a microcosm of society’s conflicts at large.


4.Originally the band was known as 'Minotaur' what was the cause of the new change and also the meaning and inspiration behind the name ‘Bushwhacker'?


At the age of 15 when we first started the band, we strived to have a very fierce metal sounding name and “Minotaur” seemed to do the trick. Soon realizing that there are 100’s of metal bands all over the world with that same name, we figured a change was necessary. “Bushwhacker” not only represents our home of the Yukon, but reflects our mentality of going against the grain and forging ones own path.



5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?


Recently we have opened up for bigger acts such as Kylesa and Cult of Luna here in Vancouver and can safely say that those have been a couple of our biggest shows to date. One of our most memorable shows was the Atlin Music Festival in northern BC prior to us moving south to Vancouver. Being the only metal band to ever play a major folk music festival on a big stage in front of hippies and families we remember it as a very fun and interesting experience.


6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?


We have our record release show here in Vancouver at the Astoria with locals ASTRAKHAN, THE HALLOWED CATHARSIS & SEER onMarch 5th. Following that there is talk of doing a stint of western Canadian dates. Aside from that we have no big touring plans until the summer of 2017 as we have plans to be back in the studio very very soon.


7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?


With the music industry constantly changing it would depend on any given label and what they are offering. As of this time we have not received any serious offers.


8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of extreme and prog metal?


People in both Russia and Norway have purchased albums so that has got to count for something.


9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?


We are currently writing new material that is bringing out the psychedelic and progressive rock elements in a much more refined way.



10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?


Ranging from classic metal heroes to avant garde mystics and riff wizards, we also have the guts to say that we have a soft spot for tastefully done country, pop, and electronic types of music. We think keeping an open mind to all types of music really keeps the creativity fresh and original. Some of our all time favourites to mention are:

Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pink Floyd, Scorpions and Carpenter Brut.


11.What are some of your non musical interests?


Some of our non musical interests include:


Drinking and Drugging

Breaking furniture

Cliff jumping/muff diving

Yelling/scaring neighbours

Stupid jokes & laughing…if you haven’t noticed.

Philosophy, Science, Psychology, and the Occult.


We like to describe ourselves as “intellectual idiots”


12.Before we wrap up this interview do you have any final words or thoughts?


We are out of milk, so coffee is going to fucking suck tomorrow.
https://bushwhackeryukon.bandcamp.com/album/the-false-dilemma