Getting to Know… Slow Green Thing | Interview 🎤

In the 407^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from German stoner metal band, Slow Green Thing.

“We blend the gritty, heavy essence of stoner and doom metal with a touch of 70s hard rock vibe and our own modern, experimental twists.” Rock on, Slow Green Thing! In response to our first burning question, the Dresden stoner metal band expounds, “our live performances are where we truly shine – we bring energy, heavy riffs, and a level of authenticity that connects deeply with our audience.” We get the inside scoop on the German band’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and current, and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into Getting to Know… Slow Green Thing: Interview No. 407!

For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes Slow Green Thing distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

Our band stands out because we blend the gritty, heavy essence of stoner and doom metal with a touch of 70s hard rock vibe and our own modern, experimental twists. What really sets us apart is how we mix these influences to create something that’s both familiar and entirely new. Our live performances are where we truly shine – we bring energy, heavy riffs, and a level of authenticity that connects deeply with our audience. We rock the audience’s socks off by immersing them in a sound that’s not just heard but felt, creating an experience that’s both intense and unforgettable. It’s about the vibe, the energy, and the connection we forge with every note we play.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Slow Green Thing form and what were some of the goals or visions you had early on?

Our band formed out of a shared passion for the heavy, soul-stirring realms of stoner and doom metal, combined with our respect and love for ’70s hard rock. The initial spark was lit when one of our members refused to let the music die with his previous band, setting out to create something new yet deeply rooted in the traditions of our favorite genres. Early on, our vision was to craft music that not only paid homage to the giants of the past but also pushed the boundaries of our genre with our own unique sound. We wanted to create tunes that hit hard, resonate deeply, and keep the listener coming back for more. Another key goal was to build a community around our music, connecting with fans on a personal level through our live performances and recordings.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Since the band formed, our journey has seen us evolve both musically and in our aspirations. Initially, our vision was deeply rooted in bringing our own spin to the stoner and doom Metal genres, heavily influenced by the giants of ’70s hard rock and the pioneering spirits of the modern metal scene. We aimed to carve out a space where our music could thrive, connecting with fans who share our passion for heavy, riff-driven sounds.

Over the years, our perspectives have broadened. While staying true to our roots remains a cornerstone of our identity, we’ve grown to seek a deeper connection with our audience and the broader music community. Our goals have shifted towards not only refining our sound and pushing our creative boundaries but also expanding our reach, playing more quality shows, and making our mark on the festival circuit. We’re driven by the desire to share our music with a wider audience, to bring our unique blend of stoner and doom Metal to new ears, and to continue evolving as artists. Our aspirations now include fostering a stronger bond within the music community, contributing to its growth, and inspiring others with our journey.

Additionally, some of us are also focused on personal and technical musical development, aiming to enhance our instrumental skills and expand our musical capabilities. This pursuit of growth not only enriches our sound but also opens new avenues for creative expression, allowing us to continually surprise and engage our fans with our evolving talent.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

We draw heavy inspiration from the titans of ’70s hard rock, stoner, and doom Metal, with Black Sabbath at the forefront, guiding our love for heavy, riff-centric music. Their groundbreaking approach has taught us the impact of powerful riffs and the depth they can bring to music.

In addition, bands like Led Zeppelin have pushed us to blend various musical textures into our sound, exploring dynamics and melody. Tool’s complex rhythms and thoughtful lyrics have encouraged us to adopt a more experimental and progressive approach, while Alice in Chains’ emotional depth and vocal harmonies have influenced our thematic and melodic choices.

These bands collectively shape our musical identity, inspiring us to continuously evolve, experiment, and connect with our listeners on a deeper level.

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

We’ve definitely had our fair share of odd moments on the road. One time, we were scheduled to close out a festival on a Sunday morning. We arrived about half an hour late, only to find that almost everyone had left – only a few die-hard fans remained, keen on enjoying their morning drinks with some live music.

Then there was this gig in Berlin where one of our guitar amp heads started overheating, and smoke began billowing out mid-performance. The scene was so bizarre it even got caught on video. And there’s also the story about a band we shared the stage with in central Germany. After their set, they hastily packed up all the backstage water bottles and disappeared without a word. Each of these experiences, as strange as they might be, are part of what makes touring unforgettable and adds to the tales we can tell.

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

Reflecting on our journey so far, “Whispering Voices” holds a special place for us as our favorite song to record. This track exemplifies a significant evolution in our sound, incorporating new rhythms and riffs that challenged us creatively. Its arrangement and delivery allowed us to explore different aspects of our musical identity, pushing us into uncharted territories.

In terms of live performances, we’ve also developed a fondness for playing “Dirty Thoughts” in recent years. It’s a faster-paced track compared to our usual style, and our local fans particularly love that energy boost. Seeing the crowd’s reaction to “Dirty Thoughts” has made it a staple in our setlists, proving to be a real crowd-pleaser. What makes “Whispering Voices” particularly special is how it resonates with our audience. Seeing fans react to its dynamic range — from the haunting melodies to the heavy, pulsating grooves — has been incredibly rewarding. It’s a song that showcases our growth as musicians.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Diving deeper into who we are beyond the music, there’s a blend of backgrounds and interests among us that might catch our fans off guard. For starters, one of us hails from the former USSR and took piano lessons from his grandfather, who was a music teacher, nurturing a profound connection with music from a young age. This same member is also a passionate photographer, finding creativity through the lens as much as through the drum sticks.

Then, there’s our ‘gourmet’ chef in the band, who can whip up culinary delights that are as complex and satisfying as our music.

Another one of us is an avid traveler and a hands-on craftsman, indulging in the joy of creating and exploring with his own two hands. He also shares his love for music as a guitar teacher, spreading the passion for strings and melodies to aspiring musicians.

Lastly, we’ve got a collector in the group, whose eclectic tastes have led him to amass an impressive array of items ranging from bicycles, amps, and guitars, to fine whiskeys. His collection is a testament to our belief in preserving and cherishing the finer things in life, each piece with its own story, much like our songs.

These individual pursuits and talents enrich our band’s dynamic, bringing a unique flavor to our music and how we interact with the world around us.

Closing out, what is Slow Green Thing currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

As we close out, we’re excited to share that we’re in the midst of working on new material. This project is shaping up to encapsulate our growth as a band, experimenting with new sounds while staying true to the heavy, immersive vibes that define us. We’re also focusing on broadening our live show experiences, aiming to bring our music to more stages and fans across the globe.

While we’re keeping some of the juicier details under wraps for now, what we can say is that this next album feels like a new chapter for us, both musically and personally. We’re exploring themes and sounds that push our boundaries and challenge us to evolve.

Stay tuned to our socials and platforms for sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes content, and announcements about live show schedules. We’re eager to share this next phase of our journey with our fans, who have been our rock through this incredible journey.

Follow…Slow Green Thing: Instagram • Facebook • Spotify • YouTube • bandcamp

Getting to Know… Slow Green Thing: Interview No. 407 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Slow Green Thing; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Shawn Suttle, Tumisu from Pixabay]