Omen Stones drummer & multi-instrumentalist Erik Larson, who has a long history in the underground music scene, agreed to answer a few questions for me.
SJ: How would you describe the Omen Stones sound?
I've been calling what we do a Metal Confluence. We all share a Venn Diagram of 70's Proto Metal, contemporary doom and Death Metal. It's a little bit everything really. Dad Rock.
SJ: How long has Omen Stones been jamming and how did you guys get together?
We've been a band for a very short time. Tommy and I started writing together about 2 years ago, just working ideas out w/out a bassist. Ed joined us about 6 months later, so really the band is less than 2 yrs old. All 3 of us are in other bands and Omen Stones was kinda spawned from a desire to work out some songs that couldn't be used in the other projects, scratch different itches so to speak.
SJ: I know you don't do the social media thing, but I was curious; what's your take on the current state of underground music as it relates to social media?
I do not personally participate in social media, never have, but the band does have a FB page that Tommy moderates for general "Hey we exist" purposes, and we do have a bandcamp page. My personal feelings and choice to remain off of the socials is something that works for me. I've been much happier w/out the distraction. I'm good w/human to human non-electronic interactions, i don't feel like i'm missing anything. I read a lot, I pay attention. As to the second part of your question, it's a multifaceted answer. The socials do do a seemingly good job at networking folks for productive ends w/in the underground music scene, but that seems to be the smaller part of it's daily function. From my vantage, it seems to amplify the darker side of people's negative desires and ambitions, creating disunity and a false narrative of what's important or valued. It's ugly to me.
SJ: How did you get started playing music?
I've always been interested in music from a very young age. I listened to my fathers records in elementary school early on. zeroed in on playing guitar and drums by the time i was 11. Got my first guitar at 9, though i put that instrument down for nearly 15yrs. Started playing in bands when i was newly 12 as a Drummer. I'm still trying to figure both instruments out.
SJ: Would you say you're more into playing guitar or drums?
They're different beasts really. Drums for me are more visceral and immediate. Guitar conveys a more esoteric feeling for me. I get something out of both that is satisfying. These days i've been playing more drums simply because I can't find a drummer to get a band going with my guitar stuff. Drums are kinda my trade instrument at this point. I can sit in and jam on those things better than guitar. I'm self taught on both though, so there's always stuff to learn.
SJ: You've been in a ton of great bands over the years, what advice do you have for musicians getting started?
Main thing i think is you should be enjoying what you do and who you do it with. If it's not fun, it's not gonna last. BTO said it best "Chances are you'll go far, if you get in w/the right bunch of fellows". Having said that, i know plenty of folks who go the solo route and get it done right. Follow your catharsis is what i'd advise.
SJ: What's the craziest thing that ever happened while you were out on tour?
Plenty, as you know Steve, can and does happen. A lot of which i'd prefer not to repeat w/a paper trail. It's hard to narrow down to one thing. I've been robbed by cops, full on brawls against White Power gangs at shows, Tattooed in Squats, Fed by families who didn't share my language or me theirs, Met lots of "Famous" people who were less impressive than "regular" people who just wanted to say hello or thank you for the songs. Really for me there is no "craziest thing", it's all fuckin crazy. It's a beautiful crazy though, i wouldn't want it any other way.
SJ: Any current releases spinning on your turntable these days?
Well, yes. I don't think i'm gonna win any punk points with my answers though. I go in waves of interests and focuses. I'm constantly listening out for new or old stuff that inspires. Having said that, most recently as far as newer releases, i'm really stoked on
Elbow- Giants of all Sizes
Big Wreck- But for the Sun
Book of Wyrms- Remythologizer
Devil To Pay- Forever, Never Whenever
A good portion of the time i have been padding out and digging into a bunch of jazz stuff. I grew up with my Dad listening to a lot of Mile Davis and Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, Chuck Mangione, etc. On top of all that stuff, i've been finding my own players and groups that speak to me. Asechiah Bogdan and I do a band together called Vault, and he and I have been writing a full length weekly and after rehearsals, we often find ourselves sitting at my house pulling out my Dad's old records and listening to that stuff as well as what i've been collecting to compliment that collection. It's a whole world of music opening up. Imagine someone who's never listened to Metal before asking you who are the important bands they should start with. It's a vast impossible answer right? Yea, so that's what i've been doing to myself w/Jazz.
SJ: What can you tell me about the Richmond area music scene?
Richmond is a growing city in every way. It's really truly becoming a city now, where as before it always felt like a Little Big Town kinda thing. The population is exploding, and so with that the different perspectives and voicings also grow. Richmond has had a very solid heavy rock scene for the past 20+yrs, of which i've had the pleasure of participating in in various bands. We've also had a good Punk/HC scene for longer that i've also had the good fortune to contribute to. It is a college town, so there is new energy and ideas that inject into the scene on a regular basis. The availability and amount of places to play ebbs and flows though. The main thing about the Richmond scene that I have always loved, is that no one gives a shit that you're in a band. Every mother fucker here is in a band, so nobody cares. What people care about is if you are good. So it forces people to be good or go home. For the most part, "Band Competition" doesn't exist here. Either you're good or you're not. there is no real in between.
SJ: Any favorite venues or shows you've played in the past?
That's another hard one to qualify. A lot of my favorite places to play are gone. A lot of my favorite places to play have nothing to do w/the venue, but rather the folks who run it or show up. I can say i've been lucky enough to hit most of the famous hot spots for better or worse. The biggest one i worked to make happen was getting to play the Clermont Lounge in Atlanta. That happened. it was awesome and i'll probably never get to do it again.
Omen Stones live:
01/31 Raleigh NC Slims w/ Crystal Spiders, Moryo
02/01 Asheville NC Odditorium
02/02 Indianapolis IN State Street Pub w/ Lavaborne, Drooler
02/03 Louisville KY Highlands Taproom w/ Problem with Dragons
02/04 Cincinnati OH Northside Yacht Club
02/05 Columbus OH Dirty Dungarees w/ Deprecator, False Teeth
02/06 Kent OH The Dome w/ Goosed, Ghost:Hello
02/07 Wilmington DE 1984 Arcade Bar
02/08 Baltimore MD Rituals Bar & Venue w/ Alms, Cavern, Almost Honest
02/09 Richmond VA Fuzzy Cactus w/ Hoboknife, Deathcrown
Omen Stones is:
Ed Fierro – bass
Tommy Hamilton – guitar/vocals
Erik Larson – drums
https://www.facebook.com/OmenStonesVA/
https://omenstones.bandcamp.com/
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