What is your full name?
(S) Steven R. Graff. I will die before I give up my middle name.
(J) Jackie Frank Russell III. Steven’s middle name is Rickroll
Do you have any aliases?
(S) I guess Stöve haha. Me and Jackie were hanging out and getting real hammered and stoned with our friends from Chout a few years back, and we got sucked into making a rap Song with them, where I was given the name Stöve. So I guess Stöve is my alias.
(J) Steve likes to come up with new ones every once in a while. Jackthony Russtano is the one that’s stuck most recently.
What bands are you actively involved with?
(S) We are real good friends with a lot of bands around here, but there isn't anybody I can think of that we are actively involved with right now, as we haven't really been too active from the start of covid. But luckily that's changing now, and I'd love to be actively involved with so many of the amazing bands from around here.
(J) Exosphere is the big kahuna, but I also perform bass with Echo Rose and create Music for my solo project—which is very gay and sparkly. I've worked a lot with Evan Van Dyne (Resuscitate, Synovial) and Max Mobarry (Others by No One, Flummox) who I consider some of my best friends in the music scene.
What was the first instrument that you played?
(S) Trumpet way back when I was maybe when I was 9 or 10 years old. It was fun, but the school band wasn't as fun so I stopped after a year.
(J) I started on trumpet too! My school band was small so my director let me learn and play on whatever instrument was needed. It was there that I learned the rest of the brass section, bass guitar, and drum set. I started learning guitar on my own shortly after picking up trumpet, and I began singing for bands around age 16.
Tell me about one of your first musical memories?
(S) My earliest musical memory besides being taught all the children's songs they have you sing in school, is definitely an All American Rejects Music Video back when I was 5 years old, but I can't remember if it was Dirty Little Secret or Move Along.
(J) I played an original song at my middle school talent show with lots of screaming and mid tier thrash riffs. Kids from that school still remember me for that, it was my first exposure to being known for the thing I loved to do.
What was the name of the first band you were in?
(S) Exosphere.
(J) How & Why was THEE first (played bass and did background vocals), but the illustrious WOMBO COMBO was the first band I was a full fledged front person
Tell me about the genesis of Exosphere.
(S) So I was writing some riffs in high-school with our friend Brett Hernandez (our original bassist), nothing serious though. I had some that kinda stuck with me and it was like half a song's worth. And I was hanging with Jackie and our old friend at the time, fucking around with the riffs. And Jackie was like yo, I can help record that down and make it a full song. And then we liked it enough to get our absolute beast of a drummer Bill involved. That's basically how we formed.
What inspired the name Exosphere?
(S) So I was hanging out with our original bassist and one of our best friends in the entire world Brett Hernandez, and we were definitely trying to spit out some names. But eventually we hopped on Google and were looking up topics to find cool names, and Brett stumbled across Exosphere and was like, "mannnn this is the name we should do". And we've been Exosphere ever since.
(J) I didn’t come up with the name, but Exosphere is a great term as it is not only scientific and mildly astrological, but wholly mundane: the Exosphere is part of the earth, plain and simple. We will never be without it, but will always be better off for its existence.
You recently dropped a new single titled Beg Towards The Sky. Is there a new ep or full-length on the horizon?
(S) We have a real fucked up concept album in the works right now that we are excited beyond words about. Beg Towards the Sky is the beginning of the whole story we are going to be telling pretty much.
(J) This concept is a full-on apocalyptic world that ties a lot of our former aggression into a cohesively gnarly story. The mundane becomes the horror we are on the precipices of.
If you could insert yourself into any one band what band would it be and why?
(S) Hard question, I'd be torn between Kowloon Walled City and Neurosis, because I think those are 2 of the bands that I'd have the easiest time jamming with musically. I don't know scales or note names or keys or anything, but I do know dissonance and big groovy riffs, so those are the only ones I could probably play with and make myself seem like a half way decent guitarist haha. I'd love to say Mastodon, but I don't think I could keep up with them at all.
(J) Devin Townsend’s band for sure, I just wanna scream alongside him in stupid high registers.
Have you ever heard a song and immediately wished you had written it? If so… What was the song and artist?
(S) Compendium by Elder. It was easily the biggest musical experience of my life. I was tripping super hard and hanging with Bill and one of our old friends, so Bill, as our resident straight edge badass drummer, was just sitting back and playing songs for us during the whole thing. Then he turned on Compendium, and it felt like I was inside an erupting volcano. I wished I made that song so badly that we created Exosphere after the experience haha.
(J) Hard to say for sure, but a track like ‘We Ride’ by Strapping Young Lad is in my opinion a perfect metal song, so that would probably be my choice if pushed to make one.
Do you have any non-metal musical inspirations?
(S) Oh we got tons. Personally, I'm very into noise rock/shoegaze side of things, so The Jesus Lizard, BUMMER, Nothing, The Armed, Holy Fawn, Swervedriver, newer Kowloon Walled City (not really a metal band since the first 2 albums), I could go on forever.
(J) I try to keep my tastes as wide open as possible: every genre has greatness in it and I want to know those qualities in case it’s something I can utilize in future music. The newest Kendrick Lamar album is on constant roto for me, along with acts like Black Dresses and Clipping that are pushing the boundaries of modern sample based production.
Is there a non-metal song that you'd like to do a cover of?
(S) Phoxjaws's Melt, You're A Face Of Wax. Super trippy, great riffs, it's dissonant and atmospheric, it's perfect. Would I ever be able to learn it? Probably not.
(J) I’m extremely wary of getting close to the uncanniness that is the Pop goes Punk sound. I tried to cover ‘Hotline Bling’ by Drake at one point and it was inescapable.
What band have you played with that has really impressed you with their live show?
(S) Back in probably 2018/2019, we played a show with Chout at this venue called The Forge, and my jaw was hanging to the floor when they played man. I'd never heard a "local" band that sounded tighter, more professional, and just overall better than even the gigantic rock acts that have went multiple times platinum and all that bullshit. They were basically THE perfect metal'ish stoner grunge shit. It was something special, you had to be there and see them play.
(J) As Steve mentioned Chout was a great band whose members we’re still good friends with. Our other friends in Triguna are another really great band, super unique atonal death metal style composition.
Do you have a favorite venue to play at?
(S) We only played there once so far, but Beat Kitchen is hands down the best venue I've ever played. The stage is big enough for me to act like a jackass, the sound is great up on the stage and off, the crew working there is real cool, just a great place. Any chance we have to play that venue, will fucking will.
(J) Beat Kitchen was able to make my voice sound good on a mic that was clipping literally the entire set. Just for that they’re the best
(S) We love Beat Kitchen
Do you have a pre-show ritual?
(S) For me, Jackie, and Henry, there will never be a time where we aren't found lighting up a bong and some joints before we hit the stage. Bill does not partake though, so this is just me speaking for 3 of us.
(J) What Steve Said
What is your favorite thing about touring?
(S) Sadly we have not had the opportunity to tour yet, but hopefully that day is coming soon.
(J) The ability to meet new musicians is one of the unspoken beauties of live shows, I can’t wait to do so once we’re able to afford and schedule a substantial tour.
What is your least favorite thing about touring?
N/A
Is there a city that you love to hit while on tour?
(J) I want to go through Tennessee to play with my buddies in Flummox, that would be such a killer show.
What’s the weirdest experience you’ve had on the road?
(S) I'll have to pass this question to Bill or Jackie.
(J) I played a show in one of mine Henry and Bill’s old band in Iowa. While there I was hit on by a 50 year old man and had a really weird conversation with a coked out individual. Top 5 show for sure.
The year is 2010. Where are you at and what are you listening to?
(S) I am either 10 or 11, sitting in the corner of my room, probably listening to Black Sabbath and The All American Rejects because I still hadn't really gotten into metal yet. That was 2011 that I really got into it.
(J) I’d be 14 and listening religiously to Metallica and Avenged Sevenfold like the newb metal fan I was
What advice would you give young musicians that are just starting out in the music business?
(S) Don't stop trying no matter what. You will find your crowd eventually.
(J) Have a financial plan. Music can be a fulfilling hobby but it takes more than just drive to make your efforts translate to new audiences
What is an absolute band killer?
(S) Too many drugs and egomaniacs. The combination is lethal.
(J) Lack of communication has ended a majority of my past bands: balancing the lives and schedules of 4 people is often more than many can securely accommodate.
Have you ever recorded a song that you really didn’t like, but somebody else in the band really did?
(S) Our song Clay for sure haha. I brought the riff to Jackie and we made a song out of it. Eventually I was convinced I could do better, but Jackie was like no it's perfect, so we kept it how it is. And it's how it should be too. Just wish I wrote something more evil for it haha.
(J) At the moments of recording I’m pretty consistently excited about the material. In retrospect our song ‘Gargantuan’ definitely runs a bit longer than need be. Also Clay kicks ass Steven don’t know what’s up 😤
(S) Jackie listened to A7X when growing up, don't listen to them.
If you were to start your own music festival what would be the name of that festival and who would be the three headlining bands?
(S) 420 Acid Weed Fest with Mastodon, BUMMER, and Kowloon Walled City. Nothing could ever hope to top that
(J) Weirdo Fest, with Full of Hell, Lingua Ignota, and Devin Townsend.
What’s the longest time you’ve gone without bathing?
(S) Probably 2 or 3 days, any longer and my hair would get pretty gnarly.
(J) I’ve gone a week and change. The Wook-ery of my past haunts me eternally
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
(S) I am just your average stoner who doesn't have a filter on my mouth, so there isn't much about me you wouldn't expect. I like smoking weed, taking long walks on the beach, buying guitar pedals, siphoning gas from people's cars, writing songs in my bedroom, finding stupid memes online to try and attempt to feel any joy again, all the typical 22 year old shit.
(J) I’m like pretty good at bowling. I averaged over 200 last league I was in
Is the Fistful of DOOM show in the top 10 of your favorite music podcasts?
(S) I haven't listened to podcasts very often, but you're our favorite podcast of all time now
(J) I gotta listen to more podcasts, I keep listening to morning radio and now I’m boring.
Do unicorns sleep standing up?
(S) No, they sleep laying down in the dirt because they are filthy, disgusting, volatile creatures. Please somebody legalize Unicorn hunting.
(J) They don’t need to sleep they’re magic duh
You’re driving cross-country and you can only listen to one album the whole time. What album will it be?
(S) Mastodons Hushed and Grim, without a doubt. It's a really long album, it's newer, and it's an amazing album through and through. Whenever I put it on, it stays on for a week or two.
(J) Probably one of the live albums from Devin Townsend, specifically the Royal Albert Hall show. 3 hours of gas.
You are writing a book about your life thus far. What is the title of that book?
(S) How to disappoint your parents and fuck up your back in 5 years or less.
(J) Mildly Annoyed, Perpetually
What is your favorite song by Billie Eilish?
(S) Hammer Smashed Face, she is such a masterful musician, and it's evident with her gnarly guitar tones and wicked riffs.
(J) I’m personally a fan of her hit single ‘Despacito,’ really great stuff.
Slipknot or Rammstein (if you had to choose)?
(S) Hard question since I probably know only 2 songs from each of them, but probably Rammstein since they're industrial, and since they are industrial I'd imagine they have some songs here and there that could possibly border on noise rock.
(J) I like Rammstein’s music a little more, but probably Slipknot so I can relate to the lyrics easier.
Doobies or Boobies (if you had to pick one)?
(S) Both (I’m sorry), but if by Doobies you mean joints, definitely joints. Not much compares to a fat ass joint.
(J) I’m Bi, I’ll take the weed
Waffles or Pancakes (if you had to pick one)?
(S) Pancakes, waffles are food for the bourgeoisie. To make a waffle, you need to buy a stupid special contraption that costs a shit ton of money, where with a pancake you can heat up any surface, pour batter on it, and make a pancake. Pancakes are for the hard working, common man. Waffles are for the cushy elite who have never worked a day in their lives.
(J) Waffles. They have better texture and built in pockets that capture the toppings one puts onto it. You can see clearly that the dichotomy of my correct opinions and Steve’s blatantly wrong opinions are what drive the band creatively.
Star Wars or Star Trek (if you had to choose)?
(S) Star Wars, easily. Star Trek takes itself way too seriously for me to enjoy.
(J) Star Wars for the fact that people get more upset about it, which I find funny.
Favorite band t-shirt you own?
(S) My Mastodon shirt I got from their Unheavenly Skies tour. I love it more than I love the universe.
(J) my Others by No One shirt with cute lil otters on it.
Favorite meal?
(S) Stop with the hard questions already, how can anybody answer this with total certainty? Definitely a toss up between a big hamburger, or some real shoyu ramen. Can't go wrong with either of those.
(J) The one that’s free
Favorite book?
(S) Misery or The Shining. I'm a huge Stephen King fan, but The Shining and Misery are his masterpieces. I was so absorbed in them, probably read both in under a week.
(J) Basic choice but Of Mice and Men made me cry in public at the ending. Nothing’s come close to eliciting that kind of reaction from me.
Favorite movie?
(S) Pulp Fiction, it's the perfect movie. There's crime, violence, drugs, Samuel L Jackson giving his best one liners he has, everything about that movie is perfect.
(J) Life is Beautiful, an Italian film about a Jewish father and son caught in camps during WWII
Favorite album?
(S) Without a doubt, Emperor Of Sand. No other album has so many mind blowing riffs, vocal melodies, drum fills, and raw emotion all packed into one. I can listen to nothing but that album until the end of time.
(J) Ghost by The Devin Townsend Project. So calm and serene and beautiful and catchy and smooth and layered and evolving and
Mucho thanks to S&J for taking the time to answer my questions. I was thoroughly entertained throughout this interview. I appreciate that! I don’t know if these guys are this funny in person or not, but if they are they definitely need to fire up a show over on Twitch. I would be crazy enthusiastic about that. In the meantime, you should fire up their new single Beg Towards the Sky. G-N-A-R-L-Y!
~El Pedo Caliente (aka Uncle Jameson from the Fistful of DOOM show)
https://exosphereband.bandcamp.com/track/beg-towards-the-sky
