What is your full name?
Joshua Murphy
Do you have any aliases?
Almost nobody uses my first name, so it’s either Murphy, or just Murph most of the time.
What bands are you actively involved with?
I am the singer / guitarist for the band Blessed Black.
I also play lead guitar in the band War Curse.
What was the first instrument that you played?
Guitar was my first instrument. I started around age 11
Tell me about one of your first musical memories?
One of my earliest music memories is asking my mom to play “Suspicious Minds” by Elvis Presley over and over on our record player when I was around 5 or 6 years old. I guess it was the first time I ever had a favorite Song.
What was the name of the first band you were in?
I played in a punk band called Unity when I was around 15 years old. That was the first actual band that ever played live shows and wrote our own songs.
Tell me about the genesis of Blessed Black.
Blessed Black started at the end of a 2017 US tour with War Curse. I listen to a ton of doom and 70s rock n roll, and I had been thinking about starting a band for years that was more in that realm. Once I got home from the tour, I started writing riffs for what ultimately became the first songs the band would write. Once I had a few things that I liked, I reached out to my friends Chris Emerson and Ray Bates to see about putting together an actual band to see what might come of those song ideas.
What inspired the name Blessed Black?
Blessed Black was originally Blessed Black Blade. A reference to a line in a fantasy book called Elric of Melniboné that I have loved since I was a young child, and that I was heavily influenced by around the time of the formation of the band. After some discussion with the guys, it was shortened down to just Blessed Black.
How long did it take you to write and record Seasons: Vol. 1?
Seasons Vol. 1 was written in the fall of 2022 upon our guitarist Jake joining the band. We had previously written and tracked a full length album prior to Chris leaving the band, but with Jake joining, and us coming into what we felt like was the best lineup this band had seen, we opted to scrap what we had and write fresh.
We discussed the idea of doing multiple short EPs, and once we had 3 songs finalized, we contacted Neil Tuuri at Amish Electric Chair studios in Athens, OH to record, mix, and master our new EP.
Seasons Vol. 1 was tracked over the course of 4 days in early January. We tracked it live in the studio in a room together, and it was the best studio experience any of us have ever had in our time as musicians.
If you could insert yourself into any one band what band would it be and why?
I would have loved to have had the chance to play with Roky Erickson before he passed. I’d also love to jam with the guys in Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats.
Have you ever heard a song and immediately wished you had written it? If so… What was the song and artist?
Tons of songs I’m sure, but Soul on Fire by Danzig comes to mind first.
Do you have any non-metal musical inspirations?
Quite a few. I love and listen to a ton of 50s and 60s soul, 60s and 70s rock and pop, 80s New Wave, Americana and early country, and a lot of 90s hip hop.
What’s a non-metal song that you'd like to do a cover of?
We’ve been covering a mix of Roky Erickson’s “Night of The Vampire, and Stand for The Fire Demon” at a few live shows recently, and it's been a lot of fun.
What band have you played with that has really impressed you with their live show?
Faerie Ring from Evansville, IN might be the best live band around right now.
Do you have a favorite venue to play at?
The Southgate House Revival in Newport, KY is like our second home, and we also love Black Circle in Indianapolis.
Do you have a pre-show ritual?
I like to warm up my voice and my hands about 20-30 minutes before we hit the stage.
What is your favorite thing about touring?
Meeting and seeing so many great people in other cities, playing with amazing bands, and eating awesome food with my friends.
What is your least favorite thing about touring?
The sleeping situations aren’t always ideal, and it can be tough to keep yourself healthy.
Is there a city that you love to hit while on tour?
Chicago is always a blast, and Indianapolis rules.
What’s the weirdest experience you’ve had on the road?
While driving through the high desert in Texas in 2017, we saw some men dragging what appeared to be a dead body into the ditch on the side of the road. Super scary stuff.
The year is 2006. Where are you at and what are you listening to?
Living in my home town of Cincinnati, playing guitar in a metal band, and probably listening to At The Gates “Slaughter of The Soul” album, and Murder City Devils “In Name and Blood”
What advice would you give young musicians that are just starting out in the music business?
Meet and make friends with as many people as possible. Follow up quickly with people and network. Be helpful at shows, and make an impression. Book as many shows as you can in your region and get out there and grind it out on stage.
What is an absolute band killer?
The biggest killer of most bands is the period of time where your band is growing and you need to start touring on at least a semi-regular basis, but you’ve not grown enough yet to draw sizable crowds in most cities. Which adds up to a lot of grinding it out on the road for very little reward. It can be a brutal and demoralizing grind, and a lot of bands can’t last under those circumstances.
Have you ever recorded a song that you really didn’t like, but somebody else in the band really did?
I honestly feel that way about a good portion of our debut album. At the time, it was a reflection of who we were as a band with the lineup and contributing members we had, but it's not what I had intended for this band to sound like if I’m being honest.
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?
You couldn’t pay me enough money to take on that kind of a headache honestly. Festivals are absolute chaos.
What’s the longest time you’ve gone without bathing?
There have been some 4-5 day stretches on early tours for sure.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I’m actually left handed, despite the fact that I play my guitar right handed.
Is the Fistful of DOOM show in the top 10 of your favorite music podcasts?
I can’t say that I’ve ever listened to it, but now I’m going to check it out.
Do unicorns sleep standing up?
Who said they sleep at all?
Give me three albums that I should listen to immediately, if not sooner.
Roky Erickson - The Evil One
Faerie Ring - Weary Traveler
Asteroid - III
You’re driving cross-country and you can only listen to one album the whole time. What album will it be?
Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
You are writing a book about your life thus far. What is the title of that book?
“Sorry I’m late…”
What is your favorite song by Taylor Swift?
I don’t have a favorite, but I don’t have anything bad to say about her either.
Slipknot or Rammstein (if you had to choose)?
I don't actively listen to either, but I guess Rammstein, because their stage show rules.
Doobies or Boobies (if you had to pick one)?
Boobies forever. I know a lot of people who don’t smoke weed, but I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love titties.
Waffles or Pancakes (if you had to pick one)?
Waffle House pecan waffles.
Star Wars or Star Trek (if you had to choose)?
I’m definitely a Star Trek guy. The Next Generation is a top 5 tv show for me.
Favorite band t-shirt you own?
I’m pretty fond of my Roky Erickson “I think of demons” shirt.
Favorite meal?
Grilled chicken breast with broccoli and mashed potatoes.
Favorite book?
This could change depending on when you ask, but currently it's Alan Watts: The Book on the taboo against knowing who you are.
Favorite movie?
Tombstone.
Favorite album?
Pretty much an impossible question to answer.
Favorite video game?
I’m pretty fond of the Legend of Zelda series. I just finished Breath of The Wild. Stoked to start Tears of The Kingdom.
Favorite Professional Wrestler?
This is also a tough one. Probably Mick Foley. All of his characters, but specifically Cactus Jack. I also love Arn Anderson, Sting, and Ric Flair.
Big tip of the hat to Murph for taking the time to answer my questions. Now. I’m going to need every single one of you to click on the link so generously provided below and listen to Blessed Black’s new single Unable. You can thank me later.
~El Pedo Caliente (aka Uncle Jameson from the Fistful of DOOM show)
https://blessedblack.bandcamp.com/track/unable
