Sonic Titans From Beyond

Photo by Julie A. Patterson

Between them, the four members of Shrinebuilder have served in Sleep, OM, Neurosis, the Melvins, the Obsessed, Spirit Caravan, and the Hidden Hand. Oh, and Saint Vitus. If you’re not familiar with these names then you could be reading the wrong magazine. Yep, between them, Scott “Wino” Weinrich, Al Cisneros, Scott Kelly and Dale Crover have had a hand in a bunch of records that make up a large portion of what most people who like slow, heavy music have listened to over the last quarter of a century. It was obvious from the outset that this wasn’t exactly going to be Humble Pie, but the five tracks that make up Shrinebuilder’s self-titled debut album are so untouchably brilliant that they blew even the expectations of those with sky-high hopes to incy-wincy, teeny-weeny smithereens. It’s basically a masterpiece. Put this magazine down and buy it now. Seeing as all four of the guys in Shrinebuilder play in lots of other bands and live in different cities, it was always going to be a chore getting them together for an interview. We were lucky enough to get Scott Kelly on the phone for a few minutes, so we were happier than a pig in shit. Turns out Scott is a man of few words, but they are all good ones, so heed them. Vice: Hello Scott. So how did what basically amounts to every teenage stoner-rock fan’s wank fantasy doom band come together?
Scott Kelly (guitars): Well, originally it was something that Al and Wino had talked about. I think they had actually been talking about it for a long time and I’ve known Al for years so he just asked me if I wanted to play guitar on the record. It wasn’t like I was going to say no to being in a band with Wino. What’s it like waking up and thinking, “Holy crap, I’m in a band with Wino!”?
Well, we’d kind of moved in similar circles for a long time, but we’d never actually met, so it was strange to finally meet him, but it was great making the record, if that is what you mean. We did it very fast in very few takes and there was a real energy in the room that you can hear on the record. It was something I’ve never quite experienced before, and I’ve made quite a few records. How do you feel about people describing Shrinebuilder as a supergroup?
We don’t use that word. CIRCLE JAMS

Shrinebuilder’s self-titled debut is available on Neurot Recordings right now. myspace.com/shrinebuildergroup