JASON MCCASH

The Gates Of Slumber need no introduction, metalheads who like their metal as crushingly heavy as a Cimmerian's blow have been banging their heads to this band's awesome blend of doom & epic heavy metal since the beginning of the millennium. I managed to score an interview one of the creative forces behind the band, the infernally bearded bassist, Mr. Jason Mccash.

 1. Jason, you guys have managed to release 5 full lengths since the beginning of the millennium and quite a few splits & EPs. How did you guys manage to compose so much incredible music in such a short period of time?

 Well, for me it is pretty easy. I really get into the idea of writing songs. Creating them, trying to capture a certain vibe or feeling and spending time in a studio. The magic, the process, it is a natural high and it is very addictive. So when your heart is into doing something, it is very easy to look back and see a path blazed by what drives you. So it is really no surprise that we have done so many albums and written so many songs over the last decade. We are already working on ideas for the next album now.

2. TGOS started drifting towards playing more traditional epic heavy metal with "Conqueror" & "Hymns of Blood and Thunder". "The Wretch" however, sees you going back full circle to your doom roots. Why is that? Not that I’m complaining as I have enjoyed all your stuff.

 The Wretch is what naturally came out of Karl and I at that time. It was where our head and heart was at. The album became the natural reaction to what we were feeling as people at the time we wrote and recorded it. It felt right and both of us were on the same page of what we wanted to do. I love all the albums we have done but you can look back at them and they are all like a musical diary. I can see where I was mentally and emotionally when I look over our catalog.

 
 3. Have you guys started working on any new material? Any new releases in the pipeline?

To an extent yes. We have been messing around with ideas and riffs on a personal level. Going through and flushing ideas out. I have one song already written that I think will be good for the next album and I have some other bits here and there that will grow and mature into something pretty strong. I heard some pieces from Karl and he also has some stuff on the shop floor that I think will come out to be really strong pieces as well. Nothing is in the works as a set time frame for another record but I'm sure by fall of next year, something will come to life for sure. Then again, you never know what tomorrow will bring you.  

4. You recruited J. Clyde after the departure of Iron Bob Fouts. What do you think J adds to the band other than an equally formidable beard?

Fouts is one of my greatest friends in this life and I do miss playing with him and seeing him all the time and he can't be replaced. That being said, Clyde brings Clyde. Himself. He is extremely unique and has a very strong and vibrant personality. Personally and musically. He brings a new dynamic to the band, a different element. He is fun to be on tour with and great to jam with. I'm really looking forward to when we start really working on the next album to have him feel comfortable and able to be more apart of the equation this time.   

5. How do you think your music & lyrics have progressed through the years? Would you say "The Wretch" is a culmination of everything you learned or is it just the natural evolution of your music?

Well, it is both actually. Just like life, you naturally grow as a person from all the experiences that you have gone through in the past. It is the same with writing music. Sometimes after you write a song, you have an idea of like "man, I wish I thought about doing this with that part" and you take that idea then apply it to a new song.

6. You will be on tour with Premonition 13 & Wino in November. Looking forward to that? And how does it feel to be going on tour with such a legendary figure?

I'm really looking forward to it for several reasons. We haven't done a tour since the Orange Goblin tour and I have been home way too long. The other reason, it is Wino. Need I say more? It has been really cool. I mean when TGoS released our first album and someone would have told me that I will be touring with Pentagram, Cathedral twice, Place of Skulls and now Wino in the future, I would have never believed it. The is one of the coolest things about doing the band as well. Seeing some of my favorite bands and artists at work.

7. TGOS are on tour pretty much most of the year. So what would you say was your favorite tour/show? And who would you say was the most fun band to be on tour with?

 That is too hard to say really. Each tour has its own personality and becomes a life of its own. There are always sayings or little dittys that are born on the road that stick to that tour. You always create new friendships that last for a long time and you sometimes get to see a new place for a first time as well. Each tour is awesome and I am really looking forward to new ones in the future.

8. I'm based in Dubai, in a tiny country called the UAE. Given the opportunity, do you think you guys would ever play here? Pretty please? 

I would love to. It all depends on if it can be done where it makes sense for the bands and promoters. If there is a booker that can bring us, then I'm game.

11. Moving away from music. What did you think of the new Conan and Solomon Kane movies?

Man! Awesome. For the most part. The Conan movie was really awesome. It was exactly how I pictured Conan in my head when I read the stories. I like the arch of the story and the action. Looking forward to the DVD, I hope there is an uncut more violent release. There should be. To Solomon Kane, I thought the whole movie was amazing. All the way up to the last fifteen minutes. Those last fifteen minutes though, was complete crap and was just a waste. Which is such a shame since they did such a killer job with the rest of the film. I hope they keep making both though. The world needs new Howard influenced films. I heard they are going to make a Red Sonja and King Kull films too. Looking forward to those as well.

12. Your tattoos are pretty impossible to ignore. I see that you got baroness from G.I Joe on your arm, as well as Conan. What else is there and can you tell me about them?

Dude, GI Joe is my first love! The Larry Hama saga from Marvel during the 80's was the shit and one of the best comics ever done. The cartoons were good and the movie was great too. I love that shit. They are making a new Joe film that will come out in 2012 and I'm SOOO looking forward to it. Firefly is going to be in it! Shit is awesome!

Thanks for taking time off your busy schedule to do this interview Jason, I can't wait to hear the new material you guys are working on and hopefully catch you guys on the road sometime. Until then, keep pumping out more of your special brand of heavy/doom metal.

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