Toothgrinder band members Wills Weller (drums) and Justin Matthews (frontman) spoke briefly with Side Stage Magazine on day 2 of Fort Rock. An hour before, they were on stage, second act of the day and gave a great, energetic set and primed the crowd for the rest of the day of rock. Speaking with them, they had as much energy face-to-face as they did on stage. Fort Rock kicks off their tour with Trivium and Bullet for my Valentine. Their excitement and energy was infectious, and their humble attitude about the festival and tour was refreshing. Read about it below and make sure you check out their album and tour dates on Facebook!
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Side Stage Magazine: How’s the festival circuit going for you guys?
Wills Weller: Really good so far!
Justin Matthews: Yeah, it’s like our first real festival circuit, so it’s been fun!
You guys have two more left, right? Carolina Rebellion and Rock on the Range?
WW: Rock on the Range, yeah
I wish I could go to that one! Come on, Tool?
WW: Oh my gosh, yes! And we’re going to be on tour with Trivium and Bullet for my Valentine during!
They were here yesterday, and they were amazing!
WW: Two incredible bands!
I’m excited for you guys! So you guys were on like an hour ago. You guys had a great set!
WW: Yeah, thanks!
JM: It was hot!
WW: It was really hot!
Yeah, and you’re wearing all black, and you’re wearing a jacket, I don’t know how you could do that.
JM: I almost passed out like three times
Oh yeah, yesterday, like an hour in I felt like I was going to pass out in the tent!
JM: That’s like my biggest fear that I’m just going to drop on stage. Today was the closest thing I’ve ever done to that.
WW: I feel like the crowd would be like “Yeah!” and it’s like “no no no!”
So do you guys get to enjoy the rest of the festival today?
WW and JM: Yeah.
JM: I think there’s a pool somewhere up here.
WW: Yeah, I’m jumping in that pool. We have a few more interviews today and a signing at the FYE tent, but yeah, we’re free to do whatever today.
Awesome! Who are you looking forward to?
WW: Ozzy again! For the second time, that’s going to be insane!
Who gets to say that?
JM: I know!
WW: Right? Who gets to play with Ozzy twice in a weekend?
JM: And supposedly the last world tour.
WW: Awesome! I’m so happy!
So you guys just released a new album.
JM: Phantom Amour, yup.
I was listening to it this morning. It’s really good.
JM: Thanks!
So are you guys playing off that album or new songs?
WW: We’ve been playing a lot of those songs, as well as from Nocturnal Masquerade. We always get ideas. We’ll text back and forth ideas, this and that. It’s an ongoing process forever.
I’ll let you guys go, I know you have a full day.
WW: Thank you so much!
JM: Thank you.
Thank you for taking time to speak with me today!
