I sat down with Steve Grimmett, main man and lead singer for the band to talk about the band and the album.
I sat down with Steve Grimmett, main man and lead singer for the band to talk about the band and the album.
HOUSE OF HORROR
What inspired the name of the band, and what are your influences?
“I joined the band after it formed and had gotten its name, I was in a band called Medusa before, but from my understanding, the name Grim Reaper was chosen because of the doors it opened up image wise, for logos, album covers and band merchandise. It was really inspired the Hammer House of Horror and their whole thematic premise. As for influences, Elton John was a huge influence for me, Judas Priest, Dio and Rainbow all definitely lent a hand in shaping the sound of the band. Indeed, I believe one of the first songs we ever played as a band was Starbreaker by Judas Priest.”
What serves as lyrical inspiration for the songs?
“Definitely the Hammer House of Horror as well as different influences, life, general things that happen around the world. For a time when we started out in the eighties people thought we were Satan Worshippers for some insane reason. This was a real problem in the states, and I once spent about five hours doing an interview convincing this one bloke that no we weren’t devil worshippers. That whole thing baffled me. But thankfully, since then it’s all changed and nobody’s asked about that whole angle. As for the new album, Walking in The Shadows, the title track was inspired by a trip I took once down a graveyard, and the feeling I had that there were all these lost souls there trapped and waiting for release. Wings of Angels is based on the Second World War and the fighter pilots.”
DOWN A GRAVEYARD
DOWN A GRAVEYARD
What serves as lyrical inspiration for the songs?
“Definitely the Hammer House of Horror as well as different influences, life, general things that happen around the world. For a time when we started out in the eighties people thought we were Satan Worshippers for some insane reason. This was a real problem in the states, and I once spent about five hours doing an interview convincing this one bloke that no we weren’t devil worshippers. That whole thing baffled me. But thankfully, since then it’s all changed and nobody’s asked about that whole angle. As for the new album, Walking in The Shadows, the title track was inspired by a trip I took once down a graveyard, and the feeling I had that there were all these lost souls there trapped and waiting for release. Wings of Angels is based on the Second World War and the fighter pilots.”
BIG CHANGES
What changes have there been to the band and the music scene since you first started?
“For the band we’ve gotten older and wiser, and naturally that influences how we do things now. But in the music scene, there’s been some big changes. If you’re a heavy metal band or a hard rock band, you’re unlikely to get signed by a major label. You likely need the support of a smaller label, but even then, you need to have a completed album, with artwork and photos and everything else done before they’ll even consider signing you and working with you. So, the use of home studios has become massively important. Social media is another big thing as well, that has changed. We use all of it, to post about the band, when we’re going on tour, and when we’ve got a new album out. We keep posting there when we’re on tour giving updates, so it’s been really useful and helpful.”
What have you got planned for the future?
“Mainly planning on taking it slow, and recovering from the surgery on my leg. We played Bang Your Head Festival in Germany in July, and since then it’s been a slow process to get back to match fitness. Finding out what I need in hotels, and on stage is also something that I’m taking the time to learn. I believe we’ve got plans to tour next year in Japan and South America, in bursts to give me time to properly recover. We’re also writing a new album for release next year, so we’ll finish that, rehearse it and then start recording.”
SOUTH AMERICA
SOUTH AMERICA
What have you got planned for the future?
“Mainly planning on taking it slow, and recovering from the surgery on my leg. We played Bang Your Head Festival in Germany in July, and since then it’s been a slow process to get back to match fitness. Finding out what I need in hotels, and on stage is also something that I’m taking the time to learn. I believe we’ve got plans to tour next year in Japan and South America, in bursts to give me time to properly recover. We’re also writing a new album for release next year, so we’ll finish that, rehearse it and then start recording.”