Greber

Interview with Marc Bourgon of Greber and Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (https://petesrocknewsandviews.com)

PD: How would you describe yourself or your band as an artist?

MB: We are a two-piece bass and drum metal band from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. We get off on playing loud music, airing our grievances with this nightmare and hanging out together.

PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc.

MB: Steve and I used to play in a band called tugnut and when that band ended we decided to keep playing music together and started Greber. The idea to keep it as a two-piece was strictly organic as we just wanted to do something together and didn’t really see any real need to get anyone else involved at the current time. Maybe that will change someday, maybe not. It’s a wild wild ride out there so who knows?

PD: Who and what inspires you to make music, both in terms of musical and other influences? What do you like to write about in your songs?

MB: There’s an absence of mind while performing that is alluring to me personally and it’s a narcotic that I’ve become strongly attached to over the years. The content of the songs we write about varies but we try to expand our own horizons by illustrating the things that we see in this life that make us laugh, cry, yell and groan. Musically we have a varying musical influence. From Cult Leader to Steely Dan and from Silverchair to Burnt by the Sun, we are apt to steal from just about anyone.

PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?

MB: Just keep creating things that we are excited about and that feel good to play live. It’s always been about honing our craft until we’re sick of it or too old to do it anymore because we look silly.

PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?

MB: We were really excited when we got to go over to Europe and play some shows with our friends in Humanity is a curse a few years back. It was hands down the funnest and most successful tour that either of us had ever done and it was surreal to do it in our little fun project that we started 16 years ago. Who knew?

PD: Promoting one’s music is such a challenge these days, especially with so many new artists emerging from bedrooms in the day of the home studio. How is that going?

MB: It’s definitely a brave new world out there as far as promoting music is concerned. We interact with the internet in a semi-reclusive way which doesn’t really help to grow our fan base but we are taking steps to try our best and not accept the luddite fate that we’ve been dealt. So far reviews are mixed.

PD: And how do you book and promote your live shows and tours? Any performances coming up?

MB: Usually, Steve is the one that takes care of most of the booking as he has far more experience in it than I do. We have a slew of dates around southern Ontario coming up to promote our new record fright without that we are both really excited about it.

PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?

MB: I personally don’t use Spotify but on the other hand, I illegally download music via Soulseek. If I’m into something, I’m always eager to buy a physical copy, be it online or from the group in a live setting. We have our stuff up on Spotify but I feel as though it will go the way of the dinosaur very soon and music will just be available online to stream for free.

PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?

MB: Without Love by Propagandhi. That song is so utterly perfect that I can’t even bring myself to explain why. It brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it and to think that anything I could ever write would do the same blows my mind.

PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?

MB: Not really. It is what it is, as they say. The music industry is but a mirror that reflects back to the world around it. There are some nips and tucks made inorganically to the “dress” but I feel as though its time is not long for this world and it should make as much money as it can while it still draws air.

PD: So, what are you working on at the moment?

MB: Pretty much just trying to get this record out and into the hands of those who want to hear it. Maybe another tour in Europe after the local release shows but nothing solidified in pen form at the moment.

PD: Where can we learn more about you and buy your music/merch online?

MB: You can listen to some music at https://greber.bandcamp.com/ or order the record here: https://linktr.ee/greber