Die Gruwel are a newly formed Horror/Slasher punk band from Auckland. I’ve been thrashing their first release called Creep In A Jeep so I thought I’d talk to the lads and find out what makes them tick.

Who are the members of Die Gruwel?

Tommy: Greetings, my name is Tommy Legend, aptly named, in part, from the Richard Matheson novel (I Am Legend). Which was sadly destroyed some years later by Hollywood.

Douw: Tommy Legend: Vocals/lyricist, Douw Misfit: Guitars/bass/keyboards/composer, Ash: Drums.

Ash:  Douw, Tom, Ash.

What Does Die Gruwel mean?

Tommy: Die Gruwel, literally translated from Afrikaans means The Horror, or so I'm told...

Douw: Its a Dutch saying meaning The Horror.

Ash: The Horror.

How would you describe your music in one sentence?

Tommy: I like to think of our music as like a Maori show band from the 70's but more metal/punk/horror.

Douw: FIENDISH.

Ash: Three guys who love horror movies.

Tell us about your latest single?

Tommy: Creep In A Jeep is a work of inspiration based off the classic Jeepers Creepers films. I understand the creeper doesn't necessarily drive a jeep in the film, but that song title though.

Douw: Our latest song Creep In A Jeep is about the horror movie Jeepers Creepers,the main focus was on the legendary creeper. 

Ash: It has been a great learning experience around the recording process. 

What can we expect to see from you over the next year? 

Tommy: My fellow Gruwellians and I are working on recording more tracks, gigs, videos, all that jive.

Douw: In a year a lot can happen,we planning on recording more songs and bring out some music videos, casettes, CDs, merch and vinyls. 

Ash: hopefully a full length album. At the speed this is moving I would say it’s very likely.

When did you start and what inspired you to make music?

Douw: Our band started last year, all our members been in other projects over the years. What inspired us is punkrock, horror films and of course Danzig, misfits and horror films. 

Ash: watching my brother play guitar as a child was the most amazing thing I had ever seen in my life all I wanted to do was play music after that but too many people wanted to play guitar so I took up drums.

What drives you to keep on going in the music industry?

Tommy: Just having a passion for music and loving it is enough to keep the horror train a running.

Douw: Our passion for music.

Ash: It’s more of a need now. I don’t want to stop it’s way too much fun.

Do you have any advice for indie artists when it comes to marketing their music?

Tommy: My personal advice is to work on your brand, find direction, sacrifice to the gods.

Ash: your style of music should be just that YOUR STYLE. Don’t copy others just play what you want.

Do you produce your own music or do you use any particular producer or studio?

Tommy: For this particular track, we did mostly produce it ourselves with some input from the sound engineer. Worked out great to be honest. His name is Ralphe, the bees knees really.

Douw: Recorded in studio and produced ourselves.

What's your favourite and least favourite thing about The New Zealand Horror/Slasher punk scene ?

Tommy: I'm not too familiar with the scene sadly. Looks like we are the scene now buddy.

Ash:  I don’t know if there is much of a NZ horror punk scene. There are some great bands out there that I can’t wait to get out there and gig with though.

What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians and bands?

Tommy: My advice is to follow your heart. Follow your black, cold, dead heart.

Douw: My advice to other aspiring musicians and bands would be to never give up on your dreams and keep your head up. If the boogeyman bites, kick him in the balls.

Ash: My advice to others is play what makes you happy not others.

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