Heroes Laid to Rest was a former Indianapolis rust metal band of doom and heaviness. From the demise of Heroes Laid to Rest sprung Indianapolis’ Sleepbringer. Sleepbringer, three fourths of the original HLTR, is a full tilt, smash your head against the wall band of metal purveyors. Comprised of guitarist—vocalist Mike Downton (Emotion Zero, Curb, and Heroes Laid to Rest), bassist--vocalist Mike Naish (Necropharmacon), guitarist Colin Richard (Heroes Laid to Rest), and drummer Rob Lemen (Heroes Laid to Rest and Nidus) all come together in a collaborative effort to bring a wash of color to their brand of organic sonic dissonance.
True to their origins, the band’s sound is reminiscent of bands typically categorized as doom or stoner, but there are added nuances due to changes in song writing and structure. Whether those nuances come in the form of slick guitar solos or disparate then conjoining parts, it is certain that new direction in song writing is more expansive and shifting. There are still detuned guitars, slow and creeping tempos, and off kilter time changes, but there is a new depth and complexity to their music. This depth is in part due to, newest member and bassist, Mike Naish’s playing . Naish joined HLTR at the end of its life replacing then bassist Bill Scott and playing Scott’s bass lines. Naish is in full command of his writing within Sleepbringer. With the lineup solidified the band was able to fully explore the shifting directions in song writing and progression.
Awash in an eerie mix of denseness and at times ghostly sounds, Sleepbringer deliver music that lives in the moment. Recently both Mike Downton and Mike Naish discussed with The Cracked Skull musical rejuvenation and depth, Indianapolis’ musical climate, and what the future holds for Sleepbringer.
Heroes Laid to Rest... What Changed? Musical directions, Naish's addition to the band, a musical rejuvenation...?
Mike D: Basically we had come to the conclusion that it wasn't the same band. We found ourselves not playing the Heroes stuff. Not because we didn't like it, but because the other stuff we were writing came together quickly. So we go together and said, "No more Heroes, we'll start over." Plus, with the addition of Mike (Naish) we didn't feel it was right to have him play something else someone else wrote. Mike's playing is quite different from Bill's.
Mike N: Mike (Downton) called me one day and said Heroes was done. I was a little shocked and surprised. He wanted to start a new band to leverage the current talent pool. I really enjoyed Heroes, but I love playing in Sleepbringer. There is a different dynamic to it as opposed to Heroes.
Certain elements of Heroes Laid to Rest seem to remain intact (the core band members, the dropped tunings, the weightiness of the music), but there also seems to be a new depth. Why the shift?
Mike D: I think it's because of Naish. His playing is vastly different from Bill's. Mike has always played bass, where as Bill was a guitarist playing bass. Mike just approaches the song writing process differently. Mike likes to work around the guitar riffs to add new depth. He has a different approach to the bass all together.
Mike N: Style. That's about all there is to it. The tunings provide the color or backdrop to this band. I think the depth comes from all the members of this band as opposed to just one. Downton was the single biggest element in Heroes when I was there, but I could see him shifting from that position the longer I was in the band. Within a year it had changed from Mike (Downton) being a conductor to a collaborator. Everyone told me that Downton was a hardass when it comes to writing, but I've never seen that.
What are the band's influencing factors in the most recent son writing process?
Mike N: For me it has been the complete freedom to do what I want. Sometimes, Mike will mouth the notes to me while we are playing, but I have complete control. We all kind of noodle around while we're writing, and eventually someone plays a riff. Once everyone hears it is when the collaboration really begins. The is where Downton shines. He can pull together what we think are riffs, notes, or pieces of songs and produce something we all love by the next practice. The creative process in this band is simply stimulating for musicians.
Mike D: The process itself hasn't really changed all that much. We mainly go in and one of us will have a riff, and we'll know pretty quickly if it will work. We'll build upon that from the recordings of practices because sometimes parts of songs are scattered. I'll take the audio from practice and start piecing together parts and see what works.
Within the song writing process, who are the main contributors? Is the writing process more organic?
Mike D: It's pretty organic. We just start playing, and eventually we'll all clue into what one of us is doing. We don't lay it out like "Ok, this is the verse. This is the chorus." At our last practice we were all noodling around and Naish comes up with a riff, so Colin and I will stop playing to listen to what he is doing. We try it a few different ways. We'll play it sort of soft, and then build up to the same riff just heavier with full chords and drums. Everyone contributes, which is a change from the norm. Rob has been known to structure songs based on riffs he's heard and who should play what, and Colin we'll even throw in a riff every now and then. It's not that they couldn't before, but I was sort of a taskmaster at times. "You play this here, you play this beat until I nod, and then we'll come in with this riff." I like instant results, and if it's not working I like to move on. We've dumped plenty of riffs because they just didn't seem to work.
Mike N: Everyone contributes. Bottom line. Downton can put together solo and lead parts like nobody's business. I sometimes get lost watching him play. Colin has an ear for what sounds good and when. Rob can keep time better than an atomic clock. I think everyone brings a lot to the table with it comes to song writing. I think it's pretty organic.
As far as Indy's music scene is concerned, where do you feel your place is within it (not status or stature), but rather whom do you feel a sort of kinship musically?
Mike D: You know the scene in Indy has always ruled, and it doesn't really matter who is playing. I mean, we always seem to get hooked up with Apostle of Solitude or The Gates of Slumber, so if there were some sort of musical kinship then it would be with bands like that. Our last show we played was with Coffinworm, and goddamn, rip your fucking eyes out and piss on your brain. That shit ruled. Like with most bands in Indy, they just play because they love to play. There is no competition. No bullshit. They record and put out demos because they want to and not for some idealistic noton of 'making it.' I'm comfortable with our 'place.' We don't play out a lot, mainly because of all of our schedules, but the Indy scene rules so much that you can just contact anyone that is setting up a show. Ask them to play, and they'll make it happen. Not because of who we are as a band, but that's just how Indy is.
Mike N: I think the heavy music scene has caught fire in the last few years. There are bands that are more digestable than others, but the musicians themselves are a close, tightly knit bunch. Some bands the I've gotten to know better are Apostle of Solitude, Nidus, and Order of the Black Hand. All those guys are awesome musicians and people too. We tend to get lumped into the 'metal' category, which is fine, but we are a doom band. Slow, heavy, with alternating time signatures... It is not like the typical fast metal song structure that we see a lot of.
With that in mind, how healthy of an environment is Indy for cultivating and producing meaningful muisc? Do you feel that Indy is representative of a city that for whatever reason(s) seems to produce some of the most forward and challenging heavy music in the Midwest currently? Or would you say the music being made in Indy and around Indy is more of a reflection of current times?
Mike N: Yes. It's healthy here. Sometimes we see a lot o f the same people at shows, but those are the true fans. I like going to heavy shows because I will always know someone. Honestly, I have not looked elsewhere too much. The shows I've played out of town have been ok, but I always like coming home to the Melody Inn or Zanies to see a show.
Mike D: In my opinion, Indy has always ruled. The best part is that people that I met back in 1990 or 1991 are still around, in bands, booking shows, putting out demos, and making zines. There really is amazing going on from Rev. Payton, Yuki, Mavarich, Worldeater, The Dockers, The Gitmo's, The Gates of Slumber... Every style seems to be represented. I think that because people in Indy do give a shit allows an opportunity for bands to be heard no matter the audience size. Just go to Rippy's basement for a show, the 1511 house, or the Melody Inn. You'll see new bands all the time because the people that put on these shows actually give a shit. They want to give back somehow, and that rules. The Dojo will be up and running soon. It's a new collective that I think will have a huge impact on the DIY music community in and around Indy. When places like this can survive, then only good thing can happen for everyone.
What's on the horizon for Sleepbringer? Recording, shows, releases...
Mike D: Good question. The plan is to record at the beginning of August. What we'll do with those tracks are unknown. We know one, possibly two songs will go to the Droning Earth compilation series. We'll most likely send the rest to At A Loss and Seventh Rule, and see if they might be interested in releasing them. Regardless, a DIY type of demo will be made for the masses. As far as shows... Whenever, wherever really... Our schedules can be hectic at times, namely mine since I'm in graduate school at IU Bloomington and moving down there this fall. That might slow things down.
Mike N: I'm looking forward to recording because it's high time we have a record. We will probably have enough music for two records, but like a big penis contest you only want to show enough to win. With Mike (Downton) working on his Ph.D., we take things as they come. I can't say that we have any other real plans other than to play shows when we can, practice, and continue to write music that makes us happy.
Contact Sleepbringer at myspace.com/sleepbringer
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