67 Year-Old Grindcore-Singing Mom Is Way More Brutal Than You
November 10, 2015 9:27 AM Subscribe
Known only as The Grindmother, she is a 67 year-old Canadian woman who has taken up grindcore music and her demonic wailing will peel the paint off your walls. Why the Grindmother is the greatest thing to happen to grindcore in 2015.
Check out her page on Bandcamp or watch the video here.
And perhaps most endearing of all, here she is getting her start, recording with her son’s band, Corrupt Leaders.
Check out her page on Bandcamp or watch the video here.
And perhaps most endearing of all, here she is getting her start, recording with her son’s band, Corrupt Leaders.
The thrilled look on her face is the best part. This is fucking adorable.
Now I want to see her do some stuff with Kat (Pig Destroyer/Agoraphobic Nosebleed).
RRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
posted by Existential Dread at 9:54 AM on November 10, 2015
Now I want to see her do some stuff with Kat (Pig Destroyer/Agoraphobic Nosebleed).
RRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
posted by Existential Dread at 9:54 AM on November 10, 2015
If you like this but prefer funk to grindcore, you'll probably enjoy DC's own Granny and the Boys
posted by everybody had matching towels at 9:57 AM on November 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by everybody had matching towels at 9:57 AM on November 10, 2015 [6 favorites]
Oh, man. The picture of her with the hoodie and the mic. So. Good. And her solo band sounds like Rotten Sound! \m/
posted by ignignokt at 9:59 AM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ignignokt at 9:59 AM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm not a huge fan of grindcore, but her excitement and happiness in that video pulled me in.
posted by ilama at 10:13 AM on November 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by ilama at 10:13 AM on November 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Not trying to be an asshole, but what do you like about this music? I can generally find something I like in all musical forms, even country and western, but I'm at a loss here.
posted by Keith Talent at 10:15 AM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Keith Talent at 10:15 AM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
It is impossible for me to not have an enormous grin on my face watching that last link. I've always felt that there is a lot more fun on the production end of this style of music than many realize... This feeds into that quite a bit.
posted by MysticMCJ at 10:18 AM on November 10, 2015
posted by MysticMCJ at 10:18 AM on November 10, 2015
Not trying to be an asshole, but what do you like about this music?
Intensity, catharsis, aggression. On an elemental level, something about distorted guitars, low frequencies, and blasting drums really appeals to me. The vocals are of a piece with those types of frequencies and sounds. Extreme metal is really kind of a life-affirming fuck you to the aggravations of modern life.
posted by Existential Dread at 10:20 AM on November 10, 2015 [16 favorites]
Intensity, catharsis, aggression. On an elemental level, something about distorted guitars, low frequencies, and blasting drums really appeals to me. The vocals are of a piece with those types of frequencies and sounds. Extreme metal is really kind of a life-affirming fuck you to the aggravations of modern life.
posted by Existential Dread at 10:20 AM on November 10, 2015 [16 favorites]
Momm O)))
posted by davebush at 10:22 AM on November 10, 2015 [19 favorites]
posted by davebush at 10:22 AM on November 10, 2015 [19 favorites]
Now if we could only get her to collaborate with Hatebeak.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 10:23 AM on November 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by ZenMasterThis at 10:23 AM on November 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
This is totally inspirational for me- I bought a bass last year and keep thinking at 47 I'm too old to start. Evidently not- Menepunk- hoooooo!!!!
posted by LuckyMonkey21 at 10:29 AM on November 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by LuckyMonkey21 at 10:29 AM on November 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
what do you like about this music?
Do you ever watch gory movies?
posted by solarion at 10:32 AM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Do you ever watch gory movies?
posted by solarion at 10:32 AM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
This is why I don't ever ask my mom "What's up?"
posted by srboisvert at 10:36 AM on November 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by srboisvert at 10:36 AM on November 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
That's a pretty fucking brilliant anti-Harper song.
Not trying to be an asshole, but what do you like about this music?
It's not my go-to genre either, but I can totally appreciate it and it seems pretty damn effective as a cathartic form of expression. The "getting her start" video above is really awesome and brilliantly shows her going through the different phases of thinking it's funny-->understanding what it is-->totally getting into it.
posted by chococat at 10:48 AM on November 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
Not trying to be an asshole, but what do you like about this music?
It's not my go-to genre either, but I can totally appreciate it and it seems pretty damn effective as a cathartic form of expression. The "getting her start" video above is really awesome and brilliantly shows her going through the different phases of thinking it's funny-->understanding what it is-->totally getting into it.
posted by chococat at 10:48 AM on November 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
> even country and western
Love that you used that as a qualifier. :)
No form of music is going to appeal to everyone, but nearly every form of music is going to appeal to someone. Much of it is emotional, and if you are looking for rational answers, I think they really aren't there for the most part. Granted, I'm saying this as a music school dropout, so take that into account - but I feel like there is a tendency to quantify so much of music and measure it on so many technical standards - Quality of tone, complexity, etc. Things that are irrelevant to many traditional and modern forms of music.
Music was about storytelling, about emotion, about tradition, and about emotion WELL before it was ever about technical virtuosity, mass appeal, etc. Theres a rawness that has largely been lost with the refinement of music over the ages, and the categorization of modern music into what we now label things as. When it comes down to it, I believe this rawness was always the heart of music.
When I was a much more unstable and angry person (please note that I am NOT AT ALL saying that this form of music is only for unstable and angry people), various forms of metal formed the soundtrack. I didn't know how to express my feelings for the most part, but I could completely lose myself in the sonic onslaught. The word "catharsis" has come up more than once here, and that's perfect... there was really nothing else quite like it. I remember being at a metal show during a very intense storm... As the band upped the intensity, the storm went with it to the point that chunks of the ceiling were literally falling down on us. It felt like they were channeling gods - It was one of the most awesome shows I've ever been to, and will forever be cemented in my memory.
I think it helped me express and deal with things in a relatively healthy and satisfying manner.
Now that I'm a much less angry and much more stable person, and I've become better at expressing my anger when it does come up, I rarely listen to it - It doesn't have the same draw to me that it once did, but I can still appreciate it in a more detached way.
posted by MysticMCJ at 10:51 AM on November 10, 2015 [8 favorites]
Love that you used that as a qualifier. :)
No form of music is going to appeal to everyone, but nearly every form of music is going to appeal to someone. Much of it is emotional, and if you are looking for rational answers, I think they really aren't there for the most part. Granted, I'm saying this as a music school dropout, so take that into account - but I feel like there is a tendency to quantify so much of music and measure it on so many technical standards - Quality of tone, complexity, etc. Things that are irrelevant to many traditional and modern forms of music.
Music was about storytelling, about emotion, about tradition, and about emotion WELL before it was ever about technical virtuosity, mass appeal, etc. Theres a rawness that has largely been lost with the refinement of music over the ages, and the categorization of modern music into what we now label things as. When it comes down to it, I believe this rawness was always the heart of music.
When I was a much more unstable and angry person (please note that I am NOT AT ALL saying that this form of music is only for unstable and angry people), various forms of metal formed the soundtrack. I didn't know how to express my feelings for the most part, but I could completely lose myself in the sonic onslaught. The word "catharsis" has come up more than once here, and that's perfect... there was really nothing else quite like it. I remember being at a metal show during a very intense storm... As the band upped the intensity, the storm went with it to the point that chunks of the ceiling were literally falling down on us. It felt like they were channeling gods - It was one of the most awesome shows I've ever been to, and will forever be cemented in my memory.
I think it helped me express and deal with things in a relatively healthy and satisfying manner.
Now that I'm a much less angry and much more stable person, and I've become better at expressing my anger when it does come up, I rarely listen to it - It doesn't have the same draw to me that it once did, but I can still appreciate it in a more detached way.
posted by MysticMCJ at 10:51 AM on November 10, 2015 [8 favorites]
You don't have to be a grindcore fan or even understand the genre at all to be delighted by someone who is 67 years-old finding her calling among much younger folks, doing something unexpected, which, oh btw, it turns out she is awesome at. You don't have to like the songs or the sound to think it's awesome that an older person finds satisfaction in expressing frustration and rage, even as she's well into the age bracket where people assume she'd have nothing to say on the subject.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:56 AM on November 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:56 AM on November 10, 2015 [4 favorites]
Not trying to be an asshole, but what do you like about this music?
What's more brutal, aggresive, and violent than 90 second songs played as fast as possible while yelling? Or just listen to Pig Destroyer's Phantom Limb.
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 11:01 AM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
What's more brutal, aggresive, and violent than 90 second songs played as fast as possible while yelling? Or just listen to Pig Destroyer's Phantom Limb.
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 11:01 AM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ladies and gentlemen, meet my new patronus.
posted by pxe2000 at 11:20 AM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by pxe2000 at 11:20 AM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
I remember being at a metal show during a very intense storm... As the band upped the intensity, the storm went with it to the point that chunks of the ceiling were literally falling down on us. It felt like they were channeling gods - It was one of the most awesome shows I've ever been to, and will forever be cemented in my memory.
Ah I had one like this - sludge/stoner metal outdoor show in the desert where the music seemed to pull in an intense dust storm. Definitely one of the most memorable.
posted by mannequito at 11:20 AM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ah I had one like this - sludge/stoner metal outdoor show in the desert where the music seemed to pull in an intense dust storm. Definitely one of the most memorable.
posted by mannequito at 11:20 AM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
well sure, but I am not very brutal
posted by thelonius at 11:28 AM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by thelonius at 11:28 AM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Not trying to be an asshole, but what do you like about this music?
De gustibus non est disputandum.
(You know what makes my skin crawl? Funk and about 90% of the Dead's catalog. Why that and not this? Why does this speak to me? I have no idea.)
posted by Seamus at 11:30 AM on November 10, 2015
De gustibus non est disputandum.
(You know what makes my skin crawl? Funk and about 90% of the Dead's catalog. Why that and not this? Why does this speak to me? I have no idea.)
posted by Seamus at 11:30 AM on November 10, 2015
you mean real funk? or that jamband boogie beat funk?
posted by thelonius at 11:55 AM on November 10, 2015
posted by thelonius at 11:55 AM on November 10, 2015
you mean real funk?
When you said "real funk" I pictured the words coming out of Rufus Thomas's mouth, as he suddenly leaned back 45 degrees and raised his hands, like he was testifying.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:58 AM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
When you said "real funk" I pictured the words coming out of Rufus Thomas's mouth, as he suddenly leaned back 45 degrees and raised his hands, like he was testifying.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:58 AM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
"You threaten me with that? Me who am becoming old?"
posted by clew at 12:53 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by clew at 12:53 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Why that and not this? Why does this speak to me? I have no idea.
As a young teen I had a friend who loved death metal. I had a hard time getting it, but he was an awesome friend; a gentler soul could not be found. As gentle, certainly, but gentler? Nay.
A few years and life experiences later, I was living in Helsinki. Friends invited us to a party where death metal bands would be playing. Y'know, northern Europe, home of people who say "hej/hei" without looking you in the eye and remain silent for the next 15 minutes while drinking beer or cider. I'm from a Norwegian background, so this is also speaking from personal disposition. It took me a while to learn that some people appreciate eye contact and being spoken to after "hi".
We get there, say "hei" to folk. Order beer. Mill around silently. The band gets on stage. "Hei," says the lead singer quietly.
"We're going to play some music."
Polite fiddling around with the cables.
"We hope you like it." Quiet shuffling on stage.
"ARRRARAR GRAAAAAR ARRRRRRRRRRRRR FUUUUUUUUCKKKK AAAAAARRRRRR"
and that was when I understood.
posted by fraula at 1:06 PM on November 10, 2015 [30 favorites]
As a young teen I had a friend who loved death metal. I had a hard time getting it, but he was an awesome friend; a gentler soul could not be found. As gentle, certainly, but gentler? Nay.
A few years and life experiences later, I was living in Helsinki. Friends invited us to a party where death metal bands would be playing. Y'know, northern Europe, home of people who say "hej/hei" without looking you in the eye and remain silent for the next 15 minutes while drinking beer or cider. I'm from a Norwegian background, so this is also speaking from personal disposition. It took me a while to learn that some people appreciate eye contact and being spoken to after "hi".
We get there, say "hei" to folk. Order beer. Mill around silently. The band gets on stage. "Hei," says the lead singer quietly.
"We're going to play some music."
Polite fiddling around with the cables.
"We hope you like it." Quiet shuffling on stage.
"ARRRARAR GRAAAAAR ARRRRRRRRRRRRR FUUUUUUUUCKKKK AAAAAARRRRRR"
and that was when I understood.
posted by fraula at 1:06 PM on November 10, 2015 [30 favorites]
The thing I love about metal is that there truly is a metal song for everyone, and for every occasion.
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 1:22 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 1:22 PM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
I greatly enjoy the existence of the Grindmother but I fear for *-ist reasons: Johnny Ramone would have been 66 this year. Lemmy is sixty-fucking-nine. It requires unpacking.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 1:46 PM on November 10, 2015
posted by Ogre Lawless at 1:46 PM on November 10, 2015
Okay okay okay! Goddamn... Yes, grandma, I'm taking the garbage out now!
posted by markkraft at 1:50 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by markkraft at 1:50 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
you mean real funk? or that jamband boogie beat funk?
Oh, god. Both. (the second being worse, of course)
posted by Seamus at 1:53 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Oh, god. Both. (the second being worse, of course)
posted by Seamus at 1:53 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Exene is 59.
8 years younger than this. But not "young"
I think the beauty is in the finding of the genre at the age, not the age itself.
Someone of that age rarely comes to this thing many of us found in our tortured youths.
And that, in some way, makes this thing seem more relevant to the world and our current lives and not some youthful dalliance.
posted by Seamus at 1:58 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
8 years younger than this. But not "young"
I think the beauty is in the finding of the genre at the age, not the age itself.
Someone of that age rarely comes to this thing many of us found in our tortured youths.
And that, in some way, makes this thing seem more relevant to the world and our current lives and not some youthful dalliance.
posted by Seamus at 1:58 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Grindmother is the best thing to happen to any form of music in this century.
posted by Docrailgun at 5:59 PM on November 10, 2015
posted by Docrailgun at 5:59 PM on November 10, 2015
This just makes me wanna gig with my mom. (When she became an empty-nester her blues picking improved to a ridiculous degree. She started singing, down in Arizona, and people apparently asked to back her up. I mean, *I* always thought she was a great singer, but it's really cool to have other people recognize the woman who sang you lullabies as a baby.)
posted by gusandrews at 7:37 PM on November 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by gusandrews at 7:37 PM on November 10, 2015 [5 favorites]
Ogre Lawless: "I greatly enjoy the existence of the Grindmother but I fear for *-ist reasons: Johnny Ramone would have been 66 this year. Lemmy is sixty-fucking-nine. It requires unpacking."
Don't sweat it. The enjoyment doesn't come from the gender, it comes from the fact that, unlike Johnny and Lemmy, she hasn't been doing this most of her life. It isn't her scene. You'd enjoy it just as much as if some grindcore band had their unmetal 67 year old dad doing the vocals.
posted by Bugbread at 8:30 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Don't sweat it. The enjoyment doesn't come from the gender, it comes from the fact that, unlike Johnny and Lemmy, she hasn't been doing this most of her life. It isn't her scene. You'd enjoy it just as much as if some grindcore band had their unmetal 67 year old dad doing the vocals.
posted by Bugbread at 8:30 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Plus, it's grindcore. I mean, it's not the most brutal of genres, and it's not the newest of genres, but it's head-and-shoulders harder and newer (and therefore the age gap more enjoyable) than the Ramones or Motorhead.
posted by Bugbread at 10:08 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Bugbread at 10:08 PM on November 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
I am friends with her son, who is also in her band. She started doing this as a joke when his other band's singer was a no-show and they just kept it going as a joke for a few years until they started getting media attention. Now they have an album coming out and there is talk of a tour.
posted by peewinkle at 7:33 PM on November 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by peewinkle at 7:33 PM on November 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm mostly an instrumentalist, but I've been trying to do vocals off and on for the last ten years, and what I've never figured out:
How do people do growled vocals without hurting the fuck out of their throats?
posted by Existential Dread at 4:24 PM on November 12, 2015
How do people do growled vocals without hurting the fuck out of their throats?
posted by Existential Dread at 4:24 PM on November 12, 2015
« Older Everything I know about a good death I learned... | reading comprehension and good-old scene analysis Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by gottabefunky at 9:33 AM on November 10, 2015 [2 favorites]