Sourvein Frontman "T-Roy" Medlin Exclusive MetalMartyr.com Interview

The other day I was on MySpace and sent T-Roy (Troy Medlin), the frontman for Southern Sludge Metal madmen Sourvein a rewuest for an interview. But if you don’t know T-Roy then you wouldn’t know that this guy has a lot going on. Also the singer for Hail!Hornet, Blood Of Saints and also involved with a slew of other bands.

Southern Sludge Metal? Yeah, that’s what it’s called in these parts. Southern Sludge is a dirty raw sounding kind of “Doom” style sounding metal that is not for everyone and takes a bit getting used to. But once you start diggin it your hooked like a Neuse river catfish. Anyway I sent T-Roy a message requesting a quick interview and he was cool enough to reply.

MM: I heard you broke your arm recently, How exactly did you do that and is it going to effect the Sourvein tour?

T-Roy: yeah f*cking around in pool. Misjudgment, you live and learn. It won’t effect nothing for tours, I’ve done tours with broken bones before. I write on guitar to record but live I’m just up front howling.

MM: Only 5 more shows till you head to Holland. Looking forward to that?
What are your plans when the tour is over?

T-Roy:yes we are looking forward to the Road Burn Fest big time
we played the club before and its ace, lots of great bands.

Just record a bit and go right back out. We are doing a video very soon for a song off the 3rd E.P.. I think it will be for Imperial Bastard, but not sure as of just yet but it will be good.

MM: I had not heard of Southern Sludge Metal until mid 07 when they sent me the Hail!Hornet record. I wasn’t sure quite what to think of it, being so raw sounding. After a few listens I was hooked. Are you surprised how big of a fan base this metal sub-genre has grown into?

T-Roy: I hope it gets bigger. I been pushing it for over 10 years so bout time, but I know it’s not for everyone and that’s why I think I like it even better, a group of people doing what they want to do.

MM: Your next show is in Wilmington. Do you guys get a huge following and welcome from all your NC shows?

T-Roy: Sometimes we used to sell sh*t out, but its always a good time at home for the most part. Cape Fear is alive with many good bands from all kinds of styles, but we were the first ever signed to a bigger label and the 1st to tour Europe, but here they see us all the time so they are spoiled, but yeah the shows are good in wilm,nc.

MM: Hail!Hornet was an amazing album. Can we expect the crew to get back together again for another record?

T-Roy: we already have for some splits and such but yeah this summer,we all have a little more time to meet at Whisky Vince’s in the summer,not sure but I think we are doing a E.P. soon as well as talks of small tours here and there.

MM: Last, are there any other projects going on or in the works for you?

T-Roy: I am so in to Sourvein right now. I love the boys from home here in the band now my drummer Ramzi ex-Buzzov-ens killing it and Sleepy/Boone/and Cool Clyde hold it down. But I am doing a project with Nick from Graves At Sea soon and doom band Blood Of Saints with guys from Blood Island Raiders/Orange Goblin and Taint, this will be heavy vitus doom and the other project will be bleak. Also doing a solo E.P. for fun. So mostly busy touring with Sourvein.

MM: Thanks for the opportunity, T-Roy!

T-Roy: thx for the interview. Keep posted on us at myspace.com/sourvein13 T-Roy~

Now I can’t lie to you. When I first heard the Hail!Hornet CD Dwell Records sent me I loved everything except the vocals. It just goes to show that like T-Roy said, it’s not for everyone. It was something I honestly wasn’t ready for because of everything else I was listening to, but I gave it a chance and it sort of grows on you and then you just can’t get enough. Then you hear stuff like Sourvein and Weedeater and it just gets you wanting more! You either learn to love it or hate it…and damn I love it!