Interview

The Wytches

The genuine rock star is a rare breed. Endless days of touring with a severe lack of sleep and showers can take its toll, and even the most experienced bands will need to rely on their brothers. It’s what keeps surf-doom trio The Wytches floating. We called drummer of the band Gianni while he was shopping for groceries, and talked about frightening flights, online poker and not worrying your mum

 

Interview by Sander van Dalsum, photos shot by Steven Glashier in Brighton, UK

 

 

Hey Gianni. What’s the worst thing a person has ever called your music?

I don’t know. No one ever said anything that bad. My nona said we sound like dying pigs.

 

That’s kind of harsh. Did you ever get pissed off at a review?

Yeah, but I get pissed off at loads of things. Our singer Kristian doesn’t read any reviews. There’s no point; opinions are opinions. People have the right to think what they want.

 

What’s the most uncomfortable situation The Wytches ever gotten themselves into?

That was probably on a flight back from America. We were doing loads of Xanax and were drinking a lot of Southern Comfort. We were jumping over the seats during takeoff and stuff. We were really super smashed, and we nearly got kicked off the flight.

 

You’re afraid of flying?

Yeah, Dan and I both are. Kristian really doesn’t give a fuck. That was the reason we started drinking, because we’re so scared of flying, so we get really hammered.

Besides drinking and taking medication, what do you do to make a long flight comfortable?

Well, I used to play poker for a living, and I still do a little bit. So Kristian and me play against each other for money.

 

And how does a rock star cope with a life of being on the road and playing card games for money then?

It doesn’t work, really. I’ve barely played poker this year. I had a really good two years, but all the money went into our self-funded tours. I plan on playing a lot more next year, because I love just zoning out and not having to think about music for a few hours.

 

 

Something else: who’s the first person you seek contact with when you’re in trouble?

That’s a good question. Probably my brother. I don’t like to stress my mum out, so I don’t really call her that much because she’ll get worried.

 

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever had to tell your mum then?

She was quite impressed when I told her I met Johnny Marr. But my brother usually helps me solve quarrels and arguments. He’s a very strong-minded person. And he’s quite big, ha-ha.

 

Who in The Wytches is the best shoulder to cry on?

Both of them, really. We’ve all been there, man. We’ve all locked our minds together and stuff. We’re actually like brothers, I think. It’s kind of strange.

 

When was the last time you were a brother to Kristian or Dan?

The first year of The Wytches, Kris lived in a box room. One day I met him in town and he was super ill, he could barely stand. We had a show that night but we cancelled it. That’s the only show we’ve ever cancelled. I took him back to my house and nursed him back to health. It took two days and lots of lemons and salad. He sweated the virus out in my bed. My mattress was never the same.

 

Does this kind of stuff happen a lot?

Tours get really hard, man. At the end of the last year – I think it was December – we did loads of tours in Europe, and we were pretty fucking dead. We were in Belgium and we found a big bowl and filled it up with vodka and orange juice and got really drunk. It was the last show, and we lost our minds in the van.

 

One more thing: are you glad the summer is almost gone?

I think Dan is, for sure. He’s just a Goth.

 

 

The Wytches play OCCII, Amsterdam on 4 October. They’re joined by local duo Nancy Acid. The show is free for Subbacultcha! members.