Interview with Asbestos Worker
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
My parents loved music but couldn’t play. So when I showed interest at a young age they were quick to foster that. Honestly, I don’t think not playing would have been an option for me. It’s the only thing I life I’m 100% sure of!
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
I play with my 2 kids the most. I also enjoy fixing electronics. I’m currently going to school for electronics engineering. Mainly make guitar amps.
How long has your band been around?
Asbestos Worker started off as a 1 man project in 2018. But recently added 2 more people so we can start playing out more
Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?
We’re in Minneapolis, Minnesota which gets very cold in the winter. Which leads to a lot of available time to make weird music!
How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?
Myself (Josh) and the drummer (Jason) are members of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers local #34. It just seemed to fit
Tell me about your most memorable shows.
Honestly, we’ve only played one show so far. At Caterwaul in Minneapolis this last memorial day put on by Learning Curve Records. We got to play with a lot of my favorite bands. So, it was a very memorable 1st show!
What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?
We loved playing at Mortimer’s in Minneapolis! In the future we want to play everywhere that’ll have us!
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
Throat, Multicult, Naw, The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, and Asbestos Worker
What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?
Do it only to have fun and let the rest take care of itself!
If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?
Quit smoking, dumbass!
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
Fear is the Little Death, because the litany against fear from the Dune novels is something I’ve used in my personal life many times. Right now I think the world is being driven by fear and it weighs heavy on me sometimes.
Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
I love playing our cover of “I Hope You Get Greased" by an awesome band out of Boston Bugs and Rats. It’s also the most requested.
What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?
I usually come up with the base riffs and present it to the guys and we hash it out til it kicks ass. Mostly my inspiration comes from everything that pisses me off about the world.
What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
There are a lot of fucked up things about the world. But with mutual aid and solidarity they can be overcome!
Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?
We haven’t yet! We get along great!
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
Other than our current release “The Seperation” out on Learning Curve Records. We are also working on songs for a split with an excellent band out of Atlanta called Naw. Which will also be coming out on Learning Curve Records.
Connect with Asbestos Worker:
https://www.facebook.com/homeofhaterock
@asbestosworker
Pre-order: https://asbestosworker23.bandcamp.com/