Interview: Derek Welker talks Moon Blood demo, 5/28 show with Maladjusted

Local feminist punk band Moon Blood has released a new demo, titled Cramp, as a name your price download on Bandcamp. And with most tracks falling just shy of the 1 minute mark, this 5 song EP is just about the best way to spend 4 minutes of your Friday.

But who is Moon Blood?

“Jon (drums) and I had been in a band together that was short lived and I was living with Sinead (vocals) at the time,” explains Moon Blood guitarist Derek Welker, when asked about the band’s orgins. “Jon and Sinead were really the driving force behind making the band happen. We’re all huge fans of female fronted bands and love seeing women involved in the hardcore/punk scene. So we decided to make our contribution. About two months ago we were looking for a new bass player and had brought it up to our friend Africa. One thing led to another, and she’s in. She also designed the beautiful art for the demo.”

The band recorded their demo with Brett V. Kasden, a supporter of the band who currently plays in God’s America and Good Grief.

“It was awesome working with Brett,” says Welker. “He booked our band a few times and has always been very supportive. When he asked to record us we didn’t think twice. I’m a little embarrassed to admit how many hours was spent the day of recording, so I won’t say it. But Brett is the shit.”

The time taken to record is of course incongruent to the band’s short and sweet style, a style influenced from 80s punk legends and encouraged by Moon Blood’s drummer.

“The speed of the songs was a no brainer for us,” Welker explains. “It’s just the way punk should be. As far as the length of the songs that is totally a Jon thing. He likes short fast songs and sets. I think the main influences for us is early hardcore punk and riot girl bands (i.e. Bikini Kill / Minor Threat / X-Ray Spex).”

If you’re looking to catch the band live, you have a few months to prepare (which equals around a billion spins of the demo). Their next show is May 28, supporting Maladjusted at the Womb Room.

Update: Moon Blood has added show at the Bunkhouse, March 24 with Sprindrift and Leather Lungs. Details for that show can be found on Facebook.