Torche rocks without compromise

The rush to categorize music into neat little genres has created some silly classifications.

But doom-pop?

Steve Brooks lead singer of Atlanta's Torche a band that has received this distinction in plenty of reviews of its latest album Meanderthal" is as confused as anyone about this seemingly contradictory descriptor.

""All that stuff is stupid" Brooks said. It's rock. I don't think we really put it into categories. Any of that s--t" it makes no sense.""

Full of soaring guitars and Brooks' even-higher-soaring vocals" Torche's heaviness is immediate but the just barely subterranean pop sensibilities give the band its tough-to-pin-down sound.

But for God's sake" don't call it metal.

""We listen to all kinds of s--t" Brooks said.

I'm not a big fan of metal I like the '80s stuff the thrash stuff" but metal died in the early '90s. Everything has been done. That form of music has just been so limited. We just do whatever we want.""

Those impulses have gained the band plenty of acclaim" earning them spots on several publications' (including this one's) best-of-2008 lists" a fact that is also pretty surprising to Brooks.

""It was a surprise. We weren't expecting anything"" and for (the album) to be on a lot of people's tops list is pretty cool.""

That attention has been a long time coming for Brooks" who said he has been tirelessly touring since the late '90s. But to hear him tell it" there's no secret formula for finally breaking in.

It just takes patience. And plenty of work.

""We did it the hard way. It's pretty funny how you get a lot of attention really quick" he said.

But I've worked my a-- off" and I do it because I love to do it. And it's not like we're rich. We're still struggling.""

Torche has become a hot commodity for festival organizers" landing several appearances at prominent metal festivals in the last year.

And despite his attitude about the genre as a whole" he welcomes the prospect of playing these shows.

""All the bands that play those things are friends of mine"" Brooks said. I just end up just talking the whole entire time.""

Brooks said plans for future touring will be with more rock-oriented bands.

He specifically mentioned garage rock freaks Monotonix as possible partners.

""There are a lot of bands that I love seeing that I'd like to get tours with"" he said. A lot are more rock bands. I don't really care to tour with metal bands in the future.""

But for now"" Brooks said Torche will continue making the music it wants to make. Genre classification be damned.

""We're kind of doing our own thing and it just comes different to different people. We started doing what we're doing years ago. I'm glad people are catching on.""

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Contact the Diversions Editor at dive@unc.edu.