AS GHOSTS - FOR THE DEAD
Annsley “AJ” Jennings - @annsleymedia
As ghosts is a Houston based band that formed in July of 2023 and the band consists of: Gash Spadola (guitar, producer) Maze Lozoya (vox), Krueger Rosen (guitar), Cisco Gonzales (bass), and Nick Schwem (drums). Recently, on January 7th, they released their debut EP titled For The Dead.
For The Dead consists of six kick-ass tracks that exude the elements of alternative rock, emo, and post-punk metal through every song. It is a 10/10 EP with my favorite song being Bodybag; the lyricism is just genius.
Aside from the new release, I got the chance to speak with Gash about As Ghosts, its origins, and its future.
How and when did the band begin?
As Ghosts began in July of 2023, by a happy accident. Our vocalist and long-time friend Maze Lozoya came into my studio to record a song she had written called “Angels." When I heard her voice on the track, I was blown away. I reached out to my friend Krueger Rosen to potentially play guitar in a band with me, and he loved the demo and joined the band. I came up with the name As Ghosts, and it stuck. After that, I re-wrote and re-recorded several parts of the original demo, produced the song, and released it without much of a plan. The rest is history.
Who are the current members of the band and what do they contribute?
The current members of the band include me (Gash Spadola, guitarist and producer), Maze Lozoya on vocals, Krueger Rosen on guitar, Cisco Gonzales on bass, and Nick Schwem on drums. Krueger and I write all the instrumentals, and I handle the recording and production in my home studio. Maze writes the lyrics and records her vocals.
How did you choose your band name?
The band name "As Ghosts" was a name I came up with back in my sophomore year of high school for a band I wanted to create. I kept it in the back of my mind, and when this project came along, I thought it was a fitting name. The name itself came from a poem I wrote, which later turned into the lyrics for our song "Bodybag."
How long has your band been around?
As a full band, we have been around since November 29th, 2023, but we started making music together in July of the same year.
What genre or genres of music would you say your band falls under?
Our band falls under a mix of genres, including Post-Hardcore, Alternative Rock, Emo, and some straight-up metal influences.
Who are your influences?
We have a wide range of influences as individuals. From deathcore to classical music, we draw inspiration from various sources and showcase them in our music.
Please explain your creative process.
Our creative process is diverse. Personally, I usually start by writing something on bass, then add drums and record guitar based on the bass riff I wrote. Maze tends to sing a melody in her head while playing the instrumental and adds lyrics later, starting with random words and building from there. Krueger will sit down and put together a full song on guitar, aiming to finish it right then and there to establish a strong foundation.
What was it like to play as a band for the first time?
Playing as a band live for the first time was an incredible experience. We loved meeting everyone and sharing the stage with so many talented bands. We can't wait to play another show soon!
How is playing live and recording in the studio connected?
Playing live and writing music in the studio are connected for us, but we also have some differences. While we try to keep the live performances as close to the recordings as possible, we like to add new elements and variations to keep things exciting. Whether it's a new bass line, a new lead section on guitar, or a new vocal melody, we always try to throw in a wild card to switch things up in a live scenario.
What do you do outside of music that contributes to your musicality?
Outside of music, I'm a huge fan of literature and artwork. These interests inspire the sound we've developed so far and help me develop the visual side of As Ghosts. It helps us "paint a picture" with our music.
How did you come up with the name of the EP?
The name of our EP, "For The Dead," also came from a poem I wrote. It signifies our first real release as a full band and showcases the sound we've developed. It represents where we are musically and the direction we want to move in the future.
How would you describe the EP and what does it mean to you?
"For The Dead" is a collection of songs that demonstrate our sound and musical growth. It holds a special place in our hearts as our first significant release as a band.
What do you hope your music does for people?
We hope our music creates a sense of community and helps people understand that they are not alone in their struggles. Our music is emotionally raw and vulnerable, and we aim to provide solace to those who may feel isolated and misunderstood.
Anything you want to say to your fans and supporters?
To our fans and supporters, we want to express our deepest gratitude. Your support means the world to us. We love each and every one of you. Thank you for being with us on this journey.
All in all, As Ghosts is a fire band that the Houston scene definitely needs to keep their eyes on. As a group that’s fresh out of the gate, the only place they can go is up.
