Have you met Holly Hunt, the fairly new skull-crushing doom-metal atmospheric-sludge band that's taking Miami by storm?
The band's two members — Gavin Perry and Beatriz Monteavaro — are visual artists who live and work in Miami. They create objects for our viewing pleasure and also make some very heavy music, such as the recent release Carrie Fisher.
Last week, New Times had a guitar-geek chat with Perry about the tone of his axe. And then the conversation turned to stage-diving, Jim Morrison, speaking in tongues, and other interesting topics.
New Times: Let's talk about your equipment and your tone. You use a lot of pedals. What is your setup?
Gavin Perry: I have an Ampeg V4 and I've been alternating between another V4 and a Peavey JSX. I use lots of boutique pedals and some standards.
Is that a Marshall cabinet?
No, it is Peavey that has two Hellatone 60s that I swapped in. I would like to work on that end. I think I might make my own after I get my shop set up again. The other is a Traynor that has two 15-inch Eminence speakers. I've had that cabinet for quite a long time.
How long have you been playing guitar?
I got my first guitar when I was 12 or 13. Played a lot through high school, drifted away for a long time, too long. [But] I always kept some gear.
Your sculptures are a lot like your guitar playing. Both are minimal?
Yes!
Tony Iommi and Donald Judd.
I like it.
You never seem to face the crowd during live performances.
Channeling Jim Morrison.
There also seems to be communication via facial expressions between you and Beatriz.
We are speaking in tongues... It's tricky.
You recently did a stage dive.
Yes, during Torche [at Churchill's Pub]. The crowd parted like the Red Sea. Some dude was pretty pissed. I think he was throwing punches until he realized just how big I am.