A Texas Sized Two Piece - An Interview with Red Beard Wall
Written by: Dylan Nagode
So many times I get excited when I see a band that I like announcing a tour, only to check all the dates and find out they are making the usual big giant circle around Oklahoma. It happens with bands both big and small, and is one of the many drawbacks of living here, making me miss many cool acts. Texas is obviously the big draw state with others like Kansas, New Mexico, and Arkansas pulling in respectable names and numbers. Oklahoma is usually left out for one reason or another.
We have been blessed before though with awesome shows like Poland’s Belzebong, Japan’s Boris and seminal stoners Sleep to name a few, but many acts forego a jaunt through the Sooner State. So when smaller, and equally good groups come through our part of the prairie, you know I’ve got to tout and admire the bands that make the extra effort.
Case in point, Red Beard Wall. This doomy duo from Texas has been appearing more frequently, and with an upcoming show at the best spot in Norman for metal on Friday, June 5th, (Shoutout to the Opolis!) We decided it was high time to start showcasing some touring bands who help Keep Oklahoma Heavy! I caught up with the bearded bombers and tried to get an out-of-state perspective on what makes Oklahoma worthy of touring.
Red Beard Wall is:
Aaron Wall - Guitar/Vox
Brent Standifer - Drums
Thank you for giving me some of your time to answer these questions! How did you guys meet, decide on a name, and did you always envision it to be a two-piece band?
It’s an honor. Appreciate the opportunity. I’ll start with the name… The band started as a solo project. I didn’t really have anyone to jam with, because I live over in far west Texas. I wrote a record, and obviously needed a name. It’s simple… I have a red beard and my last name is Wall. Red Beard Wall. As far as how we met… Red Beard Wall had a previous drummer early on and we were asked to play with Brent’s band at the time of Burn Ritual’s record release show. That’s how we became friends. He quit that band, and not too awful long after, the previous drummer and I split after a 2019 tour. Brent heard I was drummerless and hit me up asking if I needed a drummer. In fact, I did… and we’ve been together ever since. We played our first show together right as everything opened back up after COVID. The two-piece thing has just always worked for us. It’s simple… Communication-wise, finance-wise, coordination-wise, travel-wise. We’d rather add gear to fill the sound than more people/personalities to have to try to balance.
What difficulties as a band have you experienced living in different parts of the huge ass state of Texas, and how is the doom scene in Texas different from the rest of the country?
It’s honestly not been difficult. We’re from Texas so driving is something we’re well accustomed to. I also like my solitude, so driving down to his area by myself where we’re hella active is never not welcome. As far as rehearsing… He does his work, I do mine, then we come together to sharpen the details. All the recording and mixing is done from my house. We’re just rocking a comfortable system we’ve curated for ourselves. The Texas doom scene is vast and diverse, yet it’s all connected. In our experience touring the country, there are all these little doom pockets everywhere and we’re all connected. We’ve always been treated like family wherever we go. That’s the scene to me.
It’s a nice thought that wherever you travel there are welcoming people and places for doom. What made you want to come and play in Oklahoma, and why would you recommend other bands to come here?
We’re actually closer to Norman, OKC, and Tulsa than we are to a lot of Texas spots. We have homies there and have had amazing shows in all those spots over the years. We’re big Oklahoma dudes for sure. We 100% recommend bands to travel there. Especially to the Opolis in Norman, that place RULES! Sick sound, rad people. Definitely a special spot.
Aaron Wall
I hope more bands listen to your advice! Your love of Orange is well documented, what is it about these British-made amps that keeps them on your stage?
MASSIVE VOLUME!!!! Beautiful roundness, fullness of tone, and the Dual Dark 100 has the sickest crunch, without the brittle piercing… but again… mainly VOLUME.
Your newest single features two new songs, “W.A.N.T.S.” and “F.T.W.” which feature a nice blend of screaming and singing alongside thunderous double bass, and walls of sound. The lyrics are pretty up front with their message of hatred for billionaires and AI. Were there any recent events outside the normal bullshit that inspired you to write these songs?
I think these songs are a continuation of what I’ve always written about, to a certain extent. These two are much more direct and a lot less friendly, and yes… just ALL “recent” events I’d say. Genocide, pedos roaming free, ICE murdering citizens, etc… but “recent” seems to have been going on a long time.
No fucking joke, I wish it would end soon. You have a show coming up on June 5th at the Opolis in Norman with Sons of Gulliver, and Bugnog, who are both duo bands. Do you see more bands trying to keep members minimal, and what challenges does it bring to your live performance?
I don’t feel like it’s brought challenges live, other than it really forces you to be sharp because there’s no one to hide behind. I think the two-piece thing comes down more to the personality of the people. More solitary peeps like me prefer it because there’s less clutter and less this, and that. Others dig the social part much more than some of us and prefer more peeps around.
Brent Standifer
That makes sense. Speaking of that show; it contains three out of the seven bands playing at Heavy Mash Fest in Texas, which is a great way to give people unable to travel a chance to see a part of it. What have been some of your favorite festivals to play, and are there any memorable moments?
Hell yes! Three, two-pieces… I mean come on. We’ve been fortunate as far as festivals go. We’ve played three out of four Gravitoyd Doom Fests, Ripple Fest, Born to Burn 420 Fest with ASG, Stoner Jam, Lonestar Unleashed, and this will be our second Heavy Mash! Festivals are always such a rad time. Most feel like family reunions, and Heavy Mash is definitely one of those. Stoked!
You’re a part of the Midwest Doom Coalition, which is a DIY effort by multiple people to help connect bands and book shows in their respective regions. How has this partnership helped you, and what are your justifications for taking Texas away from the South?
It’s us taking the South to them. Texas is too vast to leave out! The Coalition has been hella helpful in connecting with other bands to help with shows. We had the opportunity to play July 4th, and New Year’s Eve in Kansas City, solely because of Shane and the MWDC. It’s a rad thing, especially for newer bands trying to connect in different cities.
Shane is an awesome dude for organizing parts of this community, and assisting those in need. If you could describe your sound in a word or phrase, what would it be?
Unfuckwithable.
Agreed! Thank you so much for letting me pick your brain and doing your part to Keep Oklahoma Heavy! Is there anything new coming up for you two that you would like to share with us?
We have a brand new mini-ep, and accompanying video out worldwide now. A new merch line in the next few weeks, as well as the 7 inch vinyl for the EP. Many, many shows, and a new album in early November… details to come. Keep your eyes and ears on us… We will be around. Mad love and respect!! ALL HAIL!!!
Red Beard Wall
Photos by David Diaz and Aleksandra Anderberg
For more on Red Beard Wall or to listen to their music, give them a follow on Instagram and Facebook. You can stream music at Bandcamp or Spotify, and check out their newest music video on YouTube. To snag physical media or merch visit their Bandcamp.
For more info on the Midwest Doom Coalition you can follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
If you enjoyed this review and interview please follow Keep Oklahoma Heavy on Instagram to stay up to date with your favorite local Oklahoma bands, musicians, and artists. Don’t forget to join the mailing list!