April 1: Louisville Heavy Metal Band Decides to Go Bluegrass

Satan’s Journey altered its logo to reflect the musical switch. Banjo image courtesy Wikimedia Commons/Sally V

Back to 2013 we go for this one. Don’t forget none of this is real. For entertainment only.

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Louisville-based heavy metal band Satan’s Journey has decided to change its genre to a rootsy bluegrass style of music, often known as “newgrass.” The three band members have grown beards and now don overalls on stage.

“We’re really influenced by bands who were influenced by actual bluegrass artists,” said bassist Stig Thrasher, who is saving tip money from his restaurant job to buy a stand-up bass fiddle. “Old Crow Medicine Show, Trampled by Turtles, Mumford and Sons – those guys have been doing it so long, with such well-calculated passion, and it’s just really rubbed off on us.”

The band originally were influenced by hard rock bands who were heavily influenced by early hard rock such as Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and AC/DC. Satan’s Journey cited Metallica and Slayer as influences on its Reverbnation page until recently.

Asked what prompted the band to so drastically alter its musical approach, lead singer and guitarist Von Mauler said it was a combination of no one showing up to their gigs and a complete lack of interest by local music venues and promoters. He says the band will re-write some of its better known metal songs – such as “Baby Killer in Your Mind,” “Desolate Souls of Doom” and “$%#& You, Devil #$%^er” – to fit its new style.

“The fans have spoken,” said Mauler. “The people of Louisville know what they want. If that means we grow stupid-looking beards and wear John Deere t-shirts on stage, so be it. Hell, I’ll even go barefoot and wear a straw hat if I have to. Because the fact is, Forecastle keeps ignoring us, and you don’t get to open for the Avett Brothers if you’re playing Judas Priest covers.”