Fred Bolzan Of Witchthroat Serpent From Toulouse France Tells All
Interview By: Ginger Coyote
Punk Globe: Fred Tell us about Witchthroat Serpent where are you located in France?
Fred: Hi Ginger and thanks for your interest! Witchthroat Serpent was created in November 2011 in Toulouse, South of France, to spread occult and powerful doom stoner.
Punk Globe: Describe Witchthroat Serpent for the readers.
Fred: We are trying to make the most menacing doom possible! Simple but creepy riffs, fuzzy “dirty ” sound for huge walls of guitars… And clean ghostly voices.
Punk Globe: Besides yourself Fred who is in Witchthroat Serpent and what do they do?
Fred: I started the band with Niko (Drums) and Lo Klav (Bass). After the recording of the third full length, Lo decided to leave the band and was replaced by Ügo, a younger bassist coming from the Thrash scene. Then in 2020, Djé from Pillars joined the band as second guitarist.
Punk Globe: Tell us how you came up with Witchthroat Serpent for a band name.
Fred: I prefer to let the people make their own ideas about that hahaha! Some people tend to believe that a name is a “passage” between 2 worlds, the dead and the living… and other ones think it has a hidden sexual meaning! I love both!
Punk Globe: Judging from your Facebook Page it seems like you tour a lot. So tell us where you slay at the most.
Fred: We’re actually trying to play even more shows in the upcoming years! The band toured extensively throughout Europe, playing a lot of underground shows in various countries and making it to big festivals. What I think we love most is the middle-sized venues where we can pack the place and feel the energy of the crowd from very close.
Punk Globe: Tell us about your audiences in France.
Fred: It depends on the city, they are not automatically the most involved but they never fail to give us a good time. There are always some hardcore fans or people who feel invested in making noise and cheer. We already played in two big festivals in France, the Hellfest, and the Motocultor and it was a great experience.
Punk Globe: Has the band conquered yet in Canada and the USA?
Fred: We sold a big part of our merchandising in Canada and the US. It was Emetic Records (RIP), a US label, that pressed our first LP! But we haven’t had the chance to play in these territories yet. Don’t hesitate to invite us in your basement, heh, we’d be glad to book a tour.
Punk Globe: Witchthroat Serpent has quite a few releases out. Which ones are you most proud of?
Fred: All the productions are different, but I think me and the band prefer the last album’s sound so far! “Trove of Oddities at the Devil’s Driveway” has been recorded live on analog tape at the great Kerwax Studio in Brittany, France. Christophe Chavanon nailed our sound and intention and did the perfect job engineering it.
Punk Globe: Do you have an Internet address where readers can check them out?
Fred: Of course: everything’s on https://witchthroatserpent.bandcamp.com/
Punk Globe: I am not a metalhead except Motorhead but did check out The House That Dripped Blood and Siberian Mist very cool for that style of music. I am an old-school punk rocker.
Fred: Thanks a lot Ginger! very proud to read that!
Punk Globe: How about videos on YouTube?
Fred: It seems that you have quite a few. I don’t often go on YouTube. But from what I’ve seen, some of our videos have quite a bad sound except for one or two maybe. The one at the Saint Helena festival in Germany is probably the best! But it’s already old and doesn’t reflect our new lineup. I’d rather people watch a pirate vid that is from our last show in our hometown Toulouse. Quality is questionable but the energy’s here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au-5edfrTzw
Punk Globe: Tell us about some of your best shows that Witchthroat Serpent has played.
Fred; We played some gigs in Germany and Poland in November 2023. It’s always great to play in that country, we love Germany… People are always here to support us! and the roads are free haha
Punk Globe: Fred, Nhell Monterz tells me you are a big RAMONES fan. Tell us about that.
Fred: Nhell knows me very well hahaha! When I was young I started to listen to the New York punk scene and of course I discovered The Ramones. I am still a big fan! The Dead Boys, the New York Dolls and the Dictators for example. I even had the chance to meet the “awesome” Dick Manitoba a long time ago! It’s the best punk scene for me. I don’t know if our fans find some punk influences in Witchthroat Serpent.
Punk Globe: My band the White Trash Debutantes toured a bit with The Ramones and I was close with Joey and Dee Dee. I also like Chris who replaced Dee Dee in the band.
Fred: Such a small world!
Punk Globe: What is in store for Witchthroat Serpent in the future?
Fred: We’re currently working on new material and looking for ways to tour more and reach places we haven’t yet. ’24 and ’25 are going to be VERY busy years!
Punk Globe: Do You have any Internet Addresses that you would like to share with Punk Globe readers
Fred: https://www.facebook.com/WitchthroatSerpent
Punk Globe: Now for the hard one Fred Describe yourself in three words.
Fred: Old School Horror Movies. Well that’s four words but instructions are made to be disrespected, right?
Punk Globe: Any last words for Punk Globe readers?
Fred: Roll a fat one, set the volume on max, and blast our last LP. If you enjoy it, reach out and help us book a tour so we gladly bring the Doom to your side of the Atlantic!