Although they hail from the usually sunny environment of Los Angeles, psych-/space rock band Tombstones In Their Eyes brings a brooding darkness to their music that comes from inner turmoil and exploration.
The atmospheric outfit released their latest album, Maybe Someday, this past November via Somewherecold Records and it’s filled with dynamically sweeping to ponderously reflective compositions.
Tombstones In Their Eyes have been putting out transporting music for a few years now, usually as a single or EP here and there, like the expansive “Open Skies” from their new album to 2018’s Nothing Here EP and 2017’s strikingly poignant single “Take Me Home.”
John Treanor, songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist of the band, has graciously taken part in our on-going Protest Interview series, highlighting mental health issues (that inform many of their songs) and animal rights.
Hello! Please introduce yourself/yourselves and give a description of your sound/musical vision.
Hi! My name is John Treanor and I am the primary songwriter for Tombstones In Their Eyes. Our band was formed in a time of great emotional/mental turmoil and those feelings and thoughts and sounds came out in the music. As things get better, it’s been a little less doom and gloom, but still on the dark side. I find sad songs soothing, and that’s mostly what I write.
What is/are the main personal, national, and/or international issue(s) concerning you the most these days.
There really is so much to choose from. Our divided country. A political system with no truth or cooperation between parties. A me-first attitude. The gap between rich and poor. The scam of medical insurance. Gun violence. The opioid epidemic.
Our treatment of animals is something that I tend to focus on, as animals have given me so much love and joy. And mental illness is a big one for me, as well. I’ve written many songs with an element of wanting to escape this world due to mental illness.
What song, video, or lyrics quote of yours best represents your current viewpoint on this/these important topic(s)?
I’m going to go with “Shutting Down.” The very end goes (and the two lines are sung on top of each other):
“I’m shutting down I’m shutting down
I will hold on as long as I can
I’m shutting down I’m shutting down
I will hold on as long as I can”
What’s your favorite song, video, or lyrics quote by another act or artist that best exemplifies, or at least partly relates to, your current viewpoint?
It’s old, but still exemplifies my kind of protest music – Ministry’s “New World Order.” (Official video at link below)
What other forms of protest, besides through your music, are you involved with to get your message across?
Mainly adopting lots of animals, haha, which helps the animals and my own mental health. And donating to organizations that do good work with animal welfare.
It’s easy to judge and criticize others, especially in these unsettling times of overt intolerance, ignorance, and insults, but the fact remains that we need to work together. Objecting to and protesting against, but then working on a solution to the problem is critical in ensuring that positive change occurs. Name an action to take, or a campaign/charity that would be worthwhile to contribute to, for your cause.
I think the ASPCA is a good organization and does great work looking out for the rights of animals.
What gives you hope for the future?
The older generation is gradually dying off and hopefully taking most of their prejudices and closed-mindedness with them.
Where can we purchase/stream your music and find out more about you?
Our new record is available here (vinyl soon, too!):
https://tombstonesswc.bandcamp.com/album/maybe-someday
We’re also active on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TombstonesInTheirEyes/
