The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.

Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.

Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.

The Obelisk Questionnaire: Steve Colca of Destroyer of Light

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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?

I write and play guitar and do vocals in various projects including Destroyer of Light and Temple of Love, as well play guitar in Lady Strange (High n’ Dry Def Leppard only). Ever since I started my first band at 15, music has been a passion for me. I played rhythm guitar in my first few bands from 15-23, and then I started a 3 piece sludge band that I originally wanted a separate vocalist for, but then I said screw it, and started throat scream/singing in a Matt Pike/Scott Kelly mix from 23-29. From 26-29, I fronted a melodic death metal band as well with growls and high pitch screams.

When I moved to Texas and started Destroyer of Light in 2012, I wanted a frontwoman and to combine melodic doom vocals and death metal growls, but once I again, I said screw it and decided to do it on my own. Becoming a vocalist has been an incredible journey for the last 16 years, and I am glad that I took on the challenge. With the new Destroyer of Light stuff, I feel like I have gotten to the point I’ve wanted to since I first started the band. With the guitar and singing, it is continuous learning curve and growth, and that’s why I love and still do it at 39 years old and have no intention to slow down.

Describe your first musical memory.

Two of the greatest memories from my first band were Brent Oberlin from Thought Industry booking our band at Harvey’s in Kalamazoo, MI, and he actually took somewhat of a “liking” to us, and helped us with shows from time to time. Also, the first time that I got to play Club Soda in Kalamazoo, which was a legendary club for all of us. As a teenage kid, that was a big deal.

Describe your best musical memory to date.

So many to choose from. We’ve gotten to share the stage with some legends that I grew up listening to that I never thought I would. One recent memory is our first post pandemic local show on the Mohawk outdoor stage on 4th of July weekend. A bunch of local homies: Abject Terror, Greenbeard, and Eagle Claw. It was a packed crowd and the energy was electric. You could just feel the happiness of everyone being at a live show again from the bands to the crowd. That’ll be one for the books.

When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?

A few times. However, I would say that 2016 was a weird year. I contemplated quitting Destroyer of Light. Music wasn’t fun for me and started losing my passion for it, which music has always been my cathartic release. I’ve battled depression and anxiety from my teenage years to adulthood, and music has always been my constant. There’s been times I’ve strayed from it and I go down a dark path. With that said though, as a result, we wrote, recorded, and released the Hopeless EP, which is a very honest record about depression and sadness. Every time I listen to it, it’s pretty powerful… and glad that I stuck around because I feel we are writing our best stuff now.

Where do you feel artistic progression leads?

It leads to personal and musical growth. The last few years, I’ve been expanding my musical influences in all my songwriting. If you keep doing the same thing, it gets boring and repetitive. So, you have to mix it up. Sometimes play with new musicians, start new projects, and if your main band stays together long enough, expand and explore with your sound. During the pandemic, Destroyer of Light wrote and recorded two new records and we kind of let loose. You got new wave, ’90s grunge, melodic doom, heavy rock…

These records were really fun to write because we just let it flow. Can’t wait for people to hear it.

How do you define success?

Success comes in many forms. I’m 39 years old, I still get to play guitar through loud amps, play shows with other awesome bands, and go on tour. I get to create and record music in some cool places with my musical friends and go through that process. I will also say this too, when a fan comes up to me and tells me that our music has gotten them through some dark times, or our music uplifts them when they are in a dark place, that means something to me because I’ve been there and that is why I write music and play because other bands’ music did that for me. So, that is success to me.

Would I like to play big arenas, play in front of sold out crowds, make big money, and drive in a limousine with a pool drinking gin? Hell yes I would, but you know, I don’t need that to feel successful in the arts, that’s just an extra bonus if that ever happens.

What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?

Most gas station bathrooms in small town USA

Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.

During the pandemic, I wrote a song that was in the vein of Sade. I would love to do something in the style of Sade or Steely Dan. One of these days, I will release a smooth jazz/funk album. That day will come if I live long enough.

What do you believe is the most essential function of art?

Art should be defined on what you create and do in its purest form. The way you express yourself through your art and letting yourself be honest and open with the people experiencing your art, I find that to be the most important.

Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?

MLB Baseball playoffs, NFL football season, and Halloween. Best time of year.

https://www.facebook.com/destroyeroflight/
http://www.instagram.com/destroyeroflightofficial/
http://destroyeroflight.bandcamp.com/

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https://heavyfriendsrecords.bigcartel.com/

Destroyer of Light, Generational Warfare EP (2020)

Austin doomers Destroyer of Light have never been shy about getting a little weird to one degree or another, so to find them taking on a track from The Cure isn’t necessarily out of character by any means. Still, they certainly change the context of the song and give it a sense of heft to go with its sinister lyrics. I’m not going to lay claim to ever being a fan of The Cure — no doubt I’m a loss that continues to burn in Robert Smith‘s belly to this day — but I get the appeal, and Destroyer of Light‘s take on “Lullaby” is a fair interpretation of the darkness one can find in their otherwise harmless-seeming melodies.

While we’re talking about Destroyer of Light not being shy, it’s worth noting that the EP on which “Lullaby” appears, Generational Warfare, is being released on March 27 through Heavy Friends in an edition of 100 copies to coincide with an April tour that will bring the four-piece to the Eastern Seaboard supporting not only the new two-songer, but 2019’s excellent Mors Aeterna (review here) as well. They’ll do shows in the South with Order of the Owl and hit Grim Reefer Fest in Baltimore on the stretch, and no doubt run out of 7″s long before the shows are done.

Announcement came down the PR wire. Preorders are on Bandcamp:

DESTROYER OF LIGHT: New EP and April Tour Announced

Generational Warfare EP is released 27th March on Heavy Friends Records

The EP will be released on ultra-limited edition 7” vinyl (only 100 copies available) and can be pre-ordered HERE: https://destroyeroflight.bandcamp.com/album/generational-warfare

Formed in 2012 in Austin, Texas, harbingers of doom Destroyer of Light are no idlers. Within a year of forming the heavy-as-hell/louder-than-war quartet released their self-titled EP and in doing so kick started what would become an ongoing DIY endeavour; driven by huge riffs, hallowed tales and endless road journeys.

This March the band return with a brand-new two-track EP entitled Generational Warfare, which is ferried deep into the breach by a commanding cover of one of The Cure’s most celebrated songs, ‘Lullaby’:

“For years, I’ve wanted to cover a The Cure song,” explains guitarist/vocalist, Steve Colca. “Not only am I huge fan, but I always thought that they had some songs that could easily be constructed into a doom song. I think a lot of people don’t realize how heavy the Cure’s music is, especially if you’ve seen or heard them live. We all agreed that ‘Lullaby’ was the perfect choice. The lyrics are super dark and when we started working on it, it just fell into place.”

Complemented by ‘These Walls…’ a song written and recorded during sessions for last year’s impressive Mors Aeterna album on Argonauta Records, Destroyer of Light’s Generational Warfare EP is released on 27th March 2020 on Heavy Friends Records. The band also embark on a month-long tour this April and will play a number of dates alongside Atlanta riff-men, Order of the Owl. (For the full list of dates see below.)

APRIL TOUR DATES:
3/4 – Rudyard’s – Houston, TX
4/4 – Freetown Boom Boom Room – Lafayette, LA
5/4 – TBA – New Orleans, LA
7/4 – Blue Note* – Tampa, FL
8/4 – Las Rosas* – Miami, FL
9/4 – Will’s Pub* – Orlando, FL
10/4 – The Jinx* – Savannah, GA
11/4 – The Atlantic* – Gainesville, FL
12/4 – Archtype* – Jacksonville, FL
14/4 – 529* – Atlanta, GA
15/4 – The Odditorium – Asheville, NC
16/4 – Slim’s – Raleigh, NC
17/4 – Wonderland – Richmond, VA
18/4 – Ritual Bar & Venue (GRIM REEFER FEST) – Baltimore, MD
19/4 – Gold Sounds – New York, NY
20/4 – O’Briens – Boston, MA
21/4 – Dusk – Providence, RI
22/4 – Tubby’s – Kingsland, NY
23/4 – Mohawk Place – Buffalo, NY
24/4 – Gooski’s – Pittsburgh, PA
25/4 – Black Circle Brewery – Indianapolis, IN
26/4 – Mag Bar – Louisville, KY
27/4 – Riot Room – Kansas City, MO
28/4 – Whittier Bar – Tulsa, OK
*w. Order of the Owl

DESTROYER OF LIGHT:
Steve Colca – Guitar/Vocals
Nick Coffman– Bass
Keegan Kjeldsen – Guitar
Penny Turner – Drums

https://www.facebook.com/destroyeroflight/
http://www.instagram.com/destroyeroflightofficial/
http://destroyeroflight.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/heavyfriendsbooking/
https://www.instagram.com/heavyfriendsrecords/
https://heavyfriendsrecords.bigcartel.com/

Destroyer of Light, Generational Warfare EP (2020)