Provide your history as a musician and introduce yourself to those who don’t know you.
I’m Braxton Keyser, founder and promoter of Shamrock Slaughter Fest. I’m also the vocalist for Between the Killings and Violence Only, and owner of Gravemind Entertainment LLC.
I’ve been involved in the underground extreme metal scene since the late ‘90s and early 2000s. From the beginning, I was actively involved in the scene, building friendships, making connections, supporting bands, and becoming part of a community that’s been a huge part of my life ever since. Extreme metal wasn’t just something I listened to. It became part of who I am, and that passion has only grown over the years.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to perform at some incredible events, share stages with bands I grew up listening to, and take my music internationally. I’ve met some amazing people along the way, and a lot of those relationships have turned into lifelong friendships.
I’ve also always been involved in booking shows here and there, helping put things together, and making connections throughout the scene. I genuinely enjoy that side of music just as much as performing.
At the end of the day, I’m still a fan of this music first and foremost. Everything I’m doing with Shamrock Slaughter Fest comes from that same passion I’ve had for decades.
What inspired you to start Shamrock Slaughter? Specifically what fests and festivals as well?
Believe it or not, Shamrock Slaughter Fest was originally just supposed to be a small birthday show for myself. Haha. I’ve always been involved in booking shows here and there, and I figured I’d put together something fun with some bands and friends to celebrate my birthday.
Well, one thing led to another, the ideas kept getting bigger, and here we are!
I’ve attended and performed at numerous festivals over the years, and I’ve always loved the entire experience. The bands, the friendships, the atmosphere, and getting everyone together for a weekend of music.
I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for the people behind festivals like Maryland Deathfest and Chicago Domination Fest. Having experienced these events as both a musician and a fan, I understand how much work goes into making them successful.
But Shamrock Slaughter Fest wasn’t something I originally set out to create on this scale. It really just evolved naturally, and once I saw what it could potentially become, I wanted to see how far I could take it.
Now, heading into our second year, I’m looking at how much further I can push it. It’s pretty crazy to think something that started as a birthday show has turned into a two-day festival, and we’re really just getting started.
Why did you feel the need to start a two-day festival? One day is crazy enough.
Because apparently I don’t have enough going on in my life already! Haha.
Seriously though, as Shamrock Slaughter Fest started growing, so did my ideas for what I want it to become.
I want people to make an entire weekend out of it. Travel in, spend time with friends, see a ton of great bands, check out the vendors, and enjoy everything that comes with attending a festival.
And when I say travel, I don’t mean just people from the surrounding states. I want people coming from all over the United States and eventually from around the world.
I don’t want Shamrock Slaughter Fest to be just another extreme metal festival. I want it to become a destination festival. Something people plan a trip around, take time off for, and look forward to every year.
Having two days gives me more freedom when putting together a lineup. I can bring in established artists, international bands, and newer bands that deserve the opportunity to perform in front of a larger audience.
Obviously, it comes with a lot more responsibility and financial risk, but I see the potential in what I’m building, and I want to continue pushing things further.
We’re only heading into our second year, and I’m already taking on a much larger event than I originally anticipated. I’m learning a tremendous amount along the way, and I have some pretty ambitious goals for where I want to take this.
Sometimes I wonder what the hell I got myself into! Haha.
Explain the multitude of challenges involved in putting together a two-day festival.
Where the hell do I start? Haha.
I don’t think people realize just how much goes into organizing a festival until they’re the ones responsible for making everything happen.
Booking bands is only a small part of it. You’re dealing with booking agents, management, contracts, deposits, travel arrangements, hotels, transportation, production, sound, lighting, backline, scheduling, vendors, sponsors, merchandise, marketing, and ticket sales.
And every single one of those things comes with its own set of challenges.
The financial side is probably the biggest. You’re committing a tremendous amount of money months before the festival even takes place, with absolutely no guarantee you’re going to make it back. You’re essentially betting on yourself and hoping the fans believe in what you’re putting together.
For 2027, we’re bringing Shamrock Slaughter Fest to The Forge and Icon Lounge in Joliet, Illinois. We’re operating two stages in separate rooms, but one thing I’m adamant about is having absolutely no overlapping performances. If someone buys a ticket to my festival, I want them to have the opportunity to see every single band.
That means scheduling and production have to be extremely organized, especially with the short changeovers between performances.
On top of everything involved with the festival, I’m also performing in two bands, running Gravemind Entertainment, and balancing my responsibilities to my family. There’s a tremendous amount going on behind the scenes, and trying to keep everything moving can definitely be overwhelming at times.
It’s exhausting, stressful, and sometimes makes me question my own sanity. Haha.
But seeing the lineup come together, bands excited to be involved, and people making plans to travel to something I’ve created makes all of it worth it.
Is there a chance you’ll bring even more overseas bands to Shamrock Slaughter in the future?
Absolutely! That’s something I want to continue expanding as Shamrock Slaughter Fest grows.
There are so many incredible bands overseas, and unfortunately, a lot of them rarely get the opportunity to perform in the United States.
Having both Beheaded and Molested Divinity involved in 2027 is something I’m extremely excited about, and I want to continue bringing more international acts to future editions.
The biggest challenges are the financial commitments and logistics. Between international flights, visas, accommodations, transportation, and everything else involved, those expenses add up extremely quickly.
One of my goals is to build stronger relationships with international promoters, booking agencies, and other festivals so we can potentially coordinate tours and additional appearances around Shamrock Slaughter Fest.
That benefits everyone involved, especially the bands, because it gives them the opportunity to make the trip worthwhile rather than traveling overseas for a single performance.
I’ve got a pretty extensive list of international bands I’d love to bring over, and I’m constantly looking at ways to make those opportunities possible.
And it goes both ways. I don’t just want international bands coming here. I want international fans making the trip as well. If I’m going to build Shamrock Slaughter Fest into a destination festival, I want it to have that kind of reach.
We’re only entering our second year, so there’s still a lot of growing to do, but that’s absolutely the direction I want to take it.
Did you feel the need to fill the void left by festivals like Devastation on the Nation, Bloodletting, Ozzfest, and Mayhem Festival?
Not necessarily, because I don’t believe there’s a void when it comes to metal festivals in the United States.
There are already some incredible festivals happening throughout the country, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for the people responsible for putting them together. Maryland Deathfest is a perfect example of what years of dedication and hard work can accomplish.
I didn’t start Shamrock Slaughter Fest because I felt something was missing. Hell, it originally started as a birthday show! Haha.
I’m not trying to replace anyone or compete with other festivals. I want Shamrock Slaughter Fest to establish its own identity and reputation.
My goal is to continue bringing together legendary bands, international artists, and newer bands that deserve more recognition, while giving fans an experience that’s worth traveling for.
I also want the bands to enjoy being part of it. Artist treatment is extremely important to me because I’ve been on the other side of things as a musician. I know what it’s like when promoters take care of their artists, and I know what it’s like when they don’t.
Ultimately, I want Shamrock Slaughter Fest to become one of those annual events that people from across the United States and around the world make plans to attend. Not simply because of the lineup, but because of the entire experience.
There’s room for all of us to succeed, and I genuinely want to see independent metal festivals continue to grow and thrive.
We’re only heading into our second year, and I know there’s a lot of work ahead of me. I’m not trying to reinvent anything. I’m building something I’m proud of, something I want people to respect, and hopefully something that will be around for many years to come.
A huge thank you to Technical Music Review for taking the time to talk with me and giving me the opportunity to share more about Shamrock Slaughter Fest.
And to every band, fan, sponsor, vendor, and everyone who’s supported this festival, thank you! None of this happens without you.
We’re only heading into our second year, and I’ve got some pretty big plans for the future. I appreciate every single person who’s been part of this so far.
Now let’s sell this damn thing out!
INTRODUCING…..
Saturday night’s headliner is WAKING THE CADAVER! Already a filthy lineup, it gets even crazier.
THE LINEUP:
DEVOURMENT • STABBING • BEHEADED • LIVIDITY • MOLESTED DIVINITY • CORDYCEPS • NO/MÁS • MUTILATION BARBECUE • NECESSARY DEATH • 9 DEAD • CASKET ROBBERY • NUCLEAR REMAINS • IMMORTAL SUFFERING • STAGES OF DECOMPOSITION • MUTILATRED • CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE • COMPULSED • THRONE • CARRION THRONE • SCASM • RECORRUPTOR • VIOLENCE ONLY — plus the other headliner still to be announced.