We recently caught up with Kirk Windstein, the sludge metal legend behind Crowbar, to talk about their long-awaited tour with Eyehategod, returning bandmates, and the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne. Kirk was as honest and grounded as ever, opening up about the music industry, staying true to the NOLA sound, and why tone really is in your hands.
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So, Kirk, you’re finally hitting the road with Eyehategod for a full tour—something fans have been asking about for years. What’s it like to finally make this happen, especially with that shared NOLA history between the bands?
It’s gonna be great. I mean, we’re all excited for it. We were kind of accidentally thrown together on a couple of shows in early November of last year, just combining some packages with different bands. And we started talking like, “Man, we really need to do a tour together.”
We did one years and years ago, but it’s been a very long time. So, we just thought it was a no-brainer to put the package together. We’re two of the oldest and, really, most original of the NOLA sound—what became the NOLA scene, which basically began in the late ’80s. By the early ’90s, we were putting records out.
So yeah, it just seemed natural to do this together. And my whole attitude in this music industry—it’s so tough for everybody, even bigger bands—is like, at the end of the day, we’re all in this thing together. I’ve got no competition with anybody, no ego. If Crowbar and Eyehategod touring together helps both bands draw more people, sell more merch, and make the fans happy—that’s the most important thing. It’s a win-win for everybody.
With Shane doing shows with Acid Bath and Pat Bruders stepping back in, it’s gotta feel like reconnecting with an old brother. How’s the chemistry been with Pat coming back on board for the rest of the year?
Oh, it’s great. I mean, I’ve played with Pat in Down, and even through him leaving Crowbar and me being out of Down for a bit—which wasn’t really that long—Pat still remained one of my best friends. So, it was an easy transition. It feels great.
We love Shane—I love Shane. I was probably one of his biggest supporters when it came to the Acid Bath thing. No one knew they’d be playing this many shows, so it got to a point where he couldn’t be in two places at once. I told him, “You made a commitment to these guys, so you’ve gotta stick it out.”
When shows kept getting added, we crossed that bridge, and naturally, Pat came back in. Rehearsals sound amazing. Pat’s always had the right attitude—just play music, man. At the end of the day, none of us are in it for the money. We would’ve quit a long time ago if we were. Very few people get rich doing this. I’m not rich, but having the bands I’m in and a wonderful family makes me feel like the richest guy in the world.
After all these years, what do you think defines the Crowbar sound? What elements make your music distinct?
From the very beginning, one of our biggest goals was just to sound like no one else. Whether you love it or hate it—it doesn’t matter. Of course, we want people to like it, but not everything is for everybody. Life would be boring if it was.
Jimmy Bower and I started what would become Crowbar together. We shared the same vision. At the same time, he was learning guitar and writing riffs for Eyehategod. I started jamming with him back in 1987—me on guitar and vocals, him on drums. We’ve been great friends since then.
With Crowbar, it’s always been about sounding like us. When you hear Crowbar, love it or hate it, one thing’s undeniable: nobody else sounds like us. That originality is one of the most important things to me.
If you could revisit any past albums and redo them, which one would you choose?
I’d redo Obedience Through Suffering, just to change a few things and get better production. I’d probably like to re-record Equilibrium—the production is terrible, though it has some really good songs.
With Obedience, you have to understand, we were coming out of a thrash and punk scene, trying to figure out how to play slow, heavy music. That album still has some elements of that transition, which is why our second album, Crowbar, was more what I wanted us to sound like. It’s a better representation of our vision.
Your last record, Zero and Below, was praised for its emotional rawness and heaviness. Looking back, do you feel it marked a turning point in Crowbar’s sound or philosophy?
I think so. I mean, we’ve done enough “classic” records—like the self-titled, Broken Glass, Odd Fellows Rest, and Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form—those are four of my favorites. But I really love Zero and Below. It’s probably my favorite record we’ve done in a long time.
We brought in some new elements while also taking steps backward to recapture some of that old-school feel—little things that had been missing. We worked harder as a band on the arrangements, and that really improved the quality of the material. I’m proud of it.
When you’re working on a record, do you focus on writing within a specific time frame, or let inspiration guide the process?
At this point in my career, there’s no rush for a new record. But once we start writing, I fully immerse myself. I call it “living in that band’s world.”
If I’m working with Down, then everything I do is about Down. If it’s my new project Sun Don’t Shine with Todd Strange and others, then I live and breathe that music for a month. I just finished that, went straight into Down, now I’m 100% in Crowbar world. I’ll probably start writing the new Crowbar record at the end of September.
Multitasking across different bands is just too mentally exhausting. I’ve learned I have to focus on one at a time, especially when it comes to writing.
You’ll be hitting the Headbanger’s Boat cruise in October with bands like Lamb of God. What kind of vibe are you hoping to bring, and what are the pros and cons of performing on a boat?
As long as the boat’s big enough—and this one is—it’s usually not too rocky. I’ve done a big one before and some smaller boat shows, where the boat doesn’t even leave the dock.
It’s fun. Especially with something like Headbanger’s Boat—great bands, not too many of them, so it’s not too hectic. I think Crowbar’s doing three sets. It’ll be fun, and we know a lot of the bands. It’s cool to hang out, and a lot of guys bring their families too.
The biggest pro is it’s different. We’re all trapped on this boat for five days, just living and breathing music. That’s awesome. The only con might be cabin fever or bad weather. But I like to stay positive.
I’ve been to the last two 70,000 Tons of Metal cruises. Have you played that?
Yeah, we did—maybe back in 2010. I had a blast, but in my opinion, it was too many bands. I remember Crowbar played once at like 4:30 a.m., and then again that same night at 8:00 p.m.
Everyone was just partying nonstop. I remember playing that early morning set, then singing karaoke with Frank from Suffocation, eating something, passing out, waking up just in time to play the next set. It was nuts—but fun.
This cruise seems more laid back and organized. 70,000 Tons was great considering how many bands were on it, but it was just nonstop music. People passed out by the pool, woke up sunburned and hungover, then started drinking again. I’m glad I did it, but this upcoming one should be more chill. As we get older, the “party just to party” thing fades. I just love the music. If I’m watching a band, I’ve got a beer in my hand—that’s just how it is.
We recently lost the legend himself, Ozzy Osbourne—someone who influenced everyone in heavy music. Can you share a reflection on what Ozzy meant to you personally and to the sludge/doom genre as a whole?
Ozzy is Ozzy. There will only ever be one. Black Sabbath, to me, are the godfathers of heavy metal. They created heavy metal.
Yeah, bands like Zeppelin had metal elements, and I love Zeppelin, but Sabbath didn’t dabble in folk or acoustic stuff. They went straight into the heavy.
Ozzy was a once-in-a-lifetime person. I’ve enjoyed his music with Sabbath and as a solo artist for so many years. It’s sad—we’re losing our heroes, the people who inspired us to play music. But it’s part of life.
As a guy who makes a living playing heavy music, all I can do is try to honor what those guys gave us. Ozzy will be missed forever. But like someone said online, “Just push play”
Your tone is instantly recognizable. Have you changed your setup much?
Not really. I’ve always believed tone is in your hands. I could play through Pepper Keenan’s rig and still sound like me. I keep my rig simple—just one heavy, good tone. Crowbar doesn’t need anything fancy, kinda like Sabbath. Tony Iommi had his tone, and that was enough.
If you had to wrestle a gator while blasting “Bleeding From Every Hole,” who in the band would help—and who’s running?
Matt Brunson would help for sure. He’s got black belts in two kinds of jiu-jitsu, so he’d do most of the work! (Laughs) Tommy, our drummer—probably the fastest of us—would be running the other way. He’s quick on his feet, and my back and knees are shot, so yeah, he’d be long gone.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be crushed by riffs, sweat out your soul in a dive bar, and maybe spot Kirk Windstein wrestling an alligator in the distance—this is your chance. Crowbar and Eyehategod are teaming up for a tour that’s basically a Southern sludge pilgrimage, zigzagging from the Florida swamps to the icy riffs of Maine, and everywhere in between.
Whether you’re catching them on a boat in Miami (yes, seriously) or at a place called The Handlebar (yes, also seriously), one thing’s for sure: you’re in for some gloriously heavy nights and possibly a sore neck the next morning. So grab a ticket, bring earplugs, and maybe stretch a little—you’re not as young as you were the last time Crowbar rolled through town.
CROWBAR w/ Eyehategod:
8/07/2025 Conduit – Orlando, FL
8/08/2025 Brass Mug – Tampa, FL
8/09/2025 Respectable Street – West Palm Beach, FL
8/10/2025 Trolley Pub – Summerville, SC
8/11/2025 529 – Atlanta, GA
8/12/2025 Ground Zero – Spartanburg, SC
8/13/2025 Cobra Cabana – Richmond, VA
8/14/2025 Rocks Off Concert Cruise – New York City, NY [info]
8/15/2025 Phantom Power – Millersville, PA
8/16/2025 Geno’s – Portland, ME
8/17/2025 Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA
8/18/2025 Space Ballroom – Hamden, CT
8/19/2025 Lost Horizon – Syracuse, NY
8/20/2025 Preserving Underground – New Kensington, PA
8/21/2025 Black Circle – Indianapolis, IN
8/22/2025 Ace Of Cups – Columbus, OH
8/23/2025 Reggie’s – Chicago, IL
8/24/2025 Sanctuary – Detroit, MI
8/25/2025 Red Flag – St. Louis, MO
8/26/202589th Street – Oklahoma City, OK
8/27/2025 Club Dada – Dallas, TX
8/28/2025 House Of Rock – Corpus Christi, TX
8/29/2025 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX
8/30/2025 Southport Hall – New Orleans, LA
8/31/2025 The Handlebar – Pensacola, FL
10/31/2025 Headbangers Boat – Miami, FL
#Crowbar #Eyehategod #KirkWindstein #SludgeMetal #DoomMetal #NOLAMetal #MetalTour2025 #HeavyMetal #MetalCruise #HeadbangersBoat #LiveMetal #UndergroundMetal #MetalLegends #SouthernMetal #StonerMetal #MetalInterview #CrowbarLive #EyehategodLive
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